Delta is the first US airline to fly the new Airbus A220 jetliner. Here are its coolest features.

Advertisement

1. Wide economy seat: Delta's A220s boast some of the roomiest economy-class seats in the business at 18.6 inches wide. That's roughly two inches wider than the seats on some of Delta's MD-88s.

1. Wide economy seat: Delta's A220s boast some of the roomiest economy-class seats in the business at 18.6 inches wide. That's roughly two inches wider than the seats on some of Delta's MD-88s.
Advertisement

Delta's A220 economy cabin also boasts 32 inches of seat pitch, which is the space between two rows.

Delta's A220 economy cabin also boasts 32 inches of seat pitch, which is the space between two rows.
Advertisement

2. One middle seat: The middle seat is the least desirable place to be on a plane. Fortunately, the A220's economy cabin features only five seats per row in a 3-2 configuration.

2. One middle seat:  The middle seat is the least desirable place to be on a plane. Fortunately, the A220's economy cabin features only five seats per row in a 3-2 configuration.

This means there's only one middle seat per row.

This means there's only one middle seat per row.
Advertisement

3. Large windows: The A220's carbon-composite construction allows for the installation of larger windows than on traditional aluminum airliners.

3. Large windows: The A220's carbon-composite construction allows for the installation of larger windows than on traditional aluminum airliners.

4. Wireless in-flight entertainment system: Each seat onboard the A220 is equipped with Delta's new wireless in-flight entertainment system.

4. Wireless in-flight entertainment system: Each seat onboard the A220 is equipped with Delta's new wireless in-flight entertainment system.
Advertisement

The system offers a good variety of movies ...

The system offers a good variety of movies ...

... TV shows ...

... TV shows ...
Advertisement

... live satellite TV ...

... live satellite TV ...

... music ...

... music ...
Advertisement

... and a kids' section ...

... and a kids' section ...

... with adjustable background colors ...

... with adjustable background colors ...
Advertisement

... as well as menus for food and beverages ...

... as well as menus for food and beverages ...

... a readout of different time zones ...

... a readout of different time zones ...
Advertisement

... various airport maps ...

... various airport maps ...

... and a flight map. It was easy to use, and the screen quality was good.

... and a flight map. It was easy to use, and the screen quality was good.
Advertisement

5. Lots of places to charge your phone: There is a USB plug at each seat and ...

5. Lots of places to charge your phone: There is a USB plug at each seat and ...

... traditional power sockets on every row.

... traditional power sockets on every row.
Advertisement

6. Window in the bathroom: The A220 is equipped with three bathrooms, or lavatories in airline speak. One of them, the economy class lav on the captain's side in the rear of the plane, boasts a window. For flyers, this is a refreshing development as airplane bathrooms become claustrophobically small.

6. Window in the bathroom: The A220 is equipped with three bathrooms, or lavatories in airline speak. One of them, the economy class lav on the captain's side in the rear of the plane, boasts a window. For flyers, this is a refreshing development as airplane bathrooms become claustrophobically small.

7. Mood lighting: The A220 cabin is bathed in rich blue mood lighting during flights. I'm a fan.

7. Mood lighting: The A220 cabin is bathed in rich blue mood lighting during flights. I'm a fan.
Advertisement

8. Massive overhead bins: The A220's overhead bins are massive, as they are designed to hold oversized luggage. In addition, they open five inches lower to facilitate easy loading and unloading.

8. Massive overhead bins: The A220's overhead bins are massive, as they are designed to hold oversized luggage. In addition, they open five inches lower to facilitate easy loading and unloading.

9. Quiet engines: The Airbus A220 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared-turbofan engines. They are whisper quiet even during takeoff, and they deliver 20% better fuel economy than current-generation engines.

9. Quiet engines: The Airbus A220 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared-turbofan engines. They are whisper quiet even during takeoff, and they deliver 20% better fuel economy than current-generation engines.
Advertisement

10. Modern cockpit: The A220 boasts a thoroughly modern cockpit complete with five 15.1-inch high-definition displays. The aircraft also employs side stick controllers and fly-by-wire technology.

10. Modern cockpit: The A220 boasts a thoroughly modern cockpit complete with five 15.1-inch high-definition displays. The aircraft also employs side stick controllers and fly-by-wire technology.