Delta Comfort+ expansion and confusion

Delta’s Comfort+ seating offers extra legroom and other perks. (Image: Delta)

Earlier this week Delta ‘s sales of Comfort+ as a new and separate fare category took effect for travel within the U.S. and Canada – and now it is extending that change to select international routes.

The airline said customers can now book and purchase these seats for travel starting September 19 or later on flights to and from destinations in the Asia/Pacific region (except China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) and Latin America/Caribbean (except Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile).

Comfort+ is the extra-legroom seating area in Delta’s main cabins; besides the extra seat pitch, benefits also include free beer, wine and alcoholic drinks; free snacks; priority boarding; dedicated overhead bin space; and free premium entertainment.

When Delta introduced Comfort+ more than a year ago, it used the extra-legroom seating primarily as a new perk for SkyMiles Medallions, who could get automatic free access to the preferred seats when they booked. Any unclaimed Comfort+ seats could be occupied by non-Medallions for an extra seat booking fee – an add-on option that will still apply on international routes not included in this latest expansion.

Comfort Plus now displays as separate fare category. (Image: Delta)

Medallions can still request Comfort+ seating when they book, but the number of seats available for them to occupy at no extra cost will likely be reduced as paying passengers can now book and buy them in advance.

We’ve heard from several readers confused or surprised by these changes, so if you still don’t get it, Delta’s website has a page of FAQs about the new policies and procedures that apply to Comfort+, including the rules for Medallions to gain free access to the seats.

Delta said that Comfort+ “is most easily purchased” through the airline’s direct sales channels (website, app, reservations agents); it noted that it “remains engaged with distribution partners to allow Delta Comfort+ to be displayed and purchased through travel agents and in consumer direct shopping displays.”

The expansion of Comfort+ fares comes just a few weeks after Delta implemented a new set of rules for the priorities it assigns in clearing requests for complementary upgrades.

So, Delta flyers, what do you think of these changes? Please sound off in the comments below.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

Do you follow us on Twitter? It’s a great way to keep up with the latest news!