Delta Air Lines: Delta Comfort+ vs. First Class — What Are the Differences?

Key Takeaways

• Delta Comfort+ offers more legroom, dedicated overhead bin space, and premium snacks or meals, positioned as an upgrade over standard economy seats.
• Delta First Class provides a more luxurious experience with wider seats, fine dining, and priority boarding.
• While Comfort+ is ideal for a more comfortable economy experience, First Class is best for those seeking a premium flight with additional perks and amenities.

Delta’s first class and Delta Comfort+ products offer an improved onboard experience and are instrumental in the SkyMiles Medallion program for elite passengers to be rewarded with upgrades, depending on availability. Both classes share some important differences, so it’s key to understand what each type of extra legroom seat means for your travel experience.

Let’s compare Delta Comfort+ and first class when flying on Delta Air Lines, review the benefits of each, and offer things to keep in mind while you go through the ticket purchase process.

In many cases, you may want to purchase a ticket type over the other based on how you’d like to travel. Some Medallion elite benefits apply to both seat types, too, so you’ll want to know how your perks apply when you get upgraded.

Delta Classes of Service

Before looking at Delta Comfort+ and first-class and how they compare, it’s important to differentiate between each class of service.

Delta One

Delta One is Delta’s highest level of service, which features flat-bed seats, chef-inspired meals, Sky Club lounge access, and a less-crowded onboard cabin. The Delta One experience can be found on coast-to-coast routes, as well as most long-haul international flights.

First Class

First class is Delta’s premium cabin offering for flights within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and some local South American destinations. First class features wider seats, onboard meals, and attentive service.

Delta Comfort+

Delta Comfort+ seats are extra legroom seats within the Main Cabin that also feature an enhanced refreshment service.

Standard Seats

In the Main Cabin, most travelers will be seated in standard coach configuration seats. On narrow-body aircraft, this is usually in a 3-3 configuration and on regional jets, this tends to be a 2-2 format.

Onboard Experience Comparison

Here is a comparison chart of the different levels of seating, excluding Delta Premium Select:

How To Access Delta Comfort+ and First Class Seats

There are several ways you can purchase a Delta Comfort+ or first class seat:

• As you purchase your ticket, you may be prompted to use miles or pay a small incremental amount to upgrade, depending on the ticket. This is designed to upsell you throughout the purchase process.
• After purchase, you can upgrade using miles, depending on if there is space available.
• To upgrade into first class, you can use a Delta Regional Upgrade or Global Upgrade certificate (given to some elites annually) to confirm a first class seat in advance.
• If you’re an elite passenger, you can select a Delta Comfort+ shortly after booking (if you are a high enough status), or you can be added to the upgrade list to receive a complimentary upgrade to first class within 5 days of departure.

Delta Comfort+ Benefits in Detail

Delta Comfort+ comes with several extra benefits to help enhance the travel experience. While some people will get upgraded into Delta Comfort+ for free, depending on their elite status, and others will pay, the benefits remain the same no matter how you secure one of these seats.

Priority Boarding

While you won’t be the very first folks to board the plane, you will be able to board before most Main Cabin passengers, allowing you to settle in and stow your items without a mad rush trampling you.

Delta’s boarding chart is as follows:

Deplane Quickly

Since your Delta Comfort+ seat will usually be located in prime areas of the aircraft, with most being toward the front, this will allow you to exit and be on your way quickly without having to wait for the majority of the plane to exit.

Delta Comfort+ seats are usually located at the bulkheads and the first few rows behind them, as well as emergency exit rows.

Here are the locations of all Delta Comfort+ seats on all Delta planes according to SeatGuru:

Hot Tip: SeatGuru is an excellent tool to use for figuring out seat maps, aircraft, and more. Check out our guide on how to use SeatGuru to improve your travel.

More Legroom

With Delta Comfort+ comes extra legroom, one of the biggest benefits of this seating area. At up to 4 inches more per seat, it allows you to fly in comfort without feeling cramped.

Here are the Delta Comfort+ seat measurements on all Delta planes according to SeatGuru:

Dedicated Overhead Bin Space

Forget about having to compete for space to stow your bags in the overhead lockers — enjoy labeled bins dedicated just for Delta Comfort+. As Main Cabin customers walk past, they’re instructed to put their bags in their bins rather than the Delta Comfort+ bins.

Power

You can find USB power outlets on all mainline aircraft in Comfort+. Some planes have full power outlets, so it will depend on what specific aircraft you’re on as to what power is available.

Long-haul Flight Benefits

On long-haul flights, such as those to Europe, South America, Asia, Oceania, or Africa, there are some extra benefits that enhance the experience. Delta Comfort+ passengers receive a complimentary blanket, pillow, headset, and amenity kit on select flights.

Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages

Those seated in Delta Comfort+ receive complimentary alcoholic beverages.

Complimentary Enhanced Snack Basket

Similar to the snack basket that is passed in first class, Delta Comfort+ gets a pass of the basket containing many premium snacks.

Here is a sampling of what Delta offers:

Flying to Honolulu From Atlanta or Minneapolis

If you’re flying on an eligible flight to Honolulu (HNL) from Atlanta (ATL) or Minneapolis (MSP), there are additional benefits you can enjoy, including an amenity kit with a pillow, blanket, eyeshades, earplugs, toothbrush, and toothpaste. For food, you’ll also receive a complimentary Luvo wrap and frozen Greek yogurt bar for flights departing from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., in addition to the usual complimentary alcoholic beverages.

Baggage Inclusions and Fees

Delta Comfort+ is treated the same as Main Cabin for baggage fees, which means purchasing a Delta Comfort+ ticket won’t save you any more than a cheaper Main Cabin ticket.

Most Delta Comfort+ fares do not include complimentary checked baggage. Some specific routes do, so it is wise to check your itinerary as you book to see what is included.

Hot Tip: Delta has a fairly standard baggage policy for carry-ons and the first couple of checked bags. Additional pieces and overweight or oversized bags carry pretty hefty fees, so try to stick to your regulations! We’ve covered Delta’s baggage fees and policy in-depth.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Most non-refundable Delta tickets originating from North America are now eligible for free cancellation, however, there are a few notes:

If you voluntarily switch flights and Delta Comfort+ isn’t available on the new flight, you may be able to receive the Delta Comfort+ fare as a credit toward a future flight (no refunds). If the itinerary is not changed by choice (Delta changes it), you are protected in Delta Comfort+ on the new flights, unless it isn’t available, at which point you may be compensated by Delta.

If you are traveling on a non-refundable ticket originating outside of North America, please see the updated fees and policies in our article How to Cancel a Delta Air Lines Flight [Points or Cash Ticket Purchases].

Standing By and Changing Flights

For travel originating in North America or the Caribbean, Delta no longer charges change fees for domestic and international tickets (excluding Basic Economy after April 30, 2021). For trips originating outside of North America, a change fee applies after April 30, 2021.

If you purchase a Delta Comfort+ seat, you can standby for any other flight, but risk losing the fare you paid for Delta Comfort+. If you wish to confirm onto another flight, you can, so long as the same fare code class is available as when you booked and a Delta Comfort+ ticket is available.

Delta First Class Benefits in Detail

Here, we’ll look at the benefits of Delta’s domestic first class product, though benefits largely remain the same for international flights.

More Spacious Seat

First class is usually laid out in a 1-2 or 2-2 format, depending on the aircraft, whereas Delta Comfort+ is always either a 2-2 layout on regional jets or a 3-3 layout on larger mainline planes. First class passengers get larger seats with a larger tray table, larger entertainment screen, and more places to store items.

Here are the seat dimensions on all Delta aircraft, per SeatGuru:

Personal Service

The first class cabin on a Delta domestic flight has 1 dedicated flight attendant serving the cabin — you will receive more personalized service, more often. Drink refills will come quickly without you having to ask!

Power

Each seat in first class on a mainline flight features standard and USB power outlets so that you can stay plugged in.

Seats in the Front

First class seats are located in the front of the aircraft, allowing you to board and exit first.

Here are the locations of all first class seats on all Delta aircraft, per SeatGuru:

While first class is only technically on narrow-body aircraft, many times Delta will run wide-body aircraft on domestic routes. This may not include the Delta One premium service, but the aircraft will be equipped with Delta One seats, sold as first class.

This chart shows the location of all Delta One seats on Delta aircraft, per SeatGuru:

Amenities

On board, you’ll receive a complimentary pillow and blanket, depending on the route, and on select flights, an amenity kit stocked with items to keep you comfortable throughout your flight.

Onboard Food

Depending on the time of day and route, you’ll either receive a choice from a well-stocked snack basket, or a full meal service with multiple courses and a plated dessert. Food in the first class cabin is premium and designed by several world-renowned chefs.

Hot Tip: When you’re in Delta first class, be sure to preorder your meal on Delta.com so you can receive your first selection.

Check-in and Security

When you check in for your flight, you can use any Delta SkyPriority check-in counter, allowing you to check your bags faster. Upon proceeding to security, you can use the first class lanes in select airports.

Priority Boarding

You’ll get to board the aircraft after Diamond Medallions, so you can get seated, store your bags, and settle in quicker. As you find your seat, you’ll see a bottle of water awaits you.

Baggage

First class gets up to 2 bags checked complimentary for free, and each bag is tagged with a priority tag that will indicate that the bag is to be among the first to come off of the carousel.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re in Delta Comfort+ or first class, you’ll definitely be more comfortable than traditional Main Cabin seats. Both classes of service are great for elite passengers, as all elites receive complimentary upgrades to either cabin, depending on availability.

Delta Comfort+ is perfect for:

• Elite passengers who may not be able to upgrade to first class
• Passengers who want extra legroom, but may not want to pay the premium for first class
• Passengers who want extra onboard amenities such as a snack basket and complimentary alcoholic drinks

First class is great for:

• Elite passengers who are eligible to upgrade and there is availability
• Passengers who want to work or rest in comfort, with accessible power outlets, larger entertainment screens, and more privacy
• Passengers who want extra onboard amenities, such as a full meal service on select flights

Either ticket is an upgraded experience, and you won’t be disappointed onboard Delta.