Delta’s first refurbished A319 aircraft will re-join the airline’s fleet this week following an “extreme makeover.” As part of a previously announced refurbishment project, the A319s are receiving:
- Panasonic in-flight entertainment at every seat
- USB and 110v power outlets
- Large pivoting overhead bins
- New galleys and new pod-like overhead passenger service units
The refurbished A319s are configured with 12 first class, 18 Comfort Plus, and 102 main cabin seats. At a total of 132 seats, this is up 6 seats from the old configuration. The new seats are of the “slim line” variety, enabling Delta to add another row in the main cabin. I’ll withhold judgment until I actually sit in one of those seats. I do love the addition of power and inflight entertainment, but slim line or not, another row of coach is another row of coach.
According to Delta, “all 126 A320 and A319 aircraft will be retrofitted with the new interior by summer 2017. The larger of the two jets, the A320, will also receive in-flight entertainment, though not initially, through 2018.” The A320s are also having another row of First Class added back after a row was removed following the merger with NWA, giving them 16 seats in the premium cabin, but will be receiving an additional row of coach as well.
Bottom line – power, IFE, bigger overheads, and an additional row of First Class (for the A320) good, slim line coach with an additional row of seats not so good.
-MJ, July 30, 2015
[…] 126 on old config) with AVOD and AC/USB. It's a complete refurb (not just a "refresh"). http://mjontravel.boardingarea.com/2…a319-aircraft/ The refurbed A319's are known as the "31J" model — […]
Seat 3 A is a standard First Class seat. Seat 4 F is a standard Delta Comfort+ seat and has some extra legroom because there is no bulkhead wall, only a curtain divider.
Dl went from 31-32 pitch in Y on the 320 to 30-31 (per their own fleet seat maps). Yes, they will be slimline, but it will feel more packed.
Previews I’ve seen also make it appear that the last Y row (where the lavs were) will not have a window. So last row, no window, adjacent to (micro) galley & lavs. No wonder DL has rolled out Basic Econ – those pax will get first dibs on the worst seats at check in.
Looks like the 737-900ization of the previously comfortable airbus fleet. Delta’s domestic airbuses have the best Y seats in the fleet, IMO. I’d rather the interior be a bit outdated if that means comfortable seating. #KeepDescending
Funny DL and AA installs IFE (including VOD), UA removed everything on their airbuses. Actually they are so inconsistent across their entire fleet in terms of amenities that it looks like 10 airlines merged into UA instead of 3 (UA,CO,CM)
It seems United should be the biggest, baddest, most awesome airline. But they aren’t.