Tonight we’ll be riding on and reviewing Delta’s new A330-900 Neo in First Class. On many domestic routes where Delta uses widebody aircraft, like the A330-900, they market the Delta One cabin as First Class. You don’t get Delta One service, but you get the same great seats.
When flying home to the mainland from Hawaii, most flights are overnight so getting a Delta One seat is great. I’d prefer to fly all the way to the east coast, but those flights leave much earlier in the day and we wanted to spend as much time on the islands as possible. Today we’re connecting in Seattle, the flight to the West Coast from Hawaii is short, so the name of the game is a good seat. I’m not so concerned with service. We’ll see how this A330-900neo D1 seat stacks up with the other D1 seats I’ve ridden in domestically.
Bottom Line: The Delta A330-900 neo is a great ride in the Delta One cabin. This domestic flight doesn’t get the full Delta One treatment, but the seats are fantastic. Service is the same as you’d expect on a domestic First Class flight. Drinks and a snack box. For me, the lie flat seat is the goal on an overnight flight.
In This Trip
HNL Airport Delta Boarding
We walked from the lounge to the very end of the E concourse to find our gate. Our A330-900neo was waiting to take us back to the mainland. As with most of the HNL Airport, getting here is a mix of indoor and outdoor space.
We were running a few minutes late this evening. The plane was almost 3 hours late arriving. Not sure of the reason, but I figured it would be a bit of a dash to get the plane turned around.
The Delta A330-900neo waiting to take us back to the mainland. Like the A350-900, the A330neo has a racoon mask on. I think the A339 is a great looking aircraft.
We boarded a few minutes after our original departure time, looks like we’ll be about 40 minutes late on departure, not too bad. We have a pretty long layover in Seattle, not a real concern for us timewise, just waiting around.
Delta A330Neo Delta One Seat Features and Amenities
We found our seats on the right side of the plane. We boarded through door two, making it really pleasant to turn left and boarding and not be passed by the entire population of the plane walking by.
Val and I are sitting one in-front of the other on the right hand side of the plane. Both are great seats. the seats closer to the windows have a better view, but both are very private due to the door.
The seats closer to the aisle have a nice little storage cubby under the side table. Perfect for shoes or small hand bags. Because this is sold as First Class and not Delta One, the blankets and pillows are the standard ones, not the more plush Delta One version. They are still a much welcome sight on this overnight flight.
Nice little touches like these hooks. I tend to fly wearing a long sleeve shirt with a t-shirt under. This way, on the overnight I can take off my button-down and hang it up.
The in seat entertainment is top notch. these are the best screens I’ve ever seen on a plane and the selection is excellent.
Fantastic legroom as expected.
There is an overhead bin for the center section of seats on the A330neo, unlike the A350 so the ceiling looks a little more cluttered and lowered in comparison.
These seats are fantastic, nearly exactly the same as the ones I experienced on the 767-400, but these have a door like the A350. The cabin looks great under the boarding mood lights.
The seat has two sets of controls for the seat, nearly exactly the same as the 767-400. The lighting was the same as well.
Of course there is power, both 110v and USB. Perfect for charging my devices on this overnight flight. I prefer to use the 110v with my high speed charger.
There’s a remote for the in seat entertainment, this remote can also control the overhead light and flight attendant call button. Under the armrest is also a mirror.
Overhead there are 2 air vents.
There is again a shoulder strap that needs to be worn during takeoff and landing.
A set of noise canceling headphones is provided, I always just use my Sonys.
There is of course the door. These doors are not able to open yet, until we are in the air and the flight attendant un-latches them they must remain open.
Delta A330Neo First Class HNL Departure
The flight attendance made the door closing announcement and started the safety video.
When we fly together in seats like this, we usually just sit one in front of the other at the window. We’re going to sleep anyway, but really we both like to window watch and sitting in the middle section kinda sucks. Even in the daytime we’ll just sit like this.
The first class flight attendant then passed through and asked if we wanted dinner. The options were prushutto sandwich, chicken sandwich, or a greens salad. I opted for chicken, Val had prushutto.
Not sure I’ll eat, it’s late and I really just want to get some sleep. This flight isn’t particularly long, so every minute counts. At this point I’m wishing I brought an eye mask.
After we pushed back in traditional HNL fashion. The wing walkers are wing tug riders. We taxied out to the reef runway, sadly being on the right side of the plane we won’t get a view of Waikiki.
We took off and a few minutes later we received an announcement from the flight attendants and I reclined my seat, grabbed my blanket and pillow.
The flight attendant asked if I wanted to close the door, he unlatched it and closed it. Once I get my sandwich I’m scarfing that down and going to bed.
Delta A330neo First Class Meal Service
A few minutes later a flight attendant came around and asked if we wanted a drink or snack. I just had a water and some cookies.
The sandwich was better than expected, time for some sleep.
Delta A330-900neo Bed Comfort
Well I was actually able to sleep for about 3 hours. I was only awoken once, I used that opportunity to go to the bathroom. The Delta A330Neo has great seats, they are extremely comfortable and private.
The seat belt sign was off for most of the flight along with the cabin lights. It was nice to catch some sleep, still wish I had an eye-mask. I’ll be adding on to my regular flight kit.
Delta A330neo Arrival into Seattle
With about 30 minutes left in the flight, as we crossed over the Pacific Coast, the pilots made their normal announcements. Told us the weather and time in Seattle and asked to prepare the cabin for arrival.
With the mood lights on again, the flight attendants began to collect trash as we passed over Portland.
The view outside was pretty great, I’ve never really traveled to the Pacific Northwest and I need to.
This in flight view is really world class. It can pan, zoom, and has 3d views.
Lots of amazing window watching as the sun rises over the west coast.
The views are just breathtaking from our Delta A330neo.
It’s really hard to beat that view as a wake up call.
We soon landed and taxied to our gate.
We arrived into the S gates and got a great view of our Delta A330neo after arriving into Seattle.
Final Thoughts
We have a nearly 4 hour layover, I’m not particularly exited about that. But we’ll take the train and head to the Skyclub.
The Delta A330-900Neo in Delta One or First Class is amazing. These are without a doubt the best seats flying to Hawaii on Delta. The service was good, but the most important part, the seat was comfortable. Sleeping on a 5 hour overnight can be difficult. I wish they would provide an eye mask, but I’ll be sure to pack one next time.
In comparison with the 767-400 this seat is better. In fact, it might be better than the A350. The A350 has a great seat, but the entertainment isn’t as good. These more modern ones are just perfect. When traveling with two people, we just sit one in front of the other. We’re trying to sleep anyway.
Getting some amazing views of the Seattle Sounds is the perfect way to view a sunrise. I’m really just in awe of the beautiful scenery. I really need to plan a trip back to this part of the world. Next up was planned to be a Delta 757-300 to Atlanta, but due to a last minute change, we’ll be on a 767-300.