Delta will make temporary changes to its food and beverage services on board all long-haul international flights starting from April.
The US carrier said these changes aim to “lessen physical touch points on board” amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Beginning April 3, the airline said it will “streamline” its onboard catering services across all long-haul flights. The following changes will be made:
Delta One
- Pre-departure beverage offering will be individual bottled water
- Choice of entrée, along with appetiser, bread and dessert selection
- Full selection of beverage offerings, including beer, wine and spirits
Delta Premium Select
- Choice of entrée, along with salad, appetiser and dessert
- Full selection of beverages offerings, including beer, wine and spirits
Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+
- Delta’s Bellini cocktail will be available upon request only during the meal and beverage service
- Choice of entrée, along with appetiser, bread and dessert
- Full selection of beverages offerings, including beer, wine and spirits
Starting from April 8, the airline said its onboard services will include the following:
Delta One
- Pre-departure beverage offering will be individual bottled water
- Choice of entrée, along with soup, salad, bread and dessert (appetiser will no longer be offered)
- Full selection of beverages, along with beer, spirits and limited wine offerings
Delta Premium Select
- Choice of entrée, along with salad, bread and dessert (appetiser will no longer be offered)
- Full selection of beverages, along with beer, spirits and limited wine offerings
Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+
- The welcome cocktail will be removed from service
- Choice of entrée, along with appetiser and dessert (bread will be removed from service)
- Full selection of beverages, along with beer, spirits and limited wine offerings
The airline said customers are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverage on board to enjoy during the journey.
Previously, the airline streamlined its onboard service on all US domestic and short-haul international flights (to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America) to only include:
- Two snack offerings across Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+, as well as in First Class on flights less than 900 miles
- First Class and Delta One meal service on U.S. domestic and short-haul international flights greater than 900 miles will now be replaced by individually pre-packaged, non-perishable Flight Fuel boxes with two snack offerings
- Beverages will be individual bottled water only – no alcohol offerings – across all cabins, with plastic cups and ice also removed during this time
- Preselect and Special Meal service will be temporarily suspended
More details of the onboard catering services on these flights can be found here.
Delta said it has also temporarily suspended the hot towel service in all cabins, and removed all glassware, including coffee mugs and champagne flutes, from First Class and Delta One, across all US domestic and international flights.
It added that non-essential materials, including its in-flight magazine, have been removed. However, passenger safety briefing cards and air sickness bags will still be available.
According to the airline, pillows, blankets and amenity kits will continue to be available on long-haul international flights. The airline said all the blankets and beddings are laundered after every flight, and pillows in the Main Cabin will be disposed of after use. It added that the amenity kits will be offered via a tray rather than being pre-placed on seats.
It added that it will continue evaluating and making adjustments.
Delta has recently outlined its flying schedule for April.
