I flew first class on Delta's new Airbus A321neo and think it's a perfect place to relax and work — see more

Jennifer Bradley FranklinMay 23, 2022, 23:40 IST

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Delta's new passenger plane, the Airbus A321neo, has a completely redesigned first-class cabin.
I flew first class on the plane from Atlanta to Boston before it made its public debut last week.

Delta's brand-new passenger plane, the Airbus A321neo, comes with an entirely redesigned first-class cabin.

Delta

Each A321neo features 20 new domestic first-class seats with increased privacy, storage, and a roomier space for dining, relaxing, and working in the air.

Delta

Delta’s new A321neo fleet is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, and the new planes offer 20% better fuel efficiency compared to Delta’s current A321ceos. The airline plans to add 26 A321neos to its fleet in 2022.

Delta

Delta’s new A321neo fleet is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, and the new planes offer 20% better fuel efficiency compared to Delta’s current A321ceos. The airline plans to add 26 A321neos to its fleet in 2022.

The refreshed look and feel of the first-class cabin on Delta's new A321neo is evident as soon as I board the plane. The new winged seat back has a futuristic look, but it's functional too, designed to offer increased privacy.

Jennifer Franklin

The refreshed look and feel of the first-class cabin on Delta's new A321neo is evident as soon as I board the plane. The new winged seat back has a futuristic look, but it's functional too, designed to offer increased privacy.

The overall aesthetic on the new plane is inviting, with a modern back-lit ceiling design that spans the length of the cabin — from first class to the rear galley.

Delta

The overall aesthetic on the new plane is inviting, with a modern back-lit ceiling design that spans the length of the cabin — from first class to the rear galley.

It drew my eye upward and made the cabin feel roomier somehow.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

To create the new domestic first class, Delta worked with Recaro and Factorydesign, using five years of customer and service crew feedback.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

One of the new features is a fixed tray in between the pairs of seats — a convenient, dedicated place for pre- or in-flight drinks.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Delta configured the new A321neo with 194 seats: 20 in domestic first-class, 42 in Delta Comfort+, and 132 in the main cabin. The company plans to purchase a total of 155 of these planes through 2027.

Delta

Source: Delta

Delta configured the new A321neo with 194 seats: 20 in domestic first-class, 42 in Delta Comfort+, and 132 in the main cabin. The company plans to purchase a total of 155 of these planes through 2027.

Source: Delta

When I settled into my first-class seat at 3B on Delta’s Airbus A321neo, I was struck by the thoughtful storage that placed everything I needed at my fingertips during the flight.

Jennifer Franklin

When I settled into my first-class seat at 3B on Delta’s Airbus A321neo, I was struck by the thoughtful storage that placed everything I needed at my fingertips during the flight.

There was a large seat-back pocket for magazines, a stationary ledge for drinks between the seats, a water bottle holder tucked next to my seat, a cubby sized for a mobile phone or e-reader, and a tall compartment at my feet. It had more than enough space for my 13-inch computer and a notebook.

Delta

There was a large seat-back pocket for magazines, a stationary ledge for drinks between the seats, a water bottle holder tucked next to my seat, a cubby sized for a mobile phone or e-reader, and a tall compartment at my feet. It had more than enough space for my 13-inch computer and a notebook.

I love Delta's new amenity kits (typically available only in Delta One, but shown as an example for this flight), made in partnership with Mexico-based artisan collective Someone Somewhere.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Source: Delta

I love Delta's new amenity kits (typically available only in Delta One, but shown as an example for this flight), made in partnership with Mexico-based artisan collective Someone Somewhere.

Source: Delta

The kits come in five different patterns (mine was a cheerful red and blue textile) and includes products such as a Someone Somewhere woven eye mask, Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, and Grown Alchemist lip balm and lotion.

Jennifer Franklin

The kits come in five different patterns (mine was a cheerful red and blue textile) and includes products such as a Someone Somewhere woven eye mask, Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, and Grown Alchemist lip balm and lotion.

Each amenity kit comes with the Someone Somewhere artisan's name and location (mine was by a female artisan named Maria in Michoacán) and a QR code so guests can learn more about the person who made the kit by hand.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Each amenity kit comes with the Someone Somewhere artisan's name and location (mine was by a female artisan named Maria in Michoacán) and a QR code so guests can learn more about the person who made the kit by hand.

I also like that there was no plastic packaging — or even a zipper — on the kit. I'm told that the switch away from single-use plastics is helping reduce Delta's annual plastic waste by 90,000 pounds annually.

Delta

I also like that there was no plastic packaging — or even a zipper — on the kit. I'm told that the switch away from single-use plastics is helping reduce Delta's annual plastic waste by 90,000 pounds annually.

When the lights are low, the new blue track lighting above the overhead bins and the artful ambient lighting over the aisle provide an attractive glow.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

My flight was only two hours and 20 minutes, so I didn't need to sleep, but it helped create a relaxing environment.

Delta Air Lines

The headrest adjusts up to accommodate taller guests, and the sides of the headrest fold in to hug your head.

Jennifer Franklin

I was impressed by how secure the headrest felt when folded in — if I were sleeping, I could see it being a viable alternative to a travel pillow.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Plus, all of the seats (even those in the other cabins) are upgraded with plush memory-foam.

Delta

Delta's A321neo fleet went into service on May 20, 2022 from Boston to San Francisco, along with its new Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

In the plane's newly designed domestic first-class cabins, the engine noise seemed significantly quieter than in the A321ceo.

Delta

The new first-class design features a bi-fold tray that measures 22 by 10 inches, more than enough space to hold my 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

I could see myself leveraging this effective workspace in the air and knocking out some serious work on a domestic long-haul flight.

Jennifer Franklin

The first-class seat backs have a leather-covered ledge that provides enough grip to securely hold a phone or other device. There are plenty of places to stash or set any items you might need during the flight.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

The first-class seat backs have a leather-covered ledge that provides enough grip to securely hold a phone or other device. There are plenty of places to stash or set any items you might need during the flight.

The futuristic-looking "wings" on the new domestic first-class seats really do provide increased privacy, both from your immediate neighbor and shielding passengers sitting ahead of you from view.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

The futuristic-looking "wings" on the new domestic first-class seats really do provide increased privacy, both from your immediate neighbor and shielding passengers sitting ahead of you from view.

Three personal overhead lights per row of two first-class seats mean that there's ample lighting to work, read, or chat with your seatmate, even if the main cabin lights are dimmed during the flight.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Three personal overhead lights per row of two first-class seats mean that there's ample lighting to work, read, or chat with your seatmate, even if the main cabin lights are dimmed during the flight.

As an Atlanta native, it was nice to see drinks by Atlanta-based canned cocktail maker Tip Top Proper offered on the flight. I indulged in a margarita that came on ice, served in Delta's signature Alessi-designed glass.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

As an Atlanta native, it was nice to see drinks by Atlanta-based canned cocktail maker Tip Top Proper offered on the flight. I indulged in a margarita that came on ice, served in Delta's signature Alessi-designed glass.

The new first-class cabins on Delta's A321neos have charging ports right next to the seat (instead of underneath the seat, like in most older planes), making it convenient to keep all of your devices fully charged.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

The new first-class cabins on Delta's A321neos have charging ports right next to the seat (instead of underneath the seat, like in most older planes), making it convenient to keep all of your devices fully charged.

There were three different meals offered on my Atlanta to Boston flight, including a warm veggie plate and a chicken breast over black rice. I opted for the Impossible Burger topped with manchego cheese and caramelized onions.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

There were three different meals offered on my Atlanta to Boston flight, including a warm veggie plate and a chicken breast over black rice. I opted for the Impossible Burger topped with manchego cheese and caramelized onions.

Served alongside a butternut squash salad and blueberry-lemon cheesecake with white-chocolate shavings, the vegetarian Impossible Burger was a nice blend of decadent and healthy. The roomy bi-fold tray had plenty of space for me to spread out to enjoy my meal.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Served alongside a butternut squash salad and blueberry-lemon cheesecake with white-chocolate shavings, the vegetarian Impossible Burger was a nice blend of decadent and healthy. The roomy bi-fold tray had plenty of space for me to spread out to enjoy my meal.

All seats, no matter the cabin, come with screens for passengers to take advantage of the more than 1,000 hours of in-flight entertainment through Delta Studio.

Delta

Delta recently made the decision to offer gratis headphones to passengers so they can take advantage of in-flight entertainment through the seat-back screens.

Delta

If you're like me and often forget to pack earbuds with a plane-compatible jack, it's nice to have them offered at no charge.

Jennifer Franklin

Since I had a row to myself for this "ferry flight" to move the plane from Atlanta to Boston in advance of its inaugural passenger journey on May 20, 2020, I shifted to the window seat for the descent, to watch the Massachusetts coast go by.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Since I had a row to myself for this "ferry flight" to move the plane from Atlanta to Boston in advance of its inaugural passenger journey on May 20, 2020, I shifted to the window seat for the descent, to watch the Massachusetts coast go by.

Before I knew it, the flight was over, and it was time to hustle through Boston's Logan International Airport to catch my next plane.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

While this flight was only two hours and 20 minutes, these Delta A321neos will begin serving longer-haul transcontinental flights, initially from Boston to San Francisco, with more routes planned for this year.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

While this flight was only two hours and 20 minutes, these Delta A321neos will begin serving longer-haul transcontinental flights, initially from Boston to San Francisco, with more routes planned for this year.

My short experience made it clear that this new first-class cabin design could make for a comfortable longer journey.

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

I flew on Delta's all-new Airbus A321neo. Its redesigned first class is a huge upgrade in comfort and style.

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I flew first class on Delta's new Airbus A321neo and think it's a perfect place to relax and work &mdash; see more

Delta's brand-new passenger plane, the Airbus A321neo, comes with an entirely redesigned first-class cabin.

Each A321neo features 20 new domestic first-class seats with increased privacy, storage, and a roomier space for dining, relaxing, and working in the air.

Delta’s new A321neo fleet is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, and the new planes offer 20% better fuel efficiency compared to Delta’s current A321ceos. The airline plans to add 26 A321neos to its fleet in 2022.

The refreshed look and feel of the first-class cabin on Delta's new A321neo is evident as soon as I board the plane. The new winged seat back has a futuristic look, but it's functional too, designed to offer increased privacy.

The overall aesthetic on the new plane is inviting, with a modern back-lit ceiling design that spans the length of the cabin — from first class to the rear galley.

It drew my eye upward and made the cabin feel roomier somehow.

To create the new domestic first class, Delta worked with Recaro and Factorydesign, using five years of customer and service crew feedback.

One of the new features is a fixed tray in between the pairs of seats — a convenient, dedicated place for pre- or in-flight drinks.

Delta configured the new A321neo with 194 seats: 20 in domestic first-class, 42 in Delta Comfort+, and 132 in the main cabin. The company plans to purchase a total of 155 of these planes through 2027.

When I settled into my first-class seat at 3B on Delta’s Airbus A321neo, I was struck by the thoughtful storage that placed everything I needed at my fingertips during the flight.

There was a large seat-back pocket for magazines, a stationary ledge for drinks between the seats, a water bottle holder tucked next to my seat, a cubby sized for a mobile phone or e-reader, and a tall compartment at my feet. It had more than enough space for my 13-inch computer and a notebook.

I love Delta's new amenity kits (typically available only in Delta One, but shown as an example for this flight), made in partnership with Mexico-based artisan collective Someone Somewhere.

The kits come in five different patterns (mine was a cheerful red and blue textile) and includes products such as a Someone Somewhere woven eye mask, Humble Co. bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, and Grown Alchemist lip balm and lotion.

Each amenity kit comes with the Someone Somewhere artisan's name and location (mine was by a female artisan named Maria in Michoacán) and a QR code so guests can learn more about the person who made the kit by hand.

I also like that there was no plastic packaging — or even a zipper — on the kit. I'm told that the switch away from single-use plastics is helping reduce Delta's annual plastic waste by 90,000 pounds annually.

When the lights are low, the new blue track lighting above the overhead bins and the artful ambient lighting over the aisle provide an attractive glow.

My flight was only two hours and 20 minutes, so I didn't need to sleep, but it helped create a relaxing environment.

The headrest adjusts up to accommodate taller guests, and the sides of the headrest fold in to hug your head.

I was impressed by how secure the headrest felt when folded in — if I were sleeping, I could see it being a viable alternative to a travel pillow.

Plus, all of the seats (even those in the other cabins) are upgraded with plush memory-foam.

Delta's A321neo fleet went into service on May 20, 2022 from Boston to San Francisco, along with its new Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.

In the plane's newly designed domestic first-class cabins, the engine noise seemed significantly quieter than in the A321ceo.

The new first-class design features a bi-fold tray that measures 22 by 10 inches, more than enough space to hold my 13-inch MacBook Pro.

I could see myself leveraging this effective workspace in the air and knocking out some serious work on a domestic long-haul flight.

The first-class seat backs have a leather-covered ledge that provides enough grip to securely hold a phone or other device. There are plenty of places to stash or set any items you might need during the flight.

The futuristic-looking "wings" on the new domestic first-class seats really do provide increased privacy, both from your immediate neighbor and shielding passengers sitting ahead of you from view.

Three personal overhead lights per row of two first-class seats mean that there's ample lighting to work, read, or chat with your seatmate, even if the main cabin lights are dimmed during the flight.

As an Atlanta native, it was nice to see drinks by Atlanta-based canned cocktail maker Tip Top Proper offered on the flight. I indulged in a margarita that came on ice, served in Delta's signature Alessi-designed glass.

The new first-class cabins on Delta's A321neos have charging ports right next to the seat (instead of underneath the seat, like in most older planes), making it convenient to keep all of your devices fully charged.

There were three different meals offered on my Atlanta to Boston flight, including a warm veggie plate and a chicken breast over black rice. I opted for the Impossible Burger topped with manchego cheese and caramelized onions.

Served alongside a butternut squash salad and blueberry-lemon cheesecake with white-chocolate shavings, the vegetarian Impossible Burger was a nice blend of decadent and healthy. The roomy bi-fold tray had plenty of space for me to spread out to enjoy my meal.

All seats, no matter the cabin, come with screens for passengers to take advantage of the more than 1,000 hours of in-flight entertainment through Delta Studio.

Delta recently made the decision to offer gratis headphones to passengers so they can take advantage of in-flight entertainment through the seat-back screens.

If you're like me and often forget to pack earbuds with a plane-compatible jack, it's nice to have them offered at no charge.

Since I had a row to myself for this "ferry flight" to move the plane from Atlanta to Boston in advance of its inaugural passenger journey on May 20, 2020, I shifted to the window seat for the descent, to watch the Massachusetts coast go by.

Before I knew it, the flight was over, and it was time to hustle through Boston's Logan International Airport to catch my next plane.

While this flight was only two hours and 20 minutes, these Delta A321neos will begin serving longer-haul transcontinental flights, initially from Boston to San Francisco, with more routes planned for this year.

My short experience made it clear that this new first-class cabin design could make for a comfortable longer journey.

I flew first class on Delta's new Airbus A321neo and think it's a perfect place to relax and work — see more