Indulgence in the sky
People hit the road for endless reasons: to explore, to relax, to eat, and to live out their bucket-list dreams.
I go on random trips for all these reasons, but most of the time, I travel for work. Work has not only taken me to places I could only dream of, but also let me step into a world of indulgence 32,000 ft. above sea level.
On a recent familiarization trip to Seattle, I experienced what it felt like to be a Million Miler, and why Delta was named No. 1 in the Business Travel News Survey in 2022.
Delta Managing Director Pacific Northwest Joan Wang told me over breakfast at the Delta Sky Club that customer experience is of paramount importance to the US carrier.
“Delta has won the award for 12 consecutive years now,” enthused Wang. “The award is based on travelers’ experiences with Delta. And we won from every aspect of what they thought was the Delta experience.”
The passengers gave a rating based on the level of comfort and convenience.
“And the overall score for 2022 was even higher than 2019,” added Wang. “That really meant something. We have to live up to their expectations. In fact, we’re already thinking of how do we make sure that that promise is continued. It’s a feedback that we take with so much pride and honor.”
Delta and korean air: Fly stronger together
To make sure that it delivers on its promise to provide the best travel experience, Delta has entered into a joint venture with Korean Air. This results in customers’ seamless access to more than 290 destinations in the US and more than 80 in Asia.
The agreement is the latest expansion of the longstanding partnership between Delta and Korean Air, which began in 2000 when both carriers became founding members of the SkyTeam global airline alliance.
“Delta and Korean Air have a long history of partnership,” declared Korean Air corporate communications manager Kenneth Lee. “And both airlines have really great products.”
Through this partnership, Delta and Korean Air will offer more destinations, outstanding airport facilities, and an unmatched customer experience on the trans-Pacific.
Ready, set, fly!
For frequent travelers, customer experience is everything, from booking their ticket to checking in and claiming their baggage. During this recent trip, Delta and Korean Air sure knew how to pamper travelers.
The experience started as soon as I downloaded the Fly Delta app, which has won awards as one of the most helpful airline apps available.
Not only can you choose your seats and preorder inflight food, it also shows your itinerary, tracks where your luggage is to the minute in real time using RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, and notifies you when it’s time to board at which gate. The Fly Delta app can also help you verify if you’ve met your destination’s health entry requirements prior to travel.
I flew Korean Air’s Prestige Class on KE 622 from Manila to Incheon on a Boeing 777-200ER, featuring Prestige Plus, a space for perfect rest and “business with class.” Korean Air now op-erates both the Boeing 777-300 and A330-300 between Manila and Incheon and the fleet features Prestige Sleeper seats on the four-hour trip.
Korean Air’s airline staff welcomes you onboard with warm greetings and some bubbly (wine, Champagne, anyone?). Soon after takeoff, you can wine, dine, and enjoy the movies. I had white wine, which went well with my bibimbap. Dessert was our very own Carmen’s Best salted caramel ice cream.
At Incheon International Airport, I was welcomed by Korean Air corporate communications manager Lisa Witter and Delta corporate communications manager Soomee Moon, my travel mate to Seattle.
Delta and Korean Air customers traveling through ICN’s Terminal 2 enjoy an efficient and seamless connecting experience through this state-of-the-art facility, with a minimum connection time of 45 minutes.
Korean Air and Delta operate nonstop flights between ICN and 13 US gateways. Delta is the only carrier operating nonstop flights between ICN and Detroit and Minneapolis, and Korean Air between ICN and Boston, Las Vegas, Washington, DC, and Chicago. Both airlines are operating from ICN to Atlanta and Seattle with a different flight schedule to offer customers more options.
While waiting for our connecting flight, Soomee and I decided to check out the KAL Prestige Class Lounge, where we had our fill of Korean and other delectable fare. The lounge is a great space to freshen up and relax before boarding a flight.
Luxury in the sky
The pampering continued as soon as we boarded DL196 ICN/SEA. Delta’s Incheon-Seattle services operate on the latest Airbus 330-900neo aircraft, featuring Delta One suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin services.
While Delta has just exported some of those touches of luxury from Delta One Suites to Delta Premium Select all the way to the Main Cabin, allow me to share with you my experience on Delta One Suites from Seattle to Incheon on my way back home.
Touted as one of the most exclusive cabins in the sky, Delta One offers a dedicated in-cabin flight attendant and luxurious details that truly make a difference in how you spend your time in the air.
It all starts as soon as you enter the airport. You see, Delta One passengers enjoy airport club access and Sky Priority accelerated check-in, security, and baggage handling.
The fun and fancy part? Well, the Delta One Suite is equipped with full-height doors and privacy dividers between the center suite. It’s like having your own room in the sky.
Here, you can lie back in a 180-degree flatbed seat and snuggle down with a soft blanket and pillow. Each Delta One seat is easily adjustable for dining, work, or rest.
However, prior to takeoff, there was a medical incident — two passengers were running a fever and had colds. I saw the flight staff spring into action. The passengers decided to leave the aircraft to seek medical help.
That genuine concern for passengers means a lot to the rest of us onboard.
For those looking for a more affordable but still premium experience, Delta’s premium economy, Delta Premium Select, is a great option.
Delta Premium Select offers travelers more space to stretch out and relax with a wider seat, additional recline, and an adjustable footrest and leg rest on most long-haul international flights.
Delta Premium Select also provides customers with Someone Somewhere amenity kits , locally inspired dining and a premium snack basket to make the journey more enjoyable.
The Delta magic
Once we were strapped in and takeoff was complete, the Delta magic happened.
Within minutes, sparkling bubblies and hot towels were passed around. It’s details like this that can be key to flying in comfort.
Delta’s airline staff also gave us Delta’s new handmade amenity kits by Someone Somewhere loaded with Grown Alchemist travel essentials, eye mask, socks, and ear plugs that made our journey more enjoyable.
And now, the food! Delta One customers enjoy a chef-curated, multi-course dining experience accompanied by their beverage of choice.
This time, I opted for the Western menu, which consisted of Cauliflower Truffle with roasted hazelnuts, baby arugula salad with feta, cranberries, fennel seeds and maple balsamic dressing, and a Macarina Bakery herb roll with cultured Banner Butter.
For mains, I enjoyed the roasted garlic chicken breast with fennel flan, king oyster mushroom and port wine sauce.
Another luxury was the wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There was The Macallan 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which my husband liked, Fever-Free Premium Indian Tonic Water and Club Soda, Miller Lite beer, and a host of other beer selections available upon request. I opted for my usual Coke Regular, to which the flight attended added a slice of lime.
Coffee lovers can take full advantage of the coffee they serve: Starbucks Coffee, Starbucks Via Italian Roast Decaf Coffee, and Starbucks Espresso.
Delta’s inflight entertainment is another story. It has dozens of movies, TV shows, HBO and video games to while away the hours. I caught up on new releases like Alone Together starring actor-turned-director Katie Holmes and Jim Sturgess. It tells the story of two strangers who wind up double-booked in the same upstate New York rental during the start of COVID-19.
After a good night’s sleep, I had lots of time and energy to freshen up with a hot towelette, and some goodbye chocolates and cookies just before landing.
Flying in Delta One Suites feels like a slice of heaven. And that, I must say, is the Delta difference.
* * *
To book your flight, visit delta.com and www.koreanair.com.
