Delta Air Lines | DELTA 41 | Airbus A350-900 | Los Angeles to Sydney | 10:30pm | Delta One | Seat 8A | 15 hours, 10 minutes
Checking In
Delta offers Delta One passengers a dedicated check-in and security area in Terminal 3 at LAX called Delta One, and it’s a very exclusive experience that completely surpasses any priority check-in experience I’ve had to date. I was the only one checking in when I arrived at the frosted glass entry, on the lower Arrivals level, and was warmly greeted by both the doorman and check-in staff before being whisked through a dedicated security screening and arriving at the Delta Sky Club, as if by magic. From taxi drop-off to my arrival at the lounge, less than 10 minutes passed. Very impressive.
The Lounge
Delta Sky Club at LAX is a sprawling space featuring plenty of nooks and deep seats in which to relax with a complimentary snack and a beverage before your flight. I choose a long banquette opposite the bar where I can people-watch with a glass of wine, although I admit after eight days in the USA I am missing the quality and variety of wines we enjoy back home in Australia, and only have a few sips. Staff are suitably chipper and accommodating, with that charming formal courteousness (“certainly, ma’am”) that Americans are known for.
While I’d be happy never downloading another app again, Delta’s is worthwhile for its outstanding to-the-minute updates on your flight. Like other airlines’ apps, it alerted me when my flight was ready for boarding, but it also let me know when my bag was onboard, and what baggage carousel it would be at on arrival. For those whose bag unfortunately goes ‘missing’, the app also shows you the bag’s live location, and alerts you when it arrives at its final destination. I also received a text message letting me know my flight was departing on time, and from which Gate.
The Cabin
The Delta One cabin features 32 seats in a 1 x 2 x 1 configuration.
Beverages
On board, in addition to the expected soft drinks, juices, mixers (the cult Mr & Mrs “T” Bloody Mary Mix and Fever-Tree tonic included), Starbucks coffee and Thrive Farmers tea are available, but you’ll need to ask the flight attendant to find out the ‘cellar selection’ of red and white wines on offer on the flight. I accepted the customary glass of champagne while awaiting take-off, and the Duval-Leroy Brut Reserve was smooth and moreish. The airline’s gin of choice on board is Bombay Sapphire, vodka is Grey Goose, Glenfarclas Scotch Whisky, and whiskey varieties from Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace Distillery and WhistlePig.
Food
The menu on my flight was designed by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, the James Beard Award-winning Los Angeles chefs behind restaurants Animal, Son of a Gun, and Jon & Vinny’s. The duo’s catering company, Carmelized Productions, supports local bakers, farmers and artisans that represent the flavours of LA, and delivers freshly made meals to LAX daily. There is the option to pre-select a signature dish for your flight online, or wait until you’re on board, where the menu is an Italian affair featuring dishes such as Jon & Vinny’s Braised Meatballs, Baked Rigatone and Chicken Cacciatore, served on an extra-large tray table with white tablecloth and napkins. The hearty, home-cooked-style menu suggests Delta is going for a more relaxed style of dining that reflects LA cool style, and while it’s certainly not as gourmet as I’ve sampled in other premium cabins, it is hearty and tasty, nonetheless.
Space
All seats offer direct aisle access and are suitably cocoon-like, with full-height doors and privacy dividers between the centre suites. My private pod is roomy and offers a handy, easy-access shelf to the side, stowaway compartments, a headphone hanger, a water bottle holder, 110-volt outlets and USB charging ports. Unlike some airlines, the seats in Delta One are true 180-degree lie-flat seats with enough room to stretch out fully (all 179cm of me), and I found the pillow, thankfully, far more comfortable than I was expecting.
Amenities
Delta has made a conscious effort towards being more environmentally responsible on board, and the amenities provided to Delta One guests demonstrates this. The cosy quilt provided is made from over 100 recycled plastic bottles, and the Someone Somewhere amenities kit – a tactile pouch of colourful woven fabric containing an eye mask in the same design (along with earplugs, toothpaste, toothbrush, Grown Alchemist lip balm and hand cream and a pen) was made by artisan communities in Mexico using natural and recycled materials. The pouch’s cardboard sleeve features a QR code that encourages you to scan to ‘Meet your artisan’ – a lovely touch that links back to the growing desire of travellers to connect more thoughtfully with the destinations they visit. This partnership between Delta Air Lines and Someone Somewhere helps support the livelihood of more than 1,000 people from Oaxaca, Michoacan and Puebla in Mexico.
The bathrooms also feature Grown Alchemist handwash and hand cream, and their addictive botanical notes linger on my skin back in my seat. Much to the disappointment of this pyjama-loving passenger, Delta Airlines does not provide pjs in Delta One.
Entertainment & Technology
The inflight entertainment, on a 16-inch screen, includes a selection of new release and classic films as well as complete seasons of popular TV shows, including those found on streaming services such as Netflix. Each Delta One suite comes with good quality noise-cancelling headphones, and the buttons for lighting and seat position are intuitive and easy to use. The Delta app, mentioned above, allows you to access the airline’s Wi-Fi on your devices on board, however it is patchy and only complimentary for sending text. Browsing or sending photo messages will cost you, even in Delta One.
Baggage
The checked baggage allowance for Delta One passengers on international flights is two pieces (maximum 32 kg per piece) along with one carry-on and one personal item.