Delta Air Lines Surprises Passengers With Free Espresso Martinis

Passengers flying Delta Air Lines on the Ides of March this year are in for a pleasant surprise. The airline is bringing good vibes to a day Shakespeare indelibly linked to bad tidings in "Julius Caesar" by celebrating a holiday that shares the date, National Espresso Martini Day. To that end, Delta is offering one complimentary espresso martini to passengers 21 years old and above who are traveling on its non-stop, transcontinental flights connecting New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). The airline expects to serve up to 5,000 cocktails on 16 flights.

The one-day complimentary cocktail event is part of an ongoing initiative by the airline to refresh its on-board food and beverage service. Other components, announced in early 2023 and offered on select routes and cabins, include the return of the carrier's signature dessert cart in the premium Delta One cabin, a rotation of seasonally-inspired menu options, and the introduction of afternoon tea or tapas for pre-arrival meal service.

Delta partnered with Tip Top Proper Cocktails to introduce its new in-flight espresso martini, a blend of Counter Culture Coffee and vodka presenting rich notes of roasted coffee and vanilla bean. The airline began collaborating with the canned cocktail maker founded by a group of music industry veterans in 2021 and expects to extend its cocktail offerings to include a rotation of classics like Tip Top's Old Fashioned, Bee's Knees, and Negroni. "Your onboard meal or beverage should be no different than your go-to restaurant at home, and that's why we're constantly reinventing our onboard service at Delta," said Kristen Manion Taylor, the Senior Vice President of In-Flight Service at Delta. 

In addition to expanding its in-flight beverage service, other Delta initiatives created to enhance the passenger experience include partnering with James Beard Award-winning chefs, offering a selection of vegetarian options in association with Impossible Foods, and the return of kid-friendly meal options, including French toast for breakfast and cheese tortellini marinara for lunch or dinner.