Delta's 3 newest long-haul Hawaii flights just got a big upgrade
Update (3/7/2022): Delta has downgauged all three new routes to wide-body jets without a Premium Select cabin.
It remains to be seen if and when the premium economy cabin returns to these markets. However, by the time these flights launch, the airline will have completed much of its cabin retrofit program, increasing the odds that the new routes will eventually feature Premium Select.
Looking to upgrade your next flight to Hawaii? Well, you might want to consider Delta.
The Atlanta-based carrier is launching three new daily long-haul routes to the Aloha State this winter holiday season, and the airline just made an upgrade-friendly tweak to its plans.
Delta is already upgauging all three routes — just one week after they were first announced — with larger wide-body jets. The airline originally planned to fly a 226-seat Boeing 767-300ER on each route, internally referred to as the "76Z," which features 26 business-class pods, 35 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 165 standard coach ones.
Now, you'll find the following jets on the three routes, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by the carrier.
- Atlanta (ATL) — Maui (OGG) commencing Nov. 19— Airbus A330-300
- New York-JFK — Honolulu (HNL) commencing Dec. 17 — Boeing 767-400ER
- Detroit (DTW) — Honolulu (HNL) commencing Nov. 19 — Airbus A330-300
On the surface, a larger plane might not mean much, but as you'll see, it's a big deal for flyers.
Perhaps the biggest implication is that both the Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 767-400ER that Delta will fly to Hawaii feature a Premium Select cabin, which is Delta's take on premium economy.
Premium Select offers a much more spacious seat than those in economy — it's wider, has more recline, and even offers a leg rest and footrest. It largely resembles a domestic first-class recliner with some additional bells and whistles. Plus, Premium Select gets its own cabin between business and coach, making for a quieter ride as you head to paradise.
On long-haul international flights, Delta sells Premium Select as its own product for a price between business and coach. Along with the seat, premium economy travelers can expect an elevated dining experience and an amenity kit.
But on the new Hawaii routes, Delta is taking a different — and interesting — strategy to how it markets the cabin. Instead of selling the recliners as a Premium Select product, the airline is instead marketing the upgraded seats as Comfort+, which is the airline's take on extra-legroom economy.
And because of the Comfort+ designation, you'll be able to snag a premium economy recliner for just about $200 more each way than standard coach — a good deal relative to Delta's "Big 3" competitors, American and United, which charge roughly $500 more each way for their premium economy cabin on long-haul Hawaii routes.
The news gets even better for Medallion elite members, who are entitled to complimentary upgrades to Comfort+ on these routes. Diamond and Platinum Medallions will get upgraded to Comfort+ directly after ticketing, whereas Gold and Silver Medallions will need to wait until 72 hours and 24 hours before departure, respectively, to get a space-available bump to Comfort+.
Plus, under the new Global and Regional Upgrade Certificate policy that went into effect on Feb. 1, these coupons can only be used to upgrade one cabin at the time of booking. And since the Premium Select cabin is being marketed as Comfort+, Medallions will be able to confirm a bump into Delta One as early as the time of booking, subject to availability.
When asked about whether this was a mistake on Delta's part, a carrier spokesperson confirmed that the airline's plan is to market the premium economy cabin as Comfort+. For how long that'll last is anyone's guess, especially considering that Delta could likely fill the Premium Select cabin at higher fares.
Therefore, I'd recommend locking in your tickets before a potential change in policy.
The upgraded jets aren't just welcome news for those looking to score a deal on a premium economy seat. It's also exciting for those sitting in the pointy end of the plane.
That's because the Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 767-400ER both feature upgraded business-class products compared to the aging seats on the 767-300.
The former sports reverse herringbone pods that are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access and plenty of privacy for each passenger.
Meanwhile, the 767-400ER is outfitted with a modified version of the Delta One Suite. They're arranged in a forward-facing 1-2-1 configuration, but they feature larger privacy dividers, modernized inflight entertainment screens and even more upgrades compared to the outdated product on the 767-300.
Altogether, if you're considering a trip to Hawaii for later this year, it could definitely make sense to travel with Delta. You can now lock in an upgraded onboard experience on its three new long-haul routes for a much better deal than traveling with American or United.
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- 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.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
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.