I decided to fly Delta Airlines Delta ONE A330 LAX (Los Angeles) to HND (Tokyo-Haneda) for Christmas to complete my MQM segment and qualify for Diamond Medallion status in 2018. In 2016, Delta got awarded daytime slots to fly into Haneda airport from Los Angeles. I personally love to fly into Haneda compare to Narita because it’s much closer to Tokyo.
In This Post
Delta ONE A330 LAX to HND
Delta ONE LAX Check-In
When you check-in at LAX and you’re flying Delta ONE, you get access to a special entrance located next to the Sky Priority check-in counter. It was my first time experiencing this and while it was a nice touch, I felt it was pointless to have a service counter because I couldn’t take any drinks with me. I still needed to clear TSA after leaving.
Pre-Boarding Service
The airplane was an Airbus A330 with business class configured in a 1-2-1 seating. Unlike my negative experience, I had flying American Airlines First Class from LAX to HKG, the month prior. I was immediately attended to and asked if I would like my jacket hung. A few minutes later I was served my pre-departure champagne. While sipping my champagne, the captain introduced himself and went down to each seat and thanked us for flying Delta.
Delta Airlines Delta ONE A330 Seat
My seat came with a pillow, blanket, a tumi hard case amenity kit and a pair of slippers. I didn’t like how there was no privacy next to me. I could see my neighbors screen. After taking off, I flipped the screen out and reclined my seat to get more comfortable. I found my knees kept hitting the bottom of the screen and I had to recline all the way down to resolve this problem.
Being 6’5, I had a hard time laying completely flat in my seat. It didn’t help the cubby hole was very narrow and restricted my feet inside.
Delta ONE Meal Service
I was excited to try the Japanese menu but when my flight attendant got to my seat, he informed me it was already sold out. I had to settle with the western menu set. The flight attendant started me with a Delta signature cocktail called the Delta Sunrise Cocktail.
The appetizer consisted of Pimento Cheese Topped with a Tangerine Jelly, Charcuterie, and Flatbread. Butter Lettuce Salad with poached pears, pecans, and goat cheese. Lastly, a Porcini Mushroom Soup with croutons.
For my main course, I chose to get something I’ve never gotten on Delta ONE flights, penne pasta. I kind of wished I didn’t choose it because it was very bland and didn’t taste as good as other meals I’ve had on Delta ONE flights.
The best part for me flying business class is the desserts, however, I was quite disappointed they didn’t serve any ice cream sundaes after my main course. Instead, the flight attendants handed us Ben & Jerry pre-packaged ice cream during mid-flight.
For Breakfast, I chose the Japanese style dish.
The Bald Thoughts
Overall, I can’t complain too much about my Delta ONE A330 service from Los Angeles to Tokyo. It might sound a bit bias because I always fly with them stateside but its a love/hate relationship. In one aspect, I think Delta provides the best overall flying experience domestically. On the other hand, they keep changing their SkyMiles frequent flyer program which makes me question my loyalty to them. In comparison to other U.S. based airlines that fly to Asia. I feel the Polaris product from United provides a slightly better overall business product experience. I flew the LAX to Shanghai route a while ago and it really impressed me.
Nicely done. I sort of feel like business class on domestic carriers overseas is sort of a “well, we HAVE to do this because people paid for the seat” unlike some of the foreign carriers who actually do it because they want to and they appreciate their customers.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s also evident in the quality of airport lounges in the US vs internationally.
Really odd punctuation!
It is great to read a review from a tall guy. I fly Delta internationally on occasion and the Delta One seating is about an inch too small for my 6′ 4″ frame. It beats being in coach by a mile, but the price I would pay for that additional inch.
Thanks for reading my article and feedback. I always find that extra inch or two makes such a huge difference. The only time I had enough room was when I flew First Class on American Airlines from LAX to HKG.