Delta Unveils Business Class ‘Suites’

Delta One business class suites.

The competition for “best international business class by a U.S. airline” is heating up.

When Delta Air Lines’ first A350 enters service this fall, it will feature 32 Delta One business class suites, each with a sliding privacy door. Center suites will also have privacy dividers between them.

Each suite also will have dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones and laptops.

The suites continue to offer fully flat beds, Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding and direct aisle access for every passenger, which Delta introduced eight years ago. On long-haul flights, loungewear will be provided.

Other features include customizable ambient lighting; a memory foam-enhanced seat cushion; a universal power outlet and USB port, and an 18-inch, high-resolution entertainment monitor, which Delta says is the largest among U.S. carriers.

The contemporary design aims to provide a comfortable, residential feel

The unveiling of the new design follows United Airlines’ preview in June of its new Polaris business class, which will debut in December, beginning with its new 777-300ER aircraft. Its seats also will have privacy shield.

United turned to Saks Fifth Avenue for its bedding, including duvets, lightweight day blankets and one small and one large pillow for each customer. It, too, will provide pajamas for long-haul flights.

American showed off its new business class design in May, with fully flat beds and direct aisle access. It will be installed on 787 Dreamliner and A350 aircraft and a few 777-200s. American has rearranged its aircraft deliveries, so it’s not clear when passengers will see the new product.

Following the A350 debut, the Delta One suite will progressively roll out on Delta’s 777 fleet.

Delta will be the first U.S. airline to take delivery of the A350, which will primarily serve routes between the U.S. and Asia.