Cheers!
This year marks 50 years of highflying cocktail service on Delta flights.
In 1958, Delta was actually the only major U.S. airline flying dry on its domestic routes. To attract more passengers over new routes to New York and the Northeast, Delta started limited alcohol service on March 8, 1958.
At first the service was only on non-stop flights between Houston and New York City. Only two drinks per passenger were served, and only in a short space of time before lunch or dinner. Those ordering a drink received small bottles from the flight attendants and mixed their own cocktails.
The self-service program was a huge success: 65% of Delta’s passengers on the Houston-New York route ordered alchoholic drinks in the first month.
By September, Delta had expanded drink options on luxury “Royal Service” first class Douglas DC-7 flights to 15 cities. Complimentary champagne came with the meals and cocktails were available for purchase. Today we serve a variety of signature cocktails as well as quality beer and sommelier-chosen wines you can choose to toast your business successes or a well-deserved trip with that special someone.
Here’s to you!
Marie Force
Archives Manager
May 9th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
“Royal Service” — memories!
I am still fond of the days when the FC meal service was impeccable and the setting was on such a Grand scale. The vapor of food coming from the galley’s and all were hand-delivered. What style.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:49 am
. . . and people are still fascinated by the images and collectibles from those services. All that china, linen, menus, matchbooks, playing cards, kiddie wings, branded airline liquor bottles, in-flight stationary, etc. So much fun!