The wait is over, Delta fanatics: Brand-new Delta One Suites are officially on the way. And not just to Delta's newest planes, but to some of the carrier's most outdated jets.
The Atlanta-based airline pulled back the curtain Monday on its next generation of business class suites – and they're a big upgrade over the suites introduced way back in 2017. Every suite has a door, a lie-flat bed, and direct-aisle access, of course. But Delta is going all out with a handful of excellent features, including:
- Suites laid out in a reverse herringbone arrangement, meaning every seat is angled away from the aisle for additional space and privacy
- A new “pillow-top cushion” on top of memory foam padded seats that Delta says should make for its most comfortable seats yet
- Massive 24-inch 4K LED seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity at every seat
- Both wireless charging and lightning-fast USB-C ports
- Handy shoe cubbies and additional storage
- Dedicated snack and drink stations in the galley
These new suites will debut sometime in early 2027 on new Airbus A350-1000 deliveries. And as Delta and other carriers lean into all things “premium” travel, Delta is going big: The airline plans to equip those jets with 53 Delta One Suites – up from a maximum of 40 Delta One Suites on even its most premium-heavy Airbus A350-900s.
But it's not just the new planes that are getting the suite treatment. Delta is also planning to retrofit some – but not all – of its woefully outdated fleet: Its Airbus A330-200s and Airbus A330-300s will get a similar suite.
These older Airbus A330s will sport the same look and many of the same functions, just with smaller 20-inch screens and a staggered cabin configuration where every seat faces fully forward. Delta did not lay out a concrete timeline for retrofitting this fleet.
Still, it should be welcome news to flyers sick of the Delta One guessing game: Will they step on a plane equipped with newer suites … or one of six other configurations? These Airbus A330s are common on trips to Europe, South America, as well as some routes to Hawaii. Check out the current setup and you'll see what an improvement this will be.
Unfortunately, the airline has shared no plans to retrofit the planes that need it most: Its Boeing 767-300s, with a business class seat that many loyal Delta flyers deride as “coffin-like.” Those could continue flying through the end of the decade.
And yet: Delta says by 2030, 90% of its business class cabins should be decked out with Delta One Suites. That's progress!
“Every time a customer boards a Delta flight, the experience and surroundings should feel familiar — creating a sense of home and comfort when you’re away,” said Mauricio Parise, Delta's vice president of brand experience, said in a statement. “That was the driving factor behind every intentional design feature and investment we made in developing our brand new A350-1000 experience, which we extended through nose-to-tail upgrades of our A330-200/300s and will continue to roll out across our fleet.”
Those new cabins look undeniably sharp, with much darker, subdued tones than most of the Delta One cabins in the skies today. And in addition to sprucing things up, Delta added some thoughtful touches: Tactile buttons to recline or raise your seat and an incredibly handy shoe cubby near the aisle for every passenger.
Delta is, in some ways, behind competitors American and United – both of which have introduced brand-new business class cabins within the last six months or so. And while both of those carriers installed extra-spacious “business class plus” option at the front of each cabin with extra space and amenities, Delta apparently has no plans for such a product.
While Delta is clearly putting its shoulder into upping its game in business class, the back of the plane is getting some love, too.
A new seat design in both Delta Comfort and standard economy should give passengers another inch of legroom. And every seat on the Airbus A350-1000 will feature seatback entertainment with Bluetooth connectivity – not just up in business class.
Bottom Line
Change is in the air for Delta … and it's about time.
The airline unveiled its next generation of Delta One Suites coming to new deliveries on the Airbus A350-1000 – plus, a massive retrofit in business class on its outdated Airbus A330s.
All photos courtesy of Delta Air Lines
