Two very contrasting things have been revealed in the past 48 hours.
Part 1: Delta launches its new international Main Cabin experience (Soft Product)
Yesterday Delta launched its “reinvented” Main Cabin (Economy Class) experience by adding “thoughtful touches like welcome cocktails, hot towel service, bistro-style dining and more.”
The Key Points:
Welcome Cocktail:
After leveling off at cruising altitude, Main Cabin passengers will be offered a special “Welcome On Board” cocktail featuring a Bellini: sparkling wine and infused peach puree.
Not sure how many people here are actually above the drinking age (I’m not) so… probably doesn’t apply to many
Followed by a refreshing hot towel
(American Airlines already does this though, not sure about United).
Delta is debuting a new snack basket available for all passengers after meal service. This snack basket features items such as such as Cheez-It crackers, Tillamook cheese, OREOs, KIND Bars, and the airline’s signature Biscoff cookies.
This is only for international flights scheduled for 6.5 hours or longer, plus select shorter international flights where Delta One or Delta Premium Select is offered.
Part 2: Lufthansa Reduces Meal Service In Economy/Premium Economy
Not so “Premium” anymore? 🤔
Currently on flights over 10 hours, Lufthansa offers a small hot tray with two choices for pre-landing.
Currently on flights under 10 hours, Lufthansa offers snack boxes with hot food pre-landing.
(The main meal is untouched. Only the pre-landing meal has been modified).
As Of November 28, 2019:
On long haul flights, Lufthansa will only offer a small cold vegetarian snack (high-quality cold sandwich) as the pre-landing meal, with no choice
Passengers will now receive a half liter water bottle. (Yay?)
Lufthansa is also cutting back on reusable headsets and will instead use disposable earbuds.
So… two very contrasting changes to the lower classes of flying for Delta and Lufthansa…
I personally haven’t flew Delta long-haul, but I flew Lufthansa two years ago and the food was rather amazing.
Delta’s new changes seem very thoughtful and paying attention to the tiniest details.
What are your thoughts on this? Are you booked to fly Delta or Lufthansa long-haul or planning to fly them?
I really like the way Delta upgrades their on-board experience, and I personally think that Delta is the best American carrier in terms of on-board service. Literally no carrier in the world serves welcome drinks in economy class, but it seems like Delta leads the way!
On the other hand, LH economy was decent when I took it in 2016… but THAT is a joke. Still LH First Class is within the top in the world (although AF La Premiere is the best), but I think this kind of economy service deserves 4 stars, at the most.
Just my opinion 😅
btw, the Delta One meals are being more and more closer to ‘inedible’ these days… a flight I took from MSP to ICN few months ago was some sort of rubber that was named ‘chicken’. I somehow enjoy their economy meals than Delta One sometimes…
I flew LH Premium Economy from DEN-MUC and back in the summer of 2017. It was a fantastic experience. The excitement of my first long haul plane and my first international trip made it all the more enjoyable, but the product was phenomenal as well. The FAs were nice, very attentive, and very helpful. The food was great as well.
Not sure if I’d be wanting to fly LH premium eco or regular eco now.
Well I don’t travel to Europe so nothing to say here. But Air Canada does code share with Lufthansa
I’ve taken Delta once before but don’t remember much.
While it’s not that much of a change in Eco where the pre landing meal consisted of some pizza-style snack or a muffin with a tiny fruit salad it’s a major change for premium economy I don’t understand. It’s a disgrace that at the same time the management decides to buy a five star rating from Skytrax they introduce this. What I actually consider even worse is the fact that they introduce single-use headphones producing immense amount of plastic and electronic waste in days where other airlines already attempt single-use plastic free flights just to cut on costs by „reducing fuel consumption“ due to the removal of the reusable ones…
Pretty interesting I always assumed Lufthansa had a stellar economy product but now it’s worse then most airlines or the same while delta is going well above what is expected and I think they will get a huge payout because of it
Jokes aside, it really is stupid. Like seriously, why don’t they just take out the seats, meal service, etc and pack us in like cattle or sardines. I mean why don’t we even fly, we can just never go on vacation.
If we are paying hundreds of dollars to fly, then why aren’t we at least getting decent food?
But damn Delta. I’ll buy the first ticket for eco, that actually sounds really delicious. And mostly free, I hope.
Flying 33 hours of Lufthansa in about a month. On my last LH flight, the pre-landing meal was good, but so are their sandwiches so like I don’t really mind at all. I don’t think it’s going to be as big of a deal in economy as it sounds like.
