Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines
will increase its capacity on flights between its hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
in New York and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
. Beginning next month, the carrier will swap out its Airbus A321neos with the much larger Boeing 767-300ER
and -400ER on select frequencies.

It comes as JetBlue Airways
will deploy its Mint business class-equipped A321s on the route for the first time ever at the end of this month. The aircraft has lie-flat seats, along with several other deluxe amenities.

Widebodies in the Valley

According to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium, Delta will only utilize the 767-300ER between JFK and PHX on six flights next month. The aircraft will operate flights in both directions on November 16th, 23rd, and 30th, providing a total of 1,296 seats on the route.

Interested in this route? Find flights between New York-JFK & Phoenix right here!

Delta has three different seating versions of the 767-300ER and will use the “76K,” which accommodates 216 passengers.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-300ER

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

The luxurious cabin layout features 26 Delta One lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 arrangement. However, they are sold as first class, given the domestic route. On international routes, the seats are sold and branded as Delta One. Nonetheless, passengers experience the same product: a 20.5-inch seat that extends into a 77-inch bed. Delta Premium Select (DPS), the carrier’s version of premium economy, comprises 18 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. The seats have a width of 19 inches and a pitch of 38 inches.

The remaining 272 seats make up the main cabin, arranged in a 2-3-2 layout. They have a width of 18.1 inches, but their pitch depends on their location in the cabin. 21 seats in the mid-section of the plane are branded as Delta Comfort+ seats with 34 inches of legroom. The rest of the main cabin seats have a pitch ranging from 31 to 32 inches.

Boosting capacity with the 767-400ER

In December, Delta will increase the seat capacity even more with the addition of the 767-400ER
. The variant will be deployed on a total of four flights, while the 767-300ER will handle eight. Together, the aircraft will provide a total of 2,680 seats on the route during the month.

A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-400ER landing.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Delta’s 767-400ERs accommodate 238 passengers in a three-class configuration. There are 34 Delta One seats and 20 DPS seats. The main cabin consists of 28 Delta Comfort+ seats and 156 standard seats. Both the 767-300ER and -400ER also offer inflight WiFi, USB in-seat power, AC power outlets, and personal seatback screens with satellite TV.

Earlier this year, Delta began to deploy the A321neo
between JFK-PHX exclusively, replacing the Boeing 737-800 and -900ER that were utilized on the route for years. Although the 767s are a nice upgrade, the A321neo will continue to handle the majority of flights in November and December, operating 148 and 152 frequencies, respectively.

Mint… finally!

After two decades of serving PHX from JFK, JetBlue will finally bring its Mint service to the route
. The carrier will introduce the product beginning October 27th, offering it on a total of 10 flights this month. Come November, Mint will be offered on all flights on the route.

The Mint class comprises 16 lie-flat seats in the first five rows. The seats are laid out in a 2-2 configuration, with the exception of rows two and four, which only have one seat on each side of the aisle – commonly referred to as the “throne seats.” The economy cabin consists of 143 seats in a 3-3 arrangement. JetBlue also offers in-seat USB outlets, AC power outlets, and seatback screens with 100+ channels of DIRECTV.

The carrier will clearly beat out Delta in terms of most lie-flat seats offered. However, Delta has more daily capacity, given that it operates three frequencies compared to JetBlue’s two.

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