Delta One vs First Class: Key Differences Explained

Delta has two main types of premium cabins: domestic First Class and international business class Delta One. Because Delta has a large fleet with some older aircraft, the premium cabins are not the same in all flights. 

While the newer planes, such as the Airbus A350 and Airbus A330, have business-class seats on par with the major international airlines—some are even outfitted with spacious Delta One Suites that have doors for privacy—older aircraft like the Boeing 767, Boeing 757, and Airbus A320 have quite outdated products that can feel a bit cramped. That said, Delta is either retiring or retrofitting its older fleet, so soon all of its aircraft will feature the updated premium products.

For travelers hunting for cheap flights while prioritizing comfort, understanding the difference between these classes can help you make a more informed decision. Whether you’re booking a short domestic trip or a long-haul international journey, Delta offers options that balance luxury and affordability for any itinerary.

Key takeaways

• Delta offers two main premium cabins: First Class for domestic, shorter flights and Delta One for international and transcontinental long-haul travel.
• Newer aircraft, like the Airbus A350 and A330, feature upgraded Delta One suites, while older planes have outdated configurations that are in the process of getting upgraded.
• Delta One passengers receive superior amenities, including flat-bed seats, multi-course meals, and lounge access at Sky Clubs. In contrast, First Class service is less extensive, with meals served only on longer flights and no lounge access.
• Both Delta One and First Class passengers enjoy Sky Priority service and baggage allowances (two bags up to 70 pounds).
• Delta One passengers have expedited check-in, while First Class travelers use designated desks.
• Upgrades to premium cabins are available for Delta Medallion members and through paid options, with dynamic pricing for tickets and upgrades. Delta One typically costs more than First Class, reflecting its higher service level.
• With Going's Elite membership tier, you can get deals on Delta's First Class and Delta One seats delivered hassle-free to your inbox or in our app as soon as we find them.

Going experts’ Delta Premium review & score

Delta First Class:

Delta First Class is an excellent choice for domestic travelers seeking elevated comfort at a reasonable cost. With spacious reclining seats, Sky Priority check-in, and elevated meals, First Class is a clear upgrade from the main cabin. However, in our opinion, it lacks certain luxury features, such as lie-flat seats and Sky Club lounge access. So it can be more of a practical option than a premium indulgence.

Expert score: 7/10

Delta One:

Delta One offers an exceptional experience for international and transcontinental travelers. With lie-flat seats, multi-course dining, and access to Delta Sky Clubs, it provides the comfort and luxury expected from a high-tier premium cabin. The Delta One Suites, available on newer aircraft, such as the Airbus A350, enhance this experience with even more privacy and sophistication. The most obvious drawback is the varying seat quality across aircraft. However, it is easy to overcome this by researching before booking. 

Expert score: 8.5/10

What to know about Delta's First and Business classes

Delta One vs. domestic First Class

Delta One is Delta’s international business class, available primarily on long-haul international and select transcontinental routes. Its lie-flat seats, enhanced dining experiences, and luxury touches make it ideal for extended travel. 

On the other hand, First Class caters to domestic routes, focusing on comfort with wide reclining seats and priority services. While First Class excels in providing a relaxing domestic experience, it lacks the luxury features of Delta One.

Which domestic routes have Delta One? 

Each month, the domestic routes with Delta One seats vary, depending on Delta's schedule and needs. And, to make things more confusing, some routes may be marketed as First Class but will feature a Delta One seat—in those cases, service is abbreviated. Typically, the below routes are where you’ll find Delta One cabins with full service.

• New York (JFK) to/from Los Angeles (LAX)
• New York (JFK) to/from San Francisco (SFO)
• New York (JFK) to/from San Diego (SAN)
• New York (JFK) to/from Seattle (SEA)
• New York (JFK) to/from Las Vegas (LAS)
• New York (JFK) to/from Honolulu (HNL)
• Washington, DC, (DCA) to/from Los Angeles (LAX)
• Boston (BOS) to/from Los Angeles (LAX)
• Atlanta (ATL) to/from Honolulu (HNL)
• Atlanta (ATL) to/from Maui (OGG)
• Detroit (DTW) to/from Honolulu (HNL)
• Minneapolis–St. Paul (MSP) to/from Honolulu (HNL)

Which planes have Delta One? 

Delta One routes are reserved for long-haul international flights longer than 6.5 hours and transcontinental domestic flights. They can be found on both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. Be sure to check which plane is operating your flight before booking since not all Delta One aircraft offer the same features.

• Airbus A330-200
• Airbus A330-300
• Airbus A330-900neo
• Airbus A350
• Boeing 757-200 (select aircraft)
• Boeing 767-300ER
• Boeing 767-400ER 

Examples of deals we've found for our members in Delta's premium cabins: 

• All over the US to Reykjavik starting at $2,487 roundtrip in business class
• East Coast and Midwest to Yucatan Peninsula starting at $608 roundtrip in business class
• Denver to Seattle for $379 roundtrip in business class
• Houston to Barcelona for $2,980 roundtrip in business class

Explore our expert guide to finding cheap flights anywhere. 

The Delta First and Business Class experience: Comparison

How to book Delta One and Delta First Class

How to upgrade to First or Business Class on Delta for free

Delta frequent flyers who obtain Medallion status in its SkyMiles program are offered complimentary upgrades (pending availability, of course) to First Class on domestic and short-haul international flights, as well as to Delta One on domestic routes.

If you’re not a Delta elite, don’t worry, you can still get free upgrades. Travelers who have the Delta American Express Reserve credit card are also added to the complimentary upgrade list for domestic and short-haul international flights. Don’t have the card? Then, you’ll have to “buy” upgrades with miles, which are technically free.

Long-haul Delta One upgrades are another story. There are no complimentary upgrades for status holders. However, some of Delta’s top-tier frequent flyers (Diamond Medallions and Delta 360° members) are gifted Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs), which can be redeemed for free upgrades to Delta One. 

GUCs are limited to single-class confirmed upgrades, meaning you can only use them to upgrade from main cabin to Premium Select (Delta’s premium economy cabin) or from Premium Select to Delta One. If you’re looking to upgrade from main cabin to Delta One, you’ll have to cross your fingers and hope for the best—you’ll only be confirmed into Premium Select, and then you’ll be added to the waitlist for Delta One, with that final upgrade being based on availability.

Download our app, and start receiving amazing deals. 

How much does it cost to upgrade to First or Business Class on Delta? 

Delta frequently offers paid upgrades to ticketed passengers, and you can pay in dollars or SkyMiles. The pricing is dynamic, however, and there’s truly no standard. In some cases, you might pay $300 for an upgrade to either First Class or Delta One. In others, you may pay $3,000.

Using credit cards to book Delta One or Delta First Class flights with SkyMiles

You could also use your Delta SkyMiles to book Delta One or Delta First Class seats. There are several ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, but if you're looking to rack up miles quickly, you might want to consider opening and earning miles on a Delta credit card:

If you are a business owner, contractor, or entrepreneur, you may also want to consider one of Delta's business cards:

In addition, American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. This means that if you have one of the following cards below, you can transfer your Amex points to Delta and redeem them for a Delta One or Delta First Class flight:

Can I use SkyMiles to upgrade a cash ticket to Delta First or Delta One? 

Yes, Delta SkyMiles can be used to upgrade eligible cash tickets. Delta’s award upgrades follow dynamic pricing models, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of miles for both First Class and Delta One.

Booking flights with miles? Get the best out of them with Going! 

Save on your next Delta flight with Going’s Elite membership!

Whether you choose Delta One or First Class, Delta’s premium options provide world-class travel experiences with comfortable seating, special amenities, and airport accommodations. 

For the best deals on luxury flights, consider becoming an Elite member. Going helps travelers save thousands each year with real-time alerts. With our Elite membership, you’ll get exclusive access to high-fare class deals (and even mistake fares) directly to your phone via the Going app. Treat yourself to a luxury flight experience at the best price with Going!