Delta is to launch a new domestic first class seat on its forthcoming A321 neo aircraft, the first of which will be delivered later this year.
The seat was designed by Recaro and west London-based Factorydesign, and features a fixed headrest which the carrier says will enable “increased privacy and better sleep without compromising seat width or space”.
There is a larger and “sturdier” tray table, memory-foam cushions, customer-facing power ports and three times the volume for storing personal items (compared to the carrier’s A321 ceo), including dedicated laptop and water bottle stowage.
The aircraft will also be fitted with a new inflight entertainment system created by the airline’s inhouse start-up Delta Flight Products, which will feature “an oversized high-definition seatback screen with personalised entertainment experiences that customers are accustomed to seeing at home or on a mobile device”.
Delta has firm orders for 100 A321 neo aircraft, with options for a further 100. The first is scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year, with deliveries through until 2023.
The aircraft will be configured with 20 first class seats, with 42 in Delta Comfort +, and 132 in economy (Main Cabin). Cabin features will include 25 per cent larger overhead bins, and high-speed wifi throughout.
Commenting on the news Mauricio Parise, managing director of product development, said:
“As an industry leader in innovation, we are always looking for new ways to improve the overall customer experience.
“Customer insights were instrumental to the new design, and we spent hundreds of hours listening to customers so that we could respond with thoughtful improvements.
“We’ve completely customised every feature on the seat to create a truly unique, premium seating product for domestic First Class.”
