Flight Review: Delta Airbus A350-900 Delta One® – ATL-ICN

by Anthony Losanno
DL 27 ATL to ICN 1

Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links below. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

We’re spending New Year’s in Hong Kong and then heading to the Philippines for a bit. To get to Asia, we flew from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and then onward to Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN). I was particularly excited for this flight as it would be my first time flying in the Delta One® Suites on the Airbus A350-900. I love the way Delta has this plane configured in Business Class and I’m looking forward to comparing it to the Delta One® Suites on the Airbus A330-900neo on the way home. I had tickets booked on United from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), but cancelled those when I found these seats. After landing in Seoul, we continued to Hong Kong on Korean Air with separate tickets that I booked with cash.

Anthony’s Take: The flight was great, overall. I slept through a lot of it, which is something that I never do. When I was awake, the food, service, and seat were all better than what I normally encounter with United and also better than the seats that Delta has on its Boeing 767s. The food was particularly notable on this flight and I’m looking forward to my return flight on Delta. I must also commend Delta for the easy check-in with the app. I was able to scan our passports without issue and get boarding passes within moments.

DL TPA to ICN

Booking

This flight was booked as a one-way award ticket using Delta SkyMiles®. I had been watching flights and when two seats opened at what I considered a reasonable level (144,500 miles for each ticket), I booked them right away. This included the 15% discount from holding a Delta co-branded American Express card.

Amex ATL 31

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

We landed on time from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and decided to hang out in the Centurion® Lounge by American Express that is near Gate E11. I love this lounge (it might be my favorite that Amex operates). Our flight departed from Gate E17, so this was a quick walk over. A full review can be found here.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 2

DL 27 ATL to ICN 3

Boarding

Boarding was on time and followed the general boarding procedure with Delta One® boarding in Zone 1. We were on the aircraft quickly and settled in within. moments.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 4

A cart filled with Korean snacks was in the boarding area. This was a nice touch.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 5

On-Board

We selected the bulkhead seats: 1B and 1C. I love the seats in row one and these worked well for us traveling together. It’s nice that there are not overhead bins above as it made the cabin feel much more open. The footwells were also huge. There are 40 Delta One® Suites on this aircraft.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 6

DL 27 ATL to ICN 7

DL 27 ATL to ICN 8

The Suites were large and when fully reclined provided more than enough space for my six-foot-five-inch frame. There is no storage with these Suites and that is a big miss.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 9

At the seat were two pillows, a blanket, a mattress pad, and slippers. We were told that pajamas were no longer provided on this route.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 10

A Missoni-branded amenity kit was also waiting for us.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 11

It held all of the standard items you’d expect in an amenity kit.

Seat Features

The Suites on this Airbus A350-900 were comfortable and did not make me feel claustrophobic. They were contained, but there was space for us to converse and interact throughout the flight. The seat had multiple controls for different positions, several lights, the entertainment system, and more.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 12

A remote and mirror were found in one armrest. This controlled the light overhead as well.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 13

There were no individual air vents over these Suites.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 14

Wireless charging did not work for most of the flight.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 15

Headphones were hanging in a designated spot.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 16

Another set of controls were for the seat and other lights.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 18

This light was controlled by the buttons above.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 19

Another set of controls also operated the seat and lights.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 17

A hook was on the wall for coats.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 20

The entertainment screen was a good size. It was touchscreen and also operated by the various control pads.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 21

Outlets (including USB C) were available.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 22

The divider in the middle was easily closed and opened. The Suite doors were unlocked after takeoff. These were also easy to control.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 23

DL 27 ATL to ICN 24

DL 27 ATL to ICN 25

DL 27 ATL to ICN 26

Food

Menus were brought shortly after we boarded. This outlined all three services as well as the beverages offered.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 27

A choice of sparkling wine, orange juice, or a mimosa was provided before takeoff.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 28

A choice of beverage and warm mixed nuts kicked off the meal. I had my usual, ginger ale.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 28

The meal was served on one tray. It consisted of a salad, Herb Marinated Shrimp, Roasted Red Pepper Bisque, warm bread, and the main course that I pre-ordered: Crab Cakes. Everything was delicious.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 29

After dinner, flight attendants offered a Chocolate Bar, fruit and cheese, or an ice cream sundae. I went with the sundae and again was surprised at how good it was with the ice cream being a good quality and not rock hard.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 30

A few hours later, a choice of Roasted Red Pepper and Pepperoncini Pizza or Peter Cho’s Spicy Barbecue Pork Bao was served. I went with the bun, but it was a little greasy.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 31

Snacks were available in the galley throughout the flight.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 32

Breakfast was my favorite meal on the flight. The Banana Bread French Toast was decadent. I almost licked the plate clean.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 33

Chocolates were handed out as we were about to land.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 34

Wi-Fi

Delta SkyMiles® members receive complimentary Wi-Fi. This worked while we were flying over the United States and then shut off for the remainder of the flight. This was more than 10 hours without Wi-Fi and really unacceptable. Delta says it will remedy this next year, but I was. not happy to go so long without a signal.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 35

DL 27 ATL to ICN 36

Lavatory

The area of Delta One® where I was seated had two lavatories. These were nothing special and what you can expect on just about any aircraft. They consisted of a sink and toilet with limited toiletries on offer.

Service

The flight attendants were warm and attentive. They were rather chatty and thanked me repeatedly for being a Diamond Medallion member. They stayed on top of all Delta One® passengers throughout the flight.

DL 27 ATL to ICN 37

Overall Impression:

This was a great flight even without Wi-Fi for most of it. The Suites are nice and Delta is catching up to United with this bedding. The food blows away other US airlines and I’m looking forward to flying Delta One® again next week.

User Generated Content Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.

Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.

Leave a Comment

Related Articles