Delta Air Lines will offer its premium economy service on flights between Los Angeles and New York City starting in September, the airline announced.
It is the first time the airline has offered seats, which cost more than standard economy, on transcontinental flights.
Premium economy has been around on European airlines’ long-haul flights for decades, but it’s a relatively new ticket class for U.S. airlines.
Delta’s service offers “elevated dining” and more legroom, and costs about twice as much as a standard economy ticket.
The change is the airline’s latest bid to boost sales by targeting customers willing to spend more on benefits.
Major U.S. airlines are scrambling to upgrade planes with more premium seats and sell more rewards cards to capitalize on Americans who are willing to spend larger amounts on travel.
Premium Select seats offer customers more room to stretch out and recline additionally
It looks like it’s already working for Delta. Delta’s main cabin ticket revenue rose 4 percent in the first quarter of this year to $5.4 billion from a year ago, while premium product revenue rose 10 percent to $4.4 billion. Dollars. CNBC reported.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, Delta’s sister airline, have offered premium economy flights on routes between London and US cities for two decades.
Delta introduced its version, known as Premium Select, in 2017 and is now on most transpacific and transatlantic flights, as well as select routes to Latin America.
Delta announced that it would begin selling Premium Select on flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles International Airport starting September 10.
Mauricio Parise, vice president of brand experience design, said customers flying between the two major cities “will enjoy the opportunity to enjoy a more spacious seat and a premium experience.”
Delta’s starting price for Premium Select is around $600 for one-way premium transcontinental flights, according to The boy with the points.
Regular economy seats tend to cost around $300 for the same six-hour route.
The new cabin offers a middle ground between Delta One’s business class modules and standard economy class.
Premium Select seats offer customers more room to stretch out, additional recline, and adjustable foot and leg rests.
Other amenities include a memory foam pillow, noise-cancelling headphones, and a “plush blanket” made from recycled materials.
Customers will also receive a kit with travel essentials and will have the option to pre-select their desired first service entrée.
Meals will be served on board on real china plates with linen crockery and napkins, as well as silver cutlery and glassware.
Delta announced that members of its Medallion loyalty program would be eligible for free upgrades to premium seats on a space-available basis.
But some Medallion members may be upset by the change, The Points Guy reported.
‘Delta has historically flown premium economy-equipped Boeing 767s on select flights between New York and Los Angeles.
The new cabin offers a middle ground between Delta One’s business class modules and standard economy.
Other amenities include noise-cancelling headphones and hot towel service.
“When you do, the Premium Select cabin is marketed as Comfort+, meaning eligible Medallion members can get instant upgrades to these recliners from the moment they book.”
Elite members now have to shell out some extra cash or airline miles to book these seats with the new configuration.
The expansion marks Delta’s push into the premium segment, according to The Points Guy, and it’s now trying to catch up to United Airlines.
‘That’s because United has long offered premium economy (or Premium Plus) on flights between Newark and Los Angeles and San Francisco.
“United’s premium cabin routinely sells out on these transcontinental flights, so it will be interesting to see how Delta fares,” the travel expert reported.