Delta Airlines says its transcontinental trips between New York and either Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle will offer more dining and entertainment choices for those traveling in all customer classes. The improvements includes a bigger entertainment library with upwards of 100 movie selections.
"We are always working to make the coast-to-coast travel experience more comfortable and productive for our customers," said Joanne Smith, Delta's senior vice president of in-flight service, who added that "sometimes it is the smaller, more personal touches that really make the flight experience an exceptional one."
Delta recently announced plans to introduce full flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin of all transcontinental flights operating between New York and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Transcontinental flights will be using a combination of the Boeing 757 and 767 aircrafts. The first 767 will begin flying in March, between New York-JFK and Los Angeles-LAX.
By June, a 767 widebody with the BusinessElite flat-beds will fly four of Delta's seven daily flights between JFK and LAX and one of five daily trips between New York and Seattle.
The other expended options include:
Starbucks coffee service offered to all transcontinental customers;
Free movies and TV in Economy class and free beer, wine and spirits and "premium snacks" (something more than pretzels and peanuts but so far undefined) for Economy Comfort customers;
Selling larger (375 milliliter) bottles of wine in economy class, starting in March.
No more $6 fees for in-flight entertainment in Economy --- though customers will have to provide their own headsets to avoid all charges;
BusinessElite passengers can add sparkling wine to their long haul along with "express meals," which are single-plate service for those who don't want to be interrupted during the flight;
Then, to enhance the customer experience further, Delta's Ideas in Flight program will be collecting feedback from passengers about what other things they'd like to have on board (passengers may access the Ideas in Flight program for free in-flight or via the company's Facebook page.
"Ideas In Flight puts customers at the heart of our process. They know better than anyone what it takes to make flying better and their valuable insights and feedback will help shape new initiatives," said Tim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president of marketing.