Delta Air Lines

Delta wants New Yorkers to take Fridays off

Contests,

07_The check-in desk at the Delta ONE lounge is made from the tail of a DC9 (by MotoArt)

Even if your desk is made from recycled parts of a DC-9 (as is the reception desk at the Delta One check-in lounge LAX), it is a good to take a break from it.

And, if you live or work in New York City, Delta Air Lines is offering some sweet incentives this summer to get you to at least take Fridays off.

The carrier has kicked off a program it calls “Go Fridays” and each week throughout the summer, Delta plans to somehow find deserving overworked New Yorkers and give them plane tickets, tickets to ball games and other incentives to get them out of the office.

Here’s the short promo kicking off the program.

Fun new safety video from Delta Air Lines

Air Travel, Fun Stuff, Safety, ,

Fun, offbeat airline safety videos designed to catch the attention of ‘seen it a hundred times’ passengers continue to roll off the line.

The latest comes to us from Delta, the airline that brought us ‘The Internetest safety video on the Internet,” and other classics.

Like the others, this new video has some fun features and special surprises, including a a chipmunk (or is that a squirrel?) putting an acorn in the overhead bin, Moses parting the back-up in the aisles, a couple of crusty sailors, the Yo Gabba Gabba monsters and more..

 

https://youtu.be/kfFHn6DxvEg

 

Delta SkyMiles rewards will be tied to demand

Mileage Programs, ,

delta plane

For a story on NBC News, I had a chance to dig into the debate over the latest changes coming to Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier program.

Here’s a rundown of some of the changes and some expert takes on the carrier’s move:

Next June, Delta Air Lines becomes the first of the “big three” U.S. airlines to ditch the classic fixed miles-for-a-free-flight system in favor of a supply-and-demand scheme that, in many case, will likely require more mileage points to fly on more popular routes or at the last minute.

JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America already offer this type of award program.

Delta announced the change by saying that “the number of miles needed (for a free flight) will change based on destination, demand and other considerations,” beginning on June 1, 2016.

Other changes take effect immediately.

Delta spokesman Anthony Black said “most award prices will stay the same, with a greater availability of awards at the lowest prices and some new 7,500 and 10,000 mile one-way awards. Members can take advantage of lower prices immediately, while other price changes won’t take affect for travel more than 10 months from now.”

While some changes should make it easier for passengers to access award seats, others may increase the amount of miles needed to purchase upgrades or tickets.

Many frequent fliers and point watchers have taken issue with some of the changes and the amount of information shared with customers.

“Delta will now determine demand and other factors to determine how many miles are required, in the same way that it uses those factors to determine the price of a paid ticket,” said Scott Mackenzie of Travel Codex.

Delta has removed the award chart from its site and that reduction in transparency will mean Delta customers will have a hard time determining if they’re getting a good value for their frequent flier miles, said travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of the Atmosphere Research Group.

Travelers may end up having to use more miles to fly popular routes at the last minute, but there may be times when the new plan works in favor of the consumer.

“If demand is soft to a particular destination,” said Harteveldt, “The cheapest tickets may be put on the market for less than the minimum 25,000 points that we have today.”

Travelers irritated by the change have vowed to stop by flying Delta.

But “the value of a frequent flyer mile is dependent on demand,” said Chris McGinnis of TravelSkills.com.

“Once demand falls off, Delta will use the SkyMiles program to woo us back with added value and perks. We just have to be patient.”

Fresh amenity kits on United & Delta

Amenity kits, ,

United-CowshedKits

 

 

While not the reason to purchase a pricey premium cabin ticket, these new amenity kits from United and Delta help make front-of-the-plane rides that much more special.

Once United resolves and recovers from its system-wide computer glitch on July 8, premium passengers will be able to enjoy the carrier’s new partnership with Cowshed Spa, a premium spa and lifestyle brand from London, which is providing the personal care items in new amenity kits, in premium cabin lavatories and in about a dozen United airport lounges worldwide.

The kits roll out Aug. 1, 2015, and will be distributed to premium-cabin customers (Global First and BusinessFirst) on long-haul intercontinental flights to and from the United States and will contain Cowshed’s moisturizing hand cream, Lippy Cow Natural Lip Balm and a Chamomile Refreshing Towelette. Striped socks, an eye mask, tissues, ear plugs, a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and a pen will also be in both kits.

The United Global First kits are a bit larger and also contain Cowshed’s Quinoa Hydrating Daily Moisturiser, Jasmine Toning Eye Balm and an eyeglass cleaning cloth.

Look for Cowshed products in the shower facilities at United Clubs at ORD, EWR, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo and in United Global First lounges in ORD, SFO, DCA, London, Hong Kong and Tokyo as well.

Delta One passengers will also be getting a refreshed amenity kit – and snazzy striped socks.

Delta Amenity Kit

 

Delta has begun handing out hard and soft-sided TUMI amenity kits containing a TUMI soft-touch pen and eyeshades, MALIN+GOETZ lip moisturizer, body lotion and new mouthwash; striped socks, facial tissues, earplugs and a dental kit with Crest toothpaste.

Delta Socks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delta’s private check-in lounge at LAX

Airports, Lounges, ,

Delta Air Lines opened a private check-in lounge at Los Angeles International Airport Terminal 5 this week, capping off a 3-year, $229 million terminal wide refurbishment project.

Here are some snaps of the lounge that I took while covering the event for USA TODAY.

01_Delta ONE premium lounge customers have a searate entrance at LAX Terminal 5

Priority is good, Delta One offers services above that.

02_Delta's first private check-in lounge is part of a 3-year, $229 million termional-wide upgrade at LAX

This is the first of a series of private check-in lounges Delta Air Lines plans to open at major hubs.

03_Entry to the Delta One premium lounge at LAX will be highly monitored

Paparazzi be-gone. Private check-in door means celebs don’t mingle with others in the public lobby.

The lounge area of Delta One at LAX. -

The lounge area of Delta One at LAX. This photo is courtesy of Delta – and is nicer than mine because there are no empty dishes scattered about…

05_A walnut wall offers privacy, but lets light in, at the Delta ONE lounge at LAX.

The walnut wall that surrounds the seating area offers privacy, yet lets in natural light. A nice touch.

07_The check-in desk at the Delta ONE lounge is made from the tail of a DC9 (by MotoArt)

A bit hard to tell from this photo, but that check-in desk is made from the tail of a DC-9 airplane.. By MotoArt.

Walking & touring LAX Airport

Lounges, , ,

05_A walnut wall offers privacy, but lets light in, at the Delta ONE lounge at LAX.

I had the pleasure of being on site Wednesday when Delta Air Lines celebrated the completion of its $229 million refurbishment of Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport with the opening of its first private check-in lounge, Delta ONE at LAX.

The lounge area of Delta One at LAX. - courtesy Delta

The lounge area of Delta One at LAX. – courtesy Delta

Look for more of these lounges to open in New York in early to mid-2016 and, after that, in Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Minneapolis and international airports after that.

While at LAX, I also took the opportunity to test out my new distance wheel, which I’m using to figure out the longest distance a passenger might need to – or be able to – walk when making a connection at various airports.

Kudos to Nancy Castles, the public relations director at LAX, who was kind enough to lead me through the airport for this project. We figured out that it is a 1.2 mile trek from the southern-most gate at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) to United Airline’s Gate 88 in Terminal 8.

With Nancy Castles at LAX

Sculptures made of Starbucks cups at JFK Airport

Airports, Art, , ,

Carnival Float sculpture made of Starbucks cups by Francesca Signori. Courtesy Delta AIr Lines

As part of Delta Air Lines’ announcement that it will now be serving Starbucks coffee on board its airplanes, the airline commissioned artists in London, New York and Sao Paulo to create sculptures using Starbucks cups.

Look for the cup sculptures, which depict Big Ben in London, Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple in the historic district of Asakusa and a carnival float in São Paulo, Brazil in Terminal 4 at New York’s-JFK International Airport.

Delta Cup Contest

London’s Big Ben, by Shotopop artists Carin Standford and Michael Crozier – made of Starbucks cups. Courtesy Delta Air Lines

Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple – made of Starbucks cups, by Jeff Nishinaka. Courtesy Delta Air Lines

 

Delta Air Lines coffee cup contest

Contests, Food, , ,

DELTA CUP CONTEST

Good coffee is important on the ground and in the air. So it’s good news that Delta Air Lines has decided to join with some other airlines, including Alaska Airlines, in serving Starbucks coffee on flights.

To celebrate the airline is having a coffee cup contest. To enter, write where you want to go on a cup and share a photo of it on line at Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #DeltaCupContest.

Do that by midnight eastern time on February 8, 2015 to be eligible for a drawing for a free flight on Monday, January 9. The prize: an economy ticket for one anywhere Delta flies.

Airline amenity kits -Part 1

Amenity kits, , , , , , ,

Airline amenity kits filled with personal care items have been handed out to business and/or first-class passengers on long commercial flights since at least the 1950s. Utilitarian at first, today these chic containers and their posh contents have become coveted and collectible and are often designed by top designers and filled with luxury products.

Here’s a look at some travelers’ favorite kits, past and present from the slide show I originally put together for CNBC Road Warrior.

1_PANAMKIT_SFOMUSEUM

A Pan Am World Airways amenity kit from the 1960s. “The President Special” was the name given to the airline’s first class service on several high-profile international routes. Courtesy SFO Museum

2_RemainOverNightkit_courtesySFOMuseum

Courtesy SFO Museum

The SFO Museum has 355 airline kits representing 57 airlines in its collection. The earliest were called “Remain Over Night” kits and produced in “his” and “hers” versions by the Airline Textile Manufacturing Company (AirTex) based in Des Moines, Iowa.

The men’s kit included deodorant, aftershave, hair cream, a razor, shoe polish and a comb. The women’s kit had hair spray, cleansing cream, hand cream and nail polish remover, according to the SFO Museum.

11_Qantas_Kate Spade and Jack Spade

Qantas, the flag carrier of Australia, partnered with Kate Spade New York and Jack Spade a couple of years ago to design exclusive amenity kits for customers traveling in the business class cabin. Each kit includes a selection of luxury Malin+Goetz skin care products as well as an eye mask, ear plugs, socks and other comfort essentials.

3A_DELTA Air Lines - new kit with lens cleaner

Delta’s Tumi amenity kit gets high marks from frequent travelers for both its contents and its re-usability. “It stands head and shoulders above the competition, with a good range of products, including lip balm, which is always something I forget,” said John Walton at Routehappy. It can also “easily be reused to pack thing likes extra batteries or headphone cords,” said Chris McGinnis, of Travelskills.com.

4A_SingaporeFerragamo Amenity Kit_Male and Female Products

Singapore Airline’s Salvatore Ferragamo-branded amenity kits stand out to Paul Shrater, co-founder of the online travel-size site Minimus.biz because “not only is Ferragamo a well-known luxury brand, but the kits include travel-sized perfume and cologne, a rarity in amenity kits and a product we recently launched due to customer demand.”

5A_EVA Rimowa Amenity Kits - contents

Sadly EVA Air has not created Hello Kitty-themed amenity kits to go with its fleet of Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, but when the airline introduced three brand-new Boeing 777-300ERs on its North America routes in the summer of 2014, it also introduced two new colors for its sought-after Rimowa amenity kits. Royal Laurel business class passengers receive one color on inbound flights and the other outbound. Contents complement the shells’ colors and include natural lip balm and moisturizing products by HARNN, lens-cleaning cloths and adjustable silk eye masks.

6_Japan airlines contents of amenity kit

All the items in Japan Airlines’ kit for First Class passengers “were perfectly color-coordinated,” said Oonagh Shiel, the editor who recently led a review of almost thirty airline amenity kits for Cheapflights.com. “The toothbrush matched the hair brush and the eye mask and we didn’t see another kit with a built-in hanger,” which open up possibilities for after-flight use in a hotel or at home, said Shiel. The airline distributes a beige canvas kits on flights departing Japan and a camel corduroy version on flights headed there.

More airline kits tomorrow.

Delta launches in-flight mentoring program

business travel, ,

Most airlines offer first class, business class, economy class and, often, a premium economy class section on their flights.

Now Delta Air Lines has introduced another, extremely exclusive, seating section: “innovation class.”

The first class-style seats are free, but will be available only occasionally to select up-and-coming professionals whose applications meet a special set of criteria. Their seatmates (who also get free seats) will be selected by Delta from leaders in various fields on their way to major industry events who have agreed to participate in what the airline is calling “a mentoring program—that just so happens to take place at 35,000 feet.”

“We have customers flying with us who are big thinkers and innovators and are changing the world,” Mauricio Parise, Delta’s director of worldwide marketing communications, told CNBC. “We want to bring the ones succeeding in their field together with people who aspire to follow them.”

DELTA MENTOR

The program’s first such mentoring session took place earlier this month on a flight from Salt Lake City to Vancouver, Canada, site of the TED 2014 conference. It paired mentor Eric Migicovsky, the Pebble smartwatch developer, with James Patten, a 2014 TED senior fellow who is an inventor and visual artist working on projects at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds.

“It’s very rare to get a chance to sit down with someone in that sort of position and get to talk about whatever you want,” Patten said in a video about the in-flight chat posted on Delta’s website. “Had we met in another context, we probably would have had at most a five-minute conversation.”

Applications are now open for the next Delta Innovation Class, which will take place May 5. The mentor will be Sean Brock, whose Husk and McCrady’s restaurants in Charleston, S.C. serve locally sourced Southern meals. Brock, a finalist for Outstanding Chef in this year’s James Beard Awards, will be flying to New York for the award ceremony.

Future mentors are still being chosen and “will be drawn from any field that is fueling innovation,” including entertainment, fashion, financial service, sports and advertising, Parise said. “We have not set up every event because the world is changing and we need to keep up with the conversation.”

Applications are being accepted through Delta’s page on LinkedIn. Delta’s team will evaluate the applications and forward a set of finalists to each session’s mentor, who will make the final choice. “He or she will pick the person they think is the most interesting and will have the most passion for having that opportunity,” Parise said.

This is not the first airline-sponsored in-flight mentoring program. British Airways, for example, hosted a flight between San Francisco and London filled with what it said were “forward-thinking founders, CEOs, venture capitalists and Silicon Valley game-changers.”

Delta’s mentoring program is set to be ongoing with sessions filmed and shared.

“It’s a total win-win,” said executive coach Mark Sachs, principal at Mark Sachs & Associates in Silver Spring, Md. “Mentoring is sometimes seen as Mr. Smarty Pants giving advice to a less Mr. Smarty Pants. But it’s a reciprocal relationship and, if they listen carefully, these participants will be learning a great deal from the other person.”

(My story about Delta’s Innovation Class program first appeared on CNBC Road Warrior)