BIODUN AKOMOLAFE
Delta Air Lines is redefining international business class travel with the introduction of the Delta One suite, the first business class cabin to feature a sliding door at each suite.
Designed with an emphasis on exceptional customer comfort and privacy, the Delta One suite offers each customer a private space accessed by a sliding door with thoughtfully designed personal stowage areas, an advanced in-flight entertainment system and premium trim and finishes to create an unparalleled business class experience with a comfortable, residential feel.
The Delta One suite will debut on Delta’s first Airbus A350, due to enter service in fall 2017. Each aircraft will feature 32 suites.
In addition to full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access, which the airline introduced eight years ago, the Delta One suite features include a full-height door – an industry first for a business class cabin, sliding privacy dividers between center suites, in-suite, customisable ambient lighting and dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones and laptops.
Other features are contemporary design featuring premium trim and finishes, memory foam-enhanced comfort cushion, an 18-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment monitor, the largest among U.S. carriers and a universal power outlet and high-powered USB port at every seat.
Speaking on the development, Delta’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Tim Mapes, said, “Delta constantly listens to customers and responds with products that deliver what they want. After setting the standard with the introduction of full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in 2008, Delta is again elevating the international business class experience.”
He continued, “Added comfort and privacy are important to business travelers, and that drove the design of the all-new Delta One suite.”
Delta completed installation of full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access on all of its wide body aircraft operating long-haul international flights in 2014.
Delta One service includes the features Delta customers have grown to expect, such as chef-curated meals, wine pairings by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, noise-canceling headsets, Tumi amenity kits featuring Kiehl’s Since 1851 premium skincare, and in-flight loungewear on select flights.
Following the A350 debut, the Delta One suite will progressively roll out on Delta’s Boeing 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.
Delta has made significant investments in its on-board product and the customer experience with orders for hundreds of new aircraft and a cabin modernisation programme that includes new seats, seatback entertainment systems, high capacity overhead bins, new lavatories, ambient lighting, access to Wi-Fi on nearly all flights and other enhancements.
