Thanks for the positive feedback, guys. I don't mean to bring back a dead thread, but thought I'd answer the questions that were posted in response to my report.
I'm not an engineer or pilot, just a "redcoat" agent with a keen interest in the technical side of things.
I'm not a big fan of the MD-11, because like its predecessor, the DC-10, it strikes me as one of the most poorly designed airplanes out there from a user-friendliness and performance point of view. Any ramp agent who's ever worked an MD-11 and a B777 knows what I'm talking about.
Flying the MD-11, BusinessElite is very nice with the wider seats, coach is pretty horrid. At least on the 777, the PTVs in coach make longer flights halfway bearable.
Contrast that with the 777, where everything was designed with user friendliness in mind.
In response to 777Brit, yes, BusinessElite service is outstanding if I may say so. As many will say, it's not quite as nice as it was before the service cuts, but I still think it's the nicest business class out of the ones I've tried from both a seat and service perspective.
The seats are mostly cloth and trimmed in leather. On the 777 and MD-11, they're 21.5 inches wide with 60 inch pitch and 160 degrees of recline. On the 767-300ER they're 18.5 inches wide with the same pitch and recline. Here's a picture of BusinessElite on the 777:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/061274/L/
It's a very spacious and airy, open cabin ambiance that you just don't quite get with a 2-3-2 J class or the sort of blocky looking seats that they have in Continental BusinessFirst.
Anyway, thanks for the feedback everybody. And 777Brit, I enjoy your reports immensely as well. I've gotten the chance to sample American's premium cabins a few times and reading about them is the next best thing to actually flying in them.
------------------
-------------
My statements and opinions are in no way endorsed by Delta Air Lines and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Delta Air Lines. For official information, please visit Delta's home on the web at
www.delta.com
Thanks for flying Delta.