Delta Air Lines Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, & More

BY 

Erin Miller

- January 29, 2019

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Delta Air Lines is one of the oldest U.S. carriers and certainly one of the most respected. If you’re considering flying with Delta, then keep on reading this review, which covers all aspects of Delta’s service and operations.

You can drill down into Delta’s fare types and check out the amenities offered in each cabin class. Finally, avoid any nasty surprises such as baggage fees and unexpected charges by reading ahead.

Basic Info

Airline: Delta Air Lines

Alliance: SkyTeam Alliance

Category: Legacy domestic and international airline

Frequent Flyer Program: Delta SkyMiles

Tagline: “Keep Climbing”

Daily Flights: 15,000 (including alliance partners)

Fleet: 800

Main Hub: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Destinations: 304 (including alliance partners)

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

SkyMiles is the loyalty program for Delta Air Lines, where members are rewarded with miles whenever they fly with Delta or many of its partner airlines within the SkyTeam Alliance.

You can also earn miles for everyday purchases such as shopping or dining out and spending on certain credit cards.

Frequent flyers of Delta can work their way up the membership tiers to get to Medallion status. Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond are the 4 Medallion statuses — Diamond, as you might have guessed, is the highest status possible offering the greatest benefits such as upgrades and premium boarding.

Hot Tip: Check out our post on the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Loyalty Program with information on the in’s and out’s of their program.

Delta’s Ticketing Options

Delta offers 6 fare types that have different pre-departure benefits and inflight experiences (covered later in this article).

Basic Economy (domestic and international flights)

As with other large U.S. airlines trying to compete with low-cost carriers, Delta offers a basic economy fare that gives you your seat, a piece of carry-on baggage, and a personal item. That’s it!

It’s not possible to select your seat, which will be assigned at check-in — meaning there are no guarantees you’ll be seated with your travel companions either.

Basic economy tickets cannot be changed, and upgrades are not permitted — so keep this in mind when booking. If you’re not happy with what you’ve got, you’ve basically got to grin and bear it!

Main (domestic and international flights)

Main is Delta’s standard economy with the ability to select your seat before check-in. Your baggage allowance is 1 piece of hand luggage plus a personal item, and 1 piece of checked luggage.

You have the ability to change your ticket or upgrade (both subject to fees/fare difference) and benefit from earlier boarding privileges than basic economy.

Comfort+ (domestic and international flights)

Comfort+ is Delta’s preferred seating in economy with extra legroom and dedicated overhead bag space. In addition, there are the same benefits as Main.

Premium Select (select long-haul international flights)

Delta’s premium economy is available on selected aircraft and gives passengers access to Sky Priority privileges.

Passengers are permitted to bring 2 pieces of checked luggage and have the ability to change or upgrade their tickets (both subject to a fee).

Delta One (international long-haul and transcontinental flights)

Delta One is their upper-class cabin with passenger access to Delta Sky Club lounges and Sky Priority privileges.

Passengers can bring 2 pieces of checked luggage and change or upgrade their tickets for a fee.

First Class (domestic and select international flights)

Available on domestic and short-haul flights only, first class gives passengers access to Sky Priority for priority check-in, baggage handling, security, and boarding. They can also access Delta Sky Club lounges if connecting to an international flight in First or Business Class.

Passengers are allowed to bring 2 pieces of checked luggage, and changes or upgrades are allowed for a fee.

Delta Air Lines Baggage & Other Fees/Add-Ons

Delta Baggage Fees

Carry-on Allowance:

Passengers in all cabins are permitted to bring 1 personal item and 1 standard carry-on bag for free.

The size of the personal item is undisclosed on Delta’s website, and the carry-on piece must not exceed 22″ x 14″ x 9″.

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

If an infant is traveling on the lap of an adult, then any seat or bassinet would be considered part of the adult’s hand luggage allowance.

Infants are not eligible for any hand luggage allowance unless a seat has been purchased.

Stroller Check Policy

Strollers are not counted toward standard checked baggage, and are checked in for free at check-in or at the gate.

Delta Checked Baggage Allowance:

Max weight allowance: 23kg (50lb) for Basic Economy, Main, and Delta Comfort; 32kg (70lb) for Premium Select and Delta One.

Max size allowance: Linear dimensions of 157cm (62”)

Premium Select and Delta One can bring 2 pieces of checked baggage for free (regardless of route).

Economy

Certain routes have specific baggage allowances, and you can view the details on Delta’s baggage policy here.
Up to 10 bags may be checked per passenger.

Hot Tip: View our dedicated article on Delta Air Lines baggage fees for more info as well as tips on how to avoid paying these charges!

Other Delta Fees & Add-Ons

Domestic Change Fee: $200

International Change Fee: $200-$500

Same Day Change: $75

Reward Flight Changes: $150 (changes can be made up 72 hours before departure)

Cancellation: When canceling a domestic itinerary, your ticket must be transferred to another date with travel completed within 1 year of the original ticket. For international itineraries, travel must have commenced within 1 year of the original ticket. Change fees may apply.

Exclusions/Waivers:

• No charges apply to Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion members for same-day changes.
• Basic economy fares cannot be changed regardless of status.

Tickets issued by Reservations Department: $25 in selected European countries. Free for all other origins.

Seat Selection: No charge (excluding basic economy where no seat selection is possible)

Unaccompanied Minor: $150 (per one-way route)

Lap Infant: 10% of the adult fare for international flights (free for flights within the U.S. and Canada)

Transporting a pet as carry-on:

• To/from U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico: $125 per way
• To/from U.S. Virgin Islands or international: $200
• To/from Brazil: $75

Refreshments Onboard

For all flights over 250 miles, passengers will receive complimentary snacks and some soft drinks including Starbucks coffee.

For flights where complimentary meals and beverages are not offered, the following can be purchased:

• Sandwiches and platters: $8.99-$10.99
• Snacks: from $3.99
• Beer: from $8
• Wine: $9
• Spirits: $9

How to Avoid Paying Excess Fees & Travel Expenses

Credit Card	Card & Fee Reimbursement Details
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card	Use your miles to offset or "erase" any travel purchases that you make with your card. It's easy. Earn 20,000 mile sign up bonus (worth $200) once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months Annual Fee: $0
American Express® Gold Card	$100 airline fee credit per calendar year on your previously designated airline. Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first 3 months. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at US restaurants. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Annual Fee: $250 For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
The Platinum Card® from American Express How We Get $1,500+ In Value From This Card (Per Year) >	$200 airline fee credit per calendar year on your previously designated airline. Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Access more than 1,100 airport lounges across 120 countries and counting, including the amazing Centurion® lounges. Up to $200 Uber Savings Annually. $200 Airline Fee Credit. Annual Fee: $550 For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	$200 airline fee credit per calendar year on your previously designated airline. Welcome Offer: Earn up to 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points. Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 & an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com. Access more than 1,200 airport lounges across 130 countries and counting, including the amazing Centurion® lounges. Annual Fee: $595 For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants. Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select Annual Fee: $450

There are also several Delta credit cards that come with free checked bags that are worth looking at, especially if you regularly fly Delta.

Delta Seat Specs & Inflight Amenities

Seat Specs

Delta has 25 different types of aircraft with varying seat specs. We’ve listed details of a few of their planes below (including their Airbus and Boeing fleet) — if you want to check out the specifics for your next flight, you can see a full list of all 25 plane variations here.

Inflight Amenities

Main Cabin (Economy)

Amenities include:

• Access to Delta Studio (films, games, and TV) on your seatback monitor (if available) or your personal device
• Free headphones on international flights; available to purchase on selected domestic flights
• Complimentary snacks (complimentary meals on international flights)
• Complimentary soft drinks including Starbucks coffee (beer and wine on international flights)
• Wi-Fi available to purchase

Delta Comfort+

Upgrade to Delta Comfort+ for up to 4″ additional legroom than the Main Cabin and dedicated baggage space above your seat.

Board the plane quicker with Sky Priority boarding and enjoy little extras such as a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit (on applicable flights).

Hot Tip: Check out our post on Delta Air Lines boarding zones so you’ll know when to expect to board the plane. 

First Class

Amenities include:

• Wider seat plus 8″ extra legroom compared to the Main Cabin with 5.4″ recline
• Dedicated flight attendant for the cabin
• Power outlets and Wi-Fi (available to purchase)
• Amenity kit
• Pillow and blanket
• Ergonomically-designed headphones
• Fine dining (dependent on flight distance)
• Complimentary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
• Access to Delta Studio (films, games, and TV) on your seatback monitor or your personal device

Premium Select

Amenities include:

• Wider seats, more legroom, adjustable foot and leg rest
• Dedicated flight attendant for the cabin
• Access to Delta Studio (films, games, and TV) on your seatback monitor (up to 13.3″)
• Amenity kit from Tumi including Malin+Goetz beauty essentials
• Pillow and blanket
• Premium dining
• Complimentary meals, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages

Delta One

Amenities include:

• Wider seats, more legroom
• Dedicated flight attendant for the cabin
• Lie-flat bed with Westin Heavenly bedding
• Duvet and pillow
• Delta One Suites with full-height door for privacy (available on selected flights)
• Amenity kit from Tumi including Kiehl’s Lip Balm
• Premium dining
• Complimentary meals, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages

Delta Customer Satisfaction

Delta is one of the most highly regarded U.S. carriers, winning awards and being praised by customers for their professionalism and punctuality. At the time of writing this article, Delta had just been named “the most on-time mainline airline in 2018” by Flight Global.