Earlier this year Delta raised Skyclub prices and started to limit guests. In doing so Delta announced New Delta SkyClub amenities which include more food options. Other tests include additional services like massages and shoe shining. The new amenities are currently being tested in several locations. At test locations, Delta surveys travelers to find out what individuals like the best.
While traveling on a Delta e-voucher that was nearly expired (even though I’m moving away from Delta, I figure why let it go to waste & I used it on my last day of being a Platinum and secured upgrades from San Juan to San Diego via Atlanta). I was able to visit a Delta SkyClub test location both in the evening and again. The agents confirmed they were one of the lucky test locations. They also confirmed that at this time, no extra amenities were being offered other than food.
During the evening hours, I will report that food options are hardly upgraded. In fact, if anything, they are almost finally on par with Alaska Airline Board Rooms. The upgraded meal options included popcorn and kettle corn—not fresh but more like the popcorn in a tub you give to someone you don’t like or know at Christmas time—and two different types of soups, creamy basil tomato and chicken, rice & vegetable. Along with the soup and popcorn options, there were also marinated mushrooms and peppadew peppers. Overall the items were not very impressive, and I’d stick primarily with the complimentary hummus, olives, and crackers.
In the morning, I would say the Delta team has gotten it right; the enhanced food options are spot on! On top of the complimentary sweet mini waffles, which taste amazing heated up, and the mini cinnamon rolls, oatmeal and bagel options, Delta has added fresh sliced fruit, cliff bars, and pancake machines (similar to the pancake machines found for years in Alaska board rooms). I took a cliff bar to go and made two pancakes and covered them in fresh fruit and honey. It was among one of the better airport club breakfast I’ve had in a long time.
Overall the food options Delta is testing out are quite the upgrade to other former options. The food is nowhere as refined as what is currently offered in the American Express Centurion lounges in DFW & LAS, but never the less, beat the former options. Dinner options could definitely still use some enhancements but the new options are a step in the right direction and do not require kitchen upgrades or the hiring of true chiefs. Finally, I am not sure if this was an enhancement of the Skyclub test program or just my lucky day, but guests were greeted with bowls full of Ghirardelli’s dark chocolate & salted caramel dark chocolate bites—yummm!
What enhancements have you seen on your recent visits? Anything worth noting? I’d love to hear from my readers!
