I wasn’t expecting Delta 767 to be a flashy flying experience – even if it was business class – but I was curious to see how well this ageing workhorse held up. Delta’s 767-400s still form the backbone of many transatlantic routes, and while they’re far from the most modern aircraft in the sky (this one was 25 years old!!) the business class cabin had been refitted as part of the Delta One rollout. With a late-night departure from JFK, a solid sleep was my main priority – but I was also keen to see how the overall service compared to other US airlines.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: DL227
From/To: New York (JFK) to São Paulo (GRU)
Departure time: 22:00
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 9 hours 12 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 12,407
Status Points: 100
Aircraft: N827MH
Aircraft type: Boeing 767-400 (ER)
Number of classes: 3
Number of seats in flying class: 34
Seat: 8A
Position: left hand side of the aircraft, 8 rows from the front
Airport Experience
JFK is one of my least favourite transit airports, and this visit did nothing to change my mind. After disembarking from an inbound flight, I found myself playing an endless game of immigration line musical chairs. Join a queue, wait, get redirected to another queue, wait again, and repeat. I’m fairly certain some poor souls are still stuck there, endlessly circling between immigration officers. By some miracle, I eventually made it through, but JFK never fails to make me question my life choices.
The Delta Sky Club at JFK was the pre-flight stop, offering a comfortable space to unwind before boarding. It was moderately busy when I arrived, with plenty of passengers making use of the full-service bar and seating areas, but it never felt overcrowded. I had no trouble finding a seat, and as the evening went on, the lounge gradually emptied out. The food and drink selection was adequate, though nothing particularly memorable, and while the lounge had a good amount of seating, it lacked the more premium feel of some international airline lounges. That said, for a US airline hub lounge, it did the job.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was scheduled to begin 55 minutes before departure, but the gate area was already an obstacle course of confused passengers. The gate itself was conveniently located opposite the lounge, which at least made the transition easy. The problem? It wasn’t at all clear who was boarding when.
After a bit of detective work, I realised the screens above the gate were showing zone 3, which meant my group had already boarded. I slipped past a few passengers who had seemingly decided to queue indefinitely and made it through quickly.
Once onboard, I was offered a glass of Prosecco, but that seemed to be the only option. A crew member also stopped by to confirm my meal order, which I had pre-selected a few days earlier via Delta’s online system.
Seat
Delta 767 Business Class features lie-flat seats in a staggered 1-2-1 layout, following the Thompson Vantage design. This means some seats are positioned closer to the aisle, while others are tucked further towards the window.
At the press of a button, the seat converted into a fully flat bed. It was comfortable enough, but getting out mid-meal was a challenge since the tray table folded out from the right armrest, blocking a smooth exit.
One major downside was the airflow – a loud, continuous blast of cold air shot down from the panel directly above. I asked the crew if this was normal, and they casually confirmed that, yes, it was. Loud and freezing isn’t exactly the ideal sleep combination.
This Delta 767-400 Thompson Vantage business class seat featured at-seat power, with a universal AC outlet and a USB port conveniently located on the ledge/console. The placement made it easy to access without awkwardly fumbling under the seat, though the USB port’s charging speed was sluggish compared to newer aircraft. If you need a faster charge or are planning to charge a laptop, the AC outlet with international socket is the better bet.
The seat controls were straightforward, allowing for smooth adjustments from an upright position all the way to a fully flat bed with just a tap. There was no need to wrestle with awkward controls or multi-step adjustments – it just worked. Once reclined, the bed was comfortable enough, and with the duvet pulled over, I managed to stay cosy despite the relentless blast of cold air from above.
What is the best seat on Delta 767 Business Class?
Mid-cabin and even-numbered seats are the best picks. These are positioned closer to the window, offering a bit more privacy.
Odd-numbered seats are exposed to the aisle, meaning more foot traffic, bashed elbows and less seclusion. If you prefer not to feel like you’re sitting in a corridor, avoid them.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
This aircraft was loud. Really loud. Despite sitting towards the front of the aircraft, the sound of air movement outside was deafening. On the plus side, the engine noise was completely drowned out, so I suppose that’s one way to achieve a quiet ride.
Inside the cabin, the temperature control was all over the place. Some areas were freezing, while others felt uncomfortably warm. The air circulation system clearly wasn’t up to the job, and it was a struggle to find a consistently comfortable spot.
The washrooms were a mixed bag. There was one at the very front, reserved for business class passengers, which was also the quietest and most comfortable area of the cabin. Two more were located behind the business class cabin but were shared with economy passengers.
The amenity kit was… puzzling. It came in a handicraft-style pouch that looked nice but didn’t seem particularly reusable. Inside, there were basic items, nothing special, and overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to provide something a bit more premium. The slippers were a rare but nice addition to the soft product.
Food & Drink
Service started quickly after takeoff, with a drinks trolley arriving first, accompanied by a warm bowl of nuts. The main meal followed immediately, delivered on a tray from the galley.
Given the late departure, I wanted to maximise sleep, so I opted for the lightest option on the menu – a tuna tataki dish, served with a small bowl of soup and a side salad. Simple but well executed.
The efficiency of the service was impressive. The tray was cleared promptly after I finished, and the crew then left passengers to sleep for as long as possible. Breakfast service only started 75 minutes before landing, which was a great decision.
Breakfast itself was… interesting. The ricotta and avocado omelette was something I’d never tried before, and to be honest, I probably won’t again. But the pineapple with lime was incredibly fresh and zesty, and the croissant was crisp on the outside, though a bit too chewy inside. The tea was served perfectly, with a side of fresh mik.
In-flight Entertainment
The IFE system was excellent – a large 18.5″ touchscreen with responsive software, loaded with plenty of movies and TV shows. The filtering options and search function made finding content easy, which is always a plus. Noise-cancelling headphones were provided.
As the sun rose over São Paulo, I hadn’t just made it aboard the old plane in one piece – I’d actually arrived feeling like I’d travelled in style. I was well-rested, had eaten just the right amount, and found the combination of the seat and IFE to be very good indeed.
BG1 Verdict
After some below-par trips with American Airlines, I really wasn’t expecting much from Delta 767 Business Class. But with lower expectations, I came away pleasantly surprised.
Yes, the aircraft is old, and the cabin temperature and noise levels were frustrating, but the seat itself felt modern, the service was efficient, the IFE system was top-notch, and the crew did a great job. It’s not the best business class product out there, but for a US airline, it was solid and I’ll be flying it again.
If you thought this was good, there is in fact a better Delta business class product – read our review of the Delta One Suite.
BG1 Tip
Pick an even-numbered window seat if you want the most privacy. Bring a warm layer – the air conditioning is relentless. And if you’re a light sleeper, earplugs are essential on this noisy old machine.
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