Delta Air Lines Introduces First New Delta One Suite in Premium Cabin Arms Race

delta airlines on Monday announced updated Delta One Suites for some long-haul airliners, marking the first time in a decade that the company has revamped its top-tier seats as the airline’s competition for affluent travelers intensifies.

Delta says the new suites are scheduled to debut on Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in 2027 and will include beds that are three inches longer than the old suites and new pillow-top cushions. Mauricio Parise, Delta’s vice president of brand experience, said the new design will give travelers more leg and knee room.

“Most of our customers are side sleepers,” he said, adding that the new design accommodates those customers as well.

Parris said Delta had customers test the new suite for “many hours” at its headquarters.

The company’s Delta One business class cabin debuted on the A350 nearly a decade ago and featured a flat bed, doors and a “do not disturb” button.

“We are pioneers and started flying with doors in 2017,” Paris said. “There are elements of improvement.”

The A350-1000, which is dedicated to long-haul routes, has 50 suites.

The changes come as industry revenue leader Delta Air Lines and other airlines revamp their cabins and add more expensive and more profitable premium seats as wealthy customers continue to drive performance.

The airline said revenue from premium tickets, which are more expensive options compared to first class and coach, rose 14% year over year in the first quarter. Meanwhile, main cabin revenue increased for the first time since late 2024.

Delta’s rival united airlineslast month unveiled its new long-haul Polaris suite at the airline’s hangar at Los Angeles International Airport, as well as a number of other products aimed at giving travelers more opportunities to pay for extra space, from three-seat coach rows that convert to beds to lie-flat seats and premium economy seats on narrow-body Airbus planes.