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.
Related: International premium economy coming to Delta
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.
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I agree. Corporate travel bookings put Medallions at a complete disadvantage. I am usually able to purchase Y class but cannot obtain the automatic upgrade. Not that that matter now Delta has changed their policy. However, even now snagging a delta comfort class will be difficult as I have to wait until the reservation is ticketed – about 3 working days out – due to the corporate travel policy. So, am I willing to accept a middle seat in comfort class in exchange for an aisle seat in cattle car? Don’t think so. I might just as well take my changes for the upgrade to first. Not that that even happens much anymore although I am Platinum and purchase Y class tickets. So glad I will be retiring soon and out of this mess.
The point about the lack of extra seat width is very important. The seats are the same width as they were 45+ years ago and people have gotten larger over that time frame. The extra legroom does help some. Flatbed flights on Delta are the only seats where your personal space does not get infringed upon. Even in first the seat recline takes away a fair amount of space and couple that with sitting next to someone you don’t know you end up with even less space. Bottom line, flying just isn’t fun and exciting like it was when I was a child.
I notice in the pix of this seat, that it’s the worst possible thing for someone whose shoulders end – above – the seat. It forces that person to “slouch” permanently – try that for five hours coast to coast… Initially, I had thought the new “thin” united seats were ok, but it turns out they create a “cup” to cradle your head somewhat, which has the effect of forcing your shoulders forward… a guaranteed pain in the neck in less than an hour.
Ran into the confusion this past trip. My travel agent usually takes care of it but I had a different agent. It took a few minutes to sort out why seats were available but I couldn’t get one. You have to activate the upgrade as it doesn’t do it automatically like an upgrade for first.
I booked through Concur and received my “upgrade” notice to EC within a few hours…so seems like it’s working ok. I am a PM.
Just don’t know how many times I have to say this, I want more room in the seat, not legroom. This is nothing new, United has had more legroom for about the last ten years.
I don’t consider this comfort class, yes you don’t have your knees up against the seat in front of you, but it’s still tight and uncomfortable when you have three seats taken with above average size people.
When they take a seat out of the row, then they can call if comfort class and start charging more money.
Good point, SLB! Thanks for sharing that.
For those that book under a managed corporate travel program… This makes for a logistical challenge to confirm ahead of time compared to before:
In many cases, corporate travel policy does not allow for anything other than “coach” for domestic flights… Making Comfort+ into it’s own premium fare class has made it a purchase that most companies will decline (unless you go outside your company’s travel policy). Previously, this was viewed as a “more legroom seat” that most companies would consider an “allowable” expense. Now, you have to play a cat-and-mouse game with Delta to get into the product and try to avoid the center seat.
I believe Delta will make the revenue they are expecting from unmanaged travel purchasers… It’s the managed corporate travelers who follow travel purchase policy (willingly or otherwise) that will likely suffer under this new fare class.