I recently returned to Tel Aviv after a short trip to the US, having flown United’s 787-10 business class to Newark and Delta’s A330 business class on the return flight from New York to Tel Aviv.
United Airlines 787-10
Delta Airlines A330-300
Here is a comparison of the two business class offerings by United and Delta.
1. Service
Winner: Delta
While the circumstances on both of my flights were vastly different (United being 100% full and Delta with only three business class passengers), Delta offered phenomenal service while United service felt like I was on a fancy prison transporter aircraft. The United crew were among the least professional I’ve encountered in long haul business class.
Well done Delta!
2. Seat
Winner: United
United’s new Polaris seats are comfortable, stylish, and well designed, with a fair amount of privacy and a modern IFE system. The seats are not flawless, but without a doubt well above average.
Delta’s A330-300 reverse herringbone seats on the other hand are disappointing. I found several flaws with these seats including no storage, a poorly designed table, and old IFE system. I would love to try out Delta’s new suites which look far better than their current A330 business class seats.
3. Food
Winner: Delta
No competition here. Delta served perfectly acceptable business class food while United served acceptable food for monkeys. I will never forget that second meal service with United to New York, just awful.
Delta First Meal Service
Delta Second Meal Service
Delta Drinks
United First Meal Service
United Second Meal Service
United Drinks
4. Amenities
Winner: United
I wasn’t too impressed by the amenity kits offered by either United or Delta on these flights. Both airlines offered high quality slippers, however what set United apart here was offering pajamas in business class. So by a narrow margin, United offered the more impressive amenities.
United Amenity Kit
Delta Amenity Kit
United Slippers
Delta Slippers
United Pajamas
5. IFE
Winner: United
United’s IFE was among the most advanced of any airline. Not only was the content selection massive, the IFE provided a range of other options including window controls!
Delta’s IFE was better than expected for an older aircraft, but not nearly as advanced as United’s. The content selection was quite good as well, but the system is dated.
6. Bedding
Winner: Tie
United is considered to have some of the best business class bedding of any airline, however I didn’t find their Saks Fifth Avenue bedding to be any better than Delta’s Westin Heavenly bedding. If United was offering mattress pads as well, they would have an edge over Delta.
United Bedding
United Blanket
United Bed
Delta Bedding
Delta Bed
Delta Bed
7. Aircraft
Winner: United
I don’t think anyone will disagree that the Boeing 787-10 is the better aircraft when compared to the A330-300. The air is better on the 787, windows are larger, and the cabin overall is nicer.
Delta A330-300
Delta A330 Business Class Cabin
United 787-10
United 787-10 Business Class Cabin
8. Onboard Wifi
Winner: Delta
Both United and Delta offer unlimited Wifi for the entire flight for about $29 which I thought was fairly reasonable for a 10 – 11 hour flight. Delta offers free light wifi for the entire flight, only strong enough for Imessage, Facebook Messenger, and Whatsapp which was great! Unfortunately United doesn’t offer any free Wifi onboard.
United was the clear winner when it comes to the seat, amenities, aircraft, and IFE.
Delta beat out United in terms of food and service, as well as onboard Wifi.
To me, the most important component of business class is the seat, and United has a far better business class seat on their 787-10 than Delta on the A330-300. It’s disappointing to favor United when the food and service were abysmal, but I would still choose to fly with United over Delta right now.
That said, if the choice was between Delta’s new Delta One Suites business class and United’s 787-10, I would choose Delta.
Winner: United (by a small margin)