In late May, I flew Delta A350, from Beijing to Detroit, in their Delta One Business Class cabin.
Video Review
This is a pictorial trip review of my Delta One flight on The A350.
Delta use Terminal 2 at Beijing Capital International Airport. Despite the age and basic amenities of this terminal, I like the close vicinity of everything in this terminal, the gate is just a short walk away from check-in.
Delta One guest and Elite Skyteam Frequent Flyers are invited to use the Skyteam Lounge in Beijing. The lounge is new and its offering is quite the Skyteam Lounge standard. The bar has a few bottles of wine and various drinks on offer.
As I was filming on my flight, I was allowed to pre-board and take a few fresh cabin pictures, before general boarding took place.
Indeed, the Delta One and Delta Premium Select (Premium Economy Class) cabin were stunning on the A350!
There are a total of 32 seats in The Delta One Cabin. The cabin looks extra spacious thanks to no overhead bins in the middle. The seating configuration is 1-2-1. Each Delta One private suite comes with a “door” to ensure privacy. Each private suite comes with direct aisle access.
Next cabin after The Delta One is The Delta Premium Select, their premium economy class with a 2-4-2 seating configuration. A noise cancelling headset and Tumi amenity kit is placed on each seat. Please note the tray table is in between the seats. Therefore you cannot lift up the armrest between the seats.
226 economy class seats in 3-3-3 configuration made up for the rest of the plane, Delta A350 has a capacity of seating 306 passengers in total.
On-Board
Delta One passengers receive a Tumi branded amenity kit and Delta One Pyjamas. However, after I took this flight, Delta has now stopped offering pyjamas on their long haul flights.
There is ample storage space for your belongings. The controls are fairly easy to use. Standard power point and USB charge points are available in every suite.
We pushed back on-time and took off to the South on Runway 19 out of Beijing. The flight time to Detroit was 12 hours 20 minutes. Our flights initial cruise was at 35,000 feet. Our aircraft registration was N502DN.
The flight attendant came along with a round of drinks, of which I tried out Delta’s signature cocktail a mix of gin, cran-apple juice and sparkling water; there were also warm nuts on offer. The flight attendants took their time to have casual conversation with every passenger in Delta One.
Next was the dinner, which Delta One passengers have a choice of 2 appetizers, 2 kinds of soups and 4 main course choices.
I tried out both Chinese and Western starters.
Next I have the boneless BBQ pork as my main course.
I must say I was really impressed by the dining quality Delta offer on their Delta One product; the food was delicious!
To finish the dinner, I had an ice cream sundae; but I passed on the cheese plate and port wine.
Next, I checked out the food in Delta’s premium economy; Delta Premium Select.
I was expecting the same kind of food from economy to be served in Delta Premium Select but I was very wrong!
The food was served on fine dining ware and was much more upscale than the Economy food with the same starter on offer as in Delta One!
Our flight that day took us flying over North Russia and North of Alaska before flying south towards Detroit. We had unusually clear weather all the way.
The sun dimmed for a while but never set as we kept flying north.
Delta A350 offers an excellent and wide range of entertainment options. I was surprised how many international movies were on offer and there was also a dedicated SkyKids channel. The only complaint is there is no tail camera view from the in-flight entertainment.
I had a Chinese Dim Sum as a mid-flight snack and it was delicious!
The Delta A350 also comes with an espresso machine, which makes great Starbucks espresso.
It was time to try out the bed. Delta One use comfortable Westin Heavenly bed bedding, but there was no mattress. The bed is very long, good for a 6″3. It is on par in terms of width to other airlines’ business class. The foot well is extra-large, so my legs could turn and didn’t feel confined. I also appreciated the extra privacy provided by the door.
1.5 hours prior to landing, the arrival meal was served.
I had had 2 excellent Chinese meals so far and I just thought it couldn’t get any better, then this meal really rocked and shocked my world!
I was in disbelief that a foreign airline served such authentic Chinese Shanxi noodle! (Long flat white noodle served with shredded pork). It also came with an excellent dace chili paste. See the video review for more food coverage.
After landing in Detroit, I went through immigration and customs. A Delta service agent picked me up in a Porsche Cayenne and drove me across the ramp to my next flight. Delta took amazing care of my travel.
Conclusion
I truly believe Delta One on the A350 is one of the BEST Business Class products out there. Not just the fabulous seating and hard product, Delta has really impressed me with their dining on-board and service delivery. I felt relaxed on the whole flight and benefited from the private space I had on-board. One great aspect of the cabin design was that I didn’t feel crowded even though we had an almost full flight.
Have you flown the Delta A350, what do you think about their product?
You won’t find better aviation blogger than Sam Chui. He is the trusted authority in his field.
Thanks to his videos, I no longer pay full fare First or Business class tickets.
Delta has always been my preferred Skyteam carrier for EU – US trips.. I am really impressed by this review of Delta One cabin.
Beijing is one of those airports I will for sure try to avoid in the future. The rudest nastiest security staff I have seen in a long time. Duty free shops every where selling Zigarettes but no smoking rooms. No Soda shop but mashines I have to fill with Juan. Sure I bring Chinese money on a transfer flight.
Hi Sam,
Your review of Business Class and First Class are always good. But most of us are Economy Class travelers. Please travel the entire stretch in Economy Class and share your experience in future. We would also like to know how to make Economy Class journeys a pleasure, give us some tips. Also travel by Budget / Low cost airlines and give us your review.
Thanks & Best Regards
Ranjit Narayanan
Nice review Sam. I enjoyed the A350 in Delta One from DTW to NRT and back a few months back. The food was quite good and the suites were very nice as well. Have to say I wasn’t a huge fan of the high ceiling in business class, since it basically cut the overhead storage in half, making us have to share bins. Further to that, there are no air vents above in the centre seats and my travelling companions noted how hot and uncomfortable they become without them. I of course refuse to fly without a window seat so I was spared the heat, but for a business class product, not having a simple air vent is a major mistake. It seems Delta favoured the aesthetics of a high ceiling over the vastly more practical extra storage space and air vents. Huge mistake, I’d avoid those seats like the plague. Other than that it was a decent experience with excellent crew, however it still doesn’t live up to Delta One in the upper deck of the 747-400, even with the older pods.
Thanks for sharing with us your experience. I also loved the Delta B747-400 which is now preserved at Delta museum in Atlanta
Do all D1 passengers receive a transfer in a private vehicle or was that an accommodation for your filming?
Not every D1 will get the car transfer, it depends on your status and if you have a tight transit timing.
First thing, Delta does not cook the food. Food is provided by a contractor who could provide the same or similar food to any airline and frequently do.
Secondly, until Delta fixes its reservation service, etc. why would anyone want to wait 2+ hours on hold waiting for any agent to answer or to call you back when weather is bad, a flight is delayed, etc. Your fancy plane service is only good if you make the flight. Get delayed and you are sitting in Atlanta or someplace with no way to try to reschedule, as no one answers the phone. Their off the plane services need extensive upgrades.
If you live in Detroit this is probably convenient. But if you live elsewhere then you would be better off to fly to the west coast as you have many more options, as Detroit has like maybe no other options. Flying in business, or some form of improved coach your ticket is endorseable so all you need to do is to go to a ticket counter and say what is the next plane to China. Delta endorses the ticket and off you go on Cathay, etc.
I challenge you to travel all the carriers and decide then if you think this is good service. And remember that they knew who you were, so try it again where you are just an average Joe flying to China.
Still prefer them than the 2 us carriers which is a lot worse…
Just for clarity… It’s not called “Northern Russian”, there is no such term. Territory you were flying above is called Eastern Russia or Far Eastern Russia.
Thanks for the clarity!
My wife and I just flew economy in the A350 and, having gotten used to Emirates, Qatar and Etihad economy, I was pleasantly surprised at how Delta has stepped up their game.
Dear Sam
It’s admirable your all work regarding travel experience and high light every thing related luxurious travel need
I like very much and congratulations for your 300000 mileas travel round the globe by 1800 flights towards 100 country
It’s also my dream to travel like you around the world
Much regards
Best of luck and wish you always safe flight
Z.raza
Thanks for your comment and continuous support!
That food looks absolutely disgusting and most of it looks very stale. I have had very few meals in Delta One worth eating. You may have just adjusted your palate to plane food !
Of course it is my personal opinion, but my meals on Delta far exceeded my expectation especially the Chinese cuisine.