It’s designed to make you think you’re in a restaurant…
As the clean white dish is placed next to the restaurant quality napkin, and the first Bellini is poured, the table is set to toast your big trip. While this may instantly sound like the setting found in the front of the plane, it’s actually taking place in economy, on select international Delta flights. After years and years of airlines pouring resources into beds with even larger pillows up front, it appears the economy customer is now the next great battle, and one Delta looks poised to win…
Restaurant Style Dining, In Economy
Delta is trialling a new style of food and beverage for international flights, beginning with their Portland to Tokyo Narita service. It turns out, all those customer feedback cards weren’t big fans of the increasingly small styrofoam “plates” and cheap plastic flatware airlines were rolling out, and Delta is now amongst the first to bring “class” back to economy class. According to Delta, we’re talking “restaurant style”…
In a fashion which sounds strikingly similar to their beloved joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic, Delta is offering printed menu cards, welcome “bubbles” with Bellini service and or sparkling water, followed by a three course meal, including – but not limited to HÄAGEN-DAZS. And unlike most airline economy meals, this meal trial is being served in order, rather than at once. That’s right, according to BizJournals, each course is served separately, like you’d expect in a nice restaurant.
International Roll Out
Tests in one market and worldwide international roll out are obviously two very, very different things, but it’s impossible not to be quite excited by the prospects Delta’s putting out here. If all goes well, Delta expects a wider rollout could occur as soon as end of year 2018. According to comment received from a Delta Spokesperson…
“Delta constantly listens to customer feedback and is now testing innovative ways to make our culinary experience onboard feel more like dining at a favorite restaurant. As part of that, we are conducting a test on select international flights where flight attendants will deliver an enhanced Main Cabin dining experience that we’ll use to gather customer feedback.”
Traditionally, not every element of a test makes it into a final product; for example, service may prove too slow going course by course rather than just plating at once, but these details are all to be seen. One thing is for sure, “restaurant style” is a great step in the right direction, and will be a welcomed enhancement for those turning right on the plane.
Are you excited about these new Delta dining and beverage trials?
Thanks to TravelZork for the tip off!
