Delta's true lie-flat seat on 767-400
Delta clocked another milestone in progress toward a fleet of truly lie-flat business class seating this week.
It completed the installation on ALL its 777 aircraft and ALL its 767-400 aircraft. The last of 18 Boeing 777 aircraft, each with 45 BusinessElite seats per plane, and all 21 Boeing 767-400ER aircraft with 40 BusinessElite seats per plane have been retrofitted with full flat-bed seats. Each seat includes direct aisle access.
Currently, 25 percent of Delta’s international fleet has true lie flat (versus the old-school cradle or the “fake” lie-flat— those that do go flat, but at an uncomfortable angle.) Delta says that its entire widebody international fleet of more than 140 aircraft will be flying with true lie-flat seats in BusinessElite by the end of 2013
Despite the progress, it’s still tough to know for sure if you are buying a true lie-flat seat on Delta. (See the popular TICKET post about this from last year: 31 flavors of Business Elite)
So, now, when booking, you know you are buying a true lie-flat seat if you see that your aircraft will be a Boeing 777 or a Boeing 767-400.
Look for this icon when booking on Delta.com: 
This icon means you’ll get a cradle seat: 
Delta’s web site says true lie-seats are currently available on the following routes: Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Tokyo, and Sydney.
Delta tells The TICKET that you’ll also get true lie-flat on ALL Delta flights (from ATL or elsewhere) to London-Heathrow. From Atlanta, they are on ALL flights to Munich and Frankfurt. They are also on Detroit-Frankfurt and JFK-Milan flights.
Have you paid the big bucks for a seat up front on a transoceanic flight lately? Did you get TRUE lie-flat or fake lie flat? Would you move to another carrier in order to get a true lie-flat seat? Please leave your comments below.
Hi Chris,
Bill Brady from Denver, your flying companion outbound on the BA Face to Face flight from JFK to LHR on September 15th, 2009. Flew BA in business class on a 747 from IAH to LHR in June 2010. Overnight flight on a true-lie flat bed where I slept well for about 4 hours. 777 to Den on my daytime return, same experience except I slept 2 hours. Then in March of this year took the AF A380 from JFK to CDG overnight in business class, as well as a dayside return. The plane is simply amazing, as was AF’s food and service. I loved every moment of both flights. Most turbulence-free flying ever! Beds are not completely flat, however, so sleeping was more difficult, although I was so excited about the plane it didn’t matter! I managed a short nap each way. Taking the AF A340-500 from ATL to CDG in three weeks, headed for ATH. Have a quich 47 minute transdfer between my Denver flight getting into ATL at 10:47 PM, and my AF departure at 11:15 PM. Any tips fpr making the quick transfer from our Delta DEN flight to the AF international flight? Thanks and nice to talk with you again. Bill Brady
Recently flew MIA-FRA and back in business on a LH A-380. The seats were pretty uncomfortable, with a severe slant that makes you slide down. Who designs and tests these seats anyway??? I’ll take BA next time.
Have flown the lie flats on DL flights to/from LHR, JNB, and TLV all on 777s. Have also flown in lie flat 767-400 from LHR. I agree with comment above that BA are better. On the DL 777s, the seats don’t line up very well with the windows and I like looking out. I’m set up to fly later this summer on lie flats again in 777 to TLV and from FCO-ATL on 767-400. We’ll see if I change my opinion.
Also flew on the new flatbed seats and hated it. To lie flat felt down low with my feet sticking into the bulkhead wall. Aisles so narrow that it was impossible to walk without hitting someone’s arm or leg. The reconfiguration on the 767-400 removed the restroom at the front of the business class cabin. Inconvenient to have to go to the back and share with other business class as well as coach passengers. Flew home on an A330 with the cradle seats and found those to be much more comfortable.
Just flew from JFK to Nice on new flatbed seats. Did NOT like them.
very comfortable-you go way down-too low and like other remarks above,people hanging out in the aisles-arms,legs,etc.
The way they do it ,it feels like you are in a box-flight attendant called it the coffin. Very little leg room-you have to put your feet in the “hole” .
Flew back on Airbus,even though not flat,like it much better.
However,I was told,those are coming out and the flat beds going in.
Just not a good design-you really feel closed in.
Flew over ATL-LHR and about to return via Detroit. I had the bulkhead which may have been part of the issue. I’m a very small guy & found it tight. I noticed many body parts, from arms & legs to butts, hanging in the aisles thoughout the night as well. Theirs seem tight compared with other lie-flats. Not in the bulkhead on the return…we’ll see. Delta also may or may not have had a software snafu as I was unable to get my boarding pass. Delta of course could not be reached & Amex finally got through to a CSR who spoke English as her 3rd language. However once I reached Heathrow 3 hours early, everything was fine & the Delta agents, who knew nothing other than some others had a similar issue. As usual Delta got an A onsite and an F otherwise..perhaps a blended C-?
I have changed carriers to get the lie flat seats – I moved to BA whose seats are excellent. Usually use it from Heathrow. BA prices have been better too.
Those are not true lay flat beds in the picture. That is the “lay flat” on the 767-400 but it slants downward at an angle In fact it’s such an akward angle that your slide down the bed into the bottom of the bed. I wasnt able to sleep on that bed all the way to London and kept having to pull myself up. The beds on the 777’s are true lay flats. Those are the beds designed in a herringbone pattern.
Delta has one flight with the true flat beds, itFlight #16 from LAX to ATL. Nice perk.