I don’t think my Delta Air Lines A321neo flight from Los Angeles to Seattle in first class could have been smoother: fast, free Wi-Fi, a delicious lunch, and excellent service.

Delta Air Lines A321neo First Class Review (LAX-SEA)

I flew from Los Angeles to Chicago via Seattle because Delta offered a very attractive $293 one-way fare in first class. That was about the same price as economy class on American or United on a nonstop flight. As long as I have internet on airplanes, I can work just as if I am on the ground, so it wasn’t like I was sacrificing much to fly on Delta.

While I am a SkyTeam ElitePlus with Scandivanica Airlines, that does not give me domestic lounge access at Delta SkyClubs (it would have given me access to the Air France Lounge), so I did not arrive early, showing up at the gate moments before boarding commenced.

Delta 1045
Los Angeles (LAX) – Seattle (SEA)
Tuesday, September 30
Depart: 11:45 AM
Arrive: 02:40 PM
Duration: 02hr, 55min
Distance: 954 miles
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo
Seat: 2D (First Class)

Onboard, I was warmly greeted by Thomas, the purser, and took my seat in 2D.

Seat

Delta’s A321neo first class cabin features 20 seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. The CL4710 seat, designed by Recaro, offers 37 inches of pitch and 21 inches of width, with a fixed privacy “wing” that slightly wraps around your head for extra seclusion. While this isn’t a revolutionary product, it feels modern and well-built: Delta has done a nice job blending function and comfort.

Each seat includes an oversized tray table that slides smoothly from the center console, an adjustable armrest, and a large pocket beneath the center divider that fits a 15-inch laptop easily.

Power and USB-A outlets are easy to reach, and the 13-inch HD touchscreen offers sharp resolution and quick response. Oddly, there were two USB-A outlets (one above the 120-volt A/C outlet and one below the screen) but no USB-C port. I didn’t recline fully on this short flight, but the seat was comfortable for working and dining, with enough recline and legroom to relax.

Overhead reading lights and air vents were available.

I found the seat comfortable, though not anything unique from other first class seats, with the exception of the handy storage between seats (in front of you, not beside you) large enough for my laptop computer. It was very handy to store it there during takoeff and landing.

I did not try to sleep on this flight, but I suspect the “wing” would have helped if I had to lay back.

Overall, it’s a practical and comfortable product, certainly one of the better domestic first class seats flying today, though it doesn’t redefine the category. The mood lighting gave the cabin a calm and modern feel.

Food + Drink

Delta serves meals on flights over 900 miles in first class and this flight barely made the cut. Lunch was served after takeoff. 

I find it interesting that unlike American and United, Delta does not serve warm mixed nuts (no food was offered with the initial beverage service), nor does it serve a salad or appetizer with the main course. 

Instead, the lunch tray included the main course, a bread roll, and dessert. 

Delta allows you to pre-order meals seven days in advance of your flight and the choices for my flight included:

• Mashama Bailey’s Beef Short Rib – spiced kanni sauce, garlic-thyme mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, scallions
• Chicken Greek Salad – romaine, feta cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, lemon-oregano dressing
• Spinach Cannelloni – Bianco DiNapoli tomato sauce, mozzarella, parsley

From the online pre-order menu, two additional options were available:

• Makhani Chicken Curry – basmati rice, garlic spinach, red chill pepper
• Shake Shack Cheeseburger – Angus beef, cheese, toasted potato bun with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and ShackSauce on the side, served with crinkle cut potato chips and a brownie

Both this flight and my connecting flight from Seattle had beef short ribs on the menu, but I chose the short ribs on this flight because Mashama Bailey’s spiced kanni sauce (a West African spicy tomato sauce) sounded appealing…and it was. Chef Mashama Bailey is a chef specializing in U.S. Southern food who operates a restaurant called The Grey in Savannah.

Dessert was a cake somewhat resembling a chocolate tiramisu (very delicious, but I stopped myself after two bites).

Snacks were offered before landing (I love the pistachios on Delta) and multiple beverage refills during the flight.

Wi-Fi + IFE

Delta offers complimentary Wi-Fi to SkyMiles members on most mainline flights, including this one. It worked flawlessly, allowing me to have a very productive flight.

Seatback screens are loaded with content including live TV, music, movies, games, and television programming. 

Complimentary disposable headsets were provided on request.

The view departing LAX are always nice from the left side of the plane, but the views flying over Puget Sound while coming into SeaTac were amazing…it was a beautiful autumn afternoon.

Lavatory

There is one lavatory in the front of the cabin reserved for first class passengers. It was clean and I loved the Grown Alchemist hand wash, which smelled so pleasant.

Service

Thomas handled the first class cabin smoothly and efficiently. He was kind, attentive, and quite gregarious. There was an older couple traveling across the row from me and the husband was a Delta 2 million miler…which prompted an extra shoutout from Thomas. He not only offered a full round of pre-departure beverages, but even offered refills…and we had not even taken off yet.

CONCLUSION

We landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule and I’d rate this flight as flawless. The lunch was delicious, seat comfortable, Wi-Fi functional, and service friendly. 

I’m a free agent this year when it comes to flying and this is a perfect example of why. The price made sense and the flight could not have been better…you really don’t need frequent flyer status when you fly in the front cabin.