Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

Delta's premium economy, called Premium Select, offers a middle ground between economy and business class with enhanced seating, amenities and service.
Premium Select features wider seats, more legroom, increased recline and upgraded soft products like better bedding and amenity kits compared to economy and extra legroom seats.
Passengers receive benefits such as two checked bags, priority check-in and security, and exclusive menu options, especially on international flights.
Pricing for Premium Select is typically at least double that of economy, but it can be a worthwhile upgrade if available for a modest premium.

What to consider

Premium Select seats do not lie flat, so sleep quality may still be limited compared to business class.
The experience is more elevated on international routes, with some amenities and services varying on domestic flights.
Upgrade offers through the airline's app or loyalty program can provide access to Premium Select at a lower cost than booking outright.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed comparison of seat dimensions, service differences and practical advice on when upgrading to Premium Select is worth the extra cost.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Delta Air Lines refers to premium economy as Premium Select, and it's a wonderful middle ground between first or business class and economy. Flying Delta premium economy internationally can mean the difference between arriving rested or exhausted, and it's a splurge many Delta flyers are willing to make these days.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the differences between Delta's economy, extra legroom economy and premium economy (Delta Comfort, Delta Main and Delta Premium Select). We'll explain what you can expect to get in Delta premium economy cabins, what the seats are like, the service and the soft product (bedding and other amenities) and other important differences.

What is premium economy on Delta Air Lines?

Premium Select on a Delta Airlines A330. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Delta's premium economy is a special cabin Delta calls Premium Select. Premium Select offers customers enhanced seating, amenities and service that serves as a bridge between coach and first or business class.

The seats don't lie flat, but they generally recline further than coach seats and come with more bells and whistles than the coach cabin offers. They are also much more roomy: The seats are very similar to what you would find on a domestic first-class flight.

Premium Select is also often much cheaper than booking a Delta One lie-flat business-class seat or suite.

Differences between premium economy and Delta Comfort

Delta Air Lines Comfort Plus seats on an A330. — Delta Comfort seats on a Delta Air Lines A330. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

There are big differences between Delta premium economy (Premium Select) and Delta's extra legroom seats, branded as "Delta Comfort." You'll get larger seats, better snacks, more amenities and a more elevated experience in Delta Premium Select over Delta Comfort.

For starters, as you can see in the photo above, Delta Comfort seats are not as wide as Delta Premium Select. But there are also plenty of other differences that we'll discuss in more depth in the section below.

Delta premium economy vs. Delta Comfort vs. economy or main cabin

There are major differences between all of Delta's various cabin types these days, with the Atlanta-based airline doing more and more to differentiate its products. The airline just announced a major overhaul of the types of fares it was selling to include more premium offerings.

Here are the new fare types:

Delta Main (formerly Main Cabin)
Delta Comfort (formerly Delta Comfort+)
Delta Premium Select
Delta First (formerly First Class)
Delta One

As you can see, Premium Select is in its own special category, and there are many differences between it and coach.

Premium Select seats are generally about 18.5 inches wide. That compares to just 18.1 inches in most Delta coach seats.

Delta Premium Select seats — CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

You'll also have between 2 and 4 inches more legroom than in most coach seats.

Seats also recline quite a bit more: They offer 7 inches of recline compared with just 5 inches in coach.

Delta Premium Select seats in recline. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Delta Premium Select seats in recline. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Premium economy seats have a fold-out adjustable footrest and leg rest for extra comfort (though I don't find them especially comfortable, as I'm on the taller side).

Adjustable leg rest on a Delta Premium Select seat. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Premium economy also comes with a bigger inflight entertainment screen, which measures at least 13 inches (versus just 9 or 10 inches in coach).

In flight entertainment screen with headphones. — Inflight entertainment screen with headphones. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

You'll also receive special noise-cancelling headphones and a small amenity kit, which you don't get in coach, as well as printed menus and better-quality blankets and pillows.

Amenities in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Amenity kit in Delta Premium Select. Device, Tool, Toothbrush, Brush — Amenity kit in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Food is another big differentiator between premium economy and coach. You'll get access to better snack baskets passed around during longer services, as well as extra service touches — like water bottles placed at the seats, a moist towelette before meal service and a pre-landing chocolate — on long-haul flights.

Snacks in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Snacks in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Moist towelette in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Water at seats in the Delta Premium Select cabin. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Delta Premium Select also has a special menu that allows you to preorder (from a limited menu). While this is also possible on long-haul Delta Comfort bookings, it's not generally available in the rest of economy.

The cabin has menu offerings exclusively designed for Delta Premium Select. In practice, I haven't seen a ton of difference between Premium Select and coach meals, but the airline has upgraded the meals on some flights since I last flew the product.

Meal service in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Meal service in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Breakfast in Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Menu for Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Menu for Delta Premium Select. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Note that premium economy also gets tablecloths and flatware, and it's supposed to get real china, though that appears hit or miss to me.

Delta premium economy baggage allowance and other perks

A Premium Select ticket includes free seat selection and two checked bags of up to 50 pounds each.

Delta Premium Select passengers can also use the airline's Sky Priority counters at airports like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), alongside Delta Medallion elite members, Flying Club Silver elite members, SkyTeam Elite members and Economy Delight passengers booked via Virgin Atlantic.

Priority check-in at New York's JFK Airport. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Premium Select's benefits also mirror first class before you board the plane: Passengers flying in Premium Select, Delta One or domestic first class are allowed to use the priority security lanes along with Delta Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion members. This perk can help you speed through security.

Delta premium economy for international flights vs. domestic flights

You won't find much difference in the Premium Select experience when flying domestic versus international ... except in the soft product.

delta premium — CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

On board a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

While you won't get all the bells and whistles flying domestically, you'll still get a special menu and a memory foam pillow and blanket, just like on international trips.

Is it worth paying extra for Delta premium economy?

With a bigger seat, slightly elevated meals and extra service touches, Delta Premium Select is definitely a better cabin than economy. While it's easier to sleep in premium economy, limited recline and a seat that doesn't lie flat make sleep just as elusive as it is in coach.

That said, a more comfortable journey may be worth the price in some cases.

Generally, round-trip fares in Delta premium economy are at least twice the cost of regular economy. Delta's business class (Delta One) is usually around double the price of premium economy.

I wouldn't pay double for premium economy over coach, but if it were just $100 or $200 more, I would say it's worth the upgrade.

Check the Fly Delta app for cheap upgrade offers in cash or Delta SkyMiles. These can often be a much cheaper way to fly in roomier seats than buying them outright. If you can book Delta Premium Select for only slightly more than economy — either in cash or miles — I would say it's worth it.

I paid a total of $2,000 for premium economy on a round-trip flight to London; if I had to book that trip again, I'd just book the main cabin and look for a cheap upgrade rather than spend that much outright.

Bottom line

Delta jet on an airport tarmac. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Delta premium economy, which the airline brands as Delta Premium Select, can be a great way to travel, especially on longer flights where you would otherwise be seated in economy.

You'll find wider seats, more legroom and better amenities. On some flights, you'll also get more elevated service.

While it's still not my favorite on overnight flights because the seats don't lie flat, it can certainly be a serious upgrade over coach. If you can get the seats for a good price, your body will appreciate the extra room and a more comfortable ride.

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