Delta is re-introducing complimentary meals on some of its longest domestic flights, including routes between New York and Los Angeles.
The airline said it will be the only US airline to offer free meals across all cabins on “selected” coast-to-coast routes.
It first dropped the offer in 2001 as it was hit by the economic downturn.
Starting March 1, Delta will offer the meals in the main cabin on its JFK/LAX service. From April 24, the airline will expand the offer to 10 other domestic routes from Seattle, New York, Boston and Washington DC.
Passengers will be offered “a variety of options” depending on the time of day, including:
- a honey maple breakfast sandwich, Luvo breakfast medley or fruit and cheese plate for breakfast
- a Mesquite-smoked turkey combo, Luvo Mediterranean whole grain veggie wrap, or fruit and cheese plate during the day
- a breakfast bar during the pre-arrival beverage service on overnight flights
Delta Comfort + passengers will be offered the same meals as above, as well as a pre-arrival snack basket, complimentary alcoholic drinks, and a mid-service Greek frozen yoghurt (on flights from New York JFK to Los Angeles and San Francisco).
The carrier says that the changes follow tests conducted late last year, “where the airline closely monitored customer satisfaction scores to determine the impact on the in-flight experience and saw a significant increase as a result of the test”.
Allison Ausband, Delta’s senior vice president – in-flight service said: “We are all about making our Main Cabin experience the best it can be for our customers and offering free, high quality meals is a big part of that experience.
“When we tested this concept, our customers loved it and appreciated it so we are implementing in our most strategic markets.”
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter