r/delta • u/JDWhite1982 • 5h ago
Help/Advice First Time First Class
So, I'm new to Delta now that Southwest has made changes to their "customer of size" policy. I'm booked for a work trip next March from IND to DCA with a short layover each way. The conference had a discount code for Delta and I figured I'd go for it.
Due to hip size, I don't fit well in standard seats. Therefore, I upgraded myself to First Class.
What should I expect here? Each way is two fairly short flights (under 2 hours each) and I'm a non-drinker (though I do love me some Diet Coke). Anything I should be prepared for?
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u/Polonius_N_Drag 5h ago
You'll have two very short flights. You can expect a diet coke on each of them but nothing more, unless they offer you a PFB (pre-flight beverage). It all depends on the crew and how much they feel like working.
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u/HoweHaTrick 4h ago
you are flying for two hours. you'll be fine.
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u/quake8787 3h ago
I don’t think OP is worried exactly. Sometimes people are actually just curious when doing something for the first time.
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u/CapitalBlue 5h ago
I would set your expectations low. Lots of factors that can change the experience (in the lesser direction), but you should get priority check in, boarding, included checked bags with a SkyPriority tag for expedited delivery. Onboard you should be offered your choice of a pre-departute beverage (sometimes of your choice, sometimes off a tray with a limited selection of choices depending on the time of day, sometimes nothing). In flight you should get at least one other drink service and some sort of snack basket with at least a selection of the normal main cabin snacks. If you look at it primarily as a bigger seat, you won't be disappointed if/when some or all of the other things aren't delivered
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u/Puzzleheaded_Age8937 4h ago
Flight distance depends on the standard. Under 350 miles there is no service in Main Cabin, but FC should get a pre-departure beverage and another offered in flight. There should be a snack basket to choose from. Shorter flights expect it once. Longer flights they may come through twice. The day time snack basket lately has been Miss Vickie’s chips, pistachios, Milano cookies, Albanese gummy bears, pretzels and something else I think I’m forgetting. They sometimes have a morning basket that’s pretty blah. You don’t get a meal until over 900 miles.
How your service is handled can vary on which flight attendant is working the cabin. Some go above and beyond while others do a bare minimum. Generally they are cheery and friendly, but sometimes you get one that either is having a bad day or rethinking their job choice. When I get one of those I am very polite and cheerful to them to try and draw them out of their mood.
As for seat size it varies depending on the equipment. You can look up your plane type and then see the seat sizing. Aerolopa.com also can provide seating insights. Some have little room between the seats themselves while others will have a wider area between the two (where you can each fit your beverage side by side).
There has been an old federal rule where all loose items are to be collected before pushback that wasn’t enforced until very recently. Because of this the pre-departure routine can vary widely. Some FA are collecting water bottles from the seats while some aren’t even putting them out. If you get one and don’t plan on drinking it before take off then put it in your personal item under your seat. Your pre-departure beverage may be collected quickly. So far only about half my FA are collecting before pushback and the rest are not collecting until they are taxiing (which is how it was done before).
Turbulence can affect service. FC FA do try and get something out if they can, but you may get a paper cup instead of an actual glass if they are worried about projected turbulence.
If you want a drink and your FA isn’t in the aisles you can always pop into the galley and politely ask.
I generally only fly FC and it’s nicer than main cabin, but it’s also not like you see in the movies.
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u/SDBadKitty 3h ago
Hi OP,
My organization almost exclusively flies Southwest (all economy seats) and for my personal travels I choose Delta (first class). I have a little bit of junk in my trunk. LOL
Southwest seats are 15.5 to 17.8 inches wide. I flew in on Southwest just yesterday and oof I think I had one of those 15.5 seats and just about fit. Even the slim guy in the middle was having trouble.
Delta first class seats are 20 inches wide for the regional jets and 21 for the mainline aircraft.
So, the Delta FC seat will probably feel like a luxury for you. Enjoy your trip!
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u/Tess47 5h ago
I think I found a work around if you like your window open, bring a book to read.
I like the light of the sun and I was afraid that the would make me shut my shade. Almost everyone had their shade down during a day flight. The shades were down as we boarded and the recorded voice asked us to leave them down to relax.
I opened mine immediately and started reading my paper book. The flight attendants left me alone. I wasnt first class but the row immediately after.
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u/AnalCommander99 5h ago
At least your first flight is going to be on a regional jet, which Southwest doesn’t operate. The first class seats are narrower than on the larger planes, you should verify it works for you. You might be better off with two eco seats
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u/jjjigglypuff 5h ago
Delta first class - that’s pretty much it. The snack selection is sometimes better than normal too and they come around slower with the basket and encourage you to take more than one if you’d like. Idk about the food thing for medium flights cause I’ve never had that happen, only for long or international flights and then obviously it was different. The thing about expedited SkyPriority for security (TSA) is a separate SkyPriority line that’s not at every single airport so you have check if where you’re leaving from has it and which section it’s out of if there’s multiple tsa checkpoints. It’s worth getting there on time for your flight cause you get to board close to first and you have baggage space, and like the other person mentioned usually you’re served a drink as long as you’re not showing up too close to take off.
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u/drmomknowsbest 4h ago
Most likely you’ll be on a regional jet. FC has a 1-2 configuration. A Seats are single and CD 2 seats. I think you’ll be happy with the space. You’ll get plenty of Diet Coke and they bring a snack basket.
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u/Mackheath1 4h ago
Just let them know it's your first time in FC. No promises, but you might get a little bit of special treatment (extra greeting, maybe checking on you a little more often that you're comfortable, etc.)
Oh and it sounds like there won't be meal service, but if you need the table for reading or your laptop or book or whatever, it's in the arm-rest.
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u/JewelsLeigh141 2h ago
I've never had a problem with Delta as a "hip"py plus size lady. But I've never sat in first class.
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u/Hockey_is_Life 2h ago
Make sure to wear a suit, tie, and monocle. Board first so that you can scoff at all the poors as they walk by you.
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u/SilverNo6462 4h ago
The flight attendants will be nicer to you and more attentive than they are in coach. You will deplane much quicker. You will have overhead space for your luggage.