With the summer holiday season looming on the horizon for Kiwis, now is a great time to make a date with the USA for a well-earned vacay. I’m fresh back from Los Angeles, after flying from Auckland with Delta Air Lines who have just resumed their seasonal non-stop service to LAX. Deploying the A350-900 on the route, I love how whisper-quiet these aircraft are, with all the contemporary features like mood lighting to help your body adjust to the time zones.  

On the homebound flight from LAX, I experienced Delta One which is the carrier’s exceptionally impressive Business Class product, with all the frills. As a Delta One passenger, the superlative flying experience begins right from the kerbside at LAX Terminal 3. On the arrivals level, I took advantage of the exclusive check-in experience for Delta One guests, which includes a personalised check-in service, snacks and drinks on arrival if you so wish, and a lightning-fast private security lane through TSA screening. From the moment I alighted from my personal drop-off, I had breezed through all those formalities within four minutes! It was a premium, stress-free ground experience.  

But the best was yet to come. The Delta One Lounge at LAX has just opened, which has significantly raised the bar on airside wining, dining and lounging. JFK was bestowed with the first Delta One Lounge, but LAX soon followed in early October. With seating for nearly 200 guests the 4th floor lounge is directly connected to the Delta One check-in, via a private elevator.  Inspired by both the natural and nurtured beauty of Los Angeles, the lounge colour palette evocatively pays tribute to  Southern California’s landscape. Sunset hues, complemented by leather and walnut accents, colour the Icon Bar. The airiness of the coast is reflected in the Verde Emerald quartzite and onyx back bar.   

Dramatic wall lighting in the library lounge and dining room pay homage to the glamour of old Hollywood. Crafted details like fluted walnut panelling and oculus inspired ceilings speak to LA’s architectural pedigree, from Modernism to Art Deco. The lounge is an art-filled space, brimming with works that reaffirm Delta’s global reach from LAX. For me, the piece de resistance is the landscaped terrace, an elevated outdoor deck with stylish seating for 26 guests. As a dedicated plane-spotter, this is such a dreamy spot to gaze across the aircraft movements from Terminals 2 and 3. Taking a ringside seat on the terrace, the ultra-attentive and convivial staff soon introduced me to the exuberant array of dining and drinking delights studding the lounge menu. 

The regularly rotated menu is headlined by elevated dishes like crispy duck tacos, pan-roasted salmon and roasted corn pizza. An LAX novelty is the sushi bar, while the destination-themed Bento boxes brim with goodies from the likes of Tokyo, Paris and Boston. Then there are the “Destination Libations” with signature cocktails represented by airport codes. Try a Mai Omai, representing Tahiti (PPT), or a Sleepy British Bee gin-forward mix that nods to London (LHR). I also recommend the raspberry gin concoction in honour of Amsterdam, the Raspberry Tulip (AMS). Delta is synonymous with ice cream sundaes, and no meal is complete without something sweet. I plumped for their ice-cream sundae which was freshly crafted from brown butter ice cream, oat crumble, sea salt caramel and roasted apples. So good! What really sparkles about the Delta One Lounge at LAX is the personalised a la carte experience. There’s no lining up at buffets. Let the winning dining experience come to you! 

If you’re hankering some chill time, the LAX Delta One Lounge wellness room features eight private relaxation and nap pods equipped with zero-gravity chairs and full-body massage chairs. There are spacious private shower suites if you want to freshen up and Hyperice therapy equipment at your disposal. All in all, the Delta One Lounge is a discerning sanctuary of thoughtful indulgence that has lifted the pre-flight experience to a whole new level at LAX. By the way, if you’re into a spot of lounge-hopping, right next door is Delta Sky Club which you can access, too. It’s an enormous lounge, all 30,000 square feet of it – making it one of the largest Sky Clubs in the world. As the airport’s number one global carrier, Delta Air Lines offers nearly 160 peak-day departures out of LAX to nearly 60 domestic and international locations.  

After luxuriating in the lounge, I boarded my Auckland-bound flight, happily ensconced in seat 8A in the Delta One Business Class cabin. The effervescent, welcoming crew swiftly offered me a pre-departure drink and I happily plumped for a cheeky mimosa. Spacious lie-flat seats, exclusive amenities and a chef-curated dining anchor the Delta One in-flight experience. With a well-timed overnight flight that departs at 10.15pm, I actually clocked up a solid seven hours asleep in my easily adjustable 180-degree flat-bed seat.  

It’s equipped with super cozy bedding and a lumbar pillow that doubles as a mattress pad. The suite-style seating includes a sliding full-height door, cocooning you in a heightened sense of privacy. In addition to the plush bedding, you’ll feel refreshed with the hot towel service and your Missoni amenity kit featuring Grown Alchemist skincare products. If you’re up for screen time, the Delta Studio on-demand entertainment system is loaded with a dizzying array of content from movie blockbusters and screen classics to hit TV shows. You’re seriously spoilt for choice. ( Even more enhancements to the inflight experience will be rolled out early next year on the A350s.) 

Before nodding off, I tucked into a chef-curated meal which is presented on an extra-large tray table, with appetisers, warm nuts and an expansive selection of beverages. Delta’s team of chefs has created local, seasonal and regional entrees featuring the freshest ingredients and flavours available. Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo are acclaimed chefs who helm a range of glittery LA restaurants. And the duo has teamed-up with Delta to craft custom menus. I selected the absolutely smash-hit main course, Jon & Vinny’s Braised Meatballs, which is accompanied with Bianco DiNapoli marinara and Giola ricotta. It’s is the very definition of mouth-watering. (Premium cabin guests can pre-order their main course prior to departure.)  

My starters included poached shrimp in lemon caper aioli and sweet potato soup with roasted pepitas. Leave room for dessert and a signature Delta ice cream sundae. It came dressed in morello cherry compote, chocolate sauce, cookie crumble and whipped cream. It sure made for a very happy belly! After a good night’s sleep riding across the Pacific, breakfast was served 90 minutes prior to landing as the pre-dawn yolky glow intensified on the eastern horizon. I highly recommend Delta’s Cookbook Granola and Greek Yoghurt. Plus the Starbucks Coffee was great to wake-up to, as well! Fly across the Pacific in comfort and style. Delta One is a class-act. For best flights, fares and seats to suit, head to www.delta.com 

Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.