For the second section of my two occasions to Latin America evaluate journey, I flew Delta’s Airbus A350-900 enterprise class (marketed as Delta One) on the 9 hour in a single day flight from Santiago (SCL) to Atlanta (ATL).
Delta’s A350 in all probability affords one of the best enterprise class expertise you’ll discover on any US airline, on steadiness. The airline has comfy suites with doorways, intensive leisure, and fairly stable meals and facilities. Let’s get into the evaluate…
How I booked my Delta enterprise class ticket
As any factors collector is aware of, it may be laborious to get good worth when attempting to redeem Delta SkyMiles for enterprise class flights. Not less than that’s the case when you’re originating or terminating your journey in america. Nonetheless, it’s a distinct story when you’re merely connecting in america, when the worth is significantly better.
For this journey, I booked the next in enterprise class for 65,800 Delta SkyMiles plus $87.32 in taxes & charges:
9/19 DL146 Santiago to Atlanta departing 8:40PM arriving 5:15AM (+1 day)
9/20 DL602 Atlanta to Mexico Metropolis departing 12:21PM arriving 1:55PM
If I had terminated in Atlanta and simply booked that first section, the award would have price roughly 5x as a lot. So I’d say this journey represented fairly a very good use of SkyMiles! 😉
Delta enterprise class lounge & boarding
In earlier installments, I reviewed the lounges that Delta enterprise class passengers have entry to in Santiago, together with the LATAM Lounge and SkyTeam Lounge. The LATAM Lounge is certainly the higher of the 2 choices, by far.
My flight to Atlanta was departing from gate E9, situated on the very finish of the concourse. Boarding was scheduled for 7:45PM, 55 minutes forward of the 8:40PM departure. Certain sufficient that’s precisely when boarding began, with enterprise class passengers being invited to board first.
Delta A350 enterprise class cabin & seats
I boarded via the second set of doorways, the place I used to be greeted by the crew, after which turned left into the enterprise class cabin. I used to be flying on one in all Delta’s “flagship” A350s (not one of many ex-LATAM ones, with inferior interiors), that includes a complete of 32 enterprise class seats, unfold throughout 9 rows.
The Delta One Suites on the A350 are a personalized model of the favored Thompson Vantage XL product, which is among the extra spacious staggered enterprise class layouts on the market. On this configuration, there are seven units of seats alongside the home windows, and 9 pairs of seats within the heart.
These touring collectively might choose one of many heart units of seats. Nonetheless, remember that in contrast to in another staggered configurations, there aren’t any “honeymoon” seats in each different row, however relatively the seats are a constant distance other than each other, which maybe isn’t ideally suited.
The excellent news is that when you’re touring alone and find yourself in one of many heart seats, there’s a full privateness protect that may be prolonged, so that you gained’t even know you could have a seat mate.
Alongside the home windows, seats alternate between being nearer to the home windows and nearer to the aisle.
In even numbered rows, you’ll discover seats nearer to the aisle, and these could be my much less most well-liked window seats. Whereas they’re nonetheless completely good, they’re farther from the home windows, which isn’t ideally suited.
In odd numbered rows, you’ll discover seats nearer to the home windows, which might my favourite seats on this configuration. For instance, I chosen seat 7A, the final “true” window seat on the left facet, at the back of the cabin.
These enterprise class seats are 20.5″ vast, although there’s fairly a big area subsequent to that, with lots of the seat’s options (in these staggered configurations, the footwell from seat behind is beneath the console to the facet of the seat).
Whereas a lot of the cabin finishes are fairly generic and sterile, I just like the seat stitching that Delta makes use of, from the purple Delta “widget,” to the widget-shaped stitching on the seat (although Delta is quickly rebranding its cabins).
So far as seat options go, to the facet of the seat was an open storage compartment the place headphones could possibly be positioned, an AC and USB-An influence outlet, and the headphone jack.
There was additionally a panel the place all seat features could possibly be managed. Whereas this was simple to make use of, I discovered the location to be type of annoying, because it’s within the space the place you could naturally relaxation your elbow in the course of the flight, so I by accident adjusted the place of the seat a number of occasions, with out that means to.
There was additionally an leisure controller beneath a panel, although I discover that to be type of pointless, on condition that the leisure monitor is touchscreen.
Talking of leisure, Delta has 18″ displays in enterprise class, that are an honest measurement, and fairly excessive definition. Since this isn’t actually a innovative product anymore, the tech is in any other case missing — there’s no bluetooth audio, wi-fi charging, or USB-A charging.
The tray desk on this configuration folds out from beneath the facet console, and is simple sufficient to make use of. It’s a single, giant tray, so don’t anticipate you’ll have the ability to rise up when it’s prolonged.
One of many challenges with many staggered configurations is that the footwells might be type of small, and too restrictive to get comfy. I didn’t discover that to be a problem right here, and located the footwell to be sufficiently giant.
One of many cool options of Delta’s A350 enterprise class is that seats have privateness doorways. These are unlocked after takeoff (after which locked once more earlier than touchdown), and might be prolonged with the push of a button. Personally I’m a fan of those sorts of doorways, although these aren’t notably excessive, so consider them as extra of a privateness partition than a door.
Moreover, the door doesn’t truly shut all the way in which, however relatively there’s nonetheless a spot of a few inches, even when it’s “closed.”
Lastly, it’s price mentioning that Delta’s A350s do have overhead consoles with particular person air nozzles, which is a function that many people recognize.
All-in-all, Delta’s A350 enterprise class product is stable. Now, I do suppose it’s in all probability time for some updates (particularly with expertise), however I think about these modifications are coming as soon as Delta takes supply of Airbus A350-1000s.
Delta enterprise class facilities
Ready at every seat upon boarding was a zipped pouch with the bedding, which included an opulent pillow and substantial blanket. This bedding is comfy — maybe to not the identical degree of United Polaris enterprise class, however in any other case fairly aggressive.
There was additionally an amenity package at every seat, which was respectable sufficient (although I used to be anticipating a Missoni amenity package). The package was from Somebody Someplace, and included a dental package, ear plugs, eyeshades, Delta-branded socks, and lip balm and lotion from Grown Alchemist.
There have been additionally a pair of Delta-branded slippers at every seat, which had been sensible.
Subsequent up, there have been a pair of noise canceling headphones, which weren’t notably good high quality, however had been nonetheless higher than nothing.
The menu was additionally ready at every seat upon boarding.
As soon as the boarding course of was underway, pre-departure drinks had been served, with the selection of glowing wine, orange juice, or a mimosa. It’s good how Delta serves pre-departure drinks in correct glassware, in contrast to American and United.
Delta A350 enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi
The Delta Studio inflight leisure system is phenomenal, among the many finest you’ll discover on any airline. This features a large number of films, TV reveals, and music, and it’s laborious to think about that one may ever run out of choices.
I’m not likely into films, however I did take pleasure in watching Home Hunters, Open Door (home excursions from sure public figures, from Architectural Digest), and Lie Detector (who wouldn’t need to watch Shawn Mendes take a lie detector take a look at?!).
In fact I additionally beloved the map function, and with the ability to monitor the progress of the flight. It’s only a disgrace that Delta selected to not supply a tail digital camera on its A350s via the inflight leisure, since that’s an possibility.
Delta additionally affords Wi-Fi on its A350s, although that have was a blended again. Delta is within the means of rolling out free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members worldwide, although it’s very a lot a piece in progress. Not solely was Wi-Fi not free on this flight, however it merely wasn’t accessible for a lot of the flight, as a result of present satellite tv for pc protection.
On this flight, messaging was accessible free of charge, or in any other case you may purchase a full flight go for $15.
The one catch is that for a majority of the flight from Santiago to Atlanta, there’s not truly protection for the time being. That ought to change within the close to future. Thankfully this was an in a single day flight, in order that wasn’t an enormous deal.
Delta A350 departure from Santiago
This was a fairly empty flight — there have been round 135 empty seats, and earlier than boarding began, solely 10 seats had been occupied in enterprise class. The cabin then grew to become almost full, as that had been round 20 non-revs, who had been all cleared into enterprise class.
It appeared that most individuals simply spent an evening in Santiago, as they principally knew the crew, they mentioned what they respectively did on their “layovers,” and so forth. It’s protected to say this flight was a goldmine for non-revs!
Boarding was environment friendly, and at 8:20PM the purser added his welcome onboard, saying that boarding was full, and that our flight time could be 8hr55min. At that time the protection video was screened.
Then at 8:35PM we started our pushback, and 5 minutes later we started our taxi. It was fairly a protracted taxi to the departure runway, the place we had been cleared for takeoff at 9PM. We had a robust takeoff roll, and gradual climb out.
Regardless that the climb out was completely clean, the seatbelt signal stayed on for round half-hour.
Delta enterprise class dinner
As you’d anticipate, dinner was served after takeoff on this flight, and you’ll find the menu under and drink record under.
Service was fairly fast to get began after takeoff, with heat towels being distributed round quarter-hour after takeoff.
After the nice and cozy towel service, drinks had been served from a cart, round 35 minutes after takeoff. I had a glowing water, together with the Ontanon Tempranillo Blanco (white wine) from Spain, which wasn’t listed on the menu. These drinks had been accompanied by heat blended nuts.
Round an hour after takeoff, the primary course was served from a cart. Delta deserves excessive marks for serving a salad, appetizer, and soup, as not many airways serve all three in enterprise class. These included:
- Combined inexperienced salad with coronary heart of palm, cherry tomato, parsley, and spicy lemon dressing
- Lemon and lime poached prawns with ardour fruit ceviche dressing and purple onion
- Creamy cauliflower soup with croutons
The one disappointing facet of this was the bread roll, which was laborious and room temperature. I’m undecided if that was an oversight on the a part of the crew, or why Delta wouldn’t warmth its bread.
Whereas the service up till this level was carried out off carts, the primary programs had been simply introduced round on trays a couple of minutes later. I ordered the seared salmon with lemon herb cream sauce, asparagus, and rice.
This was fairly good, although I discovered the service to be a bit sloppy. When this was served, the soup bowl was cleared (so there could be room for the primary course on the tray), however the empty salad bowl and appetizer plate had been simply left on the tray.
Then round 90 minutes after takeoff, the crew handed via the cabin with the dessert trolley, with the selection of caramel flan, an ice cream sundae, or a cheese plate. US airways truly do an amazing job with ice cream sundaes, so I made a decision to order that, and had it with the whipped cream, cashew pralines, and berry compote. Yum.
Trays had been cleared just below two hours after departure, and I’d say it was a wonderful meal, all issues thought of, positively a step up from American and United.
Delta A350 enterprise class toilets
Delta has two enterprise class toilets on the A350, situated in entrance of the cabin, with one on either side. The toilets are fairly common — they do the trick, however aren’t notably spacious or luxurious.
I did like how the hand cleaning soap was from Grown Alchemist, which is a minimum of an aesthetic contact.
One factor I don’t take pleasure in about US airways is how the crews don’t do a lot to tidy the bogs throughout flights. I get it’s not their job, however it positive is good once you fly an airline the place the lavatory is spotless even earlier than touchdown.
Delta A350 enterprise class mattress
As soon as again at my seat, it was time to get some relaxation. I turned my seat right into a mattress, and located it very easy to get comfy. The temperature within the cabin was cool, and the mattress was cozy, with out being overly tight. The mattress can be fairly lengthy, at 76.”
I ended up falling asleep with round seven hours remaining to Atlanta…
…and wakened round two hours from Atlanta.
As somebody who’s often dangerous at sleeping on planes, that was an amazing night time of sleep for me!
Delta enterprise class breakfast
Breakfast was served earlier than touchdown, with the cabin lights being steadily turned on round 70 minutes earlier than touchdown in Atlanta. Yow will discover the breakfast menu under.
Since I don’t eat pork, I made a decision to go along with the chilly breakfast possibility, comprised of greek yogurt with strawberry compote and granola, a fruit bowl, and a croissant. It was easy however tasty.
I additionally had a cup of espresso. Delta doesn’t supply espresso or cappuccino in enterprise class, and I don’t discover the provider to have notably good drip espresso both. Nonetheless, one thing is best than nothing!
Delta enterprise class service
In terms of US airways, Delta is usually recognized for having above common staff. In that sense, I’ve gotta say that service on this flight was simply okay. The crew went via the motions and wasn’t impolite, however wasn’t the friendliest or most attentive crew I’ve had on Delta or one other US airline.
This yr, I’ve taken one lengthy haul flight on every of the “large three” US carriers. Humorous sufficient, Delta truly had the weakest service of these flights, as I had stellar service in American enterprise class and United enterprise class. It simply comes to indicate you ways service on US airways is persistently inconsistent.
Delta A350 arrival in Atlanta
At round 4:25AM native time, the primary officer introduced that we’d be touchdown in round half-hour, properly forward of schedule. A number of moments later we started our descent, after which round 10 minutes after that, the seatbelt signal was turned on.
Throughout the descent, the crew handed via the cabin with little goodies, which appears to be a typical parting present in Delta One.
Our descent was clean, and we touched down in Atlanta at 4:55AM.
We taxied for a number of moments, after which got here to a cease on the taxiway. At this level it was introduced that the immigration facility in Atlanta doesn’t open till 5:30AM, so we’d have to attend a while till we’d have the ability to proceed to our gate.
Look, the airline business is extremely complicated, although that can also’t assist however make you scratch your head. Why schedule a world flight to reach at 5:16AM, if the immigration facility solely opens at 5:30AM?
Thankfully the wait didn’t find yourself being fairly that lengthy. At 5:15AM we had been allowed to park at our gate. All the things then took a couple of minutes longer, however we had been allowed off the aircraft quickly sufficient. I breezed via immigration due to World Entry, after which visited the Amex Centurion Lounge, previous to my flight to Mexico Metropolis.
Backside line
I had a pleasing flight in Delta One on the Airbus A350-900. The seats had been comfy, the leisure was intensive, the meals was fairly good, and the facilities had been stable. On steadiness, I’d say that that is about pretty much as good as enterprise class with US airways will get.
Nonetheless, the flight wasn’t excellent. Service wasn’t something particular, and on high of that, on account of Delta’s Wi-Fi transition, there wasn’t Wi-Fi for over half the flight (which didn’t hassle me on this in a single day flight, however would hassle me extra on a daytime flight).
I’d gladly fly Delta One once more, assuming the worth is correct (which might be uncommon). Simply needless to say that is by far Delta’s finest enterprise class, and it’ll be a vastly totally different expertise on the provider’s secondhand A350-900s, 767-300ERs, and so forth.
What’s your tackle Delta’s A350 enterprise class?
