Delta is on the verge of rolling out is new A350s equipped with its highly anticipated new Delta One Suites. These were supposed to be the first ever business class suites but Qatar beat Delta to the punch this summer. Delta’s new (first ever) A350s will feature the Delta One Suites and Delta will also be the first U.S. carrier to fly the A350 (which I’m a big fan of due to the smoothness and quietness of the experience).
These new A350s equipped with the suites will initially serve several Asian destinations. The first flight with Delta One Suites will fly from Detroit (DTW) to Tokyo (NRT) beginning October 30, 2017. After that, I’m aware of at least three other routes that are planned to go into effect in the following months.
- DTW to Incheon (ICN) for flights scheduled Nov. 16, 2017
- DTW to Beijing (PEK) for flights scheduled Jan. 17, 2018
- ATL to ICN to begin ???
How nice will the Delta One Suites be?
Unlike Qatar who innovated their business class suites with patented designs and pseudo-double beds, Delta is taking the more traditional approach to airline seating and modifying an existing hard product (the Thompson Vantage XL seat) for their A350s. This is the same seat found in other airlines, such as Qantas and SAS.
I recently flew the Thompson Vantage XL seat on SAS and there was just something about the seat that I didn’t find very comfortable. I struggled to get any real sleep (despite taking a sleep aid) and for the life of me couldn’t get comfortable. It could’ve been just one of those bad flights where you can’t get comfortable or the paper-thin pillows and blankets, but I wasn’t very impressed with the seat’s comfort, although I did love it’s sleek appearance and the ample counter space.
Hopefully comfort won’t be an issue with these new Delta One Suites. The only major difference I can tell between the SAS seats and the Delta One Suites is that the Delta One Suites will offer much more privacy with higher walls and a door. Personally, I think it’s great to see business class suites and I place a lot of value in having privacy as an enhancement to the flying experience. But I do hope they offer better bedding and pillows than SAS for these seats because privacy will only do you so much good before comfort becomes a priority.
Saver awards for these flights are starting at 80,000 Delta SkyMiles one way and we just saw a lot of Saver awards open up but then dry up virtually overnight. Fees for these one-way flights from the US run only $5.60 so I don’t think this would be a bad way to spend your Delta SkyMiles.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
