Delta Air Lines offers non-stop flights from Sydney to Los Angeles for direct access to California and further connections on its US network and beyond. Karryon checked in to Delta’s Main Cabin to check out the direct service from SYD to LAX.
Delta Air Lines flies daily from Sydney, departing at 09:25am, on its A350 wide-body aircraft. Flights will increase to 10 services per week from October. The carrier has also announced it will commence direct daily Auckland–LAX services on 30 October, marking the carrier’s first flights in NZ.
Bucking the current trend of cancellations and delays, my flight departed from SYD four minutes early and touched down in LAX 43 minutes ahead of schedule and even too early for airport staff – meaning the aircraft had to wait on the tarmac for customs to open at 6am to deplane!
Check-in and boarding
Online check-in is available 24 hours before departure via the website or online and it’s recommended to get the pre-boarding requirements out of the way before arriving at the airport, such as passport details etc. The bag drop opens three hours before departure.
When I arrive at Sydney International Airport, there’s no queue for the kiosk, so it was simply a case of printing the bag tag and heading to the bag drop counter.
As it’s an international flight, a security guard checks my passport before I head to the counter and attaches a sticker. There’s multiple passport checks during the check-in and security process, so keep your documents handy.
The great news is you can keep all your items in your cabin baggage – no need to separate laptops and liquids from your bag – just remove jackets and belts to go through the body scanner. With the use of smart gates, it’s a similarly seamless process to scan your passport and face and go through to the departure hall.
Gate 58 is about a nine-minute stroll from the SYD X luxury precinct as well as other shopping and dining options in T1, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied while you wait, including two McDonald’s in the area and quality coffee from Toby’s Estate and Campos.
Onboard comfort
Delta’s Main Cabin (aka economy) A350-900 seats have a 3x3x3 configuration except for the bulkhead, which is 2x3x2. I had originally chosen an aisle seat (42C) via the app but was upgraded by staff at the airport to 41F, a bulkhead aisle seat in the middle section. There was also a free seat in the middle so I had space between me and my seatmate in 41D.
This particular seat has the flight crew divided on its merits – a plus was the extra legroom and additional space due to the unoccupied middle seat. However, its proximity to double toilets (at either side of the bulkhead) means the potential for noise due to the door opening and closing and people climbing over your feet to swap sides according to vacant signs.
While passengers using your seat as a thoroughfare is annoying, not many people are that inconsiderate so I found the imposition was minimal and the noise also a moot (or should it be mute?) point with headphones.
Another thing to note about the bulkhead seats is the lack of windows in the aisle. However as the flight is mostly over the Pacific Ocean, there’s not much to see down there anyway.
Overall, Main Cabin seats have a width of 17.4in (44cm) and a seat pitch of 31–32in (79–81cm).
The fun stuff
On Delta’s international economy long-haul flights, there is a huge selection (1,000-plus hours) of Delta Studio inflight entertainment available from gate to gate. The seatback (or stowaway) touchscreen has a variety of movies, docos and TV series with volume control and a USB port on the screen and a power port under the seat.
There’s an impressive movie selection from new releases to black-and-white classics, plus heaps of TV titles, Spotify music playlists and games. For littlies, there’s a dedicated kids section with movies, TV series, Spotify audiobooks and a game.
Passengers are also provided with a pillow, blanket and complimentary earbud headphones as well as an amenity kit with earplugs (which comes in super handy for seats near the toilet) and an eye mask to get comfy and block out your surroundings.
Unfortunately, complimentary Wi-Fi was not available on this aircraft, however Delta is the first US carrier to roll out internet connectivity across its fleet, including international flights.
You can use your smartphones to stay connected to friends and family through iMessage, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp at no extra charge with Free Messaging on all Wi-Fi-enabled routes.
Inflight food
Delta offers a choice of 11 dietary options on board its international flights – available to pre-book online via MyTrips. Note: You can’t do this via the Fly Delta app, only online or through an advisor up to 24 hours before flying.
The SYD-LAX service provides two hot meals (served one hour after take-off and one hour before landing) and a snack as well as beer, wine and spirits with meals plus unlimited water, tea, coffee and soft drinks throughout the flight.
As part of Delta’s elevated Main Cabin offering (on international flights over 6.5 hours), passengers are treated to larger servings and recipes inspired by Delta One dishes.
I’ve pre-ordered vegan meals, which included a curried chickpea and vegetable dish with a couscous salad and an apple cake; a harissa vegetable sandwich and apple for a snack; and beans and kale with fruit salad and coconut yoghurt for breakfast. Both meals were light but adequate and varied enough for interest.
Main Cabin passengers had a choice of two hot meals for each service – chicken and rice or macaroni cheese and eggs and bacon or pancakes – plus a pizza slice and Tim Tam for the mid-flight snack, which all looked very appetising (and smelt great!) as well.
This is also the first time I’ve been thanked with chocolates for flying with an airline – the Delta crew also offered a small choccy and thanks to passengers just before landing, which is a lovely gesture.
Top marks also go to the sustainable serving ware used on board. I especially liked the rollup mat with bamboo cutlery – such a great idea to cover the tables – plus the recycled serving ware. It’s so great to see these initiatives to combat waste in the air.
Travel tip
Want extra legroom in Main Cabin? For a small added fee, Main Cabin passengers can choose a preferred seat (typically exit row seats and bulkhead window and aisle seats at the front of the cabin) via MyTrips on the Delta homepage menu.
The details
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
- Seat: 40F (aisle)
- Flight time: 12h 34m
- Luggage allowance: 1x 32kg checked; 1x 7kg carry-on and personal item
- Arrival in Los Angeles: 06:00 (scheduled) / 05:17 (actual)
Overall, the biggest takeaway for me was the service, from gate to gate. The Delta cabin crew was kind and thoughtful and genuinely interacted with interest among the guests on board. Nothing was too much trouble and I was not only well-looked after I felt cared for as well.
Delta Air Lines operates daily direct Sydney–LAX flights, increasing to 10 weekly services from October 2023.
Cassie was a guest of Delta Air Lines.
