America’s BEST Business Class: Delta One Suites on the A330-900NEO from New York JFK to Paris CDG

by Krish Patel

First unveiled in 2016, Delta Airlines made plans to launch Delta One Suites with sliding doors. In the following year, Delta One Suites were launched on the Airbus A350. However, the airline took its great Business Class product and made it better on the A330neo in 2019, featuring wider seats and higher seat walls. On a recent transatlantic flight in Delta One at the end of 2024, I’ve come to the conclusion that this product is America’s best Business Class.

Ground Experience and Delta One Lounge 

Delta One and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers flying from New York’s JFK can use the exclusive, dedicated Delta One check-in space to complete their formalities before the flight. The check-in area is located by the first door of JFK’s Terminal 4. You’ll step into a relaxing atmosphere with artwork, lounge seating, snacks, and refreshments. The staff at check-in are very friendly and professional, and the queue wasn’t too long.

After checking in, there’s a private security lane that barely takes five minutes to clear. After passing through the checkpoint, you’re within feet of the stunning Delta One Lounge. Inside the lounge is a whole new world that’s unlike any Delta Sky Club.

Once you enter the lounge, you’ll be greeted warmly and handed a card explaining all of the lounge’s amenities. Throughout the lounge are kiosks where you can book reservations to use any of the amenities, especially the massage facility, brasserie, and showers. 

The main seating area is located immediately upon entry and is split into two sections. The fireplace lounge area features plush chairs and sofas in a living room ambiance with Missoni throw pillows on the couches. I’m a huge fan of the golden accents and touches of sconce lighting seen. At pretty much every seat in the lounge is table space, and charging outlets aren’t an issue either. 

To the right of the seating area is a stunning full-service bar. Everything at the bar is free, except for certain expensive and top quality alcoholic beverages.

The brasserie restaurant is located across from the bar. It feels more like an exquisite, trendy restaurant in a Manhattan skyscraper rather than a fine dining facility in an airport lounge at JFK. You can order a three course meal before your flight and enjoy the modern ambiance of the facility, thanks to the accents and elegant light fixtures.

If you don’t have enough time to enjoy a full meal, there’s a market and a bakery buffet section offering a variety of hot and cold foods and desserts. Adjacent to the market is some high-end cafeteria style seating. 

The Delta One Lounge offers stunning views overlooking Terminal 4’s B Gates, where DL operates from at JFK. Lining the windows are chairs that swivel, which allow you to soak in views before your journey. In addition, you’ll find an indoor terrace, which is a quiet and chilled-out spot with high-end furniture.

Cozily tucked away in one of the corners of the space is a business station, which has a triangular work table and a few phone booths where you can make a call. The phone booths are similar to the ones seen in the A Gates Delta Sky Club.

Located slightly closer to the back of the lounge is a rejuvenation bar, which features a selection of detox juices. For guests, there’s some comfortable seating, above which is dim lighting to help reduce jet lag.

The eight shower suites and shoe shining facility are both located behind the rejuvenation bar and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The shower suites have blue-tiled walls and are stocked with premium Grown Alchemist skincare products. While you’re showering, you can have your clothes steamed for you so that they’re crisp once you’ve finished. 

Behind the rejuvenation bar is the spa facility, where you can enjoy using a zero-gravity massage chair or a spa treatment. After the treatment, you can relax in the relaxation area.

When it’s time to leave, you can take the elevator down to the ground level of T4. You’ll come across a stunning travel-inspired art piece and some seating near the ground entrance, which is where connecting and arriving passengers can enter the lounge. Delta offers a golf cart service from the Delta One Lounge to the Sky Club near Gate B31 every 15 minutes to make it easier for you to board your plane, however, I just walked straight to my gate in Concourse B, which took over 15 minutes.

Delta One passengers receive Sky Priority Boarding in group one of eight. Since I spent a lot of time in the lounge and had to walk another 20 minutes, I boarded late during group six (Main Cabin) boarding.

Delta One Suites Cabin and Seat

The Delta Airbus A330-900neo features one Delta One cabin of 29 private suites. Each seat of 22.5 inches offers direct aisle access, however some face closer to the window and others closer to the aisle. I love the modern white accents and sconce lighting at each suite, as well as the memory foam seat padding and triangular patterns on the seat, an allusion to the DL logo.

The overhead bin size in Delta One is somewhat generous and can accommodate a suitcase or backpack, however, the bins on Delta’s other aircraft such as the 767-400 are more spacious. 

Located in front of each seat is the touchscreen Delta Studio IFE system. Delta’s entertainment system offers an extensive selection of movies, newly released films, TV shows, Spotify music, and podcasts. There are many genres of movies to choose from. In addition, you’ll find a dedicated slot for the map, kids entertainment, and airline and airport information. With hundreds of films, this is easily one of the best entertainment systems on a U.S. airline.

Beneath the screen is an ottoman, which serves as a leg rest when the seat is in lie-flat bed mode.

The outer or inner end of the suite houses the coat hook, depending on where you’re seated.

Across from the coat hook is the suite’s side table, which serves as a flat surface that can be used to keep drinks. Found on the seat wall that’s right atop the side table are the seat controls that can adjust specific parts of the seat. In addition, the seat can be adjusted to a variety of positions for lounging and relaxing. 

Within a flat compartment of the table is a vanity mirror and IFE remote.

At the back of the side table is the seat’s main storage area, with room for a water bottle, a hook for storing headphones, and enough room for storing small personal items. In addition, you’ll also find a universal plug, USB port, and headphone jack. 

The suite features a lamp that can be adjusted to several brightness levels. It’s located at the side of the seat.

Beneath the side table are some seat controls, as well as a button to control the suite’s lighting and a do not disturb button. Note that the odd numbered seat on the right side of the aircraft and even numbered seats on the left have an extra storage area beneath the side table. In addition, the tray table pops out from the side of the seat. While sturdy, it’s a pretty awkward shape.

At the opposite end of the seat is a fixed armrest.

Above each seat is a reading light and flight attendant call button, but no personal air vent. 

Of course, the crown jewel of the Delta One Suite on the A330 is the sliding door. Measuring at 43.5 inches in height, it offers a ton of privacy when you want to sleep undisturbed or get some work done, but remains locked on the ground.

Once the cabin lights were turned off after the meal service, I converted my seat into a bed and got some rest. The Delta One seat on the NEO measures at 80 inches in lie-flat bed mode. It’s very comfortable and plush when paired with the provided COZ-Z-Z bedding, with room for your legs and knees to stretch out, as well as a great amount of width for your shoulders. If I had to pick between the Delta One bed on the 767-400 or the A330-900neo, I’d pick the A330-900neo every time because it’s more spacious for your feet. 

There are two lavatories in Delta One on the A330neo, one of which is in the front and the other is at the back of the cabin. They’re both very spacious and clean, with a decent amount of counter space and a large sink. In the lavatories are skincare products supplied from the Grown Alchemist. The products are very fragrant and make for some great amenities. 

Food and Drink in Delta One

Waiting at each seat upon boarding was the menu for today’s flight, which listed the meal choices in both English and French. Two meals would be served on today’s flight, starting with the main dinner service about 50 minutes after takeoff from JFK. Prior to landing at CDG, breakfast (the pre-arrival meal) would be served. The menu offers an extensive selection of entrees, however, only one appetizer was listed on the menu, along with the soup, salad, and bread. There’s an extensive selection of wines highlighted on the wine li​​st, including champagnes. As far as non-alcoholic drinks, you’ll find Starbucks coffee, a selection of teas, and soft drinks. 

Shortly after getting settled into my seat, I was offered a pre-departure beverage. The choices were champagne and orange juice, and I opted for a glass of the juice. 

In the air, the dinner service commenced as flight attendants handed out hot towels. Shortly after they were collected, I was offered some warm nuts and a drink of choice, for which I opted to have water.

My meal was brought out on one tray. Delta sent me an email a few days before this flight asking me to pre-order my meal. I chose to have the paccheri pasta with roasted tomato sauce, basil, and mozzarella. It was pretty good, but not the best entree I had in Delta One. The appetizer of fish (which I passed on trying), the soup, salad, and bread were served on the same tray. I wish Delta served the courses individually to elevate the experience. My favorite item on the tray was the mushroom soup, which tasted light and refreshing. As far as condiments, the tray came with Banner Butter, olive oil vinaigrette, and a unique salt and pepper shaker. On one side of it was a fan blade of an engine and on the other the Delta logo. I love it!

For dessert, how could I pass on the ice cream sundae? Of course, I went with that as my choice. The sundae included vanilla ice cream, sour cherry compote, cookie crumble, hot fudge, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream. I also requested to have a cup of peppermint tea to pair along with my dessert.

Mid-flight, the flight attendants put up a snack basket in the Delta One galley, where passengers could come, stretch their legs, and grab one or two items before returning to their seat. I wish that there was a proper snack bar with cheese plates, desserts, and beverages, which was the case on my Delta One flight in February aboard the 767-400.

Before arriving in Paris, my table was set up for breakfast and I was offered a drink of choice. I opted for a cup of Starbucks coffee (decaf). For my meal choice, I went with the Greek yogurt chia pudding. It was very good and served on a tray alongside a fruit bowl and croissant. The condiments on the tray were butter, salt and pepper, and orange marmalade. 

Delta One Amenities

Upon boarding, you’ll find each of the following at your suite:

• A bottle of water

• A pair of Delta-branded slippers

• A pair of Delta Studio headphones

• An amenity kit supplied from Missoni 

• The COZ-Z-Z Delta One bedding including a pillow and blanket

Overall, the amenities provided left me happy. The bedding provided from COZ-Z-Z is very plush and comfortable and is made from recyclable materials. I had no issue with the noise-cancelling headphones, which functioned well and fit comfortably. 

I’m a huge fan of the Missoni amenity kit, which is much better than the old Someone Somewhere pouch. The kit’s pouch is stunning and features a detailed blue pattern. Inside the kit is a pair of branded socks, an eye mask, a pair of earplugs, a bamboo toothbrush and mint toothpaste, a branded pen, and lip balm and hand lotion supplied from the Grown Alchemist.

Free, high-speed Wi-Fi and messaging was available on this flight. You can easily connect after takeoff with no charge. 

Service in Delta One

Of the big three U.S. carriers, Delta is known for offering the most professional and friendly inflight service. The crew were nice based on the interactions I had with them, but weren’t as engaging as the Delta crew on my last flight with them in international Business Class. Despite that, I was still somewhat satisfied. 

Booking Delta One Suites

One-way flights in Delta One from JFK to CDG start at $2,908 per person and can climb further. Another option is to book Delta One using your points and miles. Delta charges about 70,000 (or more) SkyMiles for a Delta One ticket from New York to Paris. Amex points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio, however, it’s better to transfer your points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club if you want to book using your points. 

Virgin charges about 50,000 Flying Club points, which is less than what Delta does for the same redemption. Note that you’ll have to pay high taxes and fees in addition to the points. The Flying Club program has more transfer partners than Delta, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. 

Overall Thoughts

Delta One is America’s best Business Class, considering the great ground experience at JFK and the onboard product. While Delta still offers a less-exclusive ground experience at some hubs, priority check-in and boarding are some solid Business Class offerings, and the Sky Clubs are above-average airport lounges. The amenities offered in flight were quite luxurious, and the airline’s service is pretty much always a hit. However, if you’re flying on the A330-900, you’ll be able to enjoy the airline’s best suite, featuring privacy doors and memory foam padding. I’d certainly fly Delta One again, and if you have the option to do so, you’re going to have a terrific time.