I have a love / hate relationship with Delta 767-400 economy class. On one hand, it might be the best economy class product in the Delta Air Lines fleet. On the other hand, it just might be the worst.
What I think of it ultimately comes down to how I’m feeling the day of the flight. If I’m in mega-nerd AvGeek mode, I love the style (and size) of the 767-400. If I’m tired and I just want to go home, an economy class seat on this airplane wouldn’t be my first choice.
I mean, have you seen how many people Delta is cramming into the 767-400 these days? Good luck dealing with that nonsense when you’re irritable and moody…
DL350
New York, NY (JFK) – San Diego, CA (SAN)
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Aircraft: 767-432/ER
Registration: N843MH
Duration: 5 hours 50 minutes
Seat: 52G (economy)
The video
Those of you who came from my YouTube channel and have already seen the video, you’ll know that I was in mega-nerd AvGeek mode the day of this flight. For those that haven’t seen the video yet, here you go:
There’s not much that happens in economy class at the very back of a large airplane such as the 767-400, but I did my best. As always, the music play this video and (all the videos on my channel) comes from my bros at Epidemic Sound.
A full review of Delta 767-400 economy class from New York (JFK) to San Diego
If you recall, I wrote a full review Delta 767-400 economy class in 2018. However, that aircraft still had the old interior, and what you’re about to see is a completely new product.
Arrival at JFK airport
Technically, there was no “arriving” to do since I stayed the night at the TWA Hotel adjacent to Terminal 5. For those of you who haven’t heard me say it before, I’m of the opinion that the TWA Hotel is the greatest airport hotel in the world. Even if you’re not an airplane enthusiast, it’ll be one of the trippiest (and hippest) hotel stays that you’ve ever had.
Terminal 4 at JFK
Terminal 4 at the John F. Kennedy international airport is monstrous. Long time readers of SANspotter.com will probably remember my comments about this at the beginning of my JFK Delta Sky Club review. Basically, if you don’t like walking, you’re not going to like being in Terminal 4.
The boarding process for flight number 350 to San Diego
Despite being in a really good mood this particular morning, it was hard not to feel a bit of anxiety in the moments leading up to the boarding process. Due to the fact that I had booked a flight only two days prior, the only window seat available was at the very back of the airplane (next to the toilets).
My first impressions of the all new Delta 767-400 economy seat
Having been on the Delta 767-400 before, I already knew what to expect. Sort of. The seats that used to be on these airplanes weren’t all that great. The video screens were small, the seats relatively hard, and they looked extremely outdated.
However, this particular aircraft featured the all new Delta economy seat, and I was very much looking forward to seeing how it felt on a large airplane such as the 767-400.
The departure sequence out of JFK
Just as I have a love / hate relationship with the Delta 767-400, I have a love / hate relationship with the JFK departure process.
On one hand, it’s some of the best plane spotting on the planet. On the other hand, the lineup for takeoff can be extremely long at times and it’ll feel like it’s taking forever.
767-400 economy onboard entertainment
I’m happy to report that the video screens in these new seats are massively better than the old video screens. Do you see what I just did there? I’ll give you a moment to appreciate the clever word play that I just unloaded on you before proceeding. Scroll down when you’re ready for more…
What kind of food does Delta serve in trans-continental economy class?
Here’s an interesting thought: the flight time between New York and San Diego today was 5 hours and 50 minutes. If this was August 21, 1983 instead of August 21, 2021, you would’ve been served a full meal back here in economy class. And there would have been drinks. And unlimited snacks. And probably some pretty good cigarettes too, for those who wanted them.
Basically, that was a fairly long winded way of saying: we didn’t get jack **** on this flight today.
Delta 767-400 economy seat comfort on long flights
Once the snack service was complete, there wasn’t much else to do but to sit back and settle in for the remainder of the flight.
Considering that this is an airplane designed for long-haul international travel, you’d be correct in assuming that the seats are slightly more comfortable and spacious than the equivalent economy seats on a domestic aircraft such as the 737-800.
Long story short, it’s hard to pick a bad seat on the 767-400 (even in economy class). If you can avoid getting a middle seat, it’s likely to be a very comfortable experience.
The arrival into San Diego
After nearly 6 hours of flying, I can conclude that economy class on the Delta 767-400 was pretty decent. No, it’s nowhere near as good as Delta One on the 767-400. And it may have been a totally different experience if I was in no mood to deal with the crowds, but I was still feeling pretty good as we made the descent into San Diego.
Pros and cons of Delta 767-400 economy class
This is it. This is the part of the review that I’ve been waiting for! Economy class on the 767-400 is one of those things that you’re either going to love or hate. Here are all the pros and cons to help you figure out which side of the conundrum you’re on:
Pros
- Delta configures their 767-400s for long-haul international travel. This means that there is more legroom in economy class than you will find on other domestic aircraft (such as what I showed you in Delta 737-800 economy).
- If you’re the slightest bit claustrophobic, flying on a 767-400 (even in economy) will feel more comfortable than flying on a smaller narrow body aircraft such as an A321 or 737.
- Video entertainment is quite good. The screens are large, and there are loads of popular movies and TV shows to choose from. Better yet, these are the same video screens installed in first class on some of the other aircraft in the fleet. Check out my Delta A321 first class review to see what I mean…
- There are two aisles in Delta 767-400 economy class. The seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, which means that there are relatively few middle seats.
Cons
- Since the 767-400 is a very large airplane, it can take a very long time to get everyone onboard. Which also means that it’ll take a lot of time for everyone to deplane once you reach your destination. RIP to everyone seated in the last section of this aircraft.
- The 767-400 is louder than smaller aircraft such as the 737 and A321. Especially behind the wings, which is where economy class is located.
Brian
N828MH is currently in CAN for mods. It’ll be the first 764 to get D1 Suites, Premium Select, and new Economy seats.
SANspotter
Really? Dang it – I didn’t realize how close I was to getting a ride on a freshly configured 764! They are going to be really nice once the updates are complete though. Delta is doing really good things with their interiors, that’s for sure.
John
Where did you get the new information on the updates of the 764. Will they be done by summer?
SANspotter
I think I read about it somewhere on airliners.net a while back. I know that the first 764 went in for mods in late January, but I can’t recall how soon the entire fleet will be completed. It’ll likely take a year or two IMHO.
James B.
I will be flying there in 2 months and I have a 45 minute connection it ATL. Will I make my 757 to SAN?
SANspotter
We made our 35-minute connection after arriving at terminal F and departing out of A, so you can do it if you run! It’ll be a piece of cake if you arrive and depart out of the same (or neighboring) terminals though. ATL is big but efficient.
James B.
ok thanks
Randy Preising
Interesting that Delta is refurbing the 767. Mainline AC is retiring all its 767s by 2019 and adding A330s. Not sure about Rouge, but I avoid them at all costs.
I remember a flight with my mom and sister from YUL in the 70s.
We were going to TPA or MCO (can’t remember which). Back then, there weren’t any direct flights from YUL, so we connected through ATL. I do remember the aircraft … a silver Eastern 727 “Whisperliner”. Of course, there was nothing whisperey about it, and I never got to use the back airstairs.
We were late getting into ATL, but at least our connecting flight was in the same terminal. My mom was freaking out, and then a golf cart pulls up next to us.
Coming from the comparatively tiny YUL, this blew me away. “Oh my gosh! It’s a golf cart at an airport!” The driver hollered at us to get in and he sped us to our gate. I thought this was the greatest thing in the world.
In all the years of flying that one incident has always stuck with me.
SANspotter
Haha, whenever I think “golf cart in an airport” it’s always ATL! So annoying…but highly convenient when in a time crunch. Sounds like some good memories – flying back in the 70s and 80s was so much different than it is now (both good and bad).
Albert
If you had just shown me the wing, I would have guessed that was a 777-300ER
SANspotter
Those wingtips are beautiful aren’t they? Still, after all these years, I sill think they are one of the best “winglet” designs ever.
Lowell
I have flown 30 to 40 times. A month ago I flew from DTW to LHR in economy. It was the worst flight I have ever been on. My knees were touching the seat in front of me and I couldn’t move my feet. I always fly economy. After the flight my back was killing me for 3 days. I never get cramps in my right leg. I had serious cramps in my right leg for 3 days in 3 places. From Fort Lauderdale to DTW I flew on a Boeing 737-800. It was like heaven compared to Delta. I could stretch my legs out all the way. I am almost 6 feet.
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah, this is why paying a little more for an Extra Comfort seat (an economy seat with a bit more legroom) is worth it. I too get aches and pains that last for days after long flights in economy, and I will gladly pay a little more to have some extra room to stretch out.
Glad your flight down to FLL was better!