Delta’s Sky Club Luxury Bar on Concourse E (Chris McGinnis)
FEWER FREEBIES AT SKY CLUBS. With little notice, Delta has moved several beverages from the Sky Club complimentary bar menu to the Luxury Bar pay menu. You’ll now be asked to pay for beers like Heineken or local brews, liqueurs such as Bailey’s and other popular pops. We contacted Delta to determine what it still offers at no charge at Sky Clubs and a spokesperson sent over this list of the free stuff: Vodka – Gordon’s; Gin – Gordon’s; Rum – Myers’s Platinum; Scotch – Scoresby; Bourbon – Jack Daniel’s; Sweet & Dry Vermouth – Martini & Rossi; Beer- Budweiser & Miller Lite; Wine- no changes. Delta also sent us the new Luxury Bar Menu, effective May 15. Which of your favorite adult beverages has disappeared from the “complimentary” list and what are the new prices? Please leave your comments below.
Delta now operates from T4 and T2 at JFK. The old Pan Am Worldport will soon be gone.
DELTA’S JFK EXTENSION. On May 24, Delta took the wraps off its new digs at New York- JFK, which will replace the now shuttered vintage Pan Am Worldport, or Terminal 3. Delta is currently demolishing that leaky old Mad-Men-era terminal to allow easier movement and more parking between terminals 2 and 4. It’s important to note that Terminal 4 is not brand new—it’s been around since 2001– but Delta has completely remodeled and lengthened the B-side space adding nine new gates to the existing seven. The new terminal also features TSA PreCheck, something that many international terminals do not have presently. New dining options include an outpost of Manhattan’s favorite burger joint, Shake Shack. T4’s opening also gives Sky Club members their first look at a new SkyDeck, an open-air, glassed-walled terrace overlooking the tarmac—great for spotting all those exotic tails that float around JFK runways. Outdoor seating and umbrellas are a great way to get some fresh air. A similar SkyDeck will open later this year in Atlanta’s F concourse. The Sky Club at JFK’s T4 is now Delta’s largest. Many domestic flights and nearly all Delta Connection flights will continue to use Terminal 2 (JFK’s oldest), while most Delta transcons and all international flights will now use T4. By 2015, Delta will add an additional 11 gates to T4.
DELTA WAITS IT OUT. Earlier this month CEO Richard Anderson said that Delta is in no hurry to order new aircraft like the Boeing 737 Max or Airbus A320neo. He said Delta would rather have other airlines test them first to work through any kinks such as the recent battery issues exhibited by the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. He said that not only does this allow for a more efficient rollout of aircraft within its fleet, but it also allows for more affordable pricing when it comes time to upgrade a fleet. Delta is, however, taking new Boeing 737-900s in the coming years, but these are already being flown by a number of airlines including United, Delta’s closest domestic rival at the moment.
MORE PRECHECK AT ATL. Atlanta’s north security checkpoint now has a TSA Pre-Check lane for expedited security. The north checkpoint is used primarily by non-Delta flyers, which means Southwest/AirTran travelers will eventually enjoy speedier access once it joins in on the PreCheck fun. Southwest will only say that it is working on getting into PreCheck…nothing certain yet. If it wants to compete with Delta for business travelers in Atlanta, it frankly needs to get on the stick and become part of PreCheck. Agree?
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FLAWS IN RECENT AIRLINE SURVEY. IdeaWorks’ fourth annual survey of airline award seat availability ranked Delta dead last. But to be fair, we must point out that the survey only used airline websites to gauge availability, and we all know that Delta’s is pretty dismal when it comes to redemptions. IdeaWorks searched for two tickets on 280 different dates, at the restricted award levels. Southwest clocked in at first place, and Delta tied with US Airways for the worst among domestic airlines. By picking up the phone (after doing significant research via other websites like AirFrance.us via its Flying Blue program), Delta flyers usually find much more open space. But, the survey does not reveal that. What was accurate and fair about the survey was that it ranks Delta much higher for close-in availability as award seats are often released more freely within two weeks of departure.
ON THE OTHER HAND, KUDOS. On a brighter note, Delta ranked as the top legacy carrier in the recent JD Power survey. It also ranked second best (after Southwest) among majors in a recent Consumer Reports survey. It’s easy to pick on the dominant, hometown carrier…but compared to its peers, Delta’s sitting pretty these days.What do you think? Do Atlantans whine too much about Delta when they might have the best of the bunch in their own backyard? Please leave your comments below.
Love the rocking chairs (but hate the high fares) at Charlotte Douglas Airport (Francesco Mucio)
NEW GOUGE: CHARLOTTE. From TICKET reader JJ: “Has anyone noticed that since Southwest and AirTran left the Atlanta-Charlotte market that Delta fares (a few weeks ago were $200 or a little more) are now over $600 no matter how far out you book? This used to be the case before AirTran went into Charlotte and now that they have left, good old gouge you Delta is at it again. Oh well I guess I’ll have to go back to driving to Charlotte – hate that drive.” (Agreed! That drive up truck infested I-85 is awful!)
THOUGHT DELTA WAS SNEAKY? Delta is not the only airline monetizing its upgrade programs. For example, passengers can bid how many miles or how much money they are willing to spend to upgrade on long flights. Air New Zealand, Austrian, Etihad, and Virgin Atlantic are all offering this type of program. Customers can still use miles for business class seats, but this new auction system allows the demand to ratchet up the price on busy flights putting more money in the airline coffers. It also helps to fill seats that would otherwise go empty making low bidders quite happy (although the cheapest fares are often restricted). Could Delta be next? What do you think about such an idea? Please leave your comments below.
NEW SOUTHWEST FLIGHTS. Atlanta will see additional Southwest flights to New Orleans, New York LaGuardia, St. Louis, West Palm Beach beginning Nov. 3. Also on that date, AirTran’s Atlanta to San Juan flight will switch to Southwest instead of an AirTran plane with business class.
CURTAIN CALL FOR AIRTRAN BUSINESS CLASS. AirTran regulars may have noticed that there are no longer curtains between business and coach class. This removal is part of the alignment with the Southwest model and preparation for operating with a single cabin of service. So its buh-bye business class…but at least it’s a long buh-bye!
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An Alaska Airlines 737 at Atlanta Airport (Atlanta Airport)
PLUS PORTLAND. MINUS SEATTLE. Delta partner Alaska Airlines will add a new Boeing 737-800 nonstop between ATL and Portland, Oregon on August 26. When the Portland-Atlanta route begins Aug. 26, Alaska Air will reduce its Seattle-Atlanta route to once daily.
FLINT. With AirTran/Southwest out of the picture on the ATL-Flint, Michigan route, Delta is deploying a larger A319 on the route, adding 60 extra seats between the two cities starting in June. Delta is currently using an RJ on the route. With Delta as the only nonstop in the market, you can only guess which direction prices have gone recently….
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Just connected Tuesday night at the new JFK T4 arriving back from Europe to ATL and there are plenty of kinks to work out on Delta’s end so be prepared for delays….it was not only an incredible long journey from our arrival to customs, the baggage claim area is very crowded in a very tight area. Rechecking your baggage is a disaster with long lines, and poor signage. One of my two bags never made it home to ATL despite Sky Priority tags on it. The general public and international travelers were very confused, many missed connecting flights, and there was no one directing people. TSA security then had an extensive line for non-Elite members. Entering up in to the beautiful new T4 hit the restrooms right away because the next open one was a good 1/4 mile away at my departure gate which took a 10 minute brisk walk to get to. They have great new restaurants and food options IF you have the time to enjoy them!
Thanks for the info… wonder if Yuengling is considered ‘luxury’… It may be wine time in Philly, if it is….
Self-serve bars will not offer Luxury drink menu…another downgrade! –Ramsey
Well people are paying for it in high volume so you can’t blame Delta for taking advantage of it although I agree –Ramsey
What’s strange is that the clubs are so full now (cue: crying kids in strollers) that it is more comfortable to sit in the terminal sometimes. Free wifi and better drinks. Plus fewer annoying people gabbing loudly into their cell phone…why are people more civilized in the terminal than in the Sky Club!! –Ramsey
Just thought of Philly again. That’s an unattended bar, so what happens there? Are they hiding the Baileys now? Since we go ATL-PHL about 6-7 times a year, would appreciate info. Thanks,
Pretty soon they will just have three bottles of clear liquor with the words Vodka, Gin and Rum written on them with sharpies.
At least the broken crackers are still free!!
Really, Delta? You’re pouring Scoresby scotch in the Sky Club? 30 years ago, my late father-in-law used to pitch a fit every time a friend of his brought out a bottle of that rotgut booze. It’s colored water. Do you have to go that cheap on the PAYING CUSTOMER? J&B, Cutty, something like that would work. You pay several hundred bucks to get Sky Club access and you serve that to people? Don’t give me that PR nonsense about the upgraded experience. Pouring Scoresby is emblematic of Delta’s “We don’t care about the customer experience anymore” business model.
Do not question the “bar tenders” about this new policy. They still have menus on the bar with the old prices, but they will treat you like a moron if you don’t know they are incorrect. And yes, they call Jack Daniels bourbon. Really? Didn’t Delta have a hub in Kentucky at one time?
No bourbon and only cheap ale beer is complimentary – what’s next? Only white wine? One of the few perks of travel was sampling the local beers at the various SkyClubs. I guess I’ll do that at a real bar with knowledgable bar tenders next time.
When I first joined the Crown Room many years ago they closed the facilities at two of the airports where I traveled most frequently. And no, they refused to give me a refund. The pattern here is that they change policies early in the year after they have as many paid renewals as possible. I’ve haven’t paid for a membership since. As Dellmensingen said, Bait and Switch. .
Perhaps most egregious: “Bourbon – Jack Daniel’s”. They can’t *still* be making this mistake, can they?
@Dan: The problem is availability at advertised mileage rates. It took me an hour on the phone to book two people to Italy last year – and still had to pay 50% above the nominal mileage charge. I tried to use miles to get my wife and I to anywhere on the west coast this summer and couldn’t do it for under 45K each. Stated domestic rates are supposed to be 25K. I tried various days and pretty much any city Reno or west between Seattle and L.A. When you only fly around the southeast (even though it’s frequent) the mileage bank never gets to a point of comfortable usage and I always have to be careful.
Really, delta? You charge a lot of money to be a member of your sky club and you now want to charge? Do those who paid for membership under the “old” rules get to demand a refund for their unused portion of the fee? Do people really drink THAT much? Guess its just one more example of screwing your members. And, I don’t drink so it really doesn’t matter to me.
As a former Atlantan, I think Atlanta folks should wake up and realize how good they have it with a Delta hub to the world. I am forced to fly various airlines, now living in a non hub city, and Delta is by far the best. So stop whining Atlanta!
. Well I guess I will only get Bailey’s when I get an upgrade! I’ll miss it in the crown room. Before the Philly Club reopened a few years ago I used the US Air club, ordered a double Baileys & was charged $16!! So it could have been worse for a while… Since I’m on my way to FLL tonight, glad I saw this info.
The change in Sky Club drink options is horrible. I’m not a drinker in the clubs too often, but, Gordon’s?????????? Im Diamond and so I have Sky Club membership; I certainly wouldn’t pay–what are they taking next!?
A bigger problem than the award availability is the use of DL.COM to find awards. The technology is abysmal at best
Reward Availability, it’s a pain – if Delta would just send inventory to Seat Expert like *A does it would at least take away some of the pain. Though they would be exposed to just how limited. To a person going to Australia, neither are Delta metal which I think is the larger issue. Live in Atlanta Korean takes me to Asia, not a big help. Korean business is a bit subpar either way on any of their new or old products (773/A388)
Re: Sky Club – I am going to miss Bailey’s, when I found out the Tuesday before the switch, the attendant told me to enjoy it while I can because that 1 ounce would cost me $7 in two days. I think Delta could do a better job at distinguishing levels for elites. Show your Diamond card and get a free drink, I don’t know. The value of sky club has changed so much with terminals renovating and the clubs being so packed. – Friend was at a Sky Club and it seems people were ordering the drinks and then being told the price and walking away. It left several out, I believe they now tell the price before they poor! 🙂
Always a great read Chris.
RE: Sky Club Rip-Off. Typical Delta “bait and switch”. I’m glad I didn’t pay for my Sky Club membership or I would be pissed. Regardless, the amount of money that has to flow to Delta in order to become a Diamond member and allow access to the Sky Clubs should afford one a decent beer instead of the American mass-produced swill (Bud/Miller Lite) now available for “free”!
I really honestly don’t understand what people are complaining about when it comes to award availability. I’ve almost never had an issue. For example, I’m heading to Australia (on Virgin Australia outbound, Korean Airlines return) in business class for 150,000 points. On Korean Airlines, I’m on the top deck of the A380 – I can’t wait!