Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.
A few months ago, I took a trip to the USA, and you can read my trip reports here:
- Review: United Airlines First Class Boeing 757 from Las Vegas to New York
- Review: The Standard, High Line Hotel, New York City
- Review: Delta One Business Class Airbus A330neo from New York to Amsterdam (today)
Today: Review of Delta One Business Class on an Airbus A330neo from New York to Amsterdam
I recently flew Delta’s A330neo in Business Class from New York JFK to Amsterdam, and I wanted to share my full experience on board. From the moment I checked in at Terminal 4 to settling into my Delta One suite, I was curious to see how the airline’s latest wide-body aircraft would measure up. On this flight, I got to test everything from the seats and bedding to the meals, inflight entertainment, and overall service. Here’s a detailed look at what it was really like flying across the Atlantic in Delta’s A330neo Business Class.
Have you ever flown in Delta One Business Class? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.
- Trip: New York JFK Airport (JFK) to Amsterdam (AMS)
- Airline: Delta Air Lines
- Aircraft type: Airbus A330-900neo
- Aircraft registration number: N404DX (delivered to Delta in 2019)
- On time departure: 7 pm (yes)
- On time arrival: 8 am (yes)
- Miles: 3643 miles (5860 km)
- Flight time: 7 hours
- Seat: 1J
- Class: Business Class
In this review (more information & photos below my Youtube clip & slideshow):
- Delta One Business Class lounge at JFK Airport
- Facts about Delta’s Airbus A330-900neo
- Delta A330neo Business Class cabin
- Delta A330neo Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
- Amenities & bedding
- Meals
- Entertainment
- Onboard internet
- Other inflight experiences
- My verdict (score)
1. Delta One Business Class lounge at JFK Airport
The Delta One Lounge at JFK Airport in Terminal 4 offers a well-designed and comfortable space for eligible passengers. The lounge features a modern and upscale design with plenty of natural light, green accents, and elegant finishes, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere. Access is restricted to Delta One passengers, certain elite members, and qualifying partners, so it is not open to general SkyClub members or premium credit card holders.
Food options are varied, with both a full-service brasserie offering multi-course meals and a market-style counter for lighter fare such as sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The lounge also provides a range of amenities, including reservable relaxation pods, massage chairs, spa and wellness treatments, shower suites, and quiet phone and work areas. A standout feature is the SkyDeck, a terrace with a retractable roof that allows passengers to enjoy fresh air and views of the airfield.
Service in the lounge is generally attentive and professional, with staff offering assistance and complementary services such as shoe shines and beverages. However, the lounge can become very busy, particularly during peak international departure periods. This can result in limited seating availability and longer waits for amenities such as shower suites or spa services.
Please note that the lounge has been completely overhauled since my visit.
2. Facts about Delta’s A330-900neo aircraft
Delta was the launch customer for the Airbus A330-900 and now operates both of Airbus’ newest wide-body jets. Its fleet includes 38 A350-900s, 37 A330-900s, and more than 400 Airbus aircraft overall, such as A321s and A220s.
The A330neo is a next-generation aircraft that builds on the strengths of the popular A330 while incorporating advanced technology from the A350 XWB. It is powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and features a redesigned wing with greater span and A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. Together, these innovations deliver exceptional efficiency, including 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared to earlier-generation competitors. Inside, the A330neo is fitted with Airbus’ Airspace cabin, offering passengers more personal room, advanced in-flight entertainment, and state-of-the-art connectivity for a modern travel experience.
3. Delta A330neo Business Class Cabin
Delta’s Airbus A330neo is configured to carry 281 passengers, including 29 Business Class suites, 28 Premium Economy seats, 56 extra-legroom Economy Class seats, and 168 standard Economy Class seats. The 29 Business Class suites are located in a single cabin at the front of the aircraft, with each suite offering a fully lie-flat bed, direct aisle access, and a sliding door for enhanced privacy. The layout follows a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, with single suites positioned along the windows and paired suites in the middle. In total, there are seven rows of four suites each, along with one additional single suite in the eighth row along the windows.
The design of the seats alternates because the footrest of each suite is positioned beside the seat in front. This means that each suite has a wider console armrest on one side and a narrower armrest on the other, creating subtle variations between rows.
- Window seats in even-numbered rows are closer to the windows with their console on the aisle side, which makes them the most desirable seats since they provide better views and greater privacy, even when the suite’s door is open.
- Window seats in odd-numbered rows are positioned closer to the aisle with the console against the window, making them slightly less private and reducing the ease of looking outside, though they still provide a very comfortable experience.
- The center section suites do not alternate in the same way as the window seats; each pair always includes one seat closer to the aisle and one closer to the middle of the aircraft. Privacy shields can be raised between the center seats for a fully secluded experience or lowered for companions traveling together. Unlike Qatar Airways’ Qsuites, however, Delta’s center suites cannot be converted into a double bed.
The initial impression of the A330neo Business Class cabin can feel somewhat sterile because of the bright lighting and crisp white suite walls, but that perception fades once seated inside the suite. The interior design of each suite creates a warmer atmosphere with Delta’s signature blue-and-black stitched seat upholstery, black and white interior wall finishes, and premium trim highlighted in Delta’s signature red and blue colors. This combination of clean design and bold accents results in a modern yet inviting environment.
The Delta A330neo Business Class cabin is very similar in look and layout to the Business Class cabin on Delta’s flagship Airbus A350 (which I reviewed here). However, there are two noticeable differences for passengers. The A330neo is a narrower aircraft than the A350, and the suites therefore feel slightly more compact. In addition, the A350 Business Class cabin has a more spacious feel overall because there are no overhead bins in the center section, with storage available only above the window seats, while the A330neo includes overhead bins above all seats.
4. Delta A330neo Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
Delta has equipped its Airbus A330neo aircraft with a customized version of the Thompson Vantage XL seat, a staggered seat design in which the footrest for each seat is positioned to the side of the seat in front. Each seat measures 22.5 inches (57 cm) in width with a pitch of 80 inches (203 cm). Every suite is fitted with a sliding privacy door that must remain locked open during takeoff and landing for safety, but once in flight it can be closed and reaches a height of 43.5 inches (110 cm). While the suite is not completely enclosed—there is a small gap between the door and the floor, and crew members or other passengers can still see over it—the design still creates a very private and exclusive feel.
The layout alternates because of the staggered design. Each seat has a narrow armrest on one side and a larger console-style armrest on the other. Window seats in odd-numbered rows have the narrow armrest along the aisle, which makes them feel slightly less private. By contrast, window seats in even-numbered rows are separated from the aisle by their larger armrest, making them feel more secluded and desirable. In the center section, the paired seats follow a similar alternating layout. Seats in odd-numbered rows have their narrow armrests on the right, while those in even-numbered rows have them on the left. Despite these variations, the addition of the sliding door ensures a high degree of privacy in all suites, even when seated in a configuration closer to the aisle.
The larger console armrest doubles as a side table, decorated with a triangular gray-shaded pattern inspired by Delta’s logo. Above this table is an open storage cubby designed to hold small personal items such as a phone, wallet, or glasses. The console also includes a reading light, a water bottle holder, and a hook for headphones. Various panels and compartments in the console house the suite’s many features and controls. A curved fixture on the console’s exterior wall contains a USB outlet, a universal power plug, and a headphone jack on one side, with a seat control panel on the other. Another panel beneath the console allows passengers to adjust the seat’s recline, bed mode, and lighting, with controls placed for easy access even when the seat is fully flat. Above this panel is a small storage compartment containing the handheld inflight entertainment controller and a mirror. The curved tray table, measuring 20 by 10.5 inches (50 by 27 cm), is stored under the side table and released by pressing a button near the seat controls.
In front of each seat is an 18.5-inch HD touchscreen for inflight entertainment, with a footrest located below. Because the footrest is positioned to the side of the seat in front, it feels somewhat narrow and can limit freedom of movement for the feet and legs. When fully reclined, the seat transforms into a flat bed measuring 80 inches (203 cm) in length, with memory foam cushioning for added comfort. The only exception to the narrower footwell is in the bulkhead seats, which provide noticeably larger footrests.
What are the best Business Class seats on Delta’s A330neo?
- For solo passengers, the most desirable choices are the “true” window seats in rows 2, 4, 6, and 8, which offer better views and greater privacy.
- For couples or companions traveling together, the paired center seats are the ideal option since they allow for easier interaction while still maintaining a degree of privacy with the adjustable divider.
What are the worst Business Class seats on Delta’s A330neo?
- The least desirable seats are those located in rows 1, 7, and 8, which are positioned close to the galley. These can be less appealing due to increased noise and light from cabin activity in this area.
Click here for a seat map of Delta’s A330-900neo aircraft.
5. Amenities & bedding
Passengers flying in Delta’s Business Class, known as Delta One, on this flight received a thoughtful range of amenities designed to enhance comfort and sustainability during their journey.
- Each traveler was provided with a Delta One amenity kit, which came in five unique designs created in collaboration with the Mexican apparel brand Someone Somewhere. These colorful pouches were handwoven by artisans from five of Mexico’s most vulnerable states, providing jobs for more than 250 people. Inside the kit, eco-friendly products were offered, such as a Someone Somewhere eye mask, a Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush with toothpaste, and Grown Alchemist lip balm and lotion.
- In addition to the amenity kit, Delta offered its premium “CoZ-z-z” bedding set on this flight, which included a lightweight blanket and a soft pillow. This bedding was made from more than 100 recycled plastic bottles and reflects the airline’s commitment to sustainability. When Delta introduced this product in 2021, it became one of the first airlines to offer bedding made entirely from recycled polyester (rPET). The initiative reduces single-use plastic consumption by up to 260,000 pounds each year.
- Delta One passengers also received a pair of slippers and a noise-canceling headset to improve comfort and rest during the flight.
While the bedding was environmentally friendly, it did not feel quite as luxurious or comfortable as Delta’s former Westin Heavenly bedding. Also, a mattress pad or seat cover was lacking, which would have further improved sleeping comfort and enhanced seat hygiene.
However, since I took this flight, Delta has refreshed its Delta One amenity kit and bedding. Delta and the Italian fashion house Missoni have expanded their partnership to introduce a new Delta One collection, which includes a Missoni-designed duvet and white sleeping pillow featuring a subtle zigzag pattern with navy accents. Delta is now also offering a mattress pad (which doubles as a lumbar pillow) to all Delta One flights, and for flights over 12 hours there is an additional memory foam “cuddle pillow.” The refreshed amenity kits feature Missoni’s signature zigzag pattern on the exterior, with new colors (blue and cream) and gold hardware; inside the kits are upgraded Grown Alchemist skincare products in aluminum tubes, Missoni socks, a soft eye mask, bamboo toothbrush, Marvis toothpaste, earplugs, and a metal-accent pen.
6. Meals
During this red-eye flight, a dinner was served right after takeoff as well as a breakfast 90 minutes prior to arrival. Snacks were also available throughout the flight in the galley.
I choose the following selection from the dinner menu:
- Starter: a trio of a pouched shrimps (with remoulade sauce & lemon), mushroom bisque (with snipped chives) and a classic salad (cucumber, chickpeas, tomatoes, olives, & balsamic vinaigrette)
- Main course: roasted chicken breast, smoked tomato sauce, Parmesan risotto, green beans, cipollini onions
- Dessert (rolled out on a trolley): ice cream Sundae, morello cherry compote, whipped cream, cookie crumble
For the pre-arrival breakfast, a croissant and fresh fruits were offered, with a choice between either a three cheese quiche (with spinach and feta) and a baked French Toast (with blueberry compote).
7. Entertainment
Each Delta One seat is fitted with an 18.5-inch high-resolution TV screen, the largest display offered by any U.S. airline. The screen is not only sharp and vibrant but also highly responsive and easy to navigate. Delta’s inflight entertainment system, known as Delta Studio, provides more than 1,000 hours of content, including movies, TV shows, music, live satellite television, and podcasts. Through its partnership with Paramount+, Delta also offers passengers access to a wide selection of blockbuster films, popular series, and exclusive streaming originals.
8. Onboard Internet
Delta’s A330-900neo aircraft are equipped with WiFi. During this flight, three WiFi packages were available:
- Complimentary messaging (through iMessage, Facebook chat and Whatsapp) was offered to all passengers (limited to text and emojis).
- A browse package (for the duration of the flight) could be purchased for $21.95 USD.
- A stream package (high speed WiFi that could be used for browsing and streaming) could be purchased for 39.95 USD.
Delta is currently rolling out free Wi-Fi on all of its domestic and international flights. The free service is available on the majority of Delta’s domestic fleet and many international flights, including those to Europe, Israel, West Africa, and Latin America. The rollout of free Wi-Fi on all aircraft is ongoing, with regional jets and some remaining mainline and international planes still being equipped.
9. Other inflight experiences
# CREW: The cabin crew on this flight were courteous, friendly, and highly efficient, providing service that felt warm and personal while remaining attentive without being intrusive.
# LAVATORY: For Business Class passengers, Delta’s A330neo aircraft is equipped with two dedicated lavatories. One is located at the front of the cabin directly behind the cockpit, and the other is positioned at the rear of the Business Class section in the galley area that separates Business Class from Economy Class.
10. My verdict
- Cabin design: 9/10
- Seat comfort (upright): 8/10
- Seat comfort (bed position): 8/10
- Seat privacy: 10/10
- Food (quality): 7/10
- Food (quantity): 7/10
- Amenities: 8/10
- Inflight entertainment : 9/10
- WiFi: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Overall experience: good 8.3/10
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