What Are The Benefits Of Flying Delta Air Lines' Premium Select?

Premium economy is quickly becoming a firm favorite for passengers across the US and beyond who want more comfort without paying business-class prices. With wider seats, extra legroom, and a quieter cabin, it offers a clear upgrade from standard economy, and many airlines now also include enhanced meals, priority services, and better entertainment in their premium economy products, making long-haul flights noticeably more comfortable.

Delta Air Lines is no exception, with the carrier offering its own version of premium economy, known as Delta Premium Select. In this article, we will take a closer look at Delta Premium Select, what it offers to passengers, and on which of the SkyTeam carrier’s aircraft it can be found.

Delta Air Lines’ Premium Select

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Delta Air Lines first announced its intention to enter the burgeoning premium economy market back in 2016, when the carrier’s CEO, Ed Bastian, launched Delta Premium Select, allowing the airline to compete effectively with rivals such as American Airlines and United Airlines. The vision became a reality in October 2017, when Delta Air Lines operated its first Airbus A350-900 equipped with premium economy on a flight from Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).

Since then, Delta Air Lines’ Premium Select has emerged as a key component of the carrier’s long-haul strategy, positioned between Main Cabin and Delta One to meet growing demand for premium economy travel. The SkyTeam carrier has continually rolled out its Premium Select product to more routes and more aircraft, including, perhaps surprisingly, some of its older aircraft like the Boeing 767-400ER. What can passengers expect when they travel in Delta Premium Select? Let’s take a closer look…

Larger Seats For Longer Journeys

Credit: Delta Air Lines

For many, the primary advantages of premium economy products such as Delta Premium Select are the larger seat and extra legroom that make longer journeys much more comfortable. Passengers traveling in Delta Premium Select benefit from a seat pitch of 38 inches, which is standard across the industry and in line with the airline’s partner carrier across the Atlantic, Virgin Atlantic, although some way behind Emirates, which was recently awarded the world’s best premium economy seat. Delta Air Lines’ premium economy seats are around 19 inches wide.

Delta Air Lines arranges its Delta Premium Select seats in different configurations, depending on the width of the aircraft cabin. For example, on the carrier’s Airbus A350-900s, the Delta Premium Select seats are in a 2-4-2 layout, while on the older Boeing 767-300ERs and 767-400ERs, they are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access.

Additional features of Delta Air Lines’ premium economy seats include adjustable headrests and leg rests, allowing passengers to get comfy on long-haul flights. Passengers can also recline their seats by seven inches, creating a noticeably more relaxed position that helps reduce fatigue throughout the journey.

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An Elevated Dining Experience

Credit: Delta Air Lines

In addition to a more comfortable seat, another major perk for passengers flying in Delta Air Lines’ premium economy cabin is an upgraded meal service. In Delta Premium Select, the carrier presents its dining experience as a refined upgrade from that found in standard economy class, starting from the moment passengers arrive onboard, when they are welcomed with a drink and nibbles.

Delta Air Lines’ meals in Delta Premium Select are served with careful attention to both quality and presentation, giving passengers a clear step-up in terms of comfort and sophistication compared to standard economy class. The airline also emphasizes sustainability, using plates made from sugarcane fiber, linen napkins, real silver cutlery, and glassware. Meals are thoughtfully plated, and the combination of these details with attentive service creates a dining experience that feels more refined and personalized.

Passengers also have the convenience of pre-selecting their main meal through the Fly Delta app up to 24 hours before departure, allowing for a more personalized and seamless meal service. Together, these touches not only enhance the enjoyment of each meal but also contribute to an overall sense of premium travel, making long-haul flights more relaxing and memorable for passengers.

It is safe to say that although it does not reach the full luxury of business class, when it comes to onboard dining, Delta Premium Select provides a clear and satisfying upgrade from standard economy class, making meals on long-haul flights more enjoyable and memorable.

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The Smaller Touches Of Delta Premium Select

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There is no shortage of smaller touches that contribute to the elevated experience for passengers flying in Delta Premium Select. Each passenger receives a branded amenity kit stocked with lip balm, hand cream, an eye mask, and socks, adding a sense of comfort and care, and they also have access to noise-canceling headphones and an in-seat power supply to keep devices charged. Such details, combined with thoughtful service and a calmer cabin environment, help create a noticeably more premium atmosphere throughout the flight.

However, it is worth noting that the Delta Premium Select experience begins even before passengers step onboard. From the moment they arrive at the airport, passengers benefit from Delta Air Lines’ SkyPriority service, which offers priority check-in, security screening, and baggage handling to streamline the journey. They also enjoy priority boarding, ensuring ample time to settle into their seats, store their belongings, and get comfortable without feeling rushed. These early touchpoints help set a calmer, more premium tone for the entire travel experience.

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Which Routes Offer A Delta Premium Select Cabin?

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Delta Air Lines does not offer Delta Premium Select on all of its routes, although the product is available on most of the carrier’s major transatlantic and transpacific services. The SkyTeam carrier also recently rolled out its premium economy product on selected services to Reykjavík Keflavik International Airport (KEF) from both Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), as well as services from its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to both Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) and Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG).

Examples of other long-haul international routes on which Delta Premium Select is available for passengers to book are shown in the table below:

Delta Air Lines offers Delta Premium Select on some long domestic routes to Hawaii, such as New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), and since September 2024, the carrier has also offered its premium economy product on selected transcontinental routes. These are primarily the airline’s flights between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This reflects the increased demand for premium services on these routes, which are operated by the carrier’s Boeing 767-300ERs and 767-400ERs.

Delta Air Lines’ Fleet

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The latest data from ch-aviation shows that Delta Air Lines currently operates a total of 992 aircraft, with a further 263 on order, although of course, Delta Premium Select is not available on all of these. The different aircraft that make up the SkyTeam carrier’s fleet, and whether or not they feature a Delta Premium Select cabin, are outlined in the table below:

*Delta Premium Select is available only on selected aircraft of this type.

Delta Air Lines is laying out an ambitious and modern fleet plan for the coming years. The airline has committed to 20 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which will boost international capacity and improve efficiency. Although the airline has yet to confirm the cabin configuration of these aircraft, it is highly likely they will include a Delta Premium Select cabin, given that they will be deployed on some of Delta Air Lines’ longest routes.

When it comes to narrowbody aircraft, Delta Air Lines has ordered 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which will complement its growing fleet of Airbus A321neos. Meanwhile, for regional and smaller routes, the carrier is continuing to invest in the A220, phasing out the older Boeing 717s as it does.