Delta adds 'Pre-select' business class meals to Sydney flights
By David Flynn, May 28 2018
Delta Air Lines is extending its choose-before-you-fly meal service to business class travellers between Los Angeles and Sydney.
From June 1, 2018, passengers in the Virgin Australia partner's Delta One business class on the LAX-Sydney route – although not the return leg – will see Delta's Pre-select seasonal meal options added to the menu.
There's room for a little confusion here: note that Delta One is the airline's brand for international business class (similar to United Airlines' Polaris) while its flagship business class product – shown below – is known as Delta One Suites.
Those suites are expected to appear on Delta's daily Sydney flight from March 31 2019, when the long-range Boeing 777-200LR currently flying this route is upgraded to the business class cribs.
Along the same lines as Singapore Airlines' Book the Cook service, Delta's Pre-select choices depend on the destination airport, with chef duo Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo designing the Delta One Pre-select menu on flights from Los Angeles, alongside Linton Hopkins on flights out of Atlanta and Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group out of New York.
Delta says that all meals "will be complemented by a selection of seasonal wines curated by Delta's Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson."
"We want to make dining at 30,000 feet feel like dining at a favourite restaurant," said Lisa Bauer, Delta's Vice President for On-Board Services.
"Giving customers the ability to choose their meal in advance is a big part of that. It speeds up the process for our flight attendants too, giving them more time to spend with customers."
To participate in Pre-select, travellers must have their Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer number listed in their booking. They'll then receive an email three days prior to their flight asking them to choose an option from Delta's current menu.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 104
When did Economy class get lie flat seats. Look at how narrow that seat is, and this guy is quite slight, so just wow...how will one sleep?
23 May 2014
Total posts 118
Does Delta’s “Pre-Select” give you additional menu options (like Book The Cook) or is it just pre-ordering whatever is going to be loaded anyway (like Qatar’s pre-select option)?
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1205
Who knew pax wanted the flight attendants to spend more time with them? I thought they just wanted prompt efficient service and then to be left alone.
03 May 2013
Total posts 679
As per a recent comment on BA’s new J class bedding. Lipstick on a pig. I wouldn’t waste my money on Delta. Like their US counterparts they simply have no idea.
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