Site Visit: Sky 360

Delta Airlines joined the growing list of retailers experimenting with pop up store concepts with this weeks opening of Sky 360 in midtown Manhattan. The temporary space is intended to function as a lounge, event space, and a representation of Delta’s in-flight experience. The 3,500 square-foot space located at 101 West 57th St. (at the intersection of 6th Avenue) will be open for six weeks only, Oct. 3–Nov. 10.

The interior is divided in several areas. There’s a lounge to the right of the entrance outfitted with white club chairs. A selection of complimentary newspapers and magazines are available. Adjacent to that is the The Midnight Sky Bar. Serving coffee and complimentary Coca-Cola products by day and cocktails by night, including selections from Midnight Sky, the signature cocktail program created exclusively for Delta by nightlife proprietor Rande Gerber.

A series of white seating pods are stacked along the front windows. These provide space for visitors to relax and sample selections from Delta’s new food-for-sale menu, featuring creations from Chef Todd English Towards the back of the space there is a demo area that features Delta’s all-leather Coach Class seats and its new international BusinessElite® seats which recline into a fully flat position and will be featured on Delta’s new 777 Long Range aircraft in spring 2008. If you just can’t get enough of watching movies or tv on a plane, the seats feature the state-of-the art, Delta on Demand in-flight entertainment system, including movies, HBO programming, TV, and music.

For a space only open six weeks, the overall finish is impressive. There’s new wood flooring throughout. Large stacked stone columns flank the bar area. The ceiling is accented with photographic panels of the sky and clouds. Delta took a subtle approach to branding in the space. There is a logo here and there but nothing too over the top.

Special daily events and programs related to amenities specific to Delta and travel overall are planned throughout the six week run. A schedule is available from Delta here.