Is Delta planning business class suites for its Airbus A330neo fleet?

It seems that Delta Air Lines is aiming to raise the business class bar with Delta One-style 'mini-suites' on its forthcoming A330neo jets.

Airbus has filed with the US FAA for authorisation to fit 29 business class 'mini-suites' with a sliding door onto the Airbus A330-900, the largest member of the A330neo series – and while no airline is cited in the application, Delta is the only US carrier to have ordered the next-generation A330-900.

Private suites could be a game-changer on Delta's trans-continental and trans-Atlantic A330neo jets

Airbus describes the suites as "not creating a completely isolated compartment for occupants, as the sliding doors have a partial height... intended to preserve the privacy" of the passenger.

Delta's Airbus A350 business class suites sport such a design, although the cabin of the A330neo series is slightly narrower.

Delta's Airbus A350 business class cabin

The SkyTeam member has signed on the dotted line for a total of 35 A33-900 jets, with deliveries slated to begin in 2019.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has previously said the A330neo aircraft would replace the ageing Boeing 767-300ERs, which means the next-gen jets could be seen on US transcontinental routes as well as trans-Atlantic flights and services to Asia.

Delta's business class suites offer shut-eye on the red-eye

A spokeswoman for Delta Air Lines declined to comment on the Airbus filing, telling Australian Business Traveller "Delta does not yet have an announcement for the configuration and the deployment of forthcoming A330-900neo aircraft."

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.