Delta was expected to start offering new bedding and a mattress pad in long haul business class in early May. That was delayed because the cost of the Missoni products become prohibitive under the new tariff regime.
Now – just like with taking delivery of new Airbus aircraft without tariffs – Delta has figured out a way around the most draconian fees so that they can move forward with the product plan.
According to aviation watchdog JonNYC Delta will first ship the bedding to Europe and import the business class soft goods from there in order to reduce their tariff exposure.
and, it aint just the planes 🙂
New DL One bedding, that “was placed on hold due to Tariff exposure” will now go ahead “by importing it through Europe hub stations”
Missoni bedding will launch early June from 4 European stations, expanding to more routes late June. Mattress pads will roll out too— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The airline’s plan for the year has been new bedding from Missoni and cuddle pillows; better headphones; expanded pre-select meal offerings and flight attendant training on elevated service as well as improved bubbles.
They believe that the single most valuable amenity to add to its business class cabin is a mattress pad, which they currently offer on flights at least 6,000 miles long. Their transpacific mattress pad was planned as an add to the transatlantic business class cabin along with the phased roll-in of new bedding plus new eye mask, slippers and socks; and refreshed amenity kit.
JonNYC says we’ll see the new bedding out of four European airports in early June and then expanding route coverage later in June. Now that Jon’s broken this news I expect to see an announcement from Delta in the coming days.
This is all aimed at boosting customer satisfaction scores which have plunged for the Delta One product in advance of ‘unbundling’ business class in 2026, stripping benefits from its lowest business class fares and offering premium buy up options to business class customers, under the rubric of “good/better/best” offerings instead of treating all business class customers to the same product.
In the future, you might buy a business class ticket from Delta and have to check in with economy passengers, get turned away at the lounge and pay for checked bags – unless you spend for a bundle that includes those things.
Unfortunately, Delta still flies 767s that have the worst widebody business class seats of any major airline. Until that fully changes it’s unlikely they’re going to get their net promoter scores where they want them to be.
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