Delta One A350-1000 business class: more legroom, longer beds

Sleep could be the X-factor on Delta Air Lines’ new A350-1000 Delta One business class suites, which take to the skies in early 2027 to tackle some of the carrier’s longest routes.

The lie-flat beds will be 2 metres long, up from 1.93m in the first-gen Delta One suites, with a plush “pillow-top cushion” layered on top of the memory foam mattress.

A fresh design to maximise in-suite space also offers more knee and leg room, especially for side-sleepers.

Delta's A350-1000 Delta One business class cabin – note how the central overhead bins have been removed to increase the sense of roominess.

Even when you’re not sleeping, the ‘zero-gravity’ recline mode fully cradles your body to reduce pressure on your lower back and enhance circulation.

Mauricio Parise, Delta’s VP of Brand Experience, says passengers “are clear that comfort is their number one priority when flying Delta One – 97% say Delta’s flat-bed is the reason for choosing the cabin.”

“This led us to a new design that, when combined with our current mattress pad and luxury bedding from Missoni, makes for an incomparable sleep at 30,000 feet.”

The new Delta One suite boasts a bed that's fully 2m long.

A dedicated shoe cabinet plus handy storage nooks make it easier to settle in and transform the suite into your cosy cocoon.

Winning touches include this shoe cabinet and a handle little storage tray just above.

Tech-friendly touches include AC, USB-C and wireless charging, with Bluetooth audio streamed from a 24-inch 4K QLED screen.

Delta has made good use of the side console bench.

Delta has also revised the cabin layout, switching from forward-facing seats to have the window seats actually facing the window (while middle seats are now angled away from the aisle to likewise enhance privacy).

Window seats now face towards the window, while middle seats face away from the aisle.

As expected, these new Delta One suites are based on a heavily-stylised Vantage Nova platform from Thompson Aero Seating, which also supplied its popular Vantage XL suite for the original Delta One design launched ten years ago.

Each Delta One suite on the A350-1000 gets a massive 24-inch 4K QLED screen.

Curiously, Delta has decided not to take advantage of Thompson’s ‘Nova First’ option, which turns the first row into four ‘business plus’ suites with even more space plus companion seating.

Delta opted out of embracing Thompson Aero's Vantage Nova First config.

That puts the SkyTeam member at odds with rivals American, JetBlue and United, which all boast beefed-up Row 1 suites in their latest business class cabins.

There is however a self-serve ‘snack station’ – something noticeably lacking in Delta business class – plus a fresh mood lighting scheme with warm hues at mealtime, low and relaxing settings for sleep, and a gentle transition to daylight to help passengers adjust to a new time zone upon arrival.

The A350-1000's walk-up snack and refreshment bar for business class.

Behind the 50-berth Delta One business class cabin are 48 premium economy recliners in their own Premium Select cabin.

The new Premium Select recliners feature inbuilt memory foam cushioning.

These are finished with memory foam cushions, and front a 16” 4K screen with Bluetooth audio streaming, plus AC and USB-C power sockets.

These recliners are definitely more 'premium' than economy.

Business and premium economy account for almost a third of Delta’s A350-1000 floorpan; the ratio goes to 50% if you include the Delta Comfort extra-legroom economy seats, proof that Delta is skewing its growth toward the premium travel market.

In fact, the overall stylish treatment of the A350-1000 – the finish of its suites, seats and cabin – is in keeping with Delta’s premium positioning.