Delta rebrands cabins, classes of service

SkyMiles members who are thoroughly versed in all of Delta’s cabin and seating options will have to do a little re-education following the airline’s announcement that it is “redefining” and rebranding its products into five categories.

The new cabin/seating regime takes effect March 1, 2015, with the following designations:

>What is currently BusinessElite becomes Delta One, available on long-haul international routes and prime transcontinental routes (JFK-LAX/SFO). The company said that by next spring, it should have fully-flat beds in Delta One as well as the new Comfort+ seat upgrades on those two lucrative domestic routes.

>The front cabin on short-haul international and domestic routes is designated First Class — although Delta notes that “select international flights may offer Business Class service in lieu of First Class,” with amenities that vary by flight and aircraft.

>The current Delta Economy Comfort seating option is being rebranded as Delta Comfort+. It will include free booze (domestic and international), better snacks and dedicated overheard bin space.

>Regular economy seating on Delta is split into two tiers: Main Cabin and Basic Economy. The Main Cabin is for travelers flying on most economy class fares. Delta’s Basic Economy is for those on unadorned fares of the same name, which the airline introduced two years ago to stay competitive with low-cost carriers, and has been expanding to more routes in recent months. Available now in dozens of markets out of Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City, those fares do not allow changes, refunds or advance seat selection.

Effective February 1, Delta’s Basic Economy fares will no longer include some things they offer now.

When flying on a Basic Economy fare, Medallions will still get waived baggage fees, priority check-in and boarding and Medallion mileage bonuses. However, “Medallion members will not receive paid or Complimentary Upgrades or Preferred Seats, or paid, complimentary or discounted Economy Comfort when flying on a Basic Economy fare on or after February 1, 2015,” Delta noted.

What are the two best all-around credit cards? Both currently offer 40,000 mile sign up bonuses!

Also on February 1, Basic Economy travelers will no longer be able to purchase “Trip Extra” priority boarding, nor will they be eligible for paid or complimentary Preferred Seats or for same-day confirmed or same-day standby travel.

Except for those booked in the new Basic Economy, SkyMiles Diamonds and Platinums will still get free upgrade eligibility to First Class, as well as free access to the renamed Comfort+ seating at the time of booking– sorry Golds, you don’t get that perk anymore. Delta added: “On March 1, 2015, Gold and Silver Medallion members will continue to enjoy complimentary upgrade eligibility to First Class as well as complimentary access to Delta Comfort+ seats starting 72 hours and 24 hours prior to departure, respectively.”

Currently, the extra-legroom Economy Comfort seats are available at a 50 percent discount prior to check-in for Silvers on domestic and short-haul international flights, and at a 25 percent discount for Silvers and 50 percent for Golds on longer international flights. (Delta’s current Economy Comfort comparison chart)

Delta has created a chart displaying the amenities and services (see below) that come with each of its five cabin/fare categories; scroll down on that page and you’ll see the specific markets where Basic Economy is currently offered. The airline has also put up a video on YouTube to illustrate the new cabin categories.

Perhaps the most tactile change is that Delta will install new quilted seat covers on all Delta One, First Class and Delta Comfort+ seats through the middle of next year.

 

As usual, we’d love to get your take on these changes. Please leave your comments below.