LAX-HND, A350 to 777
 

Just noticed. Not much news about the change. FYI anyone hoping to go on the A350.

I see advantages and disadvantages. People complain about the lack of center section airvents in D1, but to me the bigger disadvantage of the A350 is the lack of center overhead bins in D1. The suites seem the same otherwise.

IIRC most 777s don't have both PS and C+.

Of course, there is the coolness factor of the mood lighting and the cockpit instrumentation on the A350.

Date
 

When did it change? I don't have access to flightaware premium which shows older info.

I believe all but 2 of the 777s have been refurbed and now have C+, PS, and D1 suites so this is a net positive (and I believe the other 2 are currently in the shop getting refurbed so chances of getting them are slim to none). Plus all 772ERs have been refurbed and I believe that's all that's needed or LAX - HND (they don't need the LR like they do for JNB or BOM).

This change was announced when they announced the new HND routes and SkyClub at the end of last year (DL press release: https://news.delta.com/delta-sky-clu...customers-2020).

Assume the switch is at least partially due to the 2020 Olympics and the likely significant LAX - TYO traffic for the Olympics.

Looks like DL6/7 switched to B777 in the last week of October.

When did they start adding C+ to the 777 that already had suites add? I thought they were holding off till all 777 at least had suites.

They announced last year and all the refurbs over the past year have been 4 cabin (Y, C+, PS, D1) refurbs. The 777s currently in SIN are the last 2 that weren't in that set-up.

https://news.delta.com/tailored-trav...eriences-march

It's reflected on DL.com -- here's a random LAX - HND in a few days:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e6b6aca31c.png

IIRC this was part of a larger network decision to re-focus 777 TPAC flying in LAX (where there is still a 777 pilot base). LAX-SYD / PVG / HND / CDG are all flown with the 777 now, and the A350s are retreating to SEA / MSP / DTW / ATL.

I was on two separate LAX-PVG flights on the A350 last year (within 3 months of each other) that were canceled for mechanical issues. While I was probably just super unlucky, I can’t say I’m displeased to be riding the 777 to PVG this week.

I've flown both the A350 and the B777 LAX-HND and there isn't any difference in the Suites that I've seen. I've been in window seats so the storage issue didn't affect me. The last couple of trips the B777s all had both PS and C+.

As I mentioned in the 777 refurb thread (see photo) I think there's a tiny amount (3-6 inches maybe) of extra space against the side wall on the 777 that isn't there on the 350 (but I've only been on the latter once so I could be wrong about that). It doesn't widen the useable seating area but it's possible to stash smallish things there even with the seat in flatbed mode.

Before the A350 arrived, MSP had been operating NRT with the 777 (and of course much earlier with the 747, RIP), with the 777 also appearing on AMS and CDG during high season.

Last summer MSP had suites on the HND, ICN, and CDG nonstop routes and now for winter it's the A350 to ICN (in rotation with the LAX-ICN route) and 777 to HND, both of which tend to park overnight at MSP and do quick turns in Asia, as one would expect. MSP also has the A330 on some TATL flights and uses the 767 to LHR as well as other (primarily AMS) routes at times that need less capacity.

I'm surprised that DL uses such a variety of wide bodied aricraft at MSP. On these international routes, the crew are almost always all MSP based.

When I've flown in suites in a variety of window seats, I don't see any difference in the space between the console on the window side (or what I think of as my duvet and pillow storage area) on the 777 versus A350.

Got it-- my only 350 trip was a year ago and my 777 trips were more recent so I'm sure I just forgot :o

I’m curious if the cabin crew on the 777 strictly enforce overhead bin ‘sharing’ in D1. Most rollaboards don’t neatly fit standing on its side wheels-in first. Whereas it does on the A350. And if there’s center bins, then there must be almost a 1:1 ratio of bin per D1 passenger???

I have never been on the DL 777, but have been on the 777 of many other airlines.