Delta’s New Business Class: Is it worth it?
On the heels of a massive system wide power outage that resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights and stranded travelers last week, Delta has announced that it will be the first airline to have an all suite business class cabin, named the Delta One Suite, complete with sliding full-length privacy doors for each suite. Regularly a feature reserved for first class cabins, the trend began with Emirates, followed by Etihad and Singapore Airlines, Delta is truly elevating the business class experience.
New amenities include:
- Sliding full-size entry door for complete privacy with direct aisle access
- Customizable ambient lighting
- 18 inch high-resolution monitor
- Memory foam enhanced comfort cushion
- Universal power outlets & USB ports at every seat
- Multiple storage compartments
- Sliding privacy dividers in center suite
These impressive upgrades add to its existing amenities, which include chef-curated meals, Westin Heavenly bedding, noise-cancelling headphones, full flat-bed seats, & TUMI amenity kits. The Atlanta based airline has the first business class cabin to feature a sliding door at each suite, which shows that Delta is taking the comfort of its business travelers seriously, and heavily investing on improving the class of service.
The best part? Pricing.
“This is a product upgrade, not a price upgrade,” Tim Mapes, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Delta, told the New York Times. Pricing for new suites will not differ from current business class ticket prices. The airline is not currently offering first class service on most of its international flights, so it’s bringing the first class experience provided by top airlines at a business class price. For those who want an elevated experience but can’t justify the business class cost to their employers, Delta’s premium economy offers a solid option with additional amenities and comfort.
Delta is the first in what we predict will become a trend, truly elevating the business class experience with a focus on added privacy and comfort. This gives them an edge in a competitive market, where top airlines from the Middle East, known as the ME3 (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad) have been setting the standard for international travel. This puts pressure on competitors to come up with new ways to impress their customers.
When can you fly?
Debuting September 2017, the carrier will be receiving an entirely new fleet of 25 Airbus A350 aircraft with this major upgrade. By 2020, the new cabin on its Boeing 777 aircraft will also be completed. These planes typically service primarily long-haul routes between USA and Asia Pacific, traveling to cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Dubai, and even Tel Aviv and Johannesburg.
Delta has been upping their game this summer; in July the airline was the first to announce free in-flight Delta Studio entertainment for all travelers on domestic flights, soon after competitors American Airlines and United Airlines followed suit. Again, when hours long TSA waiting times were making headlines, Delta quickly reacted and introduced “Innovation Lanes” in an effort to reduce security lines.
