Summary
- Delta Comfort+ offers up to 4 inches more legroom, plus perks like premium snacks, beer, wine, spirit, and earbuds.
- Comfort+ includes Sky Priority boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and 50% more recline than economy.
- Delta Comfort+ does not include a free checked bag allowance on domestic flights but offers an upgraded flying experience.
Delta Comfort+ is a Delta Air Lines’ enhanced economy class ticket for those who want to upgrade from its basic economy fares. Delta Comfort+ seats typically cost between $50 and $150 more than regular economy tickets for domestic flights and between $100 and $300 more for international flights. Delta Comfort+ is one of around a dozen classes offered on Delta flights (not all classes are offered on all flights). But are the benefits of Comfort+ and are they worth the increased fare?
What Delta Comfort+ tickets offer
Delta Comfort+ is a step up from basic economy seats while avoiding the high costs of premium tickets – they are basically nicer economy tickets. Delta Comfort+ offers extra legroom, priority boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, an upgraded selection of snacks and beverages (including alcoholic beverages on longer flights), and better seat location (being further forward, the seats are typically quieter and enable passengers to deplane faster).
Photo: Delta Air Lines
“Find the upgraded experience you’re looking for in Delta Comfort+. In addition to the benefits of a Main Cabin ticket, you will also have extra legroom, earlier boarding and deplaning, and dedicated overhead bin space just for your items. With Delta Comfort+, you can stretch out, settle in and enjoy the ride.” – Delta Air Lines
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Delta Comfort+ perks over base economy |
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Up to 4 inches more legroom: |
50% more recline: |
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Sky Priority boarding |
Dedicated overhead bin space |
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Beer, wine, spirit (+250 mile routes) |
Premium snacks |
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Meal service (select routes) |
Luvo wraps (JFK, LAX, SFO) |
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Earbuds (+250 mile routes) |
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Regarding snacks, Delta states, “In addition to standard onboard fare, you can snack better with Delta Comfort+. Enjoy premium snacks on many routes over 900 miles when meal service is not available. Plus, on flights over 251 miles, Starbucks coffee, beer, wine for 21+ and spirits for 21+ on flights over 500+ miles.”
One key benefit of Comfort+ is that passengers can change their fares without having to pay extra fees (this also applies to those with main cabin tickets). Having the flexibility to change flights is a great bonus for many people. Delta SkyMiles members also earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on a Delta Comfort+ fare (Medallion members earn a higher mileage rate based on their elite status tier).
What Delta Comfort+ does not include
Unfortunately, Delta Comfort+ does not include a free checked bag allowance on domestic flights (unless one has Medallion status, a Delta co-branded credit card, or active military status). Passengers need to pay $35 for the first piece of checked luggage (international flights include a complimentary one piece of checked luggage weighing up to 50 pounds).
On the other hand, first class offers two free checked bags per person (along with one free carry-on luggage and personal item), a dedicated flight attendant, and various other perks. Naturally, first class tickets are much more expensive.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
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Delta classes of tickets: |
Note: |
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Basic economy: |
Lowest fare with no miles earned |
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Main Cabin: |
Step up from basic, able to make changes, earn points, and select seats |
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Comfort+ |
More legroom and other benefits |
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Domestic first class: |
2-2 configuration for domestic routes and various perks and benefits |
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Delta Premium Select: |
Also called premium economy, similar to the domestic first class seats, with leather recliners, other upgrades |
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Delta One: |
The most exclusive Delta option: spacious, lie-flat seats and other upgrades. Available on international and some domestic flights |
Comfort+ seats are in the economy cabin, which differs from the cabin where premium economy seats are located. Passengers need to book Premium Select to be seated in that cabin (located in front of the economy cabin). This cabin offers larger seats with faster check-in, enhanced onboard amenities, enhanced meal service, and more.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
Increased leg room and seat pitch
According to information gathered by Airline Quality, most airlines around the world provide 31-32 inches of seat pitch for medium and long haul flights. Some of the world’s high-end full-service carriers (like Qatar) offer up to 34 inches. Delta Air Lines is listed as providing 32 inches of seat pitch for its economy seats. Taking Delta’s Boeing 737-800s layout, Delta offers a seat pitch of 32 inches for economy and 34 inches for Comfort+.
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Seat pitch Boeing 737-800: |
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Economy: |
32 inches |
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Comfort+: |
34 inches |
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First Class: |
38-39 inches |
Photo: Delta Air Lines
Note that seat pitch is the distance between a row of seats (measured from the same position on two seats), not the legroom area. Legroom is often a make-or-break for taller passengers, while shorter passengers may not be bothered that much by it. For taller passengers, it may be well worth the upgrade—especially if they have a window or middle seat where they are unable to spread out into the aisle.
In conclusion, the decision of whether the upgrade to Comfort+ is worth it is a personal decision. A basic ticket may be sufficient for passengers who have set plans, don’t need extra legroom, and want to save money. The upgrade will likely be worth it to those with more money to spend and who would like more flexibility and perks on their flight.