Delta Air Lines hands out ‘creepy’ Diet Coke napkins encouraging passengers to flirt

The airline has apologised for ‘missing the mark’

New Diet Coke napkins weren't a hit with Delta passengers (Twitter/ducksauz)

Delta Air Lines has apologised for handing passengers napkins branded by some as “creepy AF”.

The bespoke Diet Coke napkins, only available on Delta flights in the US, encouraged travellers to flirt with one another and even swap numbers.

On one side they read: “Because you’re on a plane full of interesting people and hey… you never know.”

On the other, there was space to write a name and number, with the advice: “Be a little old school. Write down your number and give it to your plane crush. You never know…”

The concept was an instant miss with passengers, who roundly derided the napkins on social media.

“These napkins are creepy AF,” wrote Twitter user ducksauz. “Pretty sure no-one appreciated unsolicited phone numbers in the ‘good old days’ and they sure as heck don’t want the number of someone who has been gawking at them on a plane for hours today. Not a good look.”

Mike J tweeted: “Napkins received from Delta on Wednesday flight seem unintentionally creepy, especially after reading the smaller print.

“Swing and a miss, Diet Coke.”

The negative reaction has not been lost on Delta, which has apologised and pledged to remove the napkins from flights.

“We rotate Coke products regularly as part of our brand partnership, but missed the mark with this one,” a Delta spokespeson told Insider.

A Coca-Cola spokesperson said the brand began removing the offending items in January and replacing them with other designs. “We sincerely apologise to anyone we may have offended,” they said.

It follows outrage at a recent Revolut tube advert accused of “single-shaming” commuters.

The caption of the advert targets those spending Valentine’s Day alone, stating: “To the 12,750 people who ordered a single takeaway on Valentine’s Day. You ok, hun?”

Some have described the advert as “exploitative” and “cruel”.