Delta One suite, the American Response to Emirates and Etihad

Lay back, relax and enjoy the flight in the comfort, privacy and exclusivity of your own suite. This was the exclusive concept at Emirates Airlines followed by Gulf competitors including Etihad and Qatar Airways. The United States with its airlines was way behind when it came to comfort, quality and access to a premium experience.

Now U.S. based Delta Air Lines is redefining international business class travel with the introduction of the Delta One suite, the first business class cabin to feature a sliding door at each suite.

Sounds good, but what about the food, the entertainment system, the crew, air fares. There are exciting improvements in the global airline industry however.

Delta stated: Designed with an emphasis on exceptional customer comfort and privacy, the Delta One suite offers each customer a private space accessed by a sliding door with thoughtfully designed personal stowage areas, an advanced in-flight entertainment system and premium trim and finishes to create an unparalleled business class experience with a comfortable, residential feel.

The Delta One suite will debut on Delta’s first Airbus A350, due to enter service in fall 2017. Each aircraft will feature 32 suites.

In addition to full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access, which the airline introduced eight years ago, the Delta One suite features:

A full-height door at every suite
Sliding privacy dividers between center suites
In-suite, customizable ambient lighting
Dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones and laptops
Contemporary design featuring premium trim and finishes
Memory foam-enhanced comfort cushion
An 18-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment monitor, the largest among U.S. carriers

A universal power outlet and high-powered USB port at every seat
“Delta constantly listens to customers and responds with products that deliver what they want. After setting the standard with the introduction of full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access in 2008, Delta is again elevating the international business class experience,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Added comfort and privacy are important to business travelers, and that drove the design of the all-new Delta One suite.”

Delta completed installation of full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access on all of its widebody aircraft operating long-haul international flights in 2014. Delta One service includes the features Delta customers have grown to expect, such as chef-curated meals, wine pairings by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, noise-canceling headsets, TUMI amenity kits featuring Kiehl’s Since 1851 premium skincare, and in-flight loungewear on select flights.

Following the A350 debut, the Delta One suite will progressively roll out on Delta’s Boeing 777 fleet. Delta will be the first U.S. airline to take delivery of the A350, which will primarily serve routes between the U.S. and Asia.

Delta has made significant investments in its on-board product and the customer experience with orders for hundreds of new aircraft and a cabin modernization program that includes new seats, seatback entertainment systems, high capacity overhead bins, new lavatories, ambient lighting, access to Wi-Fi on nearly all flights and other enhancements.

All of this sounds good, but what about the food, the entertainment system, the crew?

Delta Air Lines serves nearly 180 million customers each year.