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These are such strange times in the travel sphere. Nothing is what it once was. Like everyone, I get really sick of masks on jets but, for now, understand the need. I long for the day they are GONE or at least optional for those vaccinated.
One of the Deltaland related oddities is the current lunch menus on different flights. Some have restored most of what once was while others have not. Delta, as you can see here on Delta.com, as well as in the fly Delta app, promises us that flights over 900 miles get lunch in first class. But there is more.
In the past, for a 900+ mile flight, you could request your meal choice in advance either by calling, tweeting or in the Delta app. Not so much right now with the downgraded lunch box offering. So, you need to keep FEBO in mind and hope the flight attendants follow the guidelines (the guy in 1D was really angry he got whatever box was left when he was the last one asked for a choice).
Next up, as you can again see from the screen shot from the app, it says “snacks.” Well, the old snack basket is a thing of the past for the time being.
At least we did get the ultra mini bottles of water at our seat. But that was the only PFB (pre flight beverage.) Now on to the lunch.
There were 3 box lunch choices offered to start. The Italian ham, a strawberry salad and lastly a mozzarella and tomato sandwich. I chose the ham.
The first things you will notice is there are no white linens before the box. You simply get the box. Next up, drinks are still in plastic cups and wine is the simply horrid tiny plastic bottle ones that was before relegated to CRJ jets. Truly awful.
As to how was the lunch? The sandwich was OK. Nothing special. A large amount of bread and slightly soggy. The amount of chips tiny and the cookie is nothing like the old Dancing Deer ones they used to offer. I would never order this again if I were paying for it.
I wish I could add more to the review but this current lunch offering is really sad. I would expect something like this from say KLM on a short 30 minute flight – but not one as long as 900+ miles.
Lastly I will tell you that if you call Delta and ask about lunch on a flight that offers a “box” the reps will tell you there is NO meal on the flight even though Delta.com and the Fly Delta app says so.
Have you tried the Delta box lunch? Impressed or not so much like me? – René
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Yup…Delta is a crappy airline. Not sure why you have such an obsession with this company.
@Stanley – I am not obsessed with Delta – they just meet my needs where I live. Also, as I will review soon, they often step up when needed. As to the food and drinks right now… well… sigh…
Delta has turned into Americas garbage airline.
They have those same cookies on their economy TATL meals and they are awful! For how much DL has been pushing using more local and diverse suppliers you would think they could find something better in ATL to source from.
Flew in first SLC – DTW and return. Disappointing box lunch and dinner. Very disappointed on the snack basket as there is no obvious covid related reason or that reduction.
Delta has been serving the “crappy box” for too long. I would never pay for first class based on the service, and amenities, or lack thereof. I’ve flown across the country, MCO to SEA and had the cold “crappy box”, and minimal beverage service. On another flight, my “crappy box” was FROZEN, yuk. I don’t like Popsicle salad.
I too fly Delta mainly because of my location and destinations. In many instances they have stepped up and helped me out.
However, as noted in this writing, I agree that their first class meal and drink offerings are worse than poor. The box lunches are horrid. I have had the opportunity to try them all more than once and not one of them deserves more than a 1 out of 10 rating. The sandwiches are soggy, in varying degrees, the supposedly wooden utensils would cut warm butter, but not much else, and the potato chips are stale in about half of the lunches I have had. There are no spare lunches so the last person asked has no choice but to take what they have left.
Their drink selection in 1st class now does not include a Scotch. Yet their advertising and online pix all show the drink selection which includes Dewars Scotch. False advertising at its best. I have asked several FA’s why no scotch and the best answer is they do not know. One told me that she had asked several times and gotten no answer, other than it will be back soon. Well I guess four months of flying does not yet constitute soon!
I can only conclude, Delta, like many industries and businesses, continues to use the Covid excuse to either cover their greed, or ineptitude, or both!
I believe this meal is called the “Hauenstein Lunch Special.”
@Chris – OUCH ZING “Mr. Ham Sandwich”
You are right on the moist, meat sandwich. I usually go with the salad, and have found them to be quite good. I have some wine at the Delta Lounge before the flight as sometimes, but not all, you get the little bottle. I have been on a number of flights, First Class, with plastic glass wine service. And, if you want to get the best selection of boxed food, sit closer to the front!
I had the Italian ham sandwich on a recent flight from San Jose to Minneapolis and I was not impressed. The person setting next to me said it reminded him of what we used to get in coach in the old days.
I returned home on United, starting from Hancock, MI with stops in ORD and DEN. The United Express flight from Hancock to ORD was on a CRJ-200 and was not great, but at least I got an exit row, but the other two flights were wonderful.
For ORD to DEN, I had a lie-flat window seat in the Polaris cabin of a 777, which was fun, and I selected cheese enchiladas. This United meal is reviewed at this link:
https://liveandletsfly.com/hot-meals-united-airlines/
The meal was great!
I was surprised to see a hot meal on the relatively short ORD to DEN flight, but as the review above points out, United serves hot meals on hub-to-hub routes over 800 miles.
For the flight from DEN to SJC, United served a hot sandwich on china. I selected a meatball sandwich, and it was tasty and I thought it was significantly better than Delta’s Italian ham sandwich.
The United flight crews were great and much more attentive in first class than the Delta flight crew. Overall, United delivered what I expect when I buy a first class ticket, and Delta did not.
I flew RSW to DTW a few weeks ago in the last row of Delta first class. I was prepared to have no lunch choice because a few weeks prior on FLL to DTW I received no meal choice in the last row. But, the FA went backwards and asked the last row first. Go figure! I was happy (also had the Italian ham – it was ok) but no doubt the first row wasn’t pleased. I’d prefer consistency in that service since you the order ahead abilities are gone.
I’m a little down on Delta but I’ll keep flying them. But, first class fares are at a pre-pandemic price so Delta needs to step up the service to something closer to a pre-pandemic level. If not, why pay the high fare without good service when you can just hope for an upgrade?
It’s interesting how airlines tout all this stuff about being covid safe, filtered air, clean and sanitized, masking, etc, etc. And yet, most of them are still choosing meals where you traditionally use your hands to eat it, as in a sandwich. I mean, yes you can use a knife and fork if you really wanted to. Or they could just cater meals that don’t involve touching the food with your hands.
Agree. We flew SLC-HNL and received the same. Poor offering for that long of a flight in First Class.
Last week short KLM flight had the best breakfast of smoked salmon,yogurt etc It was the best
then 5 +++hour from jfk in C- did not even have a crappy box only not good cookies,almonds and biscoff sad
Had the strawberry chicken salad today, MSP-BOS. Was in 3D and by the time the FA got to me, starting in the back, there was only 1 sandwich left. Salad was fine, just very small, but those wooden utensils have a strange taste to me.
I flew three legs on DL 767-300 in First a few weeks ago – two legs international. Variations of ham sandwiches – mostly bread. VERY disappointing. Nothing to do with Covid in my opinion!
It has everything to do with keeping the government bailout money in the bank earning interest. Speaking of interest, they have none regarding your like or dislike of their offerings, unfortunately. And American isn’t any better. I guess AS and UA are the ones to fly for meals for the time being, unless international or transcon. Best to bring your own food onboard or eat at Sky Club/bring a plastic baggie and make a snack sack for the flight. Just don’t do it at the food station….lol.
Thanks for commiserating! Tom