Or perhaps DL's very good, data-rich RM department is betting on selling UGs or even last minute tickets on XXX-DTW-AMS and they are interested in preserving open seats the DTW-AMS O/D in order to attract that last minute non-hub traffic (but they are of course happy to sell it for some absurd amount).

Many variables here. It's not all about the price quoted for one leg in isolation.

That's still something. DL gets value out of that as well - it's a form of compensation and if there are never any seats available for nonrevs, they're going to have unhappy employees. Unhappy employees have a way of... bargaining (IYKWIM).

My wife and I flew D1 SEA-HKG on 8/28. We were flying on cheap (X bucket) fares booked 30 days in advance--we applied our GUCs at that time; our GUCs cleared 6 days before departure. The equipment was an unremodeled 777-200. We left the gate on time at 1357 PDT, with wheels up at 1421 PDT; we landed at HKG at 1854 HKT on Wednesday 8/29, and arrived at the gate (I think 27) at 1905.

We had a 43 minute connection in SEA (we had already traveled DCA-MSP-SEA, which were solid, unremarkable segments where our upgrades cleared); we got met by Claudia in the Porsche; Claudia actually escorted us through the baggage area on the ground level of the S satellite building, took us up an elevator, and walked us up to the gate agent and escorted us onto the plane. This was really, really nice and will be long appreciated.

We sat in seats 1B-1C, which are nice because of the divider with shelf in front of the seats. My seat cushions were on the hard side; the flight took about 13.5 hours (including a 30 minute circle of HKG); I was able to take two different 3 hour naps in between meals and movies.

I had the beef tenderloin (which was pretty good); I passed on the mid-flight "snack" which turned out to be a large portion of salmon and tuna; I ate the "breakfast" served about 1.75 hours out, which was boiled boneless chicken pieces, rice and vegetables and was good and tasty. My wife tried the "potato crusted halibut" for dinner and found it inedible; she passed on the other two meals. She slept for at least 10 hours of the trip.

I enjoyed the Delta ice cream sundae with all the toppings for dessert, but did not like the Ferreira Dona Antonia Tawny Port I was served.

As far as adult beverages, I had a PDB champagne (the menu listed Lanson Black Label Brut NV), which was an "amusing little number" (to quote Colonel Wilhelm Klink). I had Grey Goose and tonic after takeoff, which was very nice. I did not drink wine with dinner. Between naps I enjoyed a San Miguel pale Pilsen (the local beer in Hong Kong).

My AVOD worked well. I used the LSTN headphones with the dual prong, rather than my BOSE headphones. The LSTN headphones worked well.

The amenity kit was the Tumi hardshell package.

When the crew found out that this trip was celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary, and since we were on Flight 39, they congratulated us over the PA system, and gave us a really nice "Congratulations" hand written card as we were getting ready to get off the plane.

It took us just 15 minutes to clear immigration after entering the line at HKG (a 10 minute walk from the gate); our checked bags were waiting for us on the carousel, and we were not stopped as we went through the green channel at customs.

This was the longest trip we've ever taken on Delta, at 8,819 MQMs one way. It was very, very good.

Congrats on the upgrade and the great flight. FYI, the PDB bubbles are not the nice Champagne listed on the menu and served in the air; they have to pay taxes on what they serve before departure so they use cheap plonk for that round. So a) don't judge Lanson for what you experienced pre-departure, and b) if you want decent bubbles wait until after takeoff.

They may use taxes as an overt rationale, but it's more likely that it's simply the volume of people that request bubbles as a PDB (compared to in the air) that drives the cheapo decision.

Just bought roundtrip tickets from SEA-LAX-PVG for December. (I'm Still within 24hrs cancellation window) The domestic stretch is F fare and trans pacific flight is Z fare in Delta One Suites. Total price was $3483 per person. I could've saved $300 by flying direct SEA-PVG, but that's in a 767-300 Delta one which really isn't that great. By booking the LAX transfer flight, I also get ~23,000 MQM (7000 more than direct) which basically propels me from FO to GM and wifey to FO. This one trip is almost enough to earn a whole 1 category upgrade in status.

I know Delta One Suites can sometimes sell for really expensive rates, Just wondering whether you feel like the detour and extra $300 is worth the bonus MQM and suite experience.

Just flew D1 Suites for 1st time. (Normally fly partners international) While much better then current 767, IMO it's a step back from A330/747. The door was nice, but as the suite doesn't go to head height it's more of a gimmick IMO. This is not a QR Suite or EK enclosed suite. Other issues

1)padding - rather lack of. Put into bed mode, went to lay down, and could feel all the metal bars/pieces that form the seat.
2)the door - Either fully open or fully closed, no inbetween. Seems to stick, too close one must pull lever while pushing door, no simply pushing door closed. There's a gap for some unknown reason.
3)storage - again, rather a lack of.
4)wear/tear - they're not even a year old. However the carpet was peeling off, the console surface was scratched up like it was in service for a decade, buttons weren't working all the time.

Talked with FA, she told me they get constant complaints. However DL thinks they're doing great. They're not getting that they've cut back on number of J seats, thus the cabin is sold out more often. They seem to think that the cabin is full because people want the D1 Suites.

Thanks for the insight. Which seat did you pick? Reviews online have said the window seats seem more cramped than middle because of the overhead compartment. My plane would be a A350.

7D. Window with console on aisle side. The OHB wasn't an issue. They're the type that are at an 45 degree angle when closed. In fact if you want air vents, the window seats are where they're at. The middle would be great IMO if the suite went up high enough. Instead it goes to about nose level on me.

Will be on the 350 in November in J. The website section on Delta's fleet gives the following specs: D1 seat width-- 22-24 inches; bed length--76-81 inches.

Any idea which seats are the wider and longer?

Thanks!

I've heard a similar complaint about the D1 Suites. On some level I'm excited to someday try them, however currently am very happy with the layout of the A330's I fly SEA-AMS. I'm 6'7" and I've also heard that the D1 Suites have shorter foot wells.

Side note for the tall people. On the A330 I swear 2A and 2J have deeper wells.

I also think the current D1 product is great, but I am definitely looking forward to the new suites!

I'm sure there's a thread (or 20) for it but dang if I can find it. Booked D1 ATL-DUB with return BCN-ATL. BCN-ATL is an A330-300 and the seat map isn't herring bone but just 2 parallel seats (traditional configuration) in the middle. The pictures I see online show DL's A330 D1 as herring bone. Are they herring or has there been a change? Thanks in advance and sorry for what I'm sure is a duplicate question.

The 330s are (reverse) herringbone, yes. Are you seeing something like this (I just did a test booking)? It seems like sometimes the site glitches and shows what might be a mobile style seat map even on a desktop web client. I also had trouble even pulling up a seat map on the app earlier so they could be having some sort of IT issues.