- Introduction: Around The World For Allegris
- Review: Delta Sky Club Miami Airport (MIA)
- Review: Delta First Class Boeing 737 (MIA-MSP)
- Review: Delta First Class Airbus A319 (MSP-YVR)
- Review: Lufthansa Allegris Business Class Airbus A350 (YVR-MUC)
- Review: EgyptAir Business Class Airbus A320neo (MUC-CAI)
- Review: Le Meridien Cairo Airport, Egypt
- Review: Kuwait Airways First Class Airbus A330 (CAI-KWI)
- Review: Waldorf Astoria Kuwait City
- Review: Kuwait Airways Elite Lounge Kuwait Airport (KWI)
- Review: Kuwait Airways First Class Boeing 777 (KWI-BKK)
- Review: Coral Finest Business Class Lounge Bangkok Airport (BKK)
- Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge Bangkok Airport (BKK)
- Review: Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok Airport (BKK)
- Review: Thai Airways First Lounge Bangkok Airport (BKK)
- Review: Thai Airways First Class Boeing 777 (BKK-NRT)
- Review: United Polaris Business Class Boeing 777 (NRT-SFO)
For the second segment of my Allegris round the world journey, I flew Delta Air Lines’ Airbus A319 first class on the 3hr25min flight from Minneapolis (MSP) to Vancouver (YVR).
All-in-all, this was a perfectly fine flight, though not as good as the Delta Boeing 737 first class flight from Miami (MIA) that I had just come off of. While Delta’s A319s have a comfortable first class cabin with great entertainment and Wi-Fi, the snack on this flight left a bit to be desired. There was also a pretty funny situation in the cabin, which I’ll get into a bit later…
In this post:
How I booked my Delta first class ticket
I decided to fly Delta from Miami to Vancouver via Minneapolis, given that the airline had the best first class fare and schedule for my last minute booking. Specifically, I booked the following in first class for $762:
5/01 DL1565 Miami to Minneapolis departing 6:00AM arriving 8:51AM
5/01 DL2489 Minneapolis to Vancouver departing 10:05AM arriving 11:56AM
In this installment I’m reviewing Delta’s A319 first class from the second segment, and in the previous installment I reviewed Delta’s 737 first class from the first segment.
Delta first class lounge & boarding
I had a roughly 75-minute connection in Minneapolis, but due to a delay on my inbound flight, I ended up getting to the departure gate for my Vancouver flight the second boarding started.
My boarding pass indicated that boarding would start at 9:10AM, 55 minutes before departure, which sure seems aggressive for an A319 (though I recognize that early boarding is because this is an international flight). Boarding actually started at 9:25AM.
While I didn’t have time to visit the lounge, there’s a fairly new Delta Sky Club in Minneapolis, which I’ve heard great things about. I hope to check it out next time.
Delta A319 first class cabin & seats
Delta’s Airbus A319s feature a total of 12 first class seats, spread across three rows in a 2-2 configuration. Seats have 37″ of pitch and 21″ of width, so that’s pretty standard for domestic first class within the United States.
Delta does an incredible job with keeping its cabins modern, even when aircraft aren’t. For example, the A319 I was flying on was 22 years old, but you wouldn’t have known it based on the interior. I also like how Delta’s seats are stitched and have some accent lines and the Delta widget, as it makes it a bit more interesting than American’s first class seat, for example.
I assigned myself seat 3B, the aisle seat on the left side in the last row of first class. I’m usually a window seat guy, but this was the last available seat when I booked.
The seats as such were basically the same as on the 737, with a seat back television, and three separate seat back pockets.
In addition to the USB-A outlet underneath the personal entertainment monitor, there were also two AC power outlets underneath the center seat console.
The tray table extended from the center console as well, and could be folded over in half, and was quite flimsy.
My one frustration with Delta’s first class seats is that it seems like the seats recline quite a bit. When the person in front of you reclines, you almost have to recline as well, or else the seat will basically be in your face.
Delta’s A319s have larger overhead bins that let you store bags on their sides, to maximize the amount of space. However, it seems people really struggle with using these, since they automatically close, so it’s hard to lift your bag while also keeping the bin open. 
Lastly, I really like the personal consoles above the seats, with reading lights and individual air nozzles, which feel quite modern.
Delta first class amenities
There was a bottle of water waiting at each first class seat upon boarding. On top of that, the flight attendant offered pre-departure drinks of choice, and I decided to order a sparkling water.
Earbuds were also distributed, not just in first class, but throughout the cabin.
Delta doesn’t offer pillows and blankets in standard domestic first class, with the exception of redeye flights.
Delta A319 first class entertainment & Wi-Fi
Delta has among the best inflight entertainment of any airline in the world, in terms of both seat back programming and Wi-Fi.
Delta Studio is the name of Delta’s seat back entertainment, which includes a huge selection of programming, from movies, to TV shows, to live TV, to audio. The selection is impressive in terms of quantity and quality, and just about everyone should have no issues staying occupied throughout the flight.
Delta also offers free inflight Wi-Fi for all SkyMiles members. You just have to log-in with your SkyMiles account information, and then you can connect with one click. Delta uses Viasat for its inflight Wi-Fi on A319s.
I found the speeds to be reasonably good, though not as good as on American. That makes sense, when you consider there’s a lot more demand for Wi-Fi when it’s free, and ultimately bandwidth is a limited resource in the sky.
Thanks to Delta Sync, there’s all kinds of streaming entertainment you can watch through your own device, though I can’t imagine that’s used all that much, given the seat back entertainment options.
Delta’s entertainment is tough to beat, so kudos to the airline for that.
Delta A319 departure from Minneapolis
Boarding was reasonably efficient, and by 9:55AM (30 minutes after boarding began), the main cabin door was closed. At this point the captain made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our flight time of 3hr25min, and our cruising altitude of 34,000 feet. Moments later, the safety video was screened.
At 10:05AM we began our pushback, and then at 10:10AM we began our taxi. It was only a short distance to the departure runway, and we were airborne by 10:15AM. Since I wasn’t in a window seat, I couldn’t really take pictures outside.
Delta first class snack service
After takeoff, the flight attendant came through the cabin to take drink orders. I decided to order a Diet Coke, served in proper glassware.
After that, the flight attendant passed through the cabin with a basic snack basket, containing Biscoffs and roasted almonds.
This is where it gets weird, though. Prior to my flight, I noticed that I couldn’t pre-order my meal, as is usually possible when flying in Delta first class. I figured that was just a glitch for some reason, but nope. As it turns out, Delta just served a boxed snack on this flight.
The choices were described as a chicken breast salad and grain bowl with balsamic vinaigrette, or a fruit and cheese plate. By the time they got to the third row, they only had the former available, so that’s what I had.
This was served in a disposable box. I mean, at least the presentation was pretty decent as far as boxed snacks go, but still…
The main portion of the snack looked tasty, but I found it to taste bland. Nothing had much flavor, everything was mushy, and the dish was also room temperature.
This was served with some packaged sourdough flatbread, plus a chocolate chunk cookie.
I’m a little confused by this, so does anyone understand why Delta would serve this on a 3hr25min flight departing at around 10AM and arriving at around 12PM, not accounting for a two hour time change?
Delta’s website indicates that the airline serves meals on flights of at least 900 miles over “select departure times,” and notes that a “limited number of flights may serve fresh meal boxes.” Here’s my confusion:
- Is there no full meal service because Delta considers this flight to be between standard meal times? That seems really cheap if so, since this flight leaves at 10AM and arrives at 2PM based on where the traveler departed from, so a meal seems appropriate
- Even if Delta views this as a snack flight, why serve it in a disposable box, rather than have it properly plated?
- Is this because Delta roundtrip caters the flight to & from Vancouver, and gallery space is limited? But even if that’s the case, why isn’t there enough room in the galley? There are plenty of routes that are roundtrip catered with proper plating
Anyway, the whole thing just felt cheap and disappointing, especially when departing a hub, and given the excellent meal I had on the previous flight.
Delta A319 first class lavatory
Delta’s Airbus A319s have a first class lavatory located at the front of the cabin, by the cockpit. The lavatory is a bit bigger than on the 737, and like the rest of the cabin, felt modern.
An interesting seat mate situation in the cabin
The most memorable part of this flight wasn’t even anything having to do with the airline, but rather a couple of the people seated in front of me. Honestly, it almost felt like this was a plot from a movie.
There were two surgeons seated in front of me (a younger woman, and a middle aged man), who were going to some sort of surgeon conference in Vancouver, or something. A few minutes after settling in, it became clear that they actually knew one another.
Let’s just say that there was some noticeable “energy” between the two, to put it mildly. You could cut the tension with a (surgical) knife. And I wasn’t even eavesdropping, or anything, it was just literally evident to anyone within a couple of rows of them. Heck, the flight attendant even said “are you two single, because if so…”
When the flight attendant later found out they were both surgeons, she seemed to basically view the flight as a medical consultation, and started asking them about what kind of procedures she should get done, if they think her doctor is doing a good job with botox, etc.
Delta A319 arrival in Vancouver
I spent most of the flight working, and before I knew it, we were getting close to Vancouver.
At 11:10AM Vancouver time, the captain was back on the PA to announce that we’d be landing in around 30 minutes. At that point the seatbelt sign was immediately turned on, and flight attendants were told to prepare the cabin for landing.
Our descent was smooth, and the views on the approach were breathtaking, as it was a beautiful day in Vancouver. This is definitely an approach where you want a window seat, if possible.
Sure enough, we had a smooth touchdown in Vancouver at 11:40AM. We then taxied to the ramp, but our gate was still occupied, so we had to wait for around 10 minutes. We finally arrived at 11:55AM, just a minute ahead of schedule.
Bottom line
My Delta A319 first class flight was a mixed bag. On the plus side, Delta has modern cabins (despite the older plane), extensive seat back entertainment, free Wi-Fi, and power ports. At the same time, I was confused by the service on this flight. Not only wasn’t there a full meal, but it was served in disposable packaging. That just just feels cheap, and I’m curious why that kind of service is offered on this flight.
What do you make of Delta’s Airbus A319 first class?
That's definitely weird. As a DL Diamond and AA EXP, I find Delta is more stingy about serving meals on flights, but that they're generally better meals, especially the pre-order limited selections. They're tastier and healthier than AA's meals or my limited experience with UA meals. I had a salmon poke bowl last week that I'd order any time. However, AA does win in one way by having the warm nuts.
I've only had...
That's definitely weird. As a DL Diamond and AA EXP, I find Delta is more stingy about serving meals on flights, but that they're generally better meals, especially the pre-order limited selections. They're tastier and healthier than AA's meals or my limited experience with UA meals. I had a salmon poke bowl last week that I'd order any time. However, AA does win in one way by having the warm nuts.
I've only had the boxed meal on flights operated by regional carriers, not mainline DL flights. But I don't have data on flights to Canada as I generally get stuck on AC going to Canada flying out of DC. And that's always a miserable experience.
Also, Ben, those snacks were from the Comfort+ snack basket. The FAs will usually bring the remaining snacks to First after they run the basket through comfort+. Although lately I've seen it come through F first, making me wonder if comfort + is getting the snack basket at all!
I exclusively book domestic and transborder first and I avoid Delta because their meals are inferior. All of my important clients and associates agree with me that American and United simply offer better dining than Delta. Fortunately we never have to go to Minneapolis, Salt Lake, or Detroit because we're not small town simpletons. I pity people who have to fly Delta. Their meal service is objectively inferior to American and United.
It seems like it will be the trend soon for domestic first class with boxed meals.
I’m guessing this would have been return catered, it sure isn’t first class , well, American first class is what the rest of the world would call business or premium economy and at least you ended up with actual glassware
No competition on a route = very minimal catering.
Dunno why so many people get annoyed by poor airline food. It’s always poor, it’s on a plane and prepared many hours earlier. Accept it.
It’s just served to waste some time as you sit bored in a seat and wait for the flying machine to return to earth.
Some airlines offer better food than others. Delta is probably the best of the Big 3 US airlines, and have decent meals on domestic flights. Which makes what was served on this route disappointing.
That's not true. Delta has the worst food of the US3, and it isn't even close.
We have flown this route in first many times in the last few years and it is always a boxed meal although there is usually a turkey sandwich option which typically goes fast. Our next trip is comfort plus in part because the meal is so unappealing.
Yeah. I don't know why anyone would buy first on this route. I'd take bulkhead aisle in comfort plus and maybe even buy the middle seat if the price was right.
According to Flyer Talk:
Current exception stations where only cold meal boxes (with no pre-selection) are offered in FC on 900+ mile flights (both to and from station). Market/Bistro snack boxes are served on flights that are AM return flights to hubs from previous evening arrivals (as the cold meal boxes would require refrigeration overnight ):
ABQ, AUA, ASE, BOI, BTV, BZN, COS, EGE, ELP, EYW, GEG, GUA, HDN, JAC, JAX, LIH, MCI, MTJ,...
According to Flyer Talk:
Current exception stations where only cold meal boxes (with no pre-selection) are offered in FC on 900+ mile flights (both to and from station). Market/Bistro snack boxes are served on flights that are AM return flights to hubs from previous evening arrivals (as the cold meal boxes would require refrigeration overnight ):
ABQ, AUA, ASE, BOI, BTV, BZN, COS, EGE, ELP, EYW, GEG, GUA, HDN, JAC, JAX, LIH, MCI, MTJ, NAS, OAK, OMA, PLS, PSC, PSP, PUJ, PVD, PWM, SAL, STT, SXM, TUS, VPS, YYC, YYZ, YUL, YVR
Seen it multiple times specifically on Canada routes and one from ABQ. Incredibly frustrating each time.
That's an exceptional number of routes, none of which are disclosed by Delta publicly.
Imagine booking business all the way to Aruba from JFK or BOS, a 5 hour international journey, and only getting that box. Hardly "premium"
And yet San Juan has catering. Delta used to have catering in Aruba. It was actually one of the better catering stations. You used to get red snapper from the Caribbean!
American has catering in some of those international stations. Gua, Sal. The catering companies are there, they just decide not to get catered there.
BigLaw V10 will get lots of work from the "surgeons on a business trip...." part of the story.
Delta is a common carrier just like every other US airline. They carry all kinds of people. You see a cross-section of the human race. Presumably, the two surgeons booked after you and couldn't sit together.
as for food, every US airline sets meal windows based on the departure time of the flight with no consideration of the arrival time or the destination city.
@ Tim Dunn -- The point is twofold regarding meals. First of all, on flights of a comparable length at a comparable time, American and United would both serve full meals in first class. Furthermore, American and United both have plated meals in first class on all flights departing hubs, and don't serve anything in a disposable box. This is inferior to the competition.
AA and UA do have meal time windows that determine what they serve and when. You got a hot, plated breakfast out of MIA at, wait, wait, breakfast time.
Your point of comparison is valid but, as others note, the service given by the flight attendants is far more significant than the food served.
btw, did you happen to note how long the upgrade list was on this flight?
"the service given by the flight attendants is far more significant than the food served."
Nice deflection there.
not a deflection.
Ben acknowledges that Delta people generally give higher quality and more consistent service than its competitors.
Meal times and windows are pretty readily available.
ALL airlines have windows in which they serve meals and the type of meal depends on the time window.
10 am is not meal time.
Meals and every other service element are based on the departure time for the flight.
Are Delta's meal windows...
not a deflection.
Ben acknowledges that Delta people generally give higher quality and more consistent service than its competitors.
Meal times and windows are pretty readily available.
ALL airlines have windows in which they serve meals and the type of meal depends on the time window.
10 am is not meal time.
Meals and every other service element are based on the departure time for the flight.
Are Delta's meal windows different than American or United's?
perhaps.
Did Delta's meal windows affect Ben's purchase decision? since he said he booked this trip based on cost enroute to a longhaul international flight, it doesn't appear that it does.
Since Delta carries a higher percentage of corporate traffic than any other airline and does serve what Ben calls higher quality meals during the windows when it does serve meals, it doesn't seem that Delta's potentially narrower meal windows matter to the vast majority of customers.
If you have data to prove otherwise, feel free to share with us.
and the food was a snack, not a meal, so of course it wouldn't be plated.
How many times did the FA(s) come through for refills and to offer the snack basket? THAT is what DL consistently does better than its peers.
@ Tim Dunn -- I think you're missing the main point I'm trying to make. The issue isn't the quantity of food (which was fine), but rather how it was presented. I think we can objectively agree that presenting something in a disposable box isn't classy presentation.
Regarding purchase decisions, see the comment above from Jan:
"Our next trip is comfort plus in part because the meal is so unappealing."
Ben please just acknowledge this is the most Premium offering from any airline ever. We're tired of you equivocating. Thanks so much.
P.S.: Delta is THE Premium airline.
first, I read Jan's comment.
You yourself stated the reasons why you chose to fly Delta and it had nothing to do with food.
The vast majority of customers want some sort of elevated experience and some airlines use food to be part of that equation.
Food is not a significant purchase decision according to repeated research. It is a distinguishing factor between classes of service.
Different airlines have different windows...
first, I read Jan's comment.
You yourself stated the reasons why you chose to fly Delta and it had nothing to do with food.
The vast majority of customers want some sort of elevated experience and some airlines use food to be part of that equation.
Food is not a significant purchase decision according to repeated research. It is a distinguishing factor between classes of service.
Different airlines have different windows in which they serve.
In summary, Delta has narrower meal windows but, based on your own comments from your MIA-MSP flight and your review 2 years ago of a DL flight from the NE to Florida (I think RSW), has higher quality food served by nicer people that deliver a more consistent level of service.
DL fed you what you said was a decent meal with decent service that included normal breakfast time from MIA.
The lengthy trip reports are interesting but, as others have noted, seeing a comparison of various service elements between the 3 US carriers - and even on somewhat "like" flights.
Forgive me for reducing this once again to business but Delta like American and United and everyone else invests what it needs where it needs; they are acutely aware of what matters to customers and how it affects purchase decisions and ultimately DL's bottom line.
Your experience and judgment is yours and I respect that.
I do wish you had the opportunity to visit the new SkyClub at MSP.
and I do hope you have early plans to visit the Delta One lounge at JFK.
It is deflection.
You mention that American and United do the same thing.
Lucky counters with no, on similar length routes, they serve a real meal, not a boxed meal.
Then you try to switch it from "AA and UA serve real meals" to "It's about the service!" basically, trying to steer the conversation away to something else. Because heaven forbid if AA or UA do something better than DL...
"10 am is not meal time."
Say who?
by Ben's own assessment, DL serves higher quality meals when they do serve meals - but DL doesn't serve meals as often.
On balance, I can assure you that a very, very few number of people buy a domestic ticket for food.
go back and read why Ben said he bought DL from MIA-MSP-YVR in the first place. Food had nothing to do with it.
"On balance, I can assure you that a very, very few number of people buy a domestic ticket for food."
Again, you are deflecting/making excuses for DL, as per usual. Whether or not they offer better service is irrelevant to the point Ben and others were making regarding the food served on this route in comparison to what the competition offers on routes of similar lengths departing from hubs.
It's called the Sad Box, we have been dealing with this since Covid. Delta hasn't contracted catering in those stations, and thus we get the Sad Box. This is a pure money grab!
Tim, this style of catering on DL has absolutely NOTHING to do with "meal windows".
There are certain stations where DL refuses to enter into catering agreements. My home base of TUS is one such station. ALL meals to/from these stations are boxed, cold meals. A 3.5 hour dinner flight ATL to TUS will be your choice of that chicken grain bowl or a turkey croissant. The same choice as a few days earlier TUS-ATL...
Tim, this style of catering on DL has absolutely NOTHING to do with "meal windows".
There are certain stations where DL refuses to enter into catering agreements. My home base of TUS is one such station. ALL meals to/from these stations are boxed, cold meals. A 3.5 hour dinner flight ATL to TUS will be your choice of that chicken grain bowl or a turkey croissant. The same choice as a few days earlier TUS-ATL on a lunch time flight. It gets old. Fast.
I've heard that such stations have always been double catered out of the hub but such catering (when windows dictated such) could be trayed, hot meals both directions (except overnights where the breakfast on return needs to be shelf stable). When covid hit then stared subsiding, all flights had boxed meals. As catered stations (the hubs) started getting hot meals again, the non-catered stations remained with boxed meals. At this point in time it seems as if DL does not plan to return to (double catered) hot meals.
The worst was when my TUS-ATL 1pm-ish flight returned to the gate with a mechanical. We were eventually told the new departure time would be 7am the next day. To DL's credit, we indeed did push again at about 7:02am. Same plane, same crew. Inflight, as I inquired when the breakfast box would be served, I learned we had the same catering (thus no edible meals). I was shocked that DL doesn't even have an agreement for one-off situations like this. Premium airline indeed.
I can't speak for UA, but AA also has double catered flights.
Per the meal times & windows, they will be normal meals (again, with the obvious exception for overnight returns).
Contrary to what you (and some others) will insist, some people DO care about this. I hate arriving at the hub with a quick connection to a snack only flight then arriving at destination near mid-night with everything closed. And the only food since breakfast being being the small grain bowl I had hours ago. I "want First, so Pay for First" and expect as little more. Actually started driving to PHX more often to have meals (and a wonderful SkyClub) but that also gets old. So I started flying AA more often and with the exception of no IFE and mean Gate Agts, I've been pleasantly surprised.
I fly first class all the time domestic and international. The food is the least of my concerns. I roll my eyes every time I hear “expert” reviewers focusing on the brand of wine or the refinement of the food in an airport lounge. This isn’t the 1970s. True airline luxury isn’t spending time in an airport, it’s avoiding it and its hordes of people all together. As for the flights, I want a comfortable...
I fly first class all the time domestic and international. The food is the least of my concerns. I roll my eyes every time I hear “expert” reviewers focusing on the brand of wine or the refinement of the food in an airport lounge. This isn’t the 1970s. True airline luxury isn’t spending time in an airport, it’s avoiding it and its hordes of people all together. As for the flights, I want a comfortable seat with good IFE. I don’t bother eating or drinking the coffee due to filthy storage tanks and poor/dirty catering facilities that no one seems to be aware of. If it’s a long international flight, all I (and most other elites I know) expect is a tasty but simple meal. The focus of these reviews is pretty basic and immature.
Then why are you here? Most people that read these reviews *are* interested in the mundane and the minutia which is why we are here. If you don't like the content, then don't read it - nobody is forcing you to.
I here because I like to read about new routes, premium products, planes, airline/airport news and I enjoy Ben's luxury hotel reviews. I am also considering his partner for booking travel with Virtuoso. My opinion is just as valid as yours and I couldn't care less about what he or other reviewers think of their airplane lunch on a 3 hour domestic flight (I'm not alone).
@L-1011Lover - Don’t waste your time. Premier Flyer is the absolute definition of holier than thou TRASH. The exact same type that will tell you we don’t need law enforcement and to defund them. Then they’re the first to call police the second a minority is walking around their property.
I have a feeling Premium Flyer's politics lean more to the right than to the left...he is fantastico, after all lol
You personally don’t care about food on a plane so therefore even discussing it at all in an actual review is “immature”. Very juvenile.
I understand for some people, these reviews are aspirational. That’s great. However, it shows a lack of maturity and actual traveler insight for an “expert” to focus on such trivial shiny objects like wine brands and not more useful/insightful travel/airline information. I appreciate this site and read it for the general travel industry info/updates but it’s pretty clear from the reviews that Ben’s knowledge of the travel industry is actually pretty basic.
I worked...
I understand for some people, these reviews are aspirational. That’s great. However, it shows a lack of maturity and actual traveler insight for an “expert” to focus on such trivial shiny objects like wine brands and not more useful/insightful travel/airline information. I appreciate this site and read it for the general travel industry info/updates but it’s pretty clear from the reviews that Ben’s knowledge of the travel industry is actually pretty basic.
I worked decades in the travel industry, managing and consulting five star hotels with Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Park Hyatt, etc. I’ve managed air operations for 2 major US airlines, 2 luxury cruise lines and private/global concierge companies. I actually do know what I’m talking about and can spot a free travel thirsty pretender a mile away. Good for him for building a brand and following for himself, though.
As though Premier Trash couldn’t prove my point any clearer you now have that last post from them. Jesus what a miserable person they are. Such a thirsty pretender!
I found the surgeon situation amusing, and see no reason to not have included a story from a public place.
There's a set of outstations where, for whatever reason, DL hasn't entered into a catering contract since the pandemic. For these stations, both the flight out from the hub and the flight back get snack boxes (except for morning flights where the plane stayed overnight: F gets a choice of shelf-stable snack boxes that are otherwise for sale in Y). The sub-900 mile routes out of SEA that get F meals to compete with AS...
There's a set of outstations where, for whatever reason, DL hasn't entered into a catering contract since the pandemic. For these stations, both the flight out from the hub and the flight back get snack boxes (except for morning flights where the plane stayed overnight: F gets a choice of shelf-stable snack boxes that are otherwise for sale in Y). The sub-900 mile routes out of SEA that get F meals to compete with AS also get the fresh boxes.
Notable airports in this category include ABQ, IAD, SBA, most of the Caribbean, and all of Canada.
Minneapolis is a major hub. And Vancouver is hardly some small-market outstation. It's a major airline with plenty of caters. Two years after the return of full meals in domestic first-class it is wholly inexcusable that Delta not only hasn't actually brought back hot meals, but that it fails to disclose the routes without real meals.
I am guessing the boxed meal in F is a two fold problem.
1. It is highly probable that when refurbished the 319s, and other aircraft, they put in a smaller galley with limited chilled storage capasity for only one flight at a time.
2. While YVR is a large airport, I think after the pandemic airline caterers are trying to be more 'lean' and shed any servicing that is not large or...
I am guessing the boxed meal in F is a two fold problem.
1. It is highly probable that when refurbished the 319s, and other aircraft, they put in a smaller galley with limited chilled storage capasity for only one flight at a time.
2. While YVR is a large airport, I think after the pandemic airline caterers are trying to be more 'lean' and shed any servicing that is not large or strategic enough to justify the extra work (service wear storage and inventory management, preparing/plating meals, provisioning the aircraft, understanding/meeting airline requirements, cleaning/organizing offloaded items). With what appears to be only two narrow body flights a day on DL that would need provisioning for F, they probably said "thanks but, no thanks".
DL likely could do a regular meal out of the hub and the boxes on the way back, but probably decided not to for whatever reason.
ORD-DC9 I just don’t see it. MSP is a hub and if they can round trip cater a flight they can do it properly. AA round-trip caters all their flights to MCI and all daytime turn flights ex-PHX get a hot meal in both directions on aircraft with ovens; the route is typically served by 738/319/320. I don’t know why DL would settle for providing an inconsistent experience across their network.
Feel like the surgeon situation is a moment where you should have just minded your own business and ignore it because by posting about it, you could affect these two surgeons and one flight attendant’s careers whether it’s right or not.
Yeah it's completely unnecessary and detracts from an otherwise objective review. It adds nothing of substance.
Can you imagine how boring this website would be if it was stripped of all anecdotes? Perhaps the surgeons could help you get the stick out of your ass.
The surgeons will be identifiable to their co-workers and family. This was unnecessarily detailed!
Jeesh take a break, it's a blog after all..
Oh please. Ben just gave a quick anecdote. Half of the country under the age of 30 would have filmed them without permission for TikTok/Instagram views.
If you want complete privacy in 2024, stay home and/or fly private
Seriously? Lighten up for gods sake. This was so glaring to you that you needed to jump on here and whip up this comment?
How could affect their careers? How are they identifiable? Gees, chill.
The premium meal experiences of Delta strikes again.
I had pretty much the same first class, meal experience on a roughly 3 hour flight from MSP to Dulles but I was on a regional plane so the galley didn’t have the ability to cook meals. In my case, I questioned the choice of plane, not meal, as the former dictated the latter.
At least the cheapo meal was packed in a 'premium' cardboard right?
Hey Ben
Correction
This aircraft isn’t 37” at all 12 seats
It’s 35-37” pitch . Four seats are 35”, 8 are 37”
https://www.delta.com/us/en/aircraft/airbus/a319
I had the exact same disappointing meal service on a ATL-ABQ at dinner time this May, 2024, including not being able to preselect a meal. They started these in the pandemic and I’d given up hope of them bringing back hot meals and proper plates when leaving smaller cities (like ABQ), but until this spring, departing from a hub on a meal-qualifying flight always meant a hot meal that you could pre-select. I even had...
I had the exact same disappointing meal service on a ATL-ABQ at dinner time this May, 2024, including not being able to preselect a meal. They started these in the pandemic and I’d given up hope of them bringing back hot meals and proper plates when leaving smaller cities (like ABQ), but until this spring, departing from a hub on a meal-qualifying flight always meant a hot meal that you could pre-select. I even had a hot meal for a 2pm SLC-STL flight on the same trip, which felt like it could have done without, but a 7pm ATL-ABQ had a box lunch/dinner. I agree that it’s incredibly disappointing for any airline, especially Delta, who prides themselves on being a “premium” product. What a disappointment to get a sack lunch on a first class seat leaving at a meal time and flying over 900 miles. I look forward to those Delta hot meals too, as they’re usually quite tasty.
I wasn't aware that Vancouver was an exception, but Delta has a whole litany of UNPUBLISHED exceptions to its hot meals policy. It's unacceptable. At the very minimum, it should be disclosed. But it isn't. Basically, Delta is too cheap to pay for catering in the destination airport. Tucson is another example. Most of the Caribbean outside San Juan too. Even though Delta had catering in these airports before the pandemic.
Too bad about the meal. If I had to guess, I would say they served a snack since it was after the usual dinner time hours. Though as you said, they could have plated it nicer (unless they were inspired by fellow Skyteam airline KLM on how to serve snacks ;)
@ Julia -- Just to clarify, this flight departed at 10AM and arrived at 12PM (2PM at the origin airport), so I don't think it was after dinner hours. :-)
Whoops! Brain fart from my end. Yeah then, it does seem strange that there wouldn't be a full breakfast service offered for that time.