Next-gen Delta One Suites unveiled as the airline ditches staggered business class

Delta was one of the first airlines to introduce ‘suites with doors’ in business class. This was almost a decade ago, back in 2017, and now it’s ready to unveil its second generation of Delta One Suites.

It means all three big US airlines will go head-to-head with brand new business class products in the coming years. Delta is the third and final of the big airlines to unveil new cabins, with American Airlines and United both having done so in the past year.

Crucially, it will see Delta move from a forward facing staggered configuration – where some seats are closer to the aisle and others to the window – to a reverse herringbone layout with seats angled towards the window. All three airlines will therefore field almost identical business class layouts.

With its vast fleet, Delta was surely one of the biggest global users of staggered business class seating.

This type of configuration is generally better for those travelling in pairs, although Delta never offered so-called ‘honeymoon’ seats in the centre pair. Its particular stagger always meant there was a console table between passengers so you were never that close.

Nevertheless, the forward-facing arrangement made it easier to talk to your seatmate than a reverse herringbone, where your bodies are angled away from each other.

However, it seems Delta has been persuaded by the benefits of a reverse herringbone layout which is increasingly becoming the norm.

Specifically, Delta will launch the VantageNOVA seat from long-time partner Thompson Aero (based in Northern Ireland) which also manufactures the current Delta One Suite as well as Virgin Atlantic’s A330neo Upper Class suite.

Thompson’s Vantage and VantageXL seats previously set the benchmark for staggered business class. VantageNOVA is the new reverse herringbone seat which it has been showing at industry events for the past few years. I was able to sit in it myself at last year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

Delta is touting a range of benefits from the new suite, including – perhaps most crucially – an additional 3″ (7.5cm) in the length of the bed that now extends more than six-and-a-half feet (198cm). Although, as this is a herringbone layout, it will taper to a point.

Other improvements include a new pillow-top cushion in the seat with an extra layer of memory foam, as well as better storage options including a cubby for shoes (excellent!) and a hook for glasses.

The seat also features a vast, 4K 24-inch screen, making it one of the largest business class TV screens in the industry. JAL’s A350 business class also features a 24″ screen and it is truly something to behold. Bluetooth connectivity obviously comes as standard.

Visually, the new Delta One Suite is a slight departure from its existing blue-and-red colour scheme. Blue is out whilst warm dark greys are in: red continues to be the accent colour. This helps differentiate it from the multitude of other blue-and-red airline seats.

Interestingly Delta is not going to offer a ‘business plus’ front row studio seat option, unlike its competitors and indeed its partner Virgin Atlantic which sell the first row with extra space and legroom as an ancillary upgrade.

The new seats will launch in early 2027 aboard the airline’s incoming fleet of Airbus A350-1000s. As the largest and newest aircraft in Delta’s fleet, it will form the airline’s flagship experience.

Like other transatlantic airlines Delta will grow its share of premium and business class seats, with over 50% on the A350-1000 (albeit it’s not clear if that’s by seat count or cabin area). We are heading into a future where standard economy seating is becoming a lot rarer which will, of course, push up fares.