Delta A320 first class isn’t the most luxurious airline experience in the world (or the US for that matter), but you know what? It’s consistent. Disgustingly so.
If you have flown domestic first class on any other Delta aircraft in the last 10 years, you already know what you’re going to get on the A320:
- A wide seat with a decent leg room
- Free Wi-Fi (if you’re a SkyMiles member)
- Unlimited snacks and drinks (including alcohol)
- A hot meal (if the flight is longer than 2 1/2 hours)
- More TV shows, movies, and live TV than you could possibly watch on a single flight
Why disgusting? Because I hate how it reminds me of how inconsistent I am (with a variety of things) in my personal life. I wish I could be more like Delta.
DL2577
Newark, NJ (EWR) – Detroit, MI (DTW)
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Aircraft: A320-212
Registration: N359NW
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
Seat: 3D (First Class)
A full review of my Delta A320 first class experience from Newark to Detroit
Prior to this flight, the last time I was on a Delta A320 was in 2014. Not much has changed since then. Maybe the seats (and the in-flight entertainment system) are a little different, but the service is exactly the same. It was good back then, and it’s just as good now. Consistency, baby!
My arrival at Newark Liberty Airport (EWR)
My heart was aflutter with giddy anticipation as the hotel shuttle bus rolled up to the entrance of Terminal A. This was going to be my first experience in this part of EWR, and despite all the negative things that I’ve heard about this airport, I was actually looking forward to it. “Bring it mofos!”
Making things interesting was the fact that I had flown on this particular A320 twice before (when it was still operating for Northwest Airlines). The first time was in 1999 on a flight from San Diego to Detroit. The second time was in 2008 on a flight from Detroit to Indianapolis. Good to see you old friend!
The boarding process for flight number 2577 to DTW
The gate agents definitely had it easy once the boarding process got underway at 12:20 PM. Is the fact that there weren’t many people in the gate area waiting to get on surprising to you? It shouldn’t be. EWR to DTW isn’t the most exotic route in this world, and I can’t imagine anyone spending all of their hard earned cash (or points) for the chance to experience it.
Except for me of course. I actually paid for this flight using points. But it only cost me 16,000 SkyMiles total, so don’t judge me too severely.
Delta A320 first class seat and cabin overview
Just as it is on all of Delta’s other mainline aircraft, first class on the A320 is arranged in a 2-2 layout. There are 4 rows, consisting of 16 seats total. And yes, these are exactly the same seats as you will find on all of Delta’s domestic mainline aircraft. Remember what I said about consistency?
These seats feature large video screens with integrated USB charging ports. There are also two full-size electrical outlets located between the seats.
The departure from EWR
Perhaps the most shocking thing about this entire flight was the fact that we pushed off the gate 11 minutes early at 12:49 PM. So much for Newark being the worst airport in the world I guess.
In-flight entertainment
I have nothing bad to say about the Delta Studio experience. The selection of movies, TV shows, live TV, podcasts, music, and games is phenomenal. It’s almost too much actually, but I ain’t gonna complain.
I also really like the fact that it’ll remember how far deep into a movie or TV show I was on my last flight, and it’s super easy to pick up from that point on the next one. Genius!
High speed Wi-Fi is completely free. You have to be a Delta SkyMiles member of course, but that’s a small price to pay to be able to stay connected for the entire duration of the flight.
Food and drinks
Delta does serve full (hot) meals in first class on the A320. The catch is that they only do it on flights longer than 2 1/2 hours. For this flight from Newark to Detroit, all we got was the snack basket and a drink (both of which were unlimited – you just have to ask if you want more).
Seat and cabin comfort
These seats are survivable on flights under four hours in length IMHO. They’re not very well padded, and they don’t recline all that steeply, but they’ll do. I’ve certainly had better.
Seat width is more impressive than the leg room. If legroom is all that matters to you, save the money and go for a seat in Comfort Plus instead. You can read my Delta A321 Comfort Plus review to get a good idea of what it’s like here on the A320.
The arrival into DTW
We began the descent into Detroit a full 10 minutes early. The weather was perfect(ish), the scenery was okay(ish), in the good news is that I was still feeling fairly comfortable(ish).
We landed on runway 03R at 2:35 PM, and spent 7 minutes taxiing over to gate A31 in the McNamara Terminal. DTW arrivals are never all that exciting, but for me, it always feels nice to be arriving home once again (I grew up just north of Detroit).
Delta A320 pros and cons
I wouldn’t necessarily advise you to go out of your way to get a ride on in Delta A320 first class (unless maybe Spirit A320 first class is your only other option). It’s pretty much the exact same experience that you’ll get on any other Delta mainline aircraft, so it’s not anything special or unique. It’s nice enough though.
Pros
- Seat width is excellent. There’s a lot of wiggle room from side to side.
- Large video screens with a phenomenal in-flight entertainment system.
- Unlimited snacks and drinks.
Cons
- Leg room is just ok. It’s exactly the same as what you’ll get back behind the curtain in Comfort Plus actually.
- There isn’t much padding in these seats (so wear something squishy)
- On a flight less than two hours in length? No meal for you!
Judging by the white stains, somebody must’ve really liked the seat…
Hey now. This is a family friendly(ish) blog!