Video | Qantas Club Lounge | American Admirals Club – Honolulu (HNL)
Airline/Club Name: Qantas Club Lounge – American Admirals Club Location: Honolulu International (HNL) Terminal/Concourse: Overseas Terminal above Gate 26 {{priority}}
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Airline: Delta Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
Seat: 14A
Class: First (Business Elite)
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The Seat: This version of Delta Airlines Business Elite is one that’s stirred up tons of discussion since it’s introduction as the airlines first with flat-bed seating. The reviews have been mixed and I can understand why. The angling of the seats is a little awkward in my opinion. 14A in particular is one that you’ll have to recline a bit to enjoy the benefits of being next to the window. You’ll also be facing in a direction that forces you to stare right at other seats…Again, awkward. Legroom isn’t as generous as other versions of Delta’s business class but by no means constricting (for most). If you’re one of our tallest modhop friends, you may find the curvature of the seat compartment a little frustrating. When the seat is fully reclined in the lie-flat seat position, even I (at 5’8″) found the curvature of the seat at the bottom to be bothersome. One thing I really liked about the window seats in row 14 is that they’re separated from the aisle by a coat closet, giving the seat a more private feel and a little extra table space to spread out. The same is true for window seats in row 7.
Service: In most cases you would be flying this aircraft overseas so you’ll enjoy the benefits of an expanded menu, full duvet/pillow and amenity kit. This was a domestic flight with service that was adequate but nothing extraordinary.
Notes: This seat has the benefit of being far from galleys or lavatories so traffic is very low. If the bulkhead is free of crying babies, (or crying adults) it should be a quiet flight.
Summary: The privacy of this seat is great. The extra table space provided in these window seats comes in handy and the seat is quite comfortable in the seated position. The benefits of a true lie-flat seat are enormous if you’re trying to sleep but the smaller area for your feet gives it a tighter feel. Certainly not much of a problem if you’re an average height, but I can see it being a little uncomfortable for the tallest of us. A good seat, but research other carriers to see if there’s a better choice on your route. Trans-Pacific options like Cathay Pacific and Qantas are worth looking into. On trans-Atlantic flights, try Virgin Atlantic…Just a few suggestions (there are plenty more).
Rating: 3 hops (of 5).
Strategy: Look for these larger planes when connecting via the airlines hubs if you’d like to fly them on US domestic routes. In this case, we connected in Detroit en-route to Los Angeles. This is done to position the aircraft for overseas routes or continue on to international destinations (and you’re more likely to find a 767 than a 777). These larger business class sections create more upgrade opportunities for elites and can mean purchasable upgrades for anyone else at the gate.
How I got it: Delta Medallion Status
Tagged as: Business, Row 14, business class, Row 7, Business Elite, Videos, Delta, delta airlines, First Class, HD Video, Lie Flat Seat, modhop, 14A, modhop.com, air lines, Plane Seats.
Modhop Host & Founder Jake Redman brings years of global exploration and travel tips to the podcast and our videos at Modhop. Jake is also a Producer and Host for SiriusXM.
Airline/Club Name: Qantas Club Lounge – American Admirals Club Location: Honolulu International (HNL) Terminal/Concourse: Overseas Terminal above Gate 26 {{priority}}
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Jacob Paiste on May 17, 2011
Great review! I love your reviews a whole lot Jake! You always add a small sense of humor in them! I really struggled on getting the tray table out and, actually ended up asking the flight attendent for some help. My all time favorite it the moving map to. I always have it going when I am not watching a Movie. Thanks for the review Jake!
Neal on May 18, 2011
Great review. One item to add: these seats are configured in a 1-2-1 configuration, meaning everyone has aisle access, so couples may want to select the middle rows where it’s 2 seats.
FYI: Delta will be rolling this type of seat out to all their widebody planes in the next 2 years.
Jake Redman on May 18, 2011
I have some omitted video of a middle seat in the row that I’ll put out there in one way or another soon. The two seats (in most rows) have a little cutout that allows companions chat more easily when traveling together. Delta will introduce these seats aboard their 747 aircraft in the near future but with window seats facing the window and the middle seats facing each other. They’ve also introduced lie-flat seats aboard 767-400s that face forward and plan to introduce these on similar aircraft.
Sean on June 26, 2011
Can’t imagine it would be much fun if you are traveling with a partner. Looks like you sit all alone in the angled seats.
Michele on June 27, 2011
Is this on all flights to Hawaii if it is a over night trip? Also is this just first class?
Justin on March 29, 2012
Would you pay full price for first class or do you think it is just better to stay in coach? I am thinking about getting first class but i am really not sure I want to pay full price…. What do you think?
Max on July 19, 2012
Hi I just booked an economy comfort flight to Israel on deltas 747.can I upgrade to buisness elite at the airport and is it expensive?
Thanks,
Max
Jake Redman on July 22, 2012
Max. An upgrade from economy comfort would likely be pricey as it would be the same as buying-up from regular economy. Delta’s 747’s are in the midst of cabin re-do’s, so you may get better in-flight entertainment.
Erik on July 22, 2012
If traveling with a companion on Deltas 777 Business Elite would you recommend sitting in the 2 seat area of the plane or is it better to sit behind each other & does the middle wall on the 2 seat area lower down?
Thanks,
E.
Jake Redman on July 23, 2012
Hi Erik,
The consensus is that this just isn’t a great cabin for companion travel. The middle seats do have a small fixed cutout (non-adjustable) but with the angled seats, it’s still difficult to communicate with the person next to you. That said, your best bet might be 6 B/C, which seem to be popular among travelling buddies or couples as it provides a little extra separation from the aisle thanks to the adjacent coat closet. 14 B/C provide the same benefits. The cons may be that row 6 is just in front of a small galley and restroom- Row 14 is just in front of economy.
A on July 29, 2012
What company makes this seat? Have you been on Emirates before? I hear the first class suites are really really pricey
Jake Redman on July 30, 2012
I believe these are made by Thompson Aero Seating (someone feel free to jump in and correct me if I’m wrong). Have not flown Emirates first class suites and hear the same.
A on July 30, 2012
Thanks but they don’t have it on their website
Kimo Eric on August 26, 2013
I wonder how much of a difference the flight experience would be if you flew on Delta’s new Boeing 747 Business Elite seats, which face towards the windows.
modhop on September 12, 2013
I personally prefer forward facing seats so I’d imagine the new Delta 747 configuration might do well with me.