I lately wrote posts in regards to the issues that American Airways does effectively and the issues that United Airways does effectively. Within the spirit of optimistic reinforcement, on this publish I needed to share the issues that I believe Delta Air Traces does effectively.
Delta is commonly thought to be being the very best of the “huge three” US carriers. I believe the airline has misplaced a little bit of its edge in the course of the pandemic, although the airline nonetheless has some vital aggressive benefits.
In no explicit order, beneath are 10 issues I like about Delta Air Traces…
The folks & service
The fact is that on this publish I’m simply itemizing a bunch of issues I respect about Delta, and I’m not weighing the relative worth of every. If I have been to try this, this level could be by far probably the most vital.
The staff at Delta are merely on steadiness higher than these at American and United. Interval. Certain, there are in fact some good workers at different airways and a few unhealthy apples at Delta, however Delta workers are constantly probably the most skilled and grateful for his or her prospects. Delta workers view prospects as the explanation they’ve a paycheck, slightly than as an inconvenience.
I’m not going to get too deep into that right here, however I’ve written about that many instances prior to now. From check-in brokers, to Sky Membership brokers, to flight attendants, Delta workers simply appear to go the additional mile extra constantly.
Seatback televisions on most planes
Whereas American has eliminated TVs from most planes, and whereas United is slowly within the strategy of including TVs to most planes, Delta has been constantly profitable on this regard for years. The airline has seatback leisure on a overwhelming majority of its slim physique planes (the one exception is the Boeing 717), and that’s one thing passengers respect.
Whereas Delta has a better common slim physique fleet age than American and United, the airline does make investments an enormous quantity in making its cabins really feel contemporary, and that’s nice.
Excessive velocity Wi-Fi
Delta does a fantastic job with inflight Wi-Fi. The airline has both Viasat or Gogo 2Ku on a overwhelming majority of its fleet. That is an space the place the airline is kind of on par with American, and manner higher than United.
Maybe most fun is that Delta is working towards introducing free inflight Wi-Fi. It’s probably that we’ll see this launch in early 2023. So the airline is already in a great place with Wi-Fi, and it’s solely getting higher.
20-minute bag assure
For these of us who typically examine baggage, Delta’s 20-minute bag assure is superior. Delta ensures your bag will arrive at baggage declare inside 20 minutes of your flight’s arrival, otherwise you get 2,500 bonus SkyMiles.
I’ve discovered baggage with Delta constantly arrive rather a lot quicker than baggage with American and United. If I had a greenback for each time I’ve waited for 45 minutes at American’s baggage declare in Miami…
Rollover miles
It’s no secret that Delta SkyMiles is my least favourite of the “huge three” frequent flyer applications. One factor that I do give Delta credit score for with its frequent flyer program is the rollover miles idea.
If you happen to over qualify for standing in a calendar 12 months, the additional Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) that you simply earn are rolled over to the next 12 months. To me, it is a customer-friendly profit that offers members an actual incentive to proceed flying with the airline after having certified. The catch is that different metrics of elite qualification, together with Medallion Qualifying {Dollars} (MQDs), don’t have the identical rollover profit.
Counting award tickets towards standing
Delta is the one one of many “huge three” US airways that counts flying on award tickets towards standing. Given the extent to which SkyMiles is a income primarily based frequent flyer program, and SkyMiles are basically a forex that can be utilized towards any Delta buy, this is smart.
Many frequent flyers on the standing hamster wheel find yourself not redeeming miles as a result of they really feel they should pay for flights to maintain incomes standing, so this takes among the sting out of redeeming.
Delta Sky Golf equipment (kind of)
With regards to airport lounges, all three of the “huge three” US carriers have their benefits. I’ve commented on how United Polaris Lounges are the very best worldwide lounges supplied by a US airline, whereas American Flagship Lounges are the very best while you mix the entry necessities with high quality.
Delta sadly doesn’t but have particular lounges for worldwide passengers (that’s anticipated to vary in 2023), which is an obstacle. Nonetheless, Delta’s Sky Golf equipment are considerably higher than American Admirals Golf equipment and United Golf equipment by way of meals choice, service, and many others.
Now, there’s one completely huge catch — Sky Golf equipment have crowding points like by no means earlier than, and it’s not uncommon to see a line out the door to be able to use a Sky Membership. That’s an issue, and it does take away among the benefits that Sky Golf equipment have.
A way of confidence & objective
One in every of my greatest points with American is how the airline seemingly lacks a objective and imaginative and prescient, and sort of appears to be in a continuing id disaster. Not solely does this straight have a adverse influence on the provider’s backside line (for my part), however it additionally leaves workers in a state of affairs the place they’re not motivated and aligned with the mission of the airline.
For instance, with American, you have got Flagship First Eating on one finish of the spectrum, and the least comfy home plane on the opposite finish of the spectrum.
That is an space the place Delta does significantly better, for my part, and that’s why I believe workers are additionally so effectively aligned with the targets of the corporate. Delta doesn’t attempt to be all issues to all folks. To me, Delta is remarkably in keeping with delivering good customer support and a pleasing product, whether or not you’re a non-elite in financial system, or a Diamond Medallion in first-class.
The airline additionally innovates. Delta doesn’t simply look to American and United when deciding what to do, however units its personal targets, no matter what opponents are doing.
Pricing tickets effectively
In my expertise Delta does a superb job at pricing its varied cabins and merchandise. Delta usually has larger income per out there seat mile than American and United. This will partly be attributed to the markets the airline serves, and partly to the airline simply pricing tickets higher than the competitors.
This isn’t essentially excellent news for upgrades, however Delta sells a excessive share of first-class seats than American and United. So when I’m taking a look at fares on Delta, I usually discover the value distinction between Fundamental, Predominant, Consolation+, and First, to be cheap. In the meantime typically at different airways, that’s most positively not the case.
A fantastic cellular app
The Delta app is great, significantly better than American’s app, and possibly on par with United’s app (or possibly even a bit higher). From managing reservations, to improve and standby lists, it truly is a really user-friendly app.
Backside line
Delta Air Traces has loads of issues going for it, from nice folks and repair (which is a big level), to properly outfitted slim physique jets, to excessive velocity Wi-Fi, to a superb cellular app. If you happen to’re a frequent home flyer and are simply on the lookout for probably the most constantly good airline, Delta might be it.
After all Delta isn’t good, and likewise has fairly just a few weaknesses. These embody the general worth of the frequent flyer program, probably the most underwhelming lengthy haul enterprise class product of the “huge three” carriers, and belonging to the weakest world airline alliance (SkyTeam), amongst different issues.
I’m curious to listen to what OMAAT readers assume — what do you assume Delta Air Traces does effectively?
