Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Monday!

Today we have two very different but very interesting topics. Dan's newest video is all about Delta One at its absolute best, and then we have a very useful award space alert for anyone trying to connect South Africa and Europe in business class.

Here's what's inside today's post:

Dan has been pretty critical of Delta over the years. And to be fair, that is not random. Delta loves to market itself as the premium U.S. airline, but a normal Delta experience does not always feel particularly premium.

This video is different.

Dan got to experience Delta at its very best, starting with the Delta One check-in at LAX. This is not just a special desk inside the terminal. Delta One passengers at LAX have a private entrance, private check-in space, private security, and direct access to the Delta One Lounge. More like a luxury hotel than an airline check-in.

The LAX Delta One Lounge looked exceptional: a proper dining setup, pastries, fresh drinks, a terrace with airport views, beautiful bathrooms, and food that Dan thinks tasted better than many hotel breakfasts. That is not something we normally say about U.S. airline lounges.

He also visited the Delta One Lounge in Seattle, which felt equally polished. And then came a surprise Porsche transfer to the aircraft. Delta offers these on a surprise-and-delight basis at certain airports, so you cannot count on it. But when it happens, it turns a normal boarding experience into something that feels very special.

Dan's bigger point: Delta's best ground experience is not just better than other U.S. airlines. In some ways, he thought it was better than many international first class ground experiences. That is a pretty big statement.

The flight itself was on Delta's Airbus A350 in Delta One Suites, their best long-haul business class seat with a closing door and a lot of privacy. The seat is not the newest or most spacious product out there, but the overall setup was very good. The A350 helps a lot: quieter, more comfortable, and a much nicer aircraft for an 11-hour flight. The crew were warm, funny, and attentive throughout.

The food was more mixed. The first meal was decent, but the pre-arrival meal seemed especially weak, with crew apparently joking they would not eat any of the options themselves.

That sums up the flight: excellent ground experience, good onboard experience, with some room to improve. It is very interesting to see all the little things that Dan proposes, which can make Delta an airline that can compete in the international luxury market. 

Basically, this was the best travel experience Dan has ever had on a U.S. airline. Coming from him, that is a big deal.

Now for the award space, I am seeing Condor business class award availability between Cape Town and Frankfurt throughout the year, with some dates showing up to 9 seats available.

Cape Town to Europe is a tricky route to book with points. South Africa is far, cash prices can be high, and award space is not always easy to find. Condor is a great solution here. You can also book the return leg, since there is a lot of availability both ways.

The flight is direct, takes around 12 hours, and is operated by Airbus A330-900neos, a modern wide-body with a good lie-flat business class product. From Frankfurt, you can connect onward to most of Europe.

I have already written about Condor’s product, so to sum it up, it can be a very good experience.

Through Alaska Mileage Plan, the pricing is:

70,000 Alaska miles + around $65 in taxes

That is a very fair price for a 12-hour nonstop business class flight.

And the seat count is the most exciting part. Seeing up to 9 seats on some dates is truly useful, especially for couples, families, or groups traveling together. Most award space looks appealing until you realize only one seat is available. This is a different situation entirely.

Whether you are heading from South Africa to Europe or doing the route in reverse, this is exactly the kind of practical award space worth knowing about.

That's it for today. Dan's Delta video is worth watching if you have SkyMiles or want to understand what the best U.S. airline experience looks like right now. And Condor's Cape Town to Frankfurt space is one of the more useful award opportunities I have seen recently for that part of the world.

More deals, news, and trip ideas coming your way on Wednesday.

Catch you in the clouds, 

Tomi from Points Master