Traveling With Delta Premium Select vs. Comfort Plus

Passengers are demanding an ever higher level of service from airlines but refuse to pay the sky-high prices that business and first class seats demand. That’s why Delta offers several tiers of ticket prices, each with varying amenities, price points, and travel comfort. 

Two of the most popular cabin offerings are the Comfort Plus and Premium Select tickets. Comfort Plus provides a firm economy class experience with modest perks that make long flights more enjoyable.

Likewise, Premium Select is a premium economy alternative that resembles a budget business class cabin. It has better seats with more legroom, fine dining menus, and priority airport features. 

In this article, we dive into both Premium Select and Comfort Plus to see what it’s like to fly in each cabin. We also answer whether Premium Select is worth the price increase or if you’re better off saving some cash with Comfort Plus.  

An Overview of Delta Premium Select

Delta’s Premium Select cabin is equivalent to a premium economy cabin offered through competitors and provides passengers with a greater level of comfort on long-haul flights. It is the intersection of affordability and luxury with amenities you won’t find in lower-class cabins. 

Airfare Cost

Although Delta Premium Select seats aren’t as expensive as those found in Delta One, they are still more expensive than regular economy class tickets. The cost of international flights in Premium Select depends greatly on where you depart and arrive. However, to make the comparison easy, let’s evaluate the cost of flying from New York’s JFK to London Heathrow. 

Passengers flying this international route can expect to spend $2,174 for the average round-trip ticket. While pricey, you can always find ways to cut that cost in half, like calling Business Class Experts for premium bookings on your next international getaway. 

Baggage Allowance

Delta offers Premium Select passengers a generous baggage allowance that includes priority baggage service so you get your luggage before main cabin travelers. You may bring two checked bags of up to 50 pounds each and not to exceed 62 inches.

Additionally, Premium Select passengers may bring one carry-on suitcase and one personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag. Travelers in Premium Select also have dedicated overhead bin space to secure space onboard.

Flight Check-In

A Delta Premium Select ticket unlocks SkyPriority, which provides passengers with expedited check-in, security, and priority boarding right behind Delta One. Although you don’t receive Delta SkyClub lounge access, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members have exclusive entry wherever available. 

In-Flight Experience

The real benefit of flying in the Delta Premium Select cabin is the in-flight experience. Premium Select offers comfortable seats with 8 inches of legroom more than economy class. They have adjustable footrests, leg rests, and armrests, and the wider seats offer a deeper recline than economy. 

Meal service in Premium Select includes higher-class dishes with complimentary alcoholic beverages. And passengers can enjoy more than 1,000 hours of in-flight entertainment on massive 13.3-inch seatback displays with noise-canceling headphones. 

Rounding out the perks are the Someone Somewhere amenity kit that includes toothbrushes, socks, and lip balm and the welcome glass of sparkling wine that flight attendants provide shortly after take-off. 

An Overview of Delta Comfort Plus

Delta Airlines recognizes that even economy-class passengers want a little extra comfort without dropping huge amounts of money for an entire cabin upgrade. That’s where the Delta Comfort Plus seat becomes a compelling option. Comfort Plus is an economy seat that offers extra legroom and small extras to make long-haul international travel a little easier. 

Airfare Cost

Delta Comfort Plus isn’t the cheapest cabin you can book, but it’s much more affordable than Premium Select. Using our same international flight example from earlier, we can compare the cost of a ticket for a passenger looking to fly in Comfort Plus. 

Traveling from New York City’s JFK airport to London Heathrow in the middle of August gives us an average roundtrip airfare of $1,376 or nearly $1,000 less than Premium Select. Of course, a Delta American Express credit card will earn you extra miles for cheaper future tickets. 

Baggage Allowance

Delta Comfort Plus passengers don’t have quite the same baggage allowance as Premium Select, but it’s still better than the main cabin. Passengers may check one free bag that weighs less than 50 pounds and is less than 62 inches. Additional bags will cost extra, with the second bag starting at $100. 

Like Premium Select, passengers in Comfort Plus are able to bring one carry-on bag and one personal bag. Comfort Plus also has dedicated overhead bin space, so travelers have guaranteed space for carry-on luggage. 

Flight Check-In

Comfort Plus passengers don’t receive priority check-in or security, and the SkyPriority access allows Delta One and Premium Select passengers to board first. Despite having to wait for higher cabin classes, Comfort Plus passengers are next up on the list and will board before main cabin and basic economy passengers. Plus, deplane before economy-class travelers so you can enjoy your journey faster. 

In-Flight Experience

The Delta Comfort Plus cabin offers a better in-flight experience when compared with main cabin seats. Passengers receive three inches of additional legroom over economy class, and there is complimentary Delta Studio streaming through seatback entertainment screens. 

Comfort Plus doesn’t offer better meals or snacks, especially for domestic flights, but long flights over 900 miles allow passengers to select from premium snack options. Delta also provides a simple amenity kit with a toothbrush and eye mask in addition to complimentary earbuds, blankets, and soft pillows. 

So, Which Is Better?

Choosing between Delta’s Comfort Plus and Premium Select airfare options can be a difficult decision to make. On the one hand, you have a near first-class experience in Premium Select with elevated in-flight meals, more comfortable seats, and better baggage allowance. 

On the other hand, you have an affordable option to unlock slightly more legroom and amenities regular economy passengers don’t get. Ultimately the cabin that is best will be the one that fits your needs, wants, and budget. 

Although, if we had to choose one, we recommend Premium Select for better seats and in-flight meals. You can make the airfare more affordable by calling Business Class Experts to help you find deals of 50% off or more. 

Whichever You Choose, Book With Business Class Experts

Delta offers a wide range of seat options so that travelers have a wide range of product choices. These products include Delta’s Premium Select and Comfort Plus cabins. While they both offer a better experience than the standard economy class, Premium Select provides a higher level of luxury when compared with Comfort Plus’ slight upgrade over the main cabin. 

Don’t let the idea of luxury costs scare you away from booking airfare in premium cabins. Business Class Experts can help you find the best deals on first and business-class tickets with the airlines you love, like Delta. Give us a call today to explore how affordable your next international trip can be!