Delta debuts premium economy between New York and LA, mixed news for elites
Delta's premium transcontinental route between New York City and Los Angeles is getting even more premium.
The Atlanta-based carrier announced Monday that it will officially start selling a Premium Select cabin on flights between these two cities beginning in September.
This change has been a long time coming for Delta ... and it's not necessarily great news for all travelers. Here's everything you need to know.
Delta Premium Select between New York and Los Angeles
Beginning Sept. 10, Delta will begin selling Premium Select seats on flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
At the outset, Delta will offer the Premium Select product on four of its 11 peak-day departures between these cities. Later in the year, Delta will expand this premium economy experience to additional frequencies.
Delta's initial pricing for Premium Select comes in at around $600 for one-way premium transcontinental flights. The same seat is going for 57,000 Delta SkyMiles, which represents a roughly 1.05 cents per mile valuation — below TPG's valuation of 1.15 cents per mile.
Delta's Premium Select cabin offers an intermediate experience between pricey Delta One lie-flat business-class pods and the standard economy or extra-legroom Comfort+ economy seats.
For one, this cabin offers spacious recliners in a 2-2-2 configuration on board the Boeing 767 that's deployed between New York and Los Angeles. Seats have generous recline, large tray tables, bigger TV screens and a few other bells and whistles. I particularly enjoy the legrests and footrests that make it easier to catch some shut-eye in these seats.
All in all, the recliners largely resemble the product that you'd find in traditional domestic first-class cabins.
That said, the "soft product" — all the items that aren't physically attached to the aircraft — will receive a nice upgrade on the five- to six-hour jaunts between the coasts.
For one, travelers will enjoy a host of premium amenities, including a memory foam pillow, a plush duvet, a Someone Somewhere-branded amenity kit and noise-canceling headsets.
When it comes time to dine, Premium Select flyers will be served from a menu of favorites curated by New York City-based Union Square Events on westbound flights and LA-based Jon & Vinny's on eastbound flights.
Travelers will be able to select their preferred entree through the Manage My Flight portal a few days before the flight. Meals will be served on real china plates with linen tableware and napkins, as well as silver flatware and glassware.
Before arrival, travelers will be offered a snack basket and some chocolates.
At the airport, Premium Select travelers are eligible for Sky Priority expedited check-in, security and baggage service, as well as Zone 2 boarding. Note that these tickets do not include access to the Sky Club (or soon-to-debut Delta One lounge).
As part of the news, Delta also promised to debut free Wi-Fi on all flights between these cities by the end of September.
Related: Delta's Wi-Fi rollout slips into 2025 with delayed timeline
Why Medallion members might be mad
While the expansion of Premium Select might make sense for Delta's bottom line, it's sure to rankle some longtime Medallion elite members.
Historically, Delta has flown premium economy-equipped Boeing 767s on select flights between New York and LA. When it does, the Premium Select cabin is marketed as Comfort+, meaning eligible Medallion members can get instant upgrades to these recliners from the moment they book.
To date, Delta has only offered standard Comfort+ service in these seats, but many elite members loved choosing these seats for a more comfortable experience than regular economy seats.
Now, elite members must fork over extra cash (or miles) to book these seats.
Fortunately, it's not all bad news: Delta will offer complimentary upgrades to this cabin on a space-available basis to eligible Medallion members.
Related: Best ways to earn airline miles
The upgrade process for domestic Delta Premium Select will follow the same timing and priority as complimentary upgrades to domestic first class, subject to availability:
- Silver Medallion: Begins 24 hours (one day) prior to departure
- Gold Medallion: Begins 72 hours (three days) prior to departure
- Platinum Medallion: Begins 120 hours (five days) prior to departure
- Diamond Medallion: Begins 120 hours (five days) prior to departure, with enhanced priority
Of course, those who now receive upgrades to Premium Select will enjoy the enhanced meal service and additional amenities; however, many Medallion members will likely prefer the old setup, in which they could select these seats as Comfort+.
Note that complimentary day-of-departure upgrades to Delta One will remain available
There's also some mixed news in terms of confirmed upgrades. Because these planes will now be sold with a third cabin, Global Upgrade Certificates and Regional Upgrade Certificates will only be able to be confirmed to one higher cabin.
That means that those who book in economy or Comfort+ will be able to clear into Premium Select, but then they'll need to be waitlisted for day-of-departure upgrades to Delta One. You'll now need to book a Premium Select seat on these planes to confirm a business-class upgrade before departure.
Bottom line
Expanding Premium Select to key transcontinental routes furthers Delta's push into the premium segment. The airline has long been the leader in this segment, but it's now playing catch-up with United Airlines.
That's because United has long offered premium economy (or Premium Plus) on flights between Newark and both Los Angeles and San Francisco. United's premium cabin routinely sells out on these transcontinental flights, so it'll be interesting to see how Delta fares.
(American Airlines plans to debut premium economy on these routes when it begins flying the Airbus A321XLR and wide-bodies instead of the soon-to-be-reconfigured A321T.)
Delta first debuted Premium Select in 2017, and it's now available on most of its long-haul flights and on select routes to Latin America.
"Delta Premium Select will bring a new level of comfort, luxury and practicality to one of Delta's most important routes in the domestic U.S. as we continue to work to deliver more premium experiences to our customers. This product has been a success internationally, especially following the recent investments we've made onboard, and we know that customers flying between New York and Los Angeles will enjoy the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat and premium experience," Mauricio Parise, Delta's vice president of brand experience design, said in a statement.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees