FLIGHT REVIEW: DELTA AIR LINES A319 IN FIRST CLASS FROM SEA TO ORD

In looking for a proper flight back from a hybrid New Year’s Eve and Conference speaking trip, I was immediately struck by how high rates were to fly back to Chicago on New Year’s Day. That’s when it dawned on me, this is a perfect opportunity to make use of the stockpile of points that I’d been collecting! When poking around investigating our options, we found that we could snag a First Class fare on Delta for just a smidge more than in the Main Cabin, and thus we landed a seat on our flight home!

Flight Data
Delta Air Lines 2989
Seattle (SEA) - Chicago (ORD)
Airbus A319-114
N310NB - 18.1 Years Old

Booking
Booking a flight on New Year’s Day is no small feat. Passenger demand is high, and so are rates - which is how we arrived at using points to book this flight. We booked our award flights through Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio. Each ticket came out to 22,500 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles - valued at $337, which we viewed as a steal since this was less than the cash rate in Main Cabin, and far lower than the four figure price that First Class was going for. I already had miles in my Virgin Atlantic account, so I only had to top it off with 14,000 Miles - meaning my flight really only cost $210! We completed the transaction through Virgin Atlantic, then migrated over to Delta’s site to select our seats.

Ground Experience
We arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by Lyft as we were in search of the easiest method back to the airport with a fair amount of luggage in the most efficient manner - we took Link regional transit to the hotel, but were in no rush at the time. Once at the Delta Terminal, we walked into the building and strolled right up to the SkyPriority counters, where there were no lines and a number of agents ready to help. In a matter of seconds, we had our boarding passes and were off to security - surprisingly less busy than expected given how high the rates were on New Year’s Day.

Once through security, myself through TSA PreCheck and my companions through general security, we met up and made our way to the Club-SEA Lounge and used my Priority Pass Membership, courtesy of my Chase Sapphire Reserve, to gain access. The lounge had a nice selection of food and locally inspired beverages. I grabbed a nice craft beer and a light snack knowing that there’d be plenty of food in store after we boarded. The lounge was calm, nicely designed, and a great place to wait out our flight - but do keep in mind that this perk didn’t come with our First Class tickets.

Boarding
We followed Delta’s standard boarding process: Preboarding; First Class & Diamond Medallion; SkyPriority - Platinum & Gold Medallion, SkyTeam Elite Plus, and Virgin Atlantic Gold; Main Cabin 1; Main Cabin 2; Main Cabin 3; and Basic Economy. Naturally, we boarded in First Class Boarding group, which I must admit felt so exclusive for someone used to flying Southwest! 

Once down the jetbridge, we were welcomed aboard by what was perhaps the nicest flight crew that I’ve ever encountered - that Delta Southern Hospitality is a very real thing. We stored our carry ons in the dedicated overhead bins, and as soon as we settled into our seats, flight attendant Perry approached to offer us a Welcome Beverage before we headed up in the air! I’ll admit that I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face while sipping my Prosecco as the rest of the aircraft boarded - I felt so cool! 

Seat & Cabin
I want to start by saying that I love Delta’s onboard look - not just in First Class, but through the entire plane! The mood lighting, quilted blue seats, and custom overhead units present a really cohesive and premium look to the cabin - let alone the seatback screens!

First Class on Delta’s Airbus A319s is organized in a relatively standard 2-2 layout with three rows, and a curtain separating the cabin. Each seat features 36” of pitch, 21” of width, USB and AC Power and multiple windows. There is also a dedicated lavatory for First Class passengers at the front of the aircraft. Further back, were three rows of Delta’s Comfort+ in a 3-3 configuration and finally, seventeen rows of Main Cabin seating in a 3-3 arrangement as well. We were seated in the last row of First Class in 3A & 3B, and while there was an overhead divider, the gap between the two seats was open to the Main Cabin, this didn’t prove an issue on our flight, but had there been children there, I can see how noise could permeate and lead to a lack of privacy.

Food & Drink
While we started on the ground with a glass of Prosecco, service formally kicked off with another drink service once the chime indicated we’d hit 10,000 feet - where I ordered a Woodford Reserve & Ginger Ale, bourbon always being my go to. Perry took dinner orders at the same time - I opted for the steak, while John opted for the special german style meal that had been loaded in error, but what right up his alley. Both meals were served with a caesar salad, which was fresh and crisp; a choice of bread from the bread basket; and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. My steak was cooked surprisingly well and served with a side of tasty horseradish potatoes and spinach. Both dishes were really delicious, and it was too cool eating with real, Alessi designed, flatware and plates on a white table cloth! I’m not sure the novelty of this will ever wear off.

Throughout the flight, Perry was quick to proactively offer drink refills and passed through the cabin several times with the snack basket. Each time he did, I stocked up on a few packages of Biscoff cookies - my absolute favorites! He even noticed this and on a later pass through, brought me a whole stack of them! 

Amenities & Service
When we boarded the flight, bottled water, a pillow and blanket were waiting at each seat - along with a welcome postcard. As previously stated, each seat also had integrated USB ports, AC outlets, and seatback in flight entertainment screens - which I view as the greatest amenity. Seatback screens are becoming something of a rarity, with United and American doing away with them, but Delta has pledged to keep and expand their offering of them. This is elevated further by Delta’s excellent Delta Studio offerings! There was a plethora of movies and tv shows, along with a great moving map and an aircraft information screen. I never struggled to find something to watch, and loved watching Love, Simon a second time - and crying to it yet again. Delta also had Sky Magazine on offer, which has a lot of advertising and puff pieces, but was nonetheless enjoyable to flip through. Upgraded soap and lotion were also provided in the First Class lavatory.

The service on this flight was absolutely outstanding! We had, what appeared at least, to be a very experienced crew who had a strong sense of hospitality. Genuine smiles were everywhere, and all seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with passengers. Perry, who attended to the First Class cabin, was truly excellent! I think he could tell that it was our first time in the forward cabin, and really worked to make sure we had an enjoyable experience. One of my favorite moments was when we ran out of Woodford Reserve, and a flight attendant from Main Cabin came through the curtain with reinforcements and exclaimed “it must be Happy Hour up here!” It was playful, fun, and exemplary of the whole flight! 

Arrival
Capping off a great flight, as we began our descent into Chicago, Perry delivered a final stack of Biscoff Cookies for me to take away with me, it was a great touch! Before long, we were on the ground and began our long taxi to the gate. Once we arrived, I was a little disappointed that I had to actually get off the plane… It was a great flight that I didn’t want to end, but I was more than happy to scoot off quickly from First Class versus having to wait to deplane in the main cabin. 

Final Thoughts
This flight spoiled me. For real, it ruined me for any other flight experience! I already had a positive opinion about Delta from our flight to Seattle in Main Cabin, but this sealed the deal: I loved Delta’s First Class offering! I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to give it a try, especially if the price is right - or even better if you can snag it with points like we did! All in all, I look forward to flying Delta First in the future, and hope to be able to try Delta One Business Class on a future flight!