I have not been paid by any entity in any way (financially, benefits) to write this Delta Connection First Class review. Any airport, airline, lounge, hotel, and loyalty program policies may have changed since then.
Trip: MFE-AUS, AUS-DTW, DTW-BWI
After looking exhaustively for the best option to fly back up to Washington, DC without breaking the bank, I found myself conflicted with the fact that I’d have to book with Delta to not break the bank (ironically). Serving McAllen since April 2024, Delta has kept up its service to Austin as it continues to expand at Bergstrom. Having last flown Delta Air Lines or Delta Connection in 2017, I didn’t know what to expect. But after flying with them all the way up to Baltimore, I can see why it is an appealing choice for any traveler.
Quick Take: Delta Connection First Class Review
| Category | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Seat Comfort | ✅ 8/10 |
| Dining & Beverages | ✅ 8/10 |
| Service & Crew | ✅ 8/10 |
| Lounge Access | ❌ N/A |
| Value for Points/Cash | ✅ 8/10 |
The first class product on Delta Connection, although simple and not unique, is nice and has a certain premium feel from the moment you step on board, differentiating it from its competitors. It truly is about the little things.
Flight Details
Airline: Delta Connection
Flight: DL 4177
Route: McAllen (MFE) – Austin (AUS)
Cabin Class: Domestic First Class
Aircraft: Embraer E175LR (N247SY)
Seat: 4A
Booking Method: Cash
Cost: $289 USD (one-way) + Complimentary Upgrade
Date: June 23, 2025
Flight Time: 45m
Preflight
Having flown out of McAllen Miller International Airport all my life, this is only the second time in my lifetime I’ve seen Delta serving my hometown airport. They had previously flown from McAllen to Atlanta in 2006 but failed to gain traction at the time.
With Delta and now Aeroméxico flying to McAllen, SkyTeam has built a surprising presence at this regional airport in deep South Texas. Today, we were flying on an Embraer E175LR on the short hop up to Austin.
Now prior to boarding, I got a surprising notification on my phone, letting me know that I had been upgraded to Delta First. Now, I am not an elite status holder with Delta, but I do have SkyTeam Elite Plus status with Vietnam Airlines, thanks to my LotusMiles Platinum membership. I have to assume that was the reason I got upgraded, but I’ll never really know.
Seat & Cabin
Today’s seat was 4A, which is a throne seat on the left side of the plane.
The cabin is in a 1-2 layout, with the left side seats having both aisle access and a window. These recliner-style seats have a pitch of 36 inches and are quite comfortable. Also waiting at each seat was the customary small bottle of Dasani water, which is a nice and premium touch.
The legroom for this seat is fantastic. For reference, I am 6’1″, and there was more than enough space.
On the left side of the seat, you can also find a power outlet to stay charged throughout your flight.
Behind first class is Comfort+, which looked like a great option as well.
Dining & Beverages
Going back to the little things, I was pleasantly surprised to have been offered a pre-departure drink of my choice while the plane was boarding. I chose a ginger ale.
Once we got up in the air, the flight attendant came through taking our drink orders and later passed by with a snack basket.
I chose a pretzel snack and a Biscoff cookie sandwich with water.
In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity
Delta offers in-flight WiFi and entertainment onboard. The prices varied on the length of time you wanted a connection. I opted into the free connection via my T-Mobile plan.
Lavatory
The lavatory was clean throughout the flight and had premium soap.
Again, those little things continue to impress.
Final Verdict: Delta Connection First Class Review
On this short flight alone, I could see how the little things influence passengers’ opinions on Delta Air Lines. While I certainly didn’t expect this complimentary upgrade, the entire experience from top to bottom onboard was seamless and felt premium. From the small bottle of water waiting at each first class seat to the actual pre-departure drink, to the premium soap in the lavatory, it all makes it feel a notch above the competition. And this is coming from someone who has serious beef with Delta! But credit has to be given where it’s due, and Delta certainly impressed.
Overall Rating: 8/10
What are your thoughts? Have you flown in first class on Delta Connection? Let me know in the comments!
As always, Live Life One Trip at a Time!
