Upon reaching the gate, a welcome text from Delta confirmed my seat allocation: an Emergency Exit seat! Delta delivered, earning a perfect 10/10 for this.

These overwing exit seats were superb: wide, well-padded, and offering exceptional legroom—perhaps the most generous I've experienced on a domestic flight this decade.

They featured a seat-back pocket, an in-arm tray table (due to the exit row), and a large video screen. The expansive legroom felt far more spacious than typical 737 or A320 cabins. A small blanket on each seat was a thoughtful touch for a long flight.

The 2-3-2 cabin layout contributed to a wonderful sense of spaciousness. Delta's refurbishment of this aircraft was evident in its modern wall coverings, overhead bins, and LED lighting, giving it the feel of a miniature 777. The central lavatory area next to our seats was surprisingly unobtrusive, with queues in the aisle only towards the very end of the flight.

After boarding, two flight attendants briefed us on the emergency exit door use – one after the other. I think they had not decided who would give us the door-activation rundown, so both attendants did it.

We interacted with the cabin crew a few times throughout the flight. Service was reasonable, though completely impersonal and slightly rushed. There was no warmth in the interactions.

However, the service was efficient, and the cabin crew were visible throughout the cabin at various times during the flight.

The captain was excellent. His friendly briefings before departure (during a hold for a busy JFK runway), prior to descent, and upon arrival in LAX (informing us of gate access delays) were greatly appreciated.

Once airborne, the inflight service began with complimentary drinks, accompanied by Sun Chips and Delta-branded Biscoff cookies – a nice touch. Later, a pay-for-food meal service was offered, including sandwiches, drinks, and snacks.

This highlights a key difference from full-service Australian carriers like Qantas. Despite paying over $400 USD for the flight, plus the exit row fee (more than a typical transcontinental Australian standard economy fare), meals came at an extra cost. Sandwiches were $14 USD, and alcoholic beverages ranged from $9 USD to $12 USD. While we had purchased snacks at the terminal, the Biscoff cookie was a welcome treat.

The complimentary inflight entertainment system was outstanding, boasting a wide selection of movies and TV shows. Having recently seen the Back to the Future musical, my friend and I enjoyed watching the original film. The sound quality through my Bose noise-cancelling headphones was excellent, though basic headsets were available upon request.

The seat back featured a USB-A port, and a universal power socket between the seats allowed me to charge my phone. The ultimate entertainment, however, was the stunning view from the window as we flew north over the Great Lakes, then later over the Grand Canyon. On approach to LAX, we even spotted the iconic RMS Queen Mary at Long Beach in the distance.

WiFi is also available complimentary for SkyMiles members, Delta’s free-to-join loyalty program.

Overall, this flight was a very pleasant surprise. Delta's ability to accommodate us on an earlier flight and secure our exit seats significantly mitigated the initial delay's stress, despite some pre-boarding anxiety.

The Boeing 767 was a joy to fly, offering a beautifully maintained interior, comfortable seating, and a far more spacious feel than a narrow-body aircraft.

While expected the expense of the flight with limited complimentary food options was somewhat disappointing given the overall cost.

However, the inflight entertainment, fast Wi-Fi, and general ambiance of the aircraft surpassed my expectations. The captain's informative updates and the breathtaking views across the continental USA were also much appreciated.

I would choose to fly Delta again for domestic travel in America.