It’s no secret that US airlines are a little subpar for long distance flying when compared to their international rivals. The main legacy carriers have developed a reputation for inconsistent service, questionable catering, and unremarkable seats. Delta likes to refer to itself as America’s premium airline, claiming a better passenger experience than the competition — but is that experience actually competitive on long-haul international routes?

Join me today as I fly Delta’s A350 in Premium Select (Premium Economy) from Seattle to Taipei.

Ground Experience in Seattle

Today’s journey began at a crowded Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Premium Select passengers receive Sky Priority access, with expedited check-in and security. I was connecting and didn’t experience it firsthand, but I know from prior trips that Sky Priority can be a game changer — and unlike many airlines around the world, Delta actually gives premium economy an upgraded ground experience.

Delta mainly uses the A and B gates in Seattle, convenient for connections — I walked from my B gate to my A gate in under five minutes. The A concourse has a somewhat “retro” vibe, which comes with some charm and some annoyance: the gates felt small for large international flights, though the big windows let plenty of light into an otherwise barren concourse. If you’re hungry, eat in the rotunda between the B and C concourses instead.

Today’s flight was operated by one of Delta’s A350-900s — arguably the airline’s flagship. The A350 is a quiet, smooth joy to fly, and Delta remains the sole North American carrier to operate it.

Boarding & Initial Impressions

Delta boards by zones, with Zone 2 exclusive to Premium Select — behind only Diamond Medallions and business class. The boarding process itself was nothing short of a disaster. I’m not kidding when I say this was one of the most chaotic boardings I’ve experienced: the small gate area led to crowds congregating at the lines, met by agents yelling at them not to block the terminal. Pre-boarding turned into a free-for-all, and by the time Zone 2 was called, it seemed like half the plane had already boarded — all nicely complemented by passengers bickering over whose turn it was, which blocked the lines for everyone else.

Once on board, the mood improved. Delta’s Premium Select cabin, arranged 2-4-2, makes a strong first impression — spacious seats stocked with a boatload of amenities, and the blue triangle pattern on the backrests giving it distinct Delta flair. I was grateful to discover I wouldn’t have a seat neighbor for this nearly 13-hour journey. The seats were clean and in good condition, aside from some leftover meal residue on my tray table. Flight attendants took meal orders before pushback — a level of service usually reserved for business and first — and boarding miraculously finished on time.

Seat Analysis

Delta’s Premium Select seat impressed me, but not without its quirks. On the A350 these seats have over six inches more pitch than economy and feel much roomier — though my legroom was disrupted by an IFE box under the seat in front of me. At 18.5 inches wide, they’re only about an inch wider than economy, and it shows. Recline is generous, but it’s a two-person game: I lost a lot of space when the person in front of me chose to participate.

The center console holds controls for recline, leg rest, and a flip-out footrest, both of which stayed comfortable for the duration. Storage was underwhelming — just a seat-back pocket and a narrow, barely usable side compartment, which becomes a real challenge given how much stuff Delta hands you.

The large, bright seat-back screen was fast and responsive, and paired with Delta’s expansive IFE library it ended up being a major highlight. There’s a power outlet and USB-C at every seat. Wi-Fi, however, was announced as unavailable before pushback — sadly the norm for Delta across the Pacific.

Amenity Analysis

Waiting at my seat: an amenity kit, bottled water, pillow, blanket, headphones, slippers, and a menu card. I’ve genuinely received fewer amenities in business class on many airlines. I was happy to see the pillow wrapped in plastic — though there appeared to be a human hair trapped under the wrapping, which sort of defeats the point.

The Meals

Service began quickly after takeoff with hot towels, tablecloths, drinks in glassware, and a snack — pre-meal service I’d be happy to see in business class, much less premium economy. Delta dedicates two crew members exclusively to Premium Select rather than bundling it with economy, and it shows: my flight attendant noticed how fast I ate the cheese biscuit and simply brought another, staying proactive and warm through the whole service.

The braised beef short rib was unexpectedly the best beef I’ve ever had on a plane — incredibly soft and tender, with tasty rice and vegetables let down only by a bone-dry pretzel roll. Served on real dishes with metal cutlery, it had me wondering if I’d accidentally been given a business class meal. A mid-flight breakfast calzone was alright but nothing to write home about, and the crew kept an impressive galley spread stocked between services. The pre-landing meal — beef and noodle soup — was warm and comforting but severely lacking flavor; some spicy sauce would’ve gone a long way.