The Best First Class Airline in the U.S.

Travelers often engage in debates on which U.S. airlines provide the finest first class experience. Most people picture a recliner seat when they think about domestic premium cabins. The truth is that there is more to luxury flying in the United States than meets the eye. As the airlines compete fiercely to fill their cabin seats, the surround of premium classes keeps on evolving. 

With the airlines’ intense competition for market share and the increased popularity of travel by air, premium cabin products are becoming increasingly lavish. Although there are several major airlines in the States, our guide is focused on two main carriers: Delta and United Airlines. With this blog, we’ll understand which one stands out as the best first class airline in the U.S.  

Our Approach to Comparing the Selected Airlines: Delta & United!

In order to guarantee a fair comparison between Delta and United Airlines, we have made the decision to discuss first class products of similar aircraft in each airline’s fleet. Plus, we will be establishing our ranking based on the following features of a first or business-class flight:

1. Experience on the ground, including airport lounge amenities.
2. Tangible products include cabin layout, in-flight facilities, seat size, and comfort level. 
3. Soft offerings include food and beverages, facilities, staff attentiveness, and customer service. 
4. Lastly, we will consider the pricing and availability. 

Here is a brief summary of the differences between the first class cabins, seats, and amenities offered by Delta and United.

On the basis of:	Delta Air Lines(Airbus A321neo)	United Airlines (Airbus A320)
Number of Seats	20	12
Seat Layout	Five rows arranged in a 2-2 pattern	Three rows arranged in a 2-2 pattern
Pitch and Recline of Seats	Pitch – 37 inchesRecline – 5 inches	Pitch – 39 inchesRecline – 6 inches
Width of Seats	21 inches	19 inches
Screens on the back of the screens	13 inches Screen	Not Provided
Charging Outlets	A power outlet that is both AC and USB-A	Only AC power outlet
Standard Meal Preorder Facility	Not available on this flight	You can order from 5 five days to 24 hours before the scheduled departure.
Serving Drinks before Departure	The crew serves you any choice of beverage you like before the flight departure.	Not available on this flight
Provided Meals	They offer you food during meal times on flights longer than 900 kilometers.	They offer you food during meal times on flights longer than 800 kilometers.
Fee for Checked Bags	Your fares include two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each.	Your fares include two checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds each.
Boarding Zone	Zone 1	Zone 1

Now, let’s begin the discussion!

Exclusive In-Airport Experience

Both airlines allow you to check in on their apps a day before the scheduled departure to avoid the airport check-in lines. They also let you monitor the status of your upcoming flight and keep you informed about any delays. Most importantly, some of the airlines do not provide access to the airport lounge their their standard domestic first-class ticket. 

Delta Airlines

The security lines at Delta’s checkpoint at the airport are usually short. Plus, the passengers have access to the airline’s SkyPriority counters and self-service kiosks. Additionally, the same facility is accessible to SkyTeam Elite, Delta Medallion, Premium Select members, etc.

While addressing questions from passengers, the agents at the gate exhibit exceptional professionalism and maintain their composure. There are information display screens at the departure halls, which continuously display flight updates. Passengers usually talk about how smooth the boarding process is. The passenger with a first-class ticket comes under boarding Zone 1.

United Airlines

Passengers with Premier Access can complete identification and verification at the priority check-in area. Such status covers major United Club Infinite Card users, all Premier status elites, and Star Alliance Gold members. There are also short lineups for security screenings and self-service kiosks, and the signage for airport formalities is clearly provided as well. 

The boarding procedure is well coordinated and managed by friendly gate agents. Plus, there are easily readable and understandable instructions on television monitors, further enhancing the whole experience. 

Best Ground Experience: In our opinion, the best ground experience is provided by United Airlines. It offers a speedy check-in procedure, lots of power outlets at the roomy gate area, and really effective gate workers who make sure to board people orderly and peaceful. 

Comfort Level of First Class

On both airlines, the reclined seats are usually set up in 2-2 arrangements. But having the same layout doesn’t necessarily mean that the level of comfort is also the same. Thus,  now assess how comforting each of them is in relation to each other. 

Delta Airlines

Delta has given privacy first priority in the design of its A321neo domestic first-class seats. The cabin has a cozy and private atmosphere, thanks to its wings shields and privacy partitions between each pair of seats. 

On long-haul flights, the supporting neck cradle and adjustable headrest improve sleeping comfort. However, the entertainment and power box in the seat-support column takes up too much room, making the footwell a little irritating. 

Unlike United, Delta Airlines offers a wide range of movies, TV series, and music on its 13-inch seatback monitors. For extra convenience, users can filter videos by length. In addition to this, travelers can connect the entertainment system to their own Bluetooth headphones for a better viewing experience. 

Passengers can adjust the seat reclining with the controller, that is, a single metal button attached to the center of the armrest. Mind you, you do not get that forward-cradling feature with this. Additionally, although it’s not typical for domestic first-class services, there are no leg or footrests, which diminishes ergonomic support. Each Passenger’s center armrest is equipped with a universal power outlet, A USB-A port, and a cup holder. 

The tray table that unfolds from the center armrest offers an ample workspace and can fit any larger device. However, quick adjustments might be necessary when passengers ahead recline to prevent any damage to personal belongings. Plus, there is one lavatory located behind the cockpit. Soaps and hand cream can enhance the luxurious atmosphere. 

United Airlines

United’s first-class service A320 does not offer the same inviting atmosphere as the Delta does. It lacks mood lighting, which is quite reasonable given that it’s an older aircraft. Nonetheless, United’s seats are notable for their ample legroom, exceeding Delta’s personal space by two inches. The added room is easy to spot, and the adaptable headrest provides extra neck comfort, enabling passengers to take more comforting naps. 

The center armrest’s fold-out tray stand makes it very convenient for passengers to use their own devices despite the absence of a seatback entertainment system. When the tray table is fully opened, it provides a more roomy workspace that is sufficient for your larger laptops. 

The seat cushion slid forwardand the seatback can smoothly recline by pressing the seat control button on the center armrest. A phone tray and a power outlet are also located. You can fit in any device on the roomy foldable tray table that comes with each seat. 

During meal service, passengers can use the laptop holder by the window. The only downside that we have come across during our research is that the bathrooms are outdated. You will not find any flight controls or no-touch sinks. 

First Class Cabins Comfort: Delta Airlines has the most comfortable first class due to its luxurious restrooms, amenities, and consideration for passengers’ privacy. 

Inflight Amenities

It is important to consider the offerings of Delta and United Airlines in their first-class cabins to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of passengers. Both airlines offer various services like gourmet meals, premium beverages, and advanced entertainment choices. This part will explore the distinct characteristics and benefits that differentiate Delta and United in their first class offerings. 

Delta Airlines

The airline offers free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members, enabling easy transitions between devices with minimal delays. Although internet speeds are sufficient for activities like emailing and messaging, downloading bigger files like photos can present difficulties. Passengers are given basic wired earbuds when they board the plane, but the audio quality might not be great, so it is recommended to bring your own headphones for a superior entertainment experience. Delta Airlines offers an impressive array of 648 movies ready to watch.

United Airlines

On the other hand, United Airlines provides a range of entertainment choices while in the air using their application. In the absence of Wi-Fi, passengers still have the option to stream content directly through the app. United offers 207 films, television programs, and podcasts, which include hit titles such as “Avatar” and “The Departed,” but it is less extensive than Delta’s collection. Regrettably, on certain flights, the Wi=Fi may suddenly be unavailable without warning, catching passengers off guard for tasks or monitoring flight status.

Best Inflight Entertainment: In general, both airlines offer useful amenities on board. However, Delta Airlines shines with its wide range of movies and dependable Wi-Fi for passengers. Whereas United provides a good app experience despite occasional connection problems. 

Inflight Dining Experience

When it comes to inflight dining, Delta and United Airlines offer distinct experiences in their first class cabins, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. 

Delta Airlines 

The airline is currently in the process of introducing preordered meals for flights that exceed 900 miles. Nevertheless, preordering may not be available on certain flights. Meal orders are not taken until the plane reaches cruising altitude, resulting in fewer options for passengers in front of the plane.  For instance, a traveler might be dissatisfied with the choice of lunch still available. To deal with such annoyance, flight attendants may provide additional miles or credits for future flights as a form of compensation. 

Usually, around 20 minutes after the plane takes off, the staff starts to serve food and beverages to passengers as a lunch service. This also includes a snack basket. Travelers can enjoy a variety of complimentary drinks like beer, wine, and spirits. Delta provides a well-liked chicken salad featuring cranberries, walnuts, and goat cheese, in addition to a refreshing fruit platter. 

United Airlines

Conversely, United Airlines offers pre-order meal service for qualifying flights that are no longer than 800 miles. Traveler has the option to book meals prior to departure up to five days in advance and choose special meals to accommodate their dietary needs. Despite offering a range of meal choices like chicken meatballs and Thai beef salad, United’s quality varies. 

For instance, some travelers have mentioned that the chicken meatballs were both tough and excessively salty. The meal begins with hot nuts, and the main dish is presented on one tray. Although free drinks are offered, there is no menu to help with choosing what to drink. Regrettably, the dining experience in the United may not have the same personal touch as Delta’s service. 

Best Inflight Food: Delta Airlines has great meal variety quality and a wide selection of drinks and delicious dishes. On the other hand, United Airlines has a more organized preordering system but could work on improving the quality and presentation of their meal for their first-class passengers. 

U.S. Airlines With Best Domestic First Class Products: Final Verdict!

When looking at the premium services of United and Delta Airlines, the latter stands out due to its new seats, many entertainment choices, and various meal options. Although preordering meals may not be available on certain flights. The free internet connection improves the travel experience, creating a difficult task for competitors to rival. 

Nevertheless, it is important to mention that using miles with Delat can be costly, and recent modifications to the SkyMiles program could have a detrimental impact on numerous travelers. 

In the end, the decision between Delta and United is based on individual choice. Convenience is a top priority for numerous travelers when choosing an airline. People living in major hub cities such as Houston, Atlanta, or Miami might have their favorite airline chosen for them. On the other hand, individuals in cities like LA, Chicago, and NYC have access to a more diverse selection of choices. 
United Airlines used to be very popular among frequent flyers, but continuous upgrade waitlists, inconsistent internet connection, poor food quality, and decreasing mileage value have caused a change in the preference. Consequently, numerous travelers may consider Delta as the best first class airline in the United State.

Quick Questions and Answers!

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