Delta made waves in 2017 when it became the first airline to launch a business class seat with a closing door – the Delta One Suite – a bold move that redefined privacy in the sky. The Delta Business Class Suite, built on the Thompson Vantage XL platform and tailored with thoughtful touches like hotel bedding, generous storage, and an 18-inch high-definition screen, now flies on the A330-900neo, A350-900, and retrofitted 767-400s. On this busy route between London and New York, I had a window seat with two full panes to myself, a sliding door for peace and quiet, and just enough time to put the suite’s design – and Delta’s service – to the test.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: DL4
From/To: London (LHR) to New York (JFK)
Departure time: 16:05
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 8 hours 1 min
Frequent Flyer Points: 8,988 (VS)
Status Points: 100 (VS)
Aircraft: N402DX
Aircraft type: Airbus A330-900neo
Number of classes: 3
Number of seats in flying class: 56
Seat: 4A
Position: Left hand side of the aircraft, 4 rows from the front
Airport Experience
I’d booked this trip for work, taking advantage of a very competitively priced business class ticket to Latin America. Recent trips had convinced me that the Delta Business Class Suite could be a cost-effective alternative to direct flights, so I was keen to see if it held up.
Heathrow Terminal 3’s Delta and Virgin check-in area was busy, but the far quieter Delta One desks had me next in line. The check-in agent was friendly and efficient, pointing out my lounge access and directing me to a lift beside the desks. My boarding pass became the lift’s magic key, whisking me up to the Virgin Upper Class Wing security channel.
This area had the latest scanners, so laptops and liquids stayed in my bag. Despite the bustle, I was through in minutes and weaving my way through T3’s congested departures to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Lounge H. Delta don’t bother to have their own lounge, and stepping inside the Clubhouse you instantly see why.
The welcome was warm, but the music was loud enough to rival a Friday night bar. The table service menu offered a range of heavy and light dishes, so you have the option to dine before you fly and just snooze the entire flight. Champagne flowed freely, though I stuck to water with a sea bass and potato dish before wrapping up some work. Flighty App confirmed boarding had started at Gate 1, so off I went.
Boarding & Welcome
Gate 1 sits in the newer, airier part of Terminal 3, originally designed for A380 giants but now home to a mix of types. Boarding was underway and orderly. Oddly, I wasn’t offered a welcome drink after taking my seat, even though I saw others being served. Luckily, a bottle of still water had already been left at the seat.
Seat
The Delta Business Class Suite on the A330-900neo is one of the smartest business class seats flying today, and Delta isn’t shy about calling it their flagship. Based on the Thompson Vantage XL platform, it’s been customised with a sliding door – a feature that made headlines when Delta first introduced it back in 2017, becoming the first airline to offer a fully enclosed business class suite. On the A330neo, the seat is arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, so every passenger gets direct aisle access.
My seat, 4A, was a window position with two full windows and a generous ledge, perfect for resting a drink or phone while still leaving space for your elbows. Once seated, the door slid shut to create a cocoon of privacy. It’s not a floor-to-ceiling wall – you’ll still hear the cabin – but it makes a big difference compared to open business cabins.
The seat converted into a fully flat bed measuring over 80 inches, with Delta’s soft bedding bedding neatly stowed in the footwell. The mattress pad was substantial enough to take the edge off the firmness of the seat cushion, and the pillow felt more like hotel quality than airline issue.
Storage was well thought out: a side top-loading compartment for headphones or personal items, a water bottle holder within arm’s reach, and a literature slot big enough for a tablet.
Seat controls were intuitive, with pre-set positions for take-off, lounging, and sleeping, plus fine adjustments for recline and leg rest height. A separate control panel managed lighting, including a personal reading light and mood lighting along the seat shell. Power options were plentiful – a universal mains socket and USB-A.
Small design touches made the space feel premium: stitched leather trim, a textured work surface, and subtle LED accents. It’s not as extravagantly styled as Qatar’s Qsuite, but it’s more understated and feels deliberately tailored for long-haul comfort rather than wow-factor gimmicks.
What is the best seat on Delta Business Class Suite?
On the A330-900neo, I’d choose 4A or 4K every time. They’re tucked far enough from the galley to stay peaceful, yet close enough to the front for a speedy exit. The double-window view also makes them prime real estate for take-off and landing shots.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
An upgraded amenity kit awaited me – a proper one, not the basic set I’d had on other Delta One flights.
The cabin had just two lavatories for business class: one at the front, often blocked by a trolley, and another across the aisle at the rear, hidden behind a mesh barrier. Crew actively discouraged passengers from using the front, which felt awkward. After four hours in a seat, nobody should have to negotiate access to a loo.
When I finally reached one, it looked well used – not dirty, but clearly showing six years of service.
Food & Drink
After a slightly bumpy climb, drinks and warm nuts arrived about 40 minutes in, followed by table settings for dinner.
Starters arrived on a tray:
- A fragrant coconut soup with a hint of chilli warmth
- Salmon with potato salad and a dill garnish
- A slightly limp salad of lettuce, cucumber, and tomato – the olive and balsamic dressing helped
The sourdough bread was warm and satisfying.
The menu encouraged asking about the “guest white wine”, which turned out to be a Pouilly-Fuissé – one of my favourite Chardonnays and a rare treat in the air. The only other time I’d seen it was in BA First, so I ordered a generous pour.
Main course: chicken with mashed potatoes, chunky carrots, and tenderstem broccoli. Served on a bare table after the starter tray was cleared, it felt less cluttered.
Then came the wait. Forty-five minutes passed before dessert appeared on a trolley, with underwhelming choices and a cheese plate that didn’t look particularly inviting.
No drinks were offered after the meal unless requested, which meant pressing the call button, and then nobody came. It took a keen-eyed crew member trying to clear my empty glass before I was served a second glass of sparkling water.
An hour before landing, a light meal was offered: burger or pizza. I picked the burger and regretted it – the meat had a petrol-station microwave vibe, and the brioche bun was over-toasted.
Service was thorough but slow, with no sense of urgency.
In-flight Entertainment
The IFE screen was excellent: large, sharp, and quick to respond. Filtering by duration was a standout touch, helping me slot in a third film before descent.
Wi-Fi was another story. The free SkyMiles member access wouldn’t connect, and even the paid option failed at first. It finally worked midway through the flight but was patchy, only good for messages.
BG1 Verdict
The Delta Business Class Suite remains a superb seat with genuine privacy, great storage, and a good food and wine line-up – even if it ended on weak dessert/cheese dishes. But slow, inattentive service dragged the soft product down below acceptable levels. The contrast with my later flight that day – on the same aircraft but with an energetic, switched-on, super-helpful crew – was night and day. Had the service been more attentive and courteous then this review would have been a solid 4-stars.
BG1 Tip
Delta Airlines celebrates its 100th birthday in 2025 – a good excuse to look for commemorative touches on board.
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