Last week was an interesting one for Delta flyers. First, Delta announced a pretty wide-ranging upgrade to its narrow-body fleet interiors. The additional IFE and power is a true upgrade. The seats….that depends on your perspective. A reduction in F seats in the 757 fleet could/should be perceived as a negative as there will obviously be 4 to 6 fewer upgrade opportunities, while the addition (or return) of 4 F seats to the A320 fleet is a positive.

Then, Delta dropped a real bombshell by jacking up its Sky Club membership fee to $695 for the traditional privilege of bringing in 2 guests. They will roll out a $450 individual membership option this Spring, but bringing anyone into the club with you will cost $29 per guest with a max of 2. Carry the Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve cards at $450 a year? You’ll pay for brining in guests too, beginning May 1, 2014. I am taking a wait and see attitude with this announcement. It might work….might not. Nothing against the Sky Clubs, but raising the fee from $450 to $695, leaves me wanting a little more in the way of product and experience.

The events of last week have left me wondering as a Delta flyer, what next? I’ve made no secret of my fondness for Delta Air Lines overall, the treatment I receive as a Platinum Medallion, the operational reliability of what really is a good airline, etc. Delta is simply a fact of MJ travel life that I expect to continue for the foreseeable future. As such, my primary travel goal in 2014, is making sure I maintain Platinum Medallion in 2015. However, recent news that Delta now sees itself as not just an airline, but a “transportation company” have really got me thinking…. the announcements made in early 2014 are only the tip of the iceberg. I don’t expect a quiet year from Delta. What next? Some purely speculative posts coming soon.

MJ, January 13, 2014