| | What I book and what I avoid | | by Brian Kelly | |  | With the recent news that Delta Air Lines plans to upgrade its long-haul business-class cabins and retrofit its Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 jets with fully enclosed suites over the next few years, I have been thinking more and more about what I look for when choosing a long-haul flight.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not paying attention to the type of aircraft they are booking.
Yes, departure time should matter, but you are also paying for an experience, and you want to be sure it’s enjoyable. Airlines are competing for business and have rolled out innovative upper-class cabin designs and services in hopes of capturing market share.
All of this innovation and competition is great for consumers, but if you need help narrowing down your choices for your next long-haul experience, I’ll share a few of my favorites below.
Delta Air Lines
While some planes have the new Delta One suites, they’re not widely available yet, so I avoid Delta’s Airbus A330-200s and -300s and the Boeing 767s, which are narrow and have short, cramped footwells. Instead, I opt for the A350s and A330-900neos for more room and privacy in a Delta One suite with closing doors. These more modern seats offer privacy, memory foam padding and larger lie-flat beds.
United Airlines
Most of United’s fleet is pretty standardized now with Polaris, but I try to avoid the Boeing 757s with their 2-2 lie-flat configuration and a handful of 777-200s that still use a 2-4-2 “dorm-style” layout. In general, the 767s have similar-sized seats to the 777s but fewer paired seats, making traveling with family or friends less appealing.
I actually prefer the 787s and rest of the 777s, and stay tuned for the rollout of United’s next-generation business-class experience, dubbed Polaris Studio, set to debut later this year.
American Airlines
Most of its fleet is updated; however, there are a handful of Boeing 787s that I avoid with rear-facing seats that are all connected, so they “rock.” This can be quite bothersome for travelers who don’t want to face backward or be disturbed by the movements of other passengers. American has new Flagship Suite seats on some planes that will be designated as 787-9Ps, so you can tell them apart when booking, and include more personal space and upgraded tech … and, of course, sliding privacy doors — the must-have for modern business class.
Air France
I always book Air France’s Airbus A350s over their Boeing 777s because the A350s always have the new business-class suites with sliding doors, which offer more privacy and relaxation. Some of the 777s have now been retrofitted, and some passengers say the newer 777s have bigger seats. But in general, many of them remain seriously dated and make for a noisy, hot flight. (Especially since they are severely lacking in air vents — a huge pet peeve of mine.)
Virgin Atlantic
I avoid Virgin’s older business class on the Boeing 787s and some Airbus A330s, but I love the A330-900neo because of the Retreat Suites. These suites have a fully lie-flat bed long enough for me at 6 feet, 7 inches; a 27-inch entertainment screen; and even the option to have a companion dine with you in your suite. My next-favorite aircraft to book with Virgin Atlantic would have to be the A350.
British Airways
Most aircraft have the new Club World suites, but I avoid the Airbus A380 like the plague since it’s an older design with rear-facing seats and a lack of privacy.
Bottom line
While many of the different aircraft types have pros and cons, if you are particular about what you want, be sure to pay attention to the aircraft type when booking to ensure you have the experience you hope for.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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