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.
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| 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. |
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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.