Time for some flight reviews. I’m very behind in my travel reviews, life has been super crazy lately. Anyway, last fall (2024) Val and I took a trip to Europe and we started with a flight from ATL to FRA on Delta’s A330-200 in Delta One Business Class. We’ve been on a similar flight(Delta A330 FRA-DTW Business Class Review) in the past, but this is an overnight flight so I wanted to show the differences between the Daytime and Nighttime service on a Trans-Atlantic Delta One Flight. This is the kick off review of our trip to Milan, Lake Como, and Stockholm.
Bottom Line: The Delta A330-200 is ageing, but is still a decent way to cross the Atlantic in Business Class. Val’s seat was broken and wouldn’t recline but the meals were good and the flight attendants were great.
In This Review
Delta One A330-200 ATL Boarding
After spend about an hour in the Delta Concourse F Skyclub (Full Review Here) we headed to the gate when we got the boarding notification. We’re departing from the E Concourse, but we wanted to sit outside on the Skydeck at the F Concourse. Fortunately getting around ATL is super easy and fast(Full ATL Guide Here).
Our A330 was waiting at the gate. We boarded as they had already called for us in zone 1.
Delta One A330-200 Business Class Cabin
The Delta A330-200 has two separate business class cabins. Today we’re in the rearward cabin. We’re actually in the last row of business class, but on opposite sides of the plane from each other. Val and I both like to sit in the window, these were the only two window seats left when we booked. It’s ok, we’ll be just fine sitting away from each other for the next 8 hours.
The nice thing about these seats is there’s no one behind you so you won’t have anyone pulling when trying to stand up.
We both put our bags overhead and then I settled into my seat. In my seat there was the bedding, amenity kit, bottle of water, dinner menu, and headphones.
One bummer about the last row of business class on the Delta A330-200 is the lack of an extra window. You still get 2 for viewing, but usually there’d be a third.
Delta One A330-200 Seat Comfort and Amenities
The seats, like pretty much all business class seats, have unlimited leg room. They are a reverse hearing bone configuration so these window seats have decent privacy and a nice view from the windows.
The seat controls are located on a panel just to the left of the in seat entertainment screen. There’s also a remote for the entertainment and the push button to release it from the stowed position.
Over my right shoulder there is a USB port, universal power port, and the two prong output for headphones. I always bring my own, with an adapter.
Delta also provides noise canceling headphones in business class. I much prefer my Sony XM4s. These are also hanging from the reading light.
The Delta One amenity kit provided had all the usual items of eye mask, socks, ear plugs, dental kit, etc.
The arm rest that separates the seat from the aisle is lower-able. It must be down for takeoff and landing but once in flight, it can be raised for a little more privacy and comfort.
Delta One A330-200 Pre-departure Beverage
The flight attendant came around and asked if we’d like prosecco, orange juice, water, or beer. I went for the prosecco. So not a lot of airlines serve true champagne while on the ground, it’s usually just a sparkling wine of some sort. Once in the air Delta does serve a French Champagne.
I’m not a huge fan of these seats in the rear Cusiness Class Cabin, the entire plane is boarding past us. Obviously there’s worse things in the world, but it’s a little annoying right now.
Delta One A330-200 Menu and Meal Selection
In our seat was a menu with the dinner options for today’s flight. I had pre-ordered using delta’s meal selection in the app a few days ago.
Delta One Menu.
Delta One wine menu.
Delta One drinks selection. As the purser made her way around the cabin she noticed that Val and had the same name but are sitting apart. Val mentioned that these were the only seats left with windows.
Delta One A330-200 Departure and Takeoff
The pilot made his welcome announcement and said that even though we’re going to be departing on time, we’re going to be landing late. Apparently the weather isn’t super favorable for a fast crossing to Frankfurt so our landing will be delayed about 40 minutes. No big deal. I don’t like these super early departures anyway, a little more time in flight is just fine for me.
It’s just starting to drizzle here in Atlanta. The door was closed and the flight attendant came around and collected our glasses from the pre-departure beverage service.
The safety video was show as it rained outside. We pushed back from the gate right on time.
The cabin lights were dimmed as we taxied to the runway. Every time I’m flying through an airport and I see a big widebody taking off, I usually wonder were all those people are heading. I’m super glad to be those people on the flight and heading to Frankfurt for a nice vacation (though we’ll be heading to Italy).
Annoyingly, we taxied to takeoff, but then taxied off the runway and back onto the taxiway. At first I thought it was a runaway usage thing, but the plane behind us took off in that direction. After making a loop onto the taxiway again, we headed to the runway for a second time.
Well this time is the charm because we took off towards the East.
Delta One A330-200 In Flight Entertainment
After what felt like 15 minutes of announcements from the cabin crew in both English and German, I settled into a movie.
Delta has a very solid selection of shows and movies on the A330-200. The downside is that it’s an older system. It is touch screen, just not super fast.
Delta One A330-200 Dinner Service
Outside we got a great night time view as we headed North East towards our transatlantic crossing.
Very quickly the flight attandants sprung to action and came through with hot towels.
Next was drinks and nuts. I went with a champagne and a water. Unfortunately the pilot then told us we’d be going through some turbulence and the service would have to be paused.
Soon the pause was lifted and the flight attendant came around with a refill of my champagne and water. She’s really a great ambassador.
Next was the soup, salad, and appetizers. Everything looks great. The flight attendant also came and topped off my champagne for the 3rd time. She’s really great. The burrata and tomato soup were excellent. I didn’t much care for the orange vinaigrette.
Another quick window view while enjoying my drinks and dinner.
My entree arrived, I had selected the short rib from the pre-order selection. I have to say, it was very good. I have to give credit where it’s due, this is a very solid meal. Plane food is usually closer to a TV dinner than restaurant. I’d say this is more like very good leftovers. That’s high praise.
The flight attendant is really fantastic. She offered another bottle of champagne but I declined. No need to open another just for me. I’m perfectly content with a Sweetwater 420. I decided to have the cheese for dessert.
My plate cleared just off the coast of Canada with about 7 hours left in flight. I kept the rest of my beer and enjoyed that while getting settled into another movie.
Delta One A330-200 Lavatory
The lavatory on the Delta A330 is large enough and was kept clean enough during the flight. Nothing fancy here though.
Delta One A330-200 Bedding and Sleep Experience
After returning from the lav I made up my bed with the provided bedding. I like the Delta pillows and comforter but I wish they would provide a mattress pad or at least cover for the seat.
In the lie flat configuration the Delta One seat on the A330 is very comfortable, I never find these seats cramped like others. The one down side is these planes are due for an update. Val’s seat refused to recline properly, the flight attendants worked on it for about 15 minutes but couldn’t get it to work properly. I offered to swap with her, but she declined.
With the lights off, the plane was nice and quiet. I was able to get a good 5 hours of sleep on this flight. I also had declined a breakfast wake-up. This was a pretty good sleep for me on a trans-Atlantic flight.
One nice thing was Delta laid out some snacks and drinks in the middle galley. As always, I try to drink lots of water on flights.
Delta One A330-200 Wakeup and Arrival
With about 90 minutes remaining in the flight, the lights were slowly brought up. I had forgotten to put my eye-mask on before going to sleep so I woke up.
I put on a show to try to drown out the noise of breakfast and I did put my eye mask on and then tried to get a few more minutes of rest.
It had soon become time to prepare for landing in Germany. Outside it looked like a super nice day with some clouds and lots of sun.
The flight attendants offered chocolates as a parting snack. Perfect, I’m usually a chocolate for breakfast person.
Just a few minutes later we landed into Frankfort. One of my least favorite airports in the world.
Delta One A330-200 Final Thoughts
The best part of this flight was the dinner meal and the flight attendants, both were great. The Delta A330 is still a good ride in business class, but it’s starting to show some age. The seats are a little worn and Val’s reclining mechanism didn’t work properly. So I’ll give the hard product a solid meh. Comfortable when it works, but not cutting edge. The in seat entertainment is solid, again, older system, but good selection.
I do wish that Delta would invest in some little features like a seat cover/mattress pad to make the sleeping experience a little better.