Hey Delta, let’s talk. You’ve got a great lounge product, delectable food, and a very respectable Delta One business class seat on the A330-900neo and A350-900. But business class on the 767-300? It’s time to say goodbye to these coffin seats.
Delta One 767-300: My First Impressions
I flew Delta Air Lines from New York to Los Angeles in business class, a route that is operated primarily by 767-300 aircraft (with the occasional 767-400). Delta has more 767-300s than any other widebody jet–40 of them–and while the carrier loves to advertise its Delta One Suites, the seats on the 767-300 are not nearly as spacious or comfortable.
Instead, they are fairly common Thompson Vantage seats and the padding was even recently updated to make it more plush. My problem wasn’t the padding, but how constrained the seat felt in the lie-flat position…it felt like I was in a coffin.
And not to unfairly knock Delta, but it makes me question how it can call itself the most premium US carrier when a sizeable portion of its transcontinental and intercontinental fleet still features a seat that is not all that comfortable. Or a screen that is smaller than my hand…
Delta plans to keep this aircraft in service until 2030 and is unlikely to retrofit it further.
A first-world problem to be sure: I was thankful to fly in Delta One and enjoyed a very productive journey to Los Angeles with fast free Wi-Fi, but American Airlines and United Airlines offer better seats on their longhaul aircraft. In fact, I find United’s own coffin-like seats on some of its 777-200 aircraft to be significantly more comfortable than these Delta seats.
A bit about the flight.
The short ribs were delicious… beautifully presented, tender, and full of flavor. It was an excellent lunch and the sort of thing I would make at home or order in a restaurant (not the deviled eggs, though). Delta’s catering is consistently excellent.
But the service was not outstanding…it was rather abrupt and casual, and I did not sense friendliness or attentiveness…just going through the motions. One flight attendant seemed almost annoyed that I asked for a drink refill…I think I never should have had to ask in the first place.
I’ll offer a full review of this flight in the days ahead…it left me disappointed, though the Delta One Lounges in JFK and LAX on either side of it more than made up for the coffin seat and lackluster service onboard.
I’ll never understand the attitude some FAs get when a premium cabin passenger has the audacity to ask for a drink refill. Do they understand they are in the service industry? I recently flew United Polaris and the FAs made me like I was annoying them anytime I asked for ANYTHING.
The vast majority don’t understand that they are in the service industry. “We are primarily here for your safety” is their mantra, then do as little else as possible. Sadly, this is becoming service culture in America. Do as little as possible and not be someone’s “servant”.
The way I see it, you got a lie-flat on a widebody for a domestic flight within the lower 48. That’s an endangered species, my friend.
it’s not rare, at all, on the route he mentioned. It would be rare to be in a non lie flat
Professionalism is doing a good job when no regulator is watching. That FA lacks it.
For domestic flights. I don’t worry about first or business class. Maybe for a red eye but I try to avoid those.
JFK LHR during the day in economy is better than a business class redeye.
How would you compare this to the 2-2 on AA and UA 757? At least getting direct aisle access?
I prefer the B/E Diamond seats on the UA and DL 752, but it is always nice to have direct aisle access.
Massive hands, massive…
They don’t call him Big D##k Klint for nothing!
I second that. -Heidi
“The short ribs were delicious… beautifully presented, tender, and full of flavor.” That’s the only meal I ever eat when flying. Delta has nailed it and it is better than what you find in most restaurants.
I have flown this seat a few times to brazil. Its a much worse product then either DL’s A330 or UA 767/777. The seat is cramped and lacks storage.
I’ve flown this seat (or close to it) on other airlines like Air Astana and it seemed roomier on their 767-300… all but one of the two middles had a footwell open on one side either to the aisle or to the cabin sidewall and it looks from my photos like the other middle (like you sat) was bigger but maybe it’s because their screen is 3x the size of Delta’s….
Flew on this product last month on a short domestic non-TCON hop. An upgrade for sure. Tolerable for daytime flights, but for nighttime flights, not pleasant. It would be so much better if the armrest could be lowered instead of a giant piece of fixed-in-place plastic.
This bird is still pretty good on economy, and especially on 2-2-2 PS. But for J, as well as many constant little 3om-1hr “mechanical issues” (I flew this more than any widebody last year), it’s overall an embarrassing hard product. I think the only widebody that is holding back Delta’s “premium” perception. I think the old A330s are still fine and comfy
Oh sh*t Matthew, you’re going to unleash the kraken with this one.
The DL cultists approach…
Delta Premium class service is horrible. Seats are mediocre too. Not worth it to spend on those seats. Qatar, Etihad and Emirates have splendid service and better food and seats too.
They had that seat from before I worked at DL from 2009-2013. People seem to forget about how ancient and out of date the 767 is and how reliant DL is on them.
it funny often when people refer to Coffin class, as if they had spend some quality time living in Coffins.
What does this mean, “I’ll offer a full flight of this flight in the days ahead”?
Full review of this flight.
@Matthew … he was asking about the meaning of “in the days ahead” .
i.e., as soon as possible
I always appreciate that you give honest reviews of Delta and not the Cult of Dear Leader style reviews that most other bloggers (and commenters) make that praise 20 year old seats on 35 year old aircraft.
Gotta hand it to them on their ability to market a sub-par product as “premium” and have customers foaming at the mouth to defend it, though.
Keep up the good work, Matt!
Thanks, Dee!
The hard product on this Delta 767 was the only negative of my Delta One JFK to LAX experience, I know you have to do something with the old business class seats, but it’s so disappointing to fly in one of these when the rest of Delta one experience is so amazing.
I know there are aviation professions who read this blog, but I wonder when Matt makes comments (for good or ill) about service, if somehow those observations do filter to the top and result in some action. He documents everything meticulously which should be invaluable feedback both about their own product (soft and hard) as well as their competition.
Thomson Vantage seats are the worst. I hate them with a passion.