Today, I’ll be trying Delta’s Premium Select product trans-pacific! 

My flight, Delta #120, would take me from Tokyo’s Haneda airport (HND) to one of Delta’s major hubs, Minneapolis, MN (MSP), covering nearly 6,000 miles in almost 12 hours. Haneda is the smaller of Tokyo’s two major airports, the larger being Narita.

I booked this flight as part of a complicated multi-stop itinerary: 

• Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Tokyo-Haneda (HND) on All Nippon (ANA) in Economy
• Tokyo-Haneda (HND) to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) on Delta in Premium Select
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Chicago-Midway (MDW) on Delta in Comfort+

The total cost of this journey was a low $870.25 – significantly cheaper than the Tokyo-Minneapolis flight if I were to book only that leg, even in economy. Though I found the fare on Google Flights, I had to call Delta to book given the complicated mixed cabin ANA codeshare. 

My flight was operated by this relatively new Airbus A350-900 (A359) featuring 48 Premium Select seats. Note that Delta’s Premium Select product varies significantly by aircraft; their A359 offering is the newest and most modern. As Delta puts it, “the foot and leg rest, 13.3″ in-flight entertainment screen, and noise-canceling headphones are not available on the 757-200 aircraft.” This is a significant difference in hard product, so be sure to check your aircraft type before booking to avoid disappointment. 

Pre-Flight Experience

Premium Select affords a mix of economy and business class (Delta One) perks. While lounge access is not included, SkyPriority check in and baggage handling is. In my case, though, SkyPriority did not transfer over any perks with ANA, my codeshare airline on my inbound connecting flight. Had my flight originated on Delta, I could have used a priority check-in and bag drop counter. PS passengers will enjoy priority boarding, after Delta One and Diamond Medallion, but before Comfort+ and other elite tiers.

Waiting for me at my seat was a mountain of goodies including a small memory foam pillow (which was a noticeable upgrade over economy), a small blanket, slippers, headphones, and an amenity kit. Not pictured was a water bottle in the seat side pocket. Amenity kit contents included ear plugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, and hand lotion. The headphones are meant to be borrowed for the flight only; kleptos will be disappointed by the aircraft-style two prong connector.

The seat itself was very comfortable and felt much like a domestic First Class product. It was wide, in a 2-3-2 configuration, with generous legroom and recline. Due to the dedicated overhead bin space for Premium Select, I stowed both my carry-on and personal item; no need to put anything under the seat. A flip-down leg rest was a nice touch, though I think it’s designed for someone in the range of 5’4” to 5’10” – at 6’, my legs were too bunched up to make use of the feature for long periods of time. The in flight entertainment selection was extensive, and I understand why Delta is frequently praised in that department. Movies and shows looked great on the large, high-res display.

Service began post-takeoff with a white tablecloth, cutlery, a bag of nuts, and standard Delta international beverage service. I opted for a glass of sparkling wine, which was served in a plastic cup. There is no champagne available in PS.

I was disappointed to learn that Premium Select was served a single-tray meal, the same size and quality as in economy class, however, I appreciated the metal cutlery which was of solid weight and size. My “wagyu” short rib was mushy on the outside and tough on the inside – I am skeptical that this was in fact real Japanese wagyu. The ice cream was particularly out of place as it was mostly melted by the time I had finished the remainder of the meal. A second round of service, for ice cream and beverages, wouldn’t have taken the crew much time and would have greatly elevated the dining experience. 

A Note on Service

It’s pretty well known among frequent international travelers that American carriers lack the same customer-centric service attitude as most foreign full-service airlines. This proved to be true on my flight as well. The dedicated Premium Select attendant – for which there was only one – seemed bothered by fellow passengers and myself, electing to spend the majority of the flight lounging in the galley. The only time I called for service during the flight was about 6 hours in. After pressing the call button, it took about 5 minutes for our attendant to come over. I ordered a drink, which awarded me a blank stare and and a sigh. About 15 minutes later my drink appeared, which tasted off. Short of welcoming us on board and wishing us farewell, this attendant offered no further niceties. Of course, your mileage may vary, and my experience is purely subjective. 

About 90 minutes prior to landing, we were served a second meal – or was it a snack? It consisted of some sort of bun – I believe Delta calls this a “Omelet Sandwich,” whatever that means, and a cup of fresh fruit. Yogurt was advertised but not offered on this flight. 

Wrap Up

The highlight of Premium Select is the seat – hands down. The memory foam seat cushion and ample legroom make it an upgrade even over domestic first class, and it is probably the best premium economy seat in the skies. The meal service is economy food – I’m not sure what element Delta is even claiming to be “elevated,” So, if you are deciding whether or not an upgrade is the best option for you, consider the length of your flight, your body proportions, and how much you value comfort, and take the small supplemental benefits as a bonus. I’d advise that you exercise judgement, weigh your own pros and cons against the additional fare, and make an informed decision. For me, PS was only about a $250 premium over economy, and, at that price point, I would say it was absolutely worth it.

Justin Reiling Editor-in-Chief