Earlier this week I was invited to attend a social media event at Delta Air Lines. #InsideDelta was a look inside what it takes to keep one of the world’s largest airlines flying. It was more focused on passenger experience, and was not a meeting of the minds about the SkyMiles program, though that certainly came up during the visit.
The schedule was intense and included behind the scenes tours of the Operations and Customer Center (OCC), the airport coordination tower above Concourse A at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), and baggage operations. After a Sky Club luncheon discussion with Jeff Robertson, VP Product Development, Sky Clubs & Marketing Communications, we got a look at the BusinessElite cabin of an A330, then toured Technical Operations (aircraft and engine maintenance), and Delta’s social media lab. The day concluded with a roundtable discussion with CEO Richard Anderson followed by a dinner presented by Chef Linton Hopkins, who is working with Delta on select BusinessElite meal services.
Day 2 began with a tour of the In-Flight Service Training Center where we got a taste of the 7 weeks of intense training Delta’s new hire flight attendants receive. Impressive for sure, but hands down, my favorite part of the visit with In-Flight was the simulated emergency evacuation, complete with landing gear collapse.
#InsideDelta concluded with an invitation to the grand opening celebration of the Delta Flight Museum. For an aviation buff like me, it was like being a kid in a candy store.
#InsideDelta was a very dynamic learning experience, and this post and my teaser posts this week are only scratching the surface. I’ll be working through the weekend to prepare a complete post, perhaps a few posts, on the entire event, including more specifics, and a few interesting tidbits from the executives we met with too. Some surprisingly frank discussions to share. In the meantime, check out the Twitterfeed throughout if you’re curious.
-MJ, June 20, 2014
It’s true DL has many great employess. I respect and have had great experiences with GA’s, FA’s and Call takers. It’s just a shame that they are run by Bean Counters who don’t care about customers but the bottom. Don’t get me wrong I know they have to make money but they don’t have to turn the Airlines into the DM’s and kettles to fill the unfilled seats.
@John,
I agree with you on Delta’s great staff. On the other hand, I think all airlines are pretty much run by accountants and finance people now.