The biggest thing missing from Delta’s new posh suites

Zach Griff

2 hours ago

DELTA

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Delta Air Lines just took the wraps off its highly anticipated next-generation business-class suites.

In many ways, this product looks industry-leading.

It features the biggest business-class TVs of any U.S. carrier, spacious beds, and a comfortable reverse-herringbone layout.

But while the renderings look great, there’s one big thing missing: a business-class-plus product.

No business-class-plus product

Airlines have popularized a cabin experience that sits above standard business class but below a true first-class product.

In common parlance, that’s typically referred to as “business class plus”.

At American, it’s called Flagship Suite Preferred. At United, it’s Polaris Studio. Even JetBlue has Mint Studio.

Delta, however, won’t offer Delta One Studios — or whatever its marketing team might have called a roomier bulkhead suite.

That’s especially surprising.

For one, Delta’s new Delta One Suites are built on the Thompson Aero VantageNova platform, which already offers a front-row business-class-plus experience known as VantageNova First.

Second, Delta has long positioned itself as the most premium of the U.S. airlines.

The carrier has spent years trying to persuade travelers to pay more to fly Delta, while investing heavily in its clubs, planes, and airport experience to further differentiate the brand.

Now, Delta is set to separate itself from its major rivals in a big way — just not in the way you might expect from an airline focused on squeezing more revenue from premium travelers.

Delta says it is “certainly aware of business class plus products” and is “always looking for new ideas to give customers more choice and flexibility in their travel.”

But here’s the kicker: It “chose not to pursue it at this time.”

Maybe Delta selected the cabins for its upcoming Airbus A350-1000s and retrofitted Airbus A330s before business class plus became a staple at rival airlines.

Or maybe it decided it couldn’t command a sufficient revenue premium to make the extra space worthwhile.

How Delta’s flagship jet compares to United Elevated

It’s especially interesting to compare Delta’s latest premium strategy with what United is doing right now.

Delta’s new flagship jet, the A350-1000, will feature 53 Delta One Suites and 48 Premium Select recliners, for a total of 101 premium seats. That means premium cabins will account for 32% of the aircraft’s layout.

Meanwhile, United’s Elevated Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will feature eight Polaris Studios, 56 Polaris suites, and 35 Premium Plus recliners. While that adds up to two fewer premium seats than Delta’s A350-1000, United’s Elevated Dreamliner has a whopping 45% premium footprint.

Of the U.S. airlines, United is trying hardest to unseat Delta as the nation’s most premium carrier. And it’s making aircraft investments that suggest it can support a much higher mix of premium seating than Delta.

If I were a betting man, I’d say Delta will eventually roll out a business-class-plus product and perhaps even add a few more premium seats to its flagship jet, much like it previously did with the smaller A350-900.

Zach Griff Author

Zach Griff is a travel expert who’s covered airlines, loyalty programs, credit cards, and travel tech for nearly a decade. He’s visited 60+ countries and regularly shares his insights across Instagram, TikTok and X — and at From the Tray Table.

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