FIRST CLASS VIA DELTA
If there’s one thing that keeps travelers from getting excited about going halfway across the world, it’s the long-haul flight. Stuffy air, cramped seats, your seatmate’s brighter-than-the-sun monitor hurting your eyes, somebody’s foot on your arm rest, and zero peace and quiet are just some of the things we have to endure in coach. I had the chance to experience none of these on my return flight to Manila onboard Delta Airlines — first class from Newark to Atlanta, Atlanta to Narita, and Delta One (there’s a class higher than first) from Narita to Manila.
Apart from lounge access, one of my favorite perks of being on first class are priority boarding, having your own overhead bin for carry-on luggage, and the fact that you’ll get zero physical contact with anybody throughout the flight. No bumping elbows with a seatmate, no one accidentally snagging at your hair while they try to get out of their seat. On the otherhand, you also don’t have to bother anyone when you want to get up. Flying first class is basically how you would want to go through life.
Delta Airline’s Delta One is “one of the most exclusive cabins in the sky.” There’s something about sitting in 1A on all flights that made me feel like a regular person-turned-Duchess of Sussex. Our dedicated in-cabin flight attendant tolerated me like my mother does — he opened a jar of jam for me, gave me extra ice cream, didn’t wake me up for my meal because I was sleeping so soundly….
When you fly Delta One, you can relax on a 180-degree flat-bed seat, with direct aisle access on most flights, and Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding. You’ll be served chefcurated meals on an extra large tray table (no trying the Jenga your utensils!) and a wide selection of complimentary beer, spirits and wine from Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson.
There are power outlets and USB ports at every seat, and of course, the latest movies and shows on Delta Studio, which you can view on an extra wide in-flight entertainment screen using a noise-canceling headset. I usually bring my own headset on flights, but I ended up using theirs because it was better shaped for “reclined” a.k.a. super at-home TV watching.
Last but most important of all, Delta One passengers are given a Tumi amenity kit complete with Kiehl’s Mango Lip Balm and moisturizer. Armed with my own arsenal of in-flight skincare, I took the longest flight from Atlanta to Tokyo as a chance to mask and hydrate. Finally, I understand what influencers mean when they say flying long haul is like a mini vacation — of course they fly first class.
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Delta Airlines offers daily flights from Manila to eight US getaways via Tokyo (Narita) with onboard connections to over 230 cities in North America. For inquiries, call 841-8800.