Delta Air Lines has revealed plans to introduce an all-suite business class on its new A350 aircraft which will enter service in the fall of 2017. 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.
Its exclusive Delta One suite, is touted as “the first business class cabin to feature a sliding door at each suite” for full privacy.
Features of the new Delta One suite include:
- Full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access
- A full-height door at every suite
- Sliding privacy dividers between center suites
- In-suite, customizable ambient lighting
- Dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones and laptops
- 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
- Personal stowage areas and premium trim and finishes.
- Universal power outlet and high-powered USB port at every seat
Each Delta A350 aircraft will feature 32 suites in Business class.
People Like Privacy
Factorydesign’s Senior Designer Ryan Graham, who worked with Delta and seat manufacturers Thompson Aero seating on the project, explains that the extra width of the A350 aircraft made adding privacy doors possible.
“The high degree of customisation possible with Thompson’s seating platform enabled us to sit down and look at the potential we had when putting it onto a wider aircraft. People like to have some privacy, and the feeling of ‘owning their space’, and this is exactly what the door provides. It is a major step-forward in business class travel. In the creation of the new Business Class Suite, Delta and Factorydesign extracted and interpreted the DNA of the Delta brand to create a unique three-dimensional product.”
Everything is Customised
The result is a fully private space for the traveller with a full flat-bed seat, personal stowage areas, and new Delta signature trim and finishes achieved through Factorydesign’s restyling of the Thompson base model seat.
“Everything on the seat was customised,” Ryan says. The design consultancy also introduced a bespoke reading light design, and new mood lighting on the divider between two passengers.
Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said of the project: “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. Added comfort and privacy are important to business travellers, and that drove the design of the all-new Delta One suite.”
In addition to this new standard of Business class travel, Delta One service includes 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 its debut on the A350, the Delta One suite will progressively roll out on Delta’s Boeing 777 fleet.
If you’re thinking, “Wow, bowl me over with a new Delta feather!” You are not alone. First Delta it will introduce a full Premium Economy and now this! What are we to make of all this change at Delta. Watch out Middle East Big 3. The message of competing on quality seems to be sinking in and the challenge is ON!
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