Comparing United vs. Delta First Class
Oct 1, 2000 | 2:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: PDX
Programs: On a collision course with Kettledom
Posts: 25,550
Comparing United vs. Delta First Class
I just finished a cross-country trip for business, SJC-SLC-BOS-CVG-CID (Cedar Rapids) – on Delta, then CID-DEN-SJC on United. All segments were upgraded to First Class, except the Comair flight CVG-CID on a regional jet with coach-only service.
I wanted to try to observe the differences between the two airlines. I concluded that there aren’t many.
(For the record, I am Platinum Medallion on Delta, and I have no status on United).
On Delta, all flights were on 757’s with 24 F seats. The United flights were on a 737-200 (8 F seats) and a 727 (12 F seats).
Service: Excellent and pleasant on both airlines. F.A.’s friendly, chatty, seemed to enjoy their jobs.
Food: All flights had food. Breakfasts all had more food than can reasonably be eaten by one person. Quality was acceptable. United had a vegetable cream cheese that was a bit strange.
Load: Delta F was full on all flights. UA had 2 (of 8) empty seats on the 737, 4 (of 12) empty on the 727.
Employee Class: As a rule, I don’t read manifests (so I didn’t), but the DL BOS-CVG flight had at least 2 employees of a Delta connection carrier, and the UA flight had at least 1 on the 737, and at least 3 on the 727.
Seats – more or less the same. United had “channel 9, from the cockpit” on one flight. On the other flight, “Top of the Pops” played on channel 9, in an infinite loop on a Travis-Shaggy-Macy Gray and skip back to Travis program. No Empower ports on any flights (DL has these on quite a few domestic planes, but not these).
All flights were on-time.
The only “major” difference I noticed was that Delta has a sign that lights when the lavatories are occupied.
I wanted to try to observe the differences between the two airlines. I concluded that there aren’t many.
(For the record, I am Platinum Medallion on Delta, and I have no status on United).
On Delta, all flights were on 757’s with 24 F seats. The United flights were on a 737-200 (8 F seats) and a 727 (12 F seats).
Service: Excellent and pleasant on both airlines. F.A.’s friendly, chatty, seemed to enjoy their jobs.
Food: All flights had food. Breakfasts all had more food than can reasonably be eaten by one person. Quality was acceptable. United had a vegetable cream cheese that was a bit strange.
Load: Delta F was full on all flights. UA had 2 (of 8) empty seats on the 737, 4 (of 12) empty on the 727.
Employee Class: As a rule, I don’t read manifests (so I didn’t), but the DL BOS-CVG flight had at least 2 employees of a Delta connection carrier, and the UA flight had at least 1 on the 737, and at least 3 on the 727.
Seats – more or less the same. United had “channel 9, from the cockpit” on one flight. On the other flight, “Top of the Pops” played on channel 9, in an infinite loop on a Travis-Shaggy-Macy Gray and skip back to Travis program. No Empower ports on any flights (DL has these on quite a few domestic planes, but not these).
All flights were on-time.
The only “major” difference I noticed was that Delta has a sign that lights when the lavatories are occupied.
Oct 3, 2000 | 2:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Burlingame, CA
Programs: TK Miles & Smiles, AF Flying Blue, AA Advantage, AS Mileage Plan
Posts: 2,159
The only First class product that would definately pay/upgrade is SFO or LA to NY. The product is at the level of an international cabin. I used to fly mostly on UA and for the most part I agree that the F class is very unimpressive on domestic routes EXCEPT transcon nonstop. The last time I flew on UA First JFK-SFO it was truly excellent. I had a 5-6 course from appetizers to dessert with chocolate. MAGNIFICENT!!!