Conde Nast Traveler readers rank Delta No. 1 among U.S. airlines

Conde Nast Traveler readers rank Delta No. 1 among U.S. airlines

The quality of Delta’s in-flight and airport experience, expanding network of destinations and reputation for reliability lifted it to the number one ranking on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2022 Readers Choice Awards for Best Airlines in the U.S.

“Delta continues to earn high marks for the quality of its in-flight service and its amenities on the ground, such as well-appointed Sky Clubs at major airports in the U.S.,” Conde Nast editors wrote, noting our “stunning” new terminal at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Delta has spent the past decade investing more than $12 billion in airport hubs across the U.S., cementing our commitment to modernize and transform the travel experience. These facilities aren’t just beautiful and new – they’re also expertly designed for optimal efficiency and speed, allowing travelers to navigate quickly, easily and intuitively.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

FEATURE

Delta is celebrating its latest investment in New York as it prepares to open its new Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport to customers, a massive milestone in the $4 billion program to transform and modernize one of the airline’s key hubs.

Delta’s Terminal C at LGA is designed to deliver the efficiency and speed New York travelers often need, allowing them to navigate to and from their gates quickly and intuitively with the latest technologies such as hands-free bag drop, self-serve check-in and Digital ID screening capabilities. In addition to a gleaming central headhouse and concourse, LGA is home to the largest Delta Sky Club in the system, with architectural touches that evoke New York City from the turn of the 20th century, such as harlequin-patterned screens and rich, warm metals. The Club features a gourmet kitchen, a premium bar, two food buffets and two hydration stations.

New LaGuardia Terminal

Perspective

On the heels of the opening of Delta’s new Terminal C at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, E.V.P. and Chief Customer Experience Officer Allison Ausband shares what it’s been like watching Delta and LaGuardia transform together over the past nearly 40 years – and what this latest reinvention means for our customers.

Delta and Los Angeles World Airports are jointly investing $2.3 billion at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to build a brand-new, state-of-the-art terminal that will connect Terminals 2 and 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal – delivering an upgraded, next-gen customer experience. The Delta Sky Club at LAX features over 30,000 square feet of premium space, including an indoor/outdoor double bar, a year-round outdoor Sky Deck, premium showers and more, for customers to relax and recharge before, during or after their travels.

Perspective

E.V.P. and Chief Customer Experience Officer Allison Ausband talks about the ways Delta is using digital innovation and infrastructure upgrades to make the airport journey as seamless, hands-free and “walking speed” for customers as possible.

At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Delta customers are welcomed at our new home in Terminal 5. The spacious terminal, enhanced by a $50 million investment by Delta, comes equipped with modernized digital tools to expedite the check-in process and boasts a dazzling new 22,000-plus-square-foot Delta Sky Club—more premium space for customers to relax and recharge before flights.

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Beginning Oct. 12, Delta customers traveling through Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) will be welcomed at the airline’s new home in Terminal 5. The spacious terminal comes equipped with modernized digital tools to expedite the check-in process and boasts a dazzling new 22,000-plus-square-foot Delta Sky Club—more premium space for customers to relax and recharge before flights.

Elevated in flight

“Passengers also appreciate in-flight touches like free text messaging, and, for those in the pointy end of the plane, cozy Delta One business class suites on its new Airbus A350 jetliners and other wide-body planes,” Conde Nast’s editors wrote.

Delta unveiled a refreshed Delta Premium Select cabin experience in September, featuring locally-inspired dining, premium hand-crafted amenities and more dedicated service touchpoints – while also driving social impact through its expanded Someone Somewhere partnership.

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.

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Customers flying in Delta Premium Select, available on all trans-Pacific and most trans-Atlantic flights, will soon be treated to a refreshed and improved cabin experience, complementing a spacious seat design for which DPS is already known.

Delta’s enviable network connects people to more places in the U.S. and worldwide. Customers looking to get an early start to their summer 2023 vacation planning will find that Delta is expanding its service across the trans-Atlantic, with 8% more available seats than summer 2022. The airline will offer new or resumed flights to destinations including London-Heathrow, Paris, Geneva, Stuttgart and Berlin.

MORE | Delta adds second Seoul service in December, complementing existing daily operation

Celebrating our partners in the sky and on the ground

Delta joint venture partners Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Virgin Atlantic were recognized by Conde Nast’s readers among the Best International Airlines. Air France and KLM are both longtime SkyTeam partners with Delta, with Virgin Atlantic set to join the alliance in 2023.

Delta is also celebrating our hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), which was ranked among the Best Airports in the U.S. “MSP has continued to score high with readers for its extensive food, dining, and entertainment options—so much so that it may make you forget you’re here to, you know, leave,” Conde Nast’s editors said.

Conde Nast’s readers also ranked Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) – both airports Delta flies to and from — among the Best Airports in the World.

Delta opened its first Delta Sky Club at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport – the only club there operated by a U.S. airline – a luxurious addition featuring regional specialties. The Club features a premium bar serving seasonal cocktails, wines, beers, spirits and Japanese sake – all complimentary for guests. A specialty, made-to-order noodle bar staffed by a dedicated chef will provide a delicious taste of the popular regional cuisine. A buffet bar will serve international and Asian-inspired meals prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients in the Club’s restaurant-quality kitchen.

Haneda Airport Sky Club

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Visitors to the Club will enjoy unique design touches that celebrate Japanese culture, curated artwork and rich interiors reflective of traditional Japanese patterns and textures.

Delta is America’s most-awarded airline thanks to the dedication, passion and professionalism of its people, recognized by Fortune, the Wall Street Journal, and Business Travel News, among many others. .

Delta enhances benefits for SkyMiles Medallion members, updates select Medallion thresholds

Delta enhances benefits for SkyMiles Medallion members, updates select Medallion thresholds

  • Diamond and Platinum Medallions to enjoy new, premium Choice Benefits selections in 2024 
  • Digital upgrade certificate capability coming 2023 
  • Delta also expands test for customers to use SkyMiles to pay for baggage fees 

As Delta exits an unprecedented summer of demand for travel and navigates an evolving industry landscape, the airline remains committed to ensuring Delta SkyMiles membership and Medallion Status levels provide exclusive, earned opportunities for its most loyal customers. For the first time since 2015, Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) requirements to achieve 2024 Medallion Status for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Members will increase in 2023 as Delta updates select Status-earn qualifications. The airline is also debuting expanded and enhanced Choice Benefits for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members. 

“These limited SkyMiles Program changes are a necessary step toward both preserving and improving the customer experience for our most loyal and engaged Members,” said Dwight James, S.V.P. of Customer Engagement and Loyalty and CEO of Delta Vacations. “The travel and loyalty landscape has changed considerably since we last made changes to the earn qualifications of multiple membership tiers. We are continuing to invest in the customers who invest in us so those Members experience the best of what Delta has to offer—with our new Choice Benefits, our premium and transformed Delta Sky Clubs, and our expansion of the use of SkyMiles as currency throughout the journey.”

Beginning January 1, 2023—the earn year to qualify for 2024 Medallion Status—Delta SkyMiles will increase MQD thresholds for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion Members. There are no changes to Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs).  

MQD increases are as follows: 

Medallion Tier 

Current Threshold for 2023 Status 

Qualification Threshold for 2024 Status 

Silver Medallion 

$3,000 

No Change 

Gold Medallion 

$6,000 

$8,000 

Platinum Medallion 

$9,000 

$12,000 

Diamond Medallion 

$15,000 

$20,000 

Diamond Medallion and Platinum Medallion Members who qualify for 2024 Medallion Status will be able to select from an expanded slate of premium Choice Benefits beginning February 1, 2023. These new offerings are in addition to Choice Benefits like the ability to gift Medallion Status to a friend or loved one and the use of Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates. The new Choice Benefits not only provide innovative experiences but also help members continue to qualify for Status. New benefits include: 

  • Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card can choose a statement credit for their Card: $500 for Diamond; $200 for Platinum. Terms and conditions apply and will be provided when the American Express Statement Credit becomes available.  
  • Expanding the ability to gift status to a friend or loved one: Diamond will receive two Gold Medallion Gift Statuses per selection; Platinum will receive two Silver Medallion Gift Statuses per selection 
  • A Delta Vacations Experience (flight and hotel): $500 for Diamond; $400 for Platinum 
  • An MQD “head start” for the next Medallion year: $1,000 MQD boost for Diamond; $500 MQD boost for Platinum 
  • Increasing the Delta Travel Credit Voucher to $250 
  • A $250 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contribution to help in our collective goal toward decarbonizing aviation 

Early next year, Medallion Members with Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates will be able to request upgrades with their certificates themselves during check-out on Delta.com—a highly anticipated enhancement to upgrade certificate usability coming in 2023. Delta continues to invest in the SkyMiles Program, listening to member suggestions and evolving the experience to exceed member expectations and enable more seamless travel.  

Delta also continues to give customers more ways to use their SkyMiles. The airline has begun accepting miles toward baggage fees at most domestic airports. This new option builds on Delta’s pioneering work to make miles even more valuable, providing more flexibility for additional purchases including air travel and upgrades, Delta Vacations, SkyMiles Experiences and amenities within Delta Sky Clubs. 

Delta’s SkyMiles program has continued to lead the industry with changes and improvements that help customers achieve Status. These improvements include industry-first program enhancements such as the ability to earn miles on Award Travel, unlimited mileage accrual for tickets for any Member, and expanded upgrade opportunities to give customers more access to premium seats on both domestic and international flights. 

As recently announced by U.S. News & World Report, for the sixth year in a row, Delta’s SkyMiles program outperformed all global airlines in the outlet’s annual ranking of airline loyalty programs. U.S News weighs five components in its ranking: ease of earning a free round-trip flight, added benefits, network coverage, flight volume and airline quality ratings. 

As always, customers can continue to take advantage of Delta SkyMiles favorites, such as: 

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