Delta has been spending some cash on building a better airline of late, and just in time for summer, they are rolling out some product enhancements that should make a real difference for Delta fliers. First, the 767-400 and 777 international fleets now have flat bed seats in Business Elite. By next summer, Delta’s entire trans-oceanic fleet should have flat bed seats installed. Second, Delta is rolling out Economy comfort seating to its international fleet featuring extra legroom and recline, early boarding, and free booze too! Economy Comfort seating is free to Diamond and Platinum Medallions and their companions, while Silver Medallions receive a 25 percent discount on the upgrade fee, and mere Gold Medallions like me receive a 50 percent discount.
You can bet that if I can’t scrounge up the pennies (or miles) for a business class ticket across the pond when flying Delta, I’ll be all over the Economy Comfort option. Further, Delta is adding First Class seating to all of its large regional jets. Better yet, those aircraft should also be wi-fi equipped by the end of 2011. Couple these changes with the significant (and obviously necessary) capital spending in updated facilities at JFK, ATL and elsewhere, and one could conclude that Delta is making some serious improvements aimed at making travel better. This is all good stuff, and I hope to try out one of those new flat bed seats on an international flight real soon.
Good job Delta. Now, about that Delta.com award calendar……
I got to fly on the Delta 777 service DTW-MNL a couple of months ago. The configuration in the front was 1-2-1 on an angle. It seemed odd at takeoff to not be facing straight forward, but I adjusted pretty quickly. The seats were narrow, but the lay flat part was GREAT! I almost felt like I was in my own compartment. I am 5’11” and sleep on my stomach. I was relatively comfortable and didn’t feel cramped. A huge improvement over the “slide out your seat” reclined seats. They don’t fly many of these and the tickets are outrageous… Read more »