Discussion on Delta Airlines’ Automated Cooking Machines at Atlanta Facility
1. Why does Delta rely on automated cooking machines at its Atlanta facility?
Delta Airlines utilizes automated cooking machines at its Atlanta facility primarily to handle the high demand for in-flight meals, efficiently producing over 3,200 meals daily. The automated equipment increases production speed and ensures consistency in meal quality and portion sizes, which is crucial for maintaining standards on a large scale. Additionally, automation helps to control costs by reducing the reliance on labor for repetitive tasks, allowing human workers to focus on areas where precision and customization are needed, such as meal assembly and packaging【Inside Delta’s $2 million renovated Airplane Meal Kitchen: WSJ Booked, 2023】.
2. Do you think small businesses producing food by hand could benefit from the robotic equipment used by Delta? Why or why not?
Small food businesses may benefit from some level of automation, particularly if they face high demand and want to streamline certain aspects of production without sacrificing quality. For instance, automated machines could help with repetitive tasks like mixing or portioning ingredients, allowing staff to focus on creativity and personalization. However, many small businesses emphasize handcrafted quality as a unique selling point, so full automation like Delta’s may not align with their brand or business goals. Instead, small businesses might selectively adopt automation to improve efficiency while preserving the artisanal appeal of their products.
Reference:
Inside Delta’s $2 million renovated Airplane Meal Kitchen: WSJ Booked. (2023, March 31). YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/jKH0_zT9l84?si=O60n88djy8rq7ll-
