Airlines never stop investing in their passenger experience, as it’s a never-ending process. At the moment, Delta is stepping up its game on long haul flights, including new lounges, new seats, and more.
While details remain limited, Delta will soon be rolling out a new soft product in business class, meaning new meals, service, amenities, and more.
JonNYC reports that Delta will begin training flight attendants for the next generation Delta One experience. The rollout is expected to begin progressively this fall for long haul flights out of Los Angeles (LAX), expanding to most long haul flights at some point in 2027.
A new soft product would be separate from the hard product investments currently underway. Delta will take delivery of its new “flagship” Airbus A350-1000s as of 2027, which will feature new business class suites. The airline is also taking delivery of A350-900s and A330-900neos with larger premium cabins, as well as retrofitting existing A330s with new cabins.
What Changes Could We See in Delta Business Class?
As of now, we can only speculate as to what the new Delta One soft product will entail.
First, the changes will likely be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, given that Delta has already been investing in its soft product. Recent upgrades include the introduction of Missoni bedding and amenity kits. Delta tends to introduce service items in partnership with luxury brands — items that generate buzz and differentiate the product.
Second, Delta is feeling competitive pressure from United, especially as it works to catch up with its international network. Despite how calmly Delta executives tend to discuss the competition, the airline will need to offer something genuinely innovative to stand apart from what United currently provides.
With that in mind, there are several obvious areas where Delta could invest:
- New tableware and glassware, which haven’t been overhauled in some time
- An updated service concept, such as dine on demand or a restaurant-style experience with dishes served directly on tray tables rather than on trays
- A meaningful improvement in the quality of food and drinks, where there is still room to make a stronger impression
Bottom Line
Delta will begin training flight attendants on service changes in business class, with the updated experience expected to launch out of LAX in fall 2026 before expanding across the network through 2027. Alongside new and retrofitted hard product, the airline’s goal is to meaningfully elevate the soft product as well — with likely updates to food, drinks, presentation, and overall service flow making the most impact for travelers booking Delta One.
