Delta Air Lines is to offer welcome cocktails and bistro-style dining in its ECONOMY cabin 

Delta Air Lines is to introduce a host of new perks for passengers travelling in its economy cabin.

From November, the Atlanta-based airline will serve free ‘welcome aboard’ bellini cocktails as well as offer bistro-style dining on international flights over six hours.

There will also be a hot towel service with passengers able to freshen up at the start and the end of their flights.

Delta says the new food and drink offering has been ‘designed to give the feeling of dining in your favourite restaurant’.

Passengers will be offered upgraded appetizers and main courses, which they can mix and match.

The airline says that customers will pick their food choices from a new menu and meals will be served on new custom-designed dinnerware that will also come with a placemat.

Dessert will be served separately after the meal service on most flights, along with a choice of tea, coffee, complimentary wine or water.

Delta says the new food and drink offering has been ‘designed to give the feeling of dining in your favourite restaurant’

Passengers will be offered upgraded appetizers and main courses, which they can mix and match

In addition, passengers will also be treated to chocolates during the descent as a ‘token of gratitude’ from the carrier.

Delta says that the new economy cabin experience has been met with high marks – with increased customer satisfaction scores on the more than 700 flights it’s been tested on between Portland and Tokyo over the past year.

It says the experience has been refined over the past year through rigorous testing of the service through nearly 14,000 hours of flight time, feedback from more than 1,800 customer surveys, crew feedback and input from a design team made up of 24 flight attendants.

Delta has also provided additional training to its team of more than 3,000 pursers – the lead flight attendants on international flights.

Passengers will be treated to chocolates during the descent as a ‘token of gratitude’ from the carrier

Responsible for the customer experience throughout the aircraft, the purser role at Delta has evolved to include pre-flight introductions in the gate house and personal greetings at the boarding door.

Also, in addition to recently upgraded amenity kits, Delta says more international onboard enhancements are coming soon — including refreshed ear buds and headsets.

Allison Ausband, Delta’s S.V.P. — In-Flight Service, said: ‘This is about investing in every single customer who chooses Delta, no matter where they sit on the plane.

‘The thoughtful touches we’re investing in throughout the new Main Cabin experience were designed by flight attendants with one goal in mind: delivering an exceptional experience that our customers will rave about and one that our team, the best in the business, is proud to deliver.’