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.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
We flew on ITA Airways from Brindisi Airport (BDS) to Leonardo da Vinci-Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) (review here) and then on to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) (review here). After staying the night, we were headed home on Delta Air Lines with the first flight to New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) before connecting to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Anthony’s Take: I am critical of United Airlines and sometimes seem like I favor Delta. I try to be as impartial as I can when I provide reviews. This flight was not a good one and I found the plane, service, and some of the food off. The flight attendants were rushing so they could disappear and when I mentioned this to the purser he said he disagreed. The cookie served as a midflight snack was so bad that I took a bite and then spit it out.
Booking
This flight was booked as a one-way ticket directly through Delta Air Lines. We flew FRA-JFK in Delta One® and then First Class on Delta to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) (on a separate ticket). I paid a cash fare of €1,275 per ticket in Premium Select and used Global Upgrades to move to Delta One® at booking. We flew to Italy on an award ticket booked on SWISS.
Boarding
Boarding required clearing security at the gate. After having our boarding passes and passports checked, we were put into a holding pen until the plane was ready to board. The agents seemed confused and started calling multiple groups at once. We boarded pretty quickly, but many passengers were not sure who was being called on.
On-Board
On Delta’s Airbus A330-300, Delta One® contains 34 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Row one has two center seats and rows two through nine each have four reverse herringbone-style seats. We selected seats 1C and 1G. I always go for the bulkhead seats, but be warned that these seats are close to the galley and you will need to use an eye shade to sleep if the light bothers you. This was not an issue since this was a daytime flight.
These are the older seats and they are showing their age. They feel dated with buttons not fully functioning, scuffs, tears, and more. These cabins need to be updated to the new product found on the A330-900 with fully enclosed seats with doors.
At the seat was a large pillow, a duvet, slippers, and a Someone, Somewhere amenity kit. Polaris® bedding by Saks Fifth Avenue is far superior to what Delta offers. I understand Delta’s pitch on the bedding and amenity kit being more environmentally friendly, but the old Westin Heavenly® bedding was much nicer.
The amenity kits feel cheap. I’m looking forward to the new Missoni ones that are coming soon.
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 wouldn’t provide much privacy if 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.
Each seat has a USB and standard power outlet as well as a headphone jack. Neither outlet worked well and I had to keep checking and jiggling the cord for my phone to ensure it would charge.
Other controls were also pretty worn and my seat had issues turning into a lie-flat bed.
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.
Most times, the bulkhead has a larger footwell. This was not the case on this aircraft.
The tray table easily swung out and was a good size.
Food
Menus were already at each seat when we boarded. They detailed both meals as well as wine and other beverages.
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 ginger ale.
We both pre-ordered the Honey Roasted Chicken Breast. I was a bit disappointed that everything was served at once. The bread was not heated and the entree was served altogether on one tray. The soup was also lukewarm. It was clear that the flight attendants were rushing even though we departed on time. I mentioned this to the purser and he just scoffed. Flight attendants were in the aisle with the dessert cart before most passengers were even finished eating.
Dessert offered a choice of Flan, an Ice Cream Sundae, or Fruit and Cheese Plate. We both had the Flan. It was nothing special and looked sloppy on the plate.
A midflight snack of a Chocolate Chip Cookie was offered. It was one of the worst things I have ever eaten. Bitter and weird, I took a bite and spit it out.
A snack basket was also set up in the galley.
Pre-arrival choices were a Tomato and Basil Pizza or a Charcuterie Plate. We both chose the pizza and thought it was fine. The cream puffs were tasty.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi on this flight was slow and did not work for about a half the time. The cost for the full flight was $25. This is reasonable for a transatlantic flight, but I wish it were faster and more reliable.
Lavatory
There are two lavatories at the front of the plane. They were both standard and functional with no additional amenities.
Service
The flight crew (with the exception of one female Asian flight attendant) was pretty bad. They spent most of the flight chatting in the galley, rushed through meal service, and were hardly seen the rest of the flight. I was disappointed and expressed this to the purser. He shrugged and did nothing to improve service.
Overall Impression:
We departed on time and arrived a little early. The flight was fine, but the crew was poor. They rushed through service and were not particularly friendly. I expect more from Delta and this flight was nothing special.
Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: The Platinum Card® from American Express is my go-to for booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year booked directly with passenger airlines or through American Express Travel). The card has an annual fee of $695, but it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion Lounges) and taking advantage of all that the Fine Hotels & Resorts program offers. Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.
(Featured Image Credit: Airbus.)
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.
