Flight Review: Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-300ER Delta One® – SFO-JFK

After a dinner in San Francisco on Tuesday, I had to fly to New York yesterday morning for another work event. I chose Delta Air Lines for the flight between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The Boeing 767-300 was a bit dated, but the food, bedding, and the wonderful service provided by the crew more than made up for the aging aircraft.

Anthony’s Take: My Delta One® flight was pleasant, overall. The Wi-Fi was pretty spotty and I could only work for half the flight. I was pleased with my meal and I love the Missoni bedding, slippers, and amenity kit. The crew were all pleasant and professional. I enjoyed speaking with them and they gave me the nicest card right before landing.  The app was easy for check-in and I found the ground experience to be fine. I just wish I had time to hit the Delta One® Lounge once I landed.

Booking

This flight was booked as a one-way paid ticket directly through Delta Air Lines. I am pushing for Diamond Medallion and I needed some MQDs to get me there. The cash price was $1,499, which is not cheap but hundreds (if not up to $1,500) cheaper than this route goes for on many days.

Boarding

Boarding began on time and was done in an orderly fashion. A few people boarded as they needed extra time, no one came forward as active military, and then Zone 1 was called and I boarded.

On-Board

On Delta’s Boeing767-300, Delta One® contains 26 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Rows one through six each have four reverse herringbone-style seats with row seven having just two center seats. I selected seats 4C. I always go for the bulkhead seats, but those wee booked already when I made the reservation. These are the older seats and they are showing their age. They feel dated. These cabins need to be updated to the new product found on the Airbus A330-900 with fully enclosed seats with doors, but they’ll be retired before that happens.

At the seat was a large pillow, a duvet, slippers, and a Missoni amenity kit.  Polaris® bedding by Saks Fifth Avenue is far superior to what Delta offers, but I like the Missoni design and it does lend itself to feeling premium.

The Missoni amenity kits come in cream or blue. Mine was placed near my seat along with headphones.

A bottle of water was also waiting at each seat.

Seat Features

These Delta One® seats are good if you’re traveling with someone, but don’t provide much privacy when a stranger was seated next to you. The seat features standard controls for converting it into a lie-flat bed as well as controls for the entertainment system. The entertainment system offers a huge selection of movies and TV shows.

The controls feel old and clunky.

The screen is tiny.

Each seat has a USB and standard power outlet as well as a headphone jack. They also oddly had a phone jack.

Delta provides Studio branded premium headsets. While these are not Bose, they functioned well and blocked out noise. A small reading light was also here.

Air vents and reading lights were overhead.

The seat was fine for working and relaxing, but I doubt I’d be able to sleep there.

Food

Menus were already at each seat when we boarded. They detailed both meals as well as wine and other beverages. I had pre-ordered the Smoked Salmon Plate, which was not a choice on board.

Pre-departure beverages were offered with a choice of water, orange juice, or champagne. I selected orange juice.

The service started with warm nuts and a beverage of choice. I had a half cranberry juice/half club soda. Nuts are an odd way to start breakfast.

The tray came with smoked salmon, a hard boiled egg, veggies, crackers, a croissant, fresh fruit, and a yogurt parfait.

I really enjoyed this meal and everything tasted fresh.

The only negative was that my knife was dirty.

Flight attendants came through twice with a snack basket.

A warm cookie was served close to landing.

Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi on this flight was slow and did not work for about a half the time. Thankfully, it was free for SkyMiles members.

Lavatory

There are two lavatories at the front of the plane. They were both standard and functional with no additional amenities.

Service

The crew was exceptional. All male (all gay as far as my gaydar was reading things). I enjoyed talking to all of them. They handed me the sweet note above before we landed. Throughout the flight they offered refills and were constantly checking on passengers.

Overall Impression:

I was not happy with the Wi-Fi and the seats are a bit old. Other than that, the food, service, and amenities were all great. Delta One® shines in these areas. Now, Delta just needs to get its planes to have consistent seating with the newest options for an A+ experience.