Delta Air Lines is introducing a new generation of business class suites on its upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, while also expanding suite-style seating to parts of its existing long-haul fleet.
The airline says the updated “Delta One” suites are the result of a two-year design process, alongside customer and staff feedback collected over the past decade. The new suites will debut on the A350-1000, which is expected to enter service from early 2027.
At the same time, Delta plans to retrofit its Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft with suites featuring sliding privacy doors for the first time. The upgrades are part of a wider cabin refurbishment programme valued at more than US$1 billion.
Across both aircraft types, every seat in every cabin will include larger seatback screens, Bluetooth connectivity, USB-C and AC power outlets, and memory foam cushions.
Delta introduced a new onboard design in 2025 and expects it to be installed across more than 800 aircraft over the next five years.
“Every time a customer boards a Delta flight, the experience and surroundings should feel familiar — creating a sense of home and comfort when you’re away,” said Mauricio Parise, vice president of brand experience. “That was the driving factor behind every intentional design feature and investment we made in developing our brand new A350-1000 experience, which we extended through nose-to-tail upgrades of our A330-200/300s and will continue to roll out across our fleet.”
The A350-1000 will feature a higher proportion of premium seating, with around 50% of the cabin dedicated to premium products. Delta expects that by 2030, around 90% of its Delta One seats will be suites with doors.
Longer beds, bigger screens and more storage
The new Delta One suites include lie-flat beds measuring more than six and a half feet, with an extended length compared to previous designs. Other additions include a pillow-top cushion, storage space for personal items such as shoes and glasses, and surfaces designed to keep devices within reach.
“Customers 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,” said Parise. “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.”
Each suite on the A350-1000 will also feature a 24-inch seatback screen — the largest in Delta’s fleet — along with wireless charging and Bluetooth audio connectivity.
A new self-service snack station will be installed for Delta One passengers on both aircraft types, allowing access to food and drinks between scheduled meal services.
“This snack station gives customers control over their time – small choices like when to grab a snack can feel meaningful,” said Parise. “We are deliberate about making it easy for customers to get what they need when they need it and offering a flight experience that best meets the needs of each customer. Whether you’re working, traveling with kids or simply awake when others are sleeping — it’s there for you.”
Design changes and accessibility updates
The A350-1000 suites will be arranged in a reverse-herringbone layout, with seats angled towards the windows. Middle seats will include adjustable dividers for passengers travelling together.
Many of the same design elements will be carried across to the A330 upgrades, including lighting, charging options and seat controls.
Delta says it has also worked with its Advisory Board on Disability & Accessible Travel to introduce new accessibility features. These include redesigned seat control panels with tactile elements and larger accessible lavatories.
Changes across all cabins
The upgrade programme extends beyond business class. Economy and premium economy seats on the A350-1000 and refurbished A330 aircraft will include slightly increased legroom, redesigned seatbacks and improved storage options.
All cabins will feature upgraded in-flight entertainment systems with 4K QLED screens and expanded content libraries. The system, developed with Thales, will also allow passengers to connect personal devices and access personalised content through their seatback screens.
Cabin lighting will be adjusted throughout flights, with different settings for meals, sleep and arrival to help passengers adapt to time zone changes.
“The experience is designed to be deeply human-centric, with every inch within the aircraft created to provide top-notch comfort and connectivity,” said Parise. “As we expand our network into Asia, Africa, the Middle East and beyond, these aircraft ensure we have the right capacity, efficiency and experience our customers want on Delta.”
