Delta launched its first service on an Airbus A350 aircraft
this week, debuting its Delta Premium Select premium economy cabin and its Delta
One suites in business class.
Delta's initial A350 route is Detroit-Tokyo Narita. The
carrier will also use Airbus' latest-generation dual-engine widebody to serve
Detroit-Seoul beginning Nov. 16.
With the debut of Delta Premium Select, Delta has become the
second U.S. carrier to offer a premium economy cabin on international flights.
American debuted its Premium Economy cabin on Boeing 789-900 Dreamliners in
late 2016 and plans to eventually have the cabin on 104 aircraft. United has
not yet announced plans for an international premium economy service.
Delta Premium Select features seats with up to 38 inches of
space between rows, 19 inches of width and seven inches of recline. The seats
have adjustable headrests and leg rests. Service offerings include in-seat
blankets and pillows, amenity kits and noise cancelling headphones.
Delta Premium Select also features in-flight entertainment
screens of up to 13.3 inches, as well as enhanced meal service compared to the
economy cabin.
Each of the 32 Delta One suites features a full-height
sliding door. Sliding privacy dividers separate center suites.
In addition to lie-flat seats with memory foam, the suites
have customizable ambient lighting; dedicated stowage compartments for
headphones, shoes and laptops' and 18-inch television screens.
Delta is equipping its A350s with Gogo's high-speed 2Ku
satellite-based internet service.
The carrier has taken delivery of two A350-900s and has 25
more on order, according to the Airbus website.