This is the best way to fly between Australia and the US
The airline: Delta Air Lines
- The flight DL93, Los Angeles to Brisbane (LAX – BNE)
- Frequency Delta Air Lines operate this new seasonal service three times a week (December to March)
- Aircraft Airbus A350-900
- Class Delta One, Delta’s business class, seat 6A (window).
- Flight time 13 hours and 23 minutes (we arrive 17 minutes early).
Delta’s A350 in the air.Credit:
Checking in
This is where Delta excels. There’s a direct entrance from the kerb to Delta One’s private check-in area where I’m greeted with a glass of champagne.
Delta One passengers have access to a private check-in area at LAX.Credit:
I’m then led to a private TSA screening point and emerge inside the new Delta One Lounge. Japanese chefs are preparing fresh sushi and sashimi, and the bar staff are mixing cocktails at a Verde Emerald quartzite and onyx back bar. Everything’s included (except the ultra-premium alcohol) and all food and drink come with sit-down table service.
The Delta One lounge at LAX.Credit:
Baggage
Not a fan of packing light? Delta One passengers are allowed a whopping three pieces of checked baggage weighing up to 32 kilograms each, and one carry-on bag and one personal item with no weight restrictions, provided they fit within Federal Aviation Administration size restrictions.
The loyalty scheme
Sky Miles, partnering with more than 20 airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, LATAM and Hawaiian Airlines.
The seat
The Delta One suite.Credit:
Delta made global headlines when it became the first airline to offer a closing door for business class passengers. All suites have doors, and 72-inch (193-centimetre) flat-bed and 20 inch- (51 centimetre-) wide seats, with a duvet, large sleeping pillow and lumbar support that doubles as a mattress pad. Suites are hipster-cool with mood lighting, even across the upper shell of the seat back, and there’s a handy lamp with adjustable brightness. Everything’s easy to work out too – unlike some business class seats, which practically require a tutorial pre-flight. There’s also a Missoni amenity kit containing hand cream and lip balm by Australian brand Grown Alchemist.
Entertainment + technology
It’s pretty cosy inside my suite. I’m given LSTN noise-cancelling headphones and have a big selection of movies, TV shows and series such as Mayor of Kingstown and 1883 to watch on a 46-centimetre high-resolution touch screen. There are also old favourites such as Friends and Frasier if you’re a 1990s kind of viewer. And there are high-speed Wi-Fi available for purchase, fast-charging USB ports and power outlets.
Service
The attendants are quick to help – in fact, they’re oddly telepathic; each time I’m about to press the service button, someone’s at my suite offering me what I was wanting (spooky, are Delta developing mind-reading technology)? They’re also very friendly in a down-to-earth kind of way you don’t always find at the pointy end of the plane.
Food
I got to choose my main the week before takeoff by email, but the starter – poached shrimp, lentil soup, mixed greens and caramelised onion focaccia – is a surprise. It’s good too – especially with a glass of Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut. My main course is even better: braised meatballs with Branco DiNapoli marinara, garlic bread and Gioia ricotta with a glass of California’s Jordan Vineyard & Winery cabernet sauvignon. I sleep through the mid-flight snack so the breakfast of roasted red pepper and chicken sausage frittata is devoured in minutes.
Sustainability
Delta almost doubled its fuel savings in 2024 from the year before – amounting to a cumulative 155 million litres of jet fuel saved. This was done through initiatives such as enhanced routing and landing procedures and a decrease in catering service weight. Delta has worked on enhanced winglet modification and light-weight landing gear to make the airline as efficient as possible. *
One more thing
Sleeping is an intimate thing – and Delta One’s private suites (which all have direct access to the aisle) allow it to stay that way. With everyone tucked away in suites, I can’t see anyone; if I snore, at least no one can identify the culprit.
The price
From about $14,600, Brisbane to Los Angeles return in business class.**
The verdict
With its private check-in and its stunning new lounge, Delta One outdoes the competition before I even leave LAX. Add in the comfy private suites (I sleep eight hours – a record) and there really is no better way to arrive into Australia without travelling first class.
Our rating out of five
★★★★★
The writer travelled with the assistance of Delta Air Lines.
*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org.
**Fares are based on those available for travel three to four months from the time of publication and subject to change.
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