Delta is adding extra-legroom economy to its A350s — here's why elites should be excited
Editor's Note
With the Boeing 777 now retired, the cornerstone of Delta's long-haul fleet is the Airbus A350.
As previously announced, the A350-900 will replace all of the 777's ultra-long-haul routes — including flights to Johannesburg (modified with a fuel stop in Cape Town on the return leg to Atlanta), Mumbai, Shanghai and Sydney.
While the A350 will become Delta's international flagship aircraft, there is something noticeably missing since the first plane took to the skies in October 2017.
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All 13 of the A350-900s that Delta has taken delivery of through October 2020 have been missing a Comfort+ cabin, the extra-legroom seating typically located at exit rows and at the front of Main Cabin.
Now, the Atlanta-based carrier is adding extra-legroom economy seating to the A350, according to updated A350 seat maps on its website. Two A350s that entered service in October already have Comfort+, with future deliveries also including the extra legroom cabin. The story was first reported by Simple Flying.
Here's why it matters, especially for Delta elites.
How Delta's A350 will now look
Delta launched its latest-generation seat products on the Airbus A350. That included the Delta One business-class suite, Premium Select premium economy and Main Cabin.
Conspicuously lacking, however, is a Comfort+ cabin. That's changing moving forward as Delta acquires 20 more A350s that are on order as well as retrofitting 13 other A350s with extra-legroom economy beginning next year.
A Delta spokesperson told TPG that the "goal is for all remaining widebodies in Delta’s fleet to be fitted with all four seat products in the future."
| 13 Previously-delivered A350-900s | New four-class-equipped A350-900s | |
|---|---|---|
Delta One | 32 suites | 32 suites |
Premium Select (premium economy) | 48 seats | 48 seats |
Comfort+ (extra-legroom economy) | 0 seats | 36 seats |
Main Cabin | 226 seats | 190 seats |
TOTAL SEATING | 306 seats | 306 seats |
While Comfort+ has several inches more legroom than Main Cabin, how can Delta retain the same number of seats within the exact footprint as before?
Well, according to Delta's website, the Main Cabin will get a slight reduction in legroom to make room for the extra-legroom Comfort+ cabin.
On three-class A350s (aircraft already delivered), Delta says there is 31-33" of pitch in the Main Cabin. However, on four-class A350s (aircraft yet to be delivered), there is only 31-32" of pitch in Main Cabin with 34" in Comfort+.
Clearly, there have to be reductions somewhere to make the math work, including redistributing the distance between seats in Main Cabin. If next time you hop on board a four-class-equipped A350 and notice a somewhat more cramped economy seat, you're probably not wrong.
But while the tighter seats may be unpleasant for standard economy flyers, there could be an upside here for Delta elites.
Related: Best credit card for Delta flyers
Why it matters for Delta elites
Unfortunately, Delta elites aren't eligible for complimentary upgrades from Main Cabin to Premium Select.
However, elites are eligible to be bumped from Main Cabin to Comfort+. That's not very helpful if your aircraft, such as the A350, doesn't even offer such a cabin.
With Comfort+ now being installed on upcoming A350s, all Delta elites are eligible for an upgrade from Main Cabin, with each elite tier getting advanced priority as you go further up the ladder from Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
Unlike some other airlines such as American, Delta considers its extra-legroom economy as a separate class of service meaning elites cannot immediately select a Comfort+ seat, but have to wait to clear an upgrade after ticketing.
Related: Delta quietly improves companion upgrade policy
Bottom line
Between extending elite perks, making it easier to earn status without traveling and a generous status match opportunity, Delta has made significant inroads in retaining — and even attracting — loyalists during the pandemic.
This latest move by Delta to introduce a Comfort+ cabin is excellent news for travelers looking to have a few more inches of space — without shelling out the big bucks (or using an upgrade certificate) for Premium Select or Delta One.
It's even better news for Delta elites who are eligible for complimentary upgrades, whenever your next international flight may be. However, know that if you're stuck in economy, that sliver of space might have just gotten a little bit tighter.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.