Delta’s Investments Pay Off in Business Traveler Loyalty

Delta Air Lines is reaping the benefits from major investments in the business travel experience, according to new data crunched by Bloomberg.

The improvements are centered around lavish new perks in premium cabins such as improved catering and bedding as well as global cabin upgrades including business class suites. It also doesn’t hurt that Delta’s major hubs are less affected by low-cost carrier competition than those of American and United.

All told, Delta’s global product improvements appear to be earning it plenty of loyalty among lucrative business travelers, an important segment for any revenue-hungry airline. And perhaps most interestingly, the momentum comes despite recent cutbacks in the airline’s official SkyMiles loyalty program.

Quality of product, in this case, appears to be affecting loyalty as much as the broad loyalty program itself. American and United should take note.

For feedback or news tips, reach out via email at [email protected] or tweet me @grantkmartin.

— Grant Martin, Business of Loyalty Editor

Skift Stories and More Expert Insight

Southwest Hoping Its ‘Lovable’ Reputation Will Help It Bounce Back: Southwest has built a reputation as a safe, reliable, and customer-friendly airline over nearly five decades. That has helped Southwest recently, as it has faced one of the biggest tragedies in its history.

Southwest Will Fly Routes Between Hawaii Islands in Major Challenge to Hawaiian Airlines: Southwest began its life in 1971 as a short-haul airline shuttling commuters around Texas. So perhaps it is fitting that it will try to do something similar in Hawaii. But expect Hawaiian Airlines to vigorously defend its turf.

Hyatt CEO: Funds for Future Growth Will Come From Real Estate Sales: When it comes to growing Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, the Chicago-based hospitality company is more or less following the lead of its hotel peers.

United Airlines Hires Former White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: United Airlines, plagued by a series of PR nightmares in the past year, has hired former White House press secretary Josh Earnest to oversee global communications and boost the airline’s image.

Why the Hotel Lobby Is the Perfect Antidote to Airbnb: Hotels have a beautifully simple, obvious answer to Airbnb as they frantically search for ways to fight back against the highly valued platform. And it is core to the essence of what they do.

Wyndham Hotels CEO Expects to Pursue More Brands Post-Spin: When Wyndham Hotels & Resorts completes its expected spinoff from Wyndham Worldwide by the end of the second quarter, don’t expect the newly separated business to stop looking at potential brands to buy.

Heathrow Within ‘Touching Distance’ of Approval for Third Runway: London’s Heathrow airport is putting the champagne on ice in anticipation of final approval for the new runway it’s been seeking for decades after a poll showed the plan has the overwhelming backing of lawmakers.

American Airlines Bolsters Move Toward Large Regional Jets: American Airlines Group Inc. split a $1.4 billion order of regional jets between Bombardier Inc. and Embraer SA, extending a push to update its short-range fleet.

SUBSCRIBE

Skift Business of Loyalty Editor Grant Martin [[email protected]] curates the Skift Business of Loyalty newsletter. Skift emails the newsletter every Monday.

Subscribe to Skift’s Free Business of Loyalty Newsletter