London Air Travel » Atlantic Update »
Hello and welcome to London Air Travel’s Atlantic Update providing a weekly bulletin on developments on transatlantic travel between Europe and North America. The Atlantic Update is published every Wednesday morning at 06:00 GMT.
It is of course a week of public holidays with Canada Day on Monday and the Independence Day holiday tomorrow, 4 July.
Delta revamps long-haul economy service
It’s not often you hear of investments in long-haul economy, particularly from US airlines.
Delta is to revamp its long-haul economy service from November of this year.
Economy passengers will be offered a complimentary “Welcome Aboard” cocktail such as a Bellini (made with sparkling wine and peached puree) after take-off.
Delta also promises an improved main meal service described as “bistro style” with improved starters, a larger main course with dessert served separately, all on improved tableware. Beers, wines and spirits remain complimentary.
A hot towel service will also be offered after take-off and before landing.
One difference between flying internationally on US airlines and European/Asian airlines is often there is a perception of no-one really leading the in-flight service. Delta also promises that senior crew members have undergone additional training and will have added responsibilities such as greeting passengers on boarding the aircraft.
In the grand scheme of things, these changes may seem relatively modest but they do put a stop on other airlines being tempted to pare back their own in-flight service.
As reported last week, Delta is also refurbishing its fleet of Boeing 767-400 aircraft will operate on the majority of flights from London Heathrow next year.
Also of note this week:
Aer Lingus has started its new route from Dublin to Minneapolis-St Paul which operates daily with a Boeing 757 aircraft. Aer Lingus notes a significant amount of transfer traffic from London. However, that is unlikely to prompt BA, which usually announces a new transatlantic route at this time of year, to launch the route as it is already served by Delta from London. (Aer Lingus)
Air Canada revamps its in-flight magazine enRoute. (Air Canada)
If there’s one US city where the experience of living and visiting is so at odds with expectations and its potential, it’s San Francisco. Long before the tech boom it has struggled to deal with the problem of homelessness. The tech boom has created enormous wealth which has not trickled down into funding for infrastructure and public services. (The Guardian)
Virgin Trains USA (formerly Brightline) breaks ground on its extension from Miami to Orlando. (Virgin)
London Air Travel’s Atlantic Update is published every Wednesday at 06:00 GMT. If you have any comments, suggestions or tips then please drop us a line at mail [@] londonairtravel.com
You can follow us on Twitter for breaking news throughout the day. Also, please join us on Monday for our weekly Monday Briefing.
