For the past few years, airlines have spent millions of dollars upgrading their international planes with fancy new premium seats.
Now that most international jets sport fancy lie-flat pods in the pointy end, carriers are turning their attention to the domestic first-class experience.
In the U.S., both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have recently unveiled a new first-class product. Delta’s, which debuted in conjunction with the new Airbus A321neo, was the first real innovation we’ve seen in the domestic premium experience in years.
United just quietly introduced a new first-class seat on its refurbished Airbus A319 as part of the carrier’s United Next campaign to elevate the passenger experience.
Personally, I’ve had the opportunity to try both products, and there are some notable similarities and differences worth discussing — here they are.
Design
This is an area where Delta’s new first-class seat shines. Delta always does a great job with design details, and its new first-class recliners are no exception.
I love the leather seat-back stitching, the multiple embossed red Delta logos and the cocktail tray that’s covered with an anti-slip material in subtle Delta motifs.
United’s new first-class seat feels a bit more sterile. I’m not a big fan of the blue finishes with tan trims, and these seats don’t “wow” me the same way that Delta’s do at first glance.
While both seats may appear to recline into a shell, that’s not the case. Instead, both products feature an articulating seat bottom; as you recline, the seat slides forward.
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Comfort
When Delta’s futuristic first-class recliners debuted, the chief complaint I received from frequent flyers was that the seat isn’t as comfortable as the previous generation.
This wasn’t necessarily something I noticed during my first two-hour flight on the Airbus A321neo, but it’s something I’ve since experienced after a few more flights on this jet.
Delta’s new first-class seats aren’t as well-padded as the previous generation. I’m not sure if this was by design to save weight or some compromise Delta needed to make to add additional privacy, but this is an area where United’s new seat shines.
United’s new recliners are just as comfortable, if not a tad bit more, than the previous generation. They’re well-padded, and sitting in them feels much better than in Delta’s.
On paper, the new Delta and United seats are both 21 inches wide and offer 37 inches of pitch, but United’s feels more spacious due to the lack of larger privacy wings — more on that below.
Privacy
What Delta’s seat lacks in comfort, it makes up for in privacy. In fact, Delta’s new first-class recliner is the single most private domestic first-class product on the market.
The airline added new wings at the side of each seat that might look more like something you’d find on a spaceship than an airplane, but it’s the added feeling of personal space that counts.
For a run-of-the-mill domestic flight, Delta’s new seat is about as good as it gets at providing privacy.
United, meanwhile, took a page from Delta’s playbook with the addition of small privacy wings on its new first-class seat. They’re not nearly as large as the wings in Delta first class, but they’re certainly better than nothing.
That said, if privacy is what you’re after, Delta is the way to go.
Connectivity and entertainment
These days, staying connected, entertained and powered up while traveling is as important as ever. Both products offer some top-notch connectivity options, but I’m inclined to say that United’s is a bit more future-proof.
Both Delta and United offer each first-class passenger a universal AC outlet, but I personally prefer the placement of the outlet on United — it’s just underneath the center console. (Delta’s is at elbow level on the side of each seat.)
Furthermore, Delta opted to install two USB-A charging ports, but United chose a single 27-Watt USB-C charging port at each seat. USB-C is the new charging standard, and with the next-generation iPhone expected to adopt this port later this year, USB-C is bound to become even more popular.
Delta did add a second USB-A charging port underneath each seat-back TV, but these days, I’d take one USB-C port over two USB-A ports.
Both Delta and United installed 13-inch high-definition entertainment screens at each seat, both of which support Bluetooth connectivity for AirPods and other wireless headphones.
Finally, while this isn’t necessarily tied to the seat itself, it’s worth mentioning that Delta offers fast and free Wi-Fi powered by Viasat across its Airbus A321neo fleet.
United has a mix of Wi-Fi providers, including Viasat, but it has far fewer planes outfitted with high-quality Wi-Fi. Also, you’ll need to buy an $8 flight pass to get online when flying United.
Storage
Both seats offer plenty of storage options, and it’ll ultimately come down to your preferences as to which one you prefer.
In Delta’s new first class, there are specially-designed nooks for all your belongings. You can leave a purse or laptop in the under-seat storage unit, store a water bottle in the area under the armrest and tuck your phone into the seat’s side pocket.
On United, there are three main storage areas — a small area for a phone and water bottle just underneath the center console, shelf space for an iPad or a book along the perimeter of the center console, and a larger and deeper pocket at the side of each seat, which is where I store my MacBook during meal service.
Both seats offer a cocktail tray, but United’s is expandable at the push of a button.
Delta’s tray tables measure 22 inches wide and 10 inches long, while United’s tray tables measure 20 inches wide and 11 inches long. Though there’s essentially no practical difference in size, it’s worth mentioning that United’s tray table offers a built-in tablet stand, but Delta’s doesn’t.
Bottom line
More than anything, it’s great to see some innovation in the domestic first-class experience.
Delta’s new seat is no doubt the biggest upgrade we’ve seen in years, and it excels in many ways. From the privacy wings to the larger tray tables and stylish design, you’re sure to have a comfortable flight in the pointy end of this jet.
United’s new first-class seat feels more like an iterative update, but that’s OK — it builds on a strong foundation as a supremely comfortable recliner with some futuristic enhancements, such as USB-C charging ports.
As for which one is better, well, that’s up to personal preference. For me, I’m just happy whenever I’m sitting up front.
