Delta unveils cabin design with new colors and mood lighting

Delta Air Lines is revamping the interiors of aircraft cabins across its fleet with new colors and lighting. It will include mood lighting for different phases of the flight and new seats with darker colors and memory foam cushions in Comfort Plus and economy seats on wide-body jets. During boarding, the lighting will be “warm and inviting,” while mealtime lighting will feel “more like you’re at a candlelit dinner,” said Delta’s vice president of customer experience design, Mauricio Parise, in a written statement. As the lights dim for sleep, it’s intended to be similar to a “sunset glow.” The new cabin design will first be seen on Delta’s Boeing 757 jets later this fall, then on Airbus A350 jets on international routes. Delta said it is embarking on the cabin refresh ahead of its 100th anniversary next year, but it will take years for the airline to roll out the new cabin design across its entire fleet.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On some parts of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, just north of Des Moines, the forest is so close outside the vintage train cars, it feels within arm’s reach. Then suddenly, the steam engine emerges from the trees on the Bass Point Creek High Bridge, 156 feet above the water, and the multicolored rolling hills spread out below in all directions. Built in 1893, the tracks fell into disuse. In the 1980s, the most scenic 11-mile section of the line was revived as a tourist attraction, and today, riders can choose from enclosed or open-air viewing cars, take a ride where lunch or dinner is included, or stop at a pumpkin patch. Rides last from one to about three hours. (Thu.-Sun. in October; two Saturdays in November. $10-$35; dinner rides $110.)

New York Times

Royal Caribbean looked at a lot of potential homes for its second “Perfect Day” port of call after the success of its private Bahamas version on CocoCay. In the end, it decided to buy an entire port in Mexico. The cruise line announced it is in the midst of acquiring the port of Costa Maya, which will be home to “Perfect Day Mexico,” looking to open in 2027. Access will be limited to Royal Caribbean and sister lines such as Celebrity Cruises. Just like the Bahamas version, the resort will have a water park, zipline, helium balloon and spaces for families and adults only, but details won’t be revealed until spring 2025.

Orlando Sentinel

Two devastating hurricanes thrashed the Southeast recently, reminding travelers of the importance of protecting their travel investment with a solid insurance plan. After all, travelers can secure a reassuring insurance policy for just a small percentage of their total trip cost. According to NerdWallet, the average cost of travel insurance in 2024 is between 6% and 7% of your total trip expenses. Still, it’s never wise to wait until a troubling forecast to pay for protection. It’s often too late after a storm has been named or identified. However, travelers can purchase a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policy that will provide added flexibility in the event of trip cancellations or disruptions.

TravelPulse