Review of Delta Premium Economy

Premium Select passengers receive access to Sky Priority lanes for faster check-in and boarding, but it does not include exclusive lounge access. 

Changes to the eligibility of Delta’s Sky Club lounge network in 2023 have seen restricted access to some customers who were previously able to use the facilities. However, Delta Premium Select passengers on international flights with Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion membership status can still access the Delta Sky Lounges. 

Delta Sky Club is expanding, with new clubs recently opened at New York’s LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Kansas City and Tokyo’s Haneda Airports, with further openings and major expansions planned across existing locations. Dozens of existing club lounges feature seasonally-inspired menus, superior wines, beers and cocktails, complimentary Wi-Fi, satellite television and shower facilities at select Sky Club locations.      

Premium Select makes it a bit easier to move through the airport without having to queue for long periods, but don’t arrive too early as for most passengers, it does not include lounge access. You will, however, be among the first invited to board and exit the aircraft at your destination. 

Premium Select passengers enjoy two free checked bags of up to 23 kilogrammes each, plus one carry-on bag and one personal item, though size restrictions apply.

The airline’s long-haul fleet consists of Airbus A330 and A350 planes plus Boeing 767-300/400 planes. Most of these are fitted with Premium Select which is located in a separate cabin between the Delta One cabins and Delta Comfort+ seats.

The flagship Airbus A350 aircraft offer Delta Premium Select passengers with a cabin of 48 reclining seats providing 38 inches (97 centimetres) of pitch and 18.5 inches (47 centimetres) of width in a 2-4-2 configuration over six rows. The A330-900neo has the same seat dimensions with an arrangement of 2-3-2 over four rows, while the A330-300 and A330-200 offer just three rows making for an intimate cabin in each configuration.

The Boeing 767-300ER offers 18 seats over three rows in a 2-2-2 configuration and half an inch more width at 19 inches (38 centimetres) and the same pitch as in the Airbus, while the B767-400ER provides 20 seats over four staggered rows in a 2-2-2 configuration. 

On any aircraft, the window seat passenger must step over their seatmate to access the aisle, and those in the middle of the centre section will also have to step over their seatmate. Scoring an aisle seat is the best bet in Premium Select, but so is a bulkhead row since there is more foot space and no one reclining into your area, making it easy to access the aisle, even if in the middle or window seat.

The memory foam-cushioned seats are a definite upgrade over traditional economy seats as they have more space at the knees and are wider, providing more stretching room. They also recline a bit more to give a cradle-style seat, which is made possible due to a footrest that folds out from under the seat. It is very comfortable on day flights, although it is not as ideal for sleeping on long flights like a flatbed.

Awaiting at each seat is a small pillow and blanket larger than those in economy class. The seat pocket is the primary area for storage, although some seats have a water bottle holder and a small pocket on the side large enough for a book or some magazines. Between seats, there is a larger armrest for placing drinks and for greater elbow room. Power and USB outlets are at every seat.

It is important to view the product as an upgrade from the economy cabin rather than a stripped-down Delta One experience, as the latter does not compare. Unfortunately, a major downfall of Premium Select is that it does not have its own lavatory meaning passengers have economy cabin restrooms.

Take note that Delta also offers seating, known as Comfort+. These have extra legroom and are available for a fee (or as complimentary upgrades for SkyMiles elite members). These seats do not enjoy the same amenities and service as Delta Premium Select and are not considered premium economy. 

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos, and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way, you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested before making your choice.

The Premium Select inflight dining experience is slightly more elevated than in economy class, but the cuisine is far less premium than the offering in Delta One. Passengers can view the menu options from a printed menu containing a QR code for a more detailed view of the food and beverages. Service begins with a hot vanilla and orange peel oshibori hand towel from Grown Alchemist, but the main difference over economy class is the place settings. Fold-out tray tables are lined with a linen cloth, and passengers are given metal cutlery, a napkin, and an appetizer and drink of choice. 

Single-tray meals are served on attractive eco-conscious dinnerware specially made for Delta Premium Select. However, the food is not plated but instead left in their eco-friendly bagasse sugar-cane fibre containers.

Along with the appetizer is a choice of two entrées that vary depending on the route and always include a vegetarian dish. Examples of the entrées include roasted chicken thigh, roasted guinea fowl or courgette risotto, wild mushroom tortelloni and vegetable tagine. Desserts are usually ice cream or a sweet treat.

Pre-arrival meals are sweet and savoury snacks and vary based on the route and the time of day. Breakfasts include a warm English muffin with egg and Swiss cheese, a small fruit pot, and coffee, tea or fruit juice. A bonus before landing is a packet of Tony’s Chocolonely chocolates.

Special meals are available for pre-order, which can be done online or via the app. Travellers can request a variety of eleven different special meals, including vegetarian, low-calorie, and Kosher. 

After takeoff, flight attendants distribute the printed menus and follow this with a plastic glass of Mionetto Prosecco or sparkling water with a tasty appetiser snack dubbed “bubbles and bites.” Complimentary beverages are available during the flight to passengers over 21 and include a limited selection of wines, beer, Tip Top Cocktails, Du Nord Social Spirits, and hot and cold soft drinks, including Starbucks coffee. Cold drinks with the meal service come in glassware.  

What sets Delta apart is the hospitality and care of its people. Its flight attendants are not part of a union, and their interest in inflight service is a hallmark of the experience from most of them. Delta is regularly considered the friendliest and most caring of North American airlines. While this is a generalization, it is often evident, and this is especially notable in Premium Select since there is more time for the crew to interact with passengers. 

Premium Select cabins have dedicated flight attendants, so you do not have to wait until the remaining economy cabin has been served before seeing them again. 

Delta has unveiled images of prototype uniforms which are currently under development. Working with GAP, the uniforms are - according to Delta - “anchored in deep navy blues and rich burgundy, with accents of bright red and white – a return to a more classic colour palette inspired by Delta’s brand identity and heritage”. Expect the uniforms - designed on advice from the airline's 20,000 employees - sometime soon!

The 13.3 inches (33.8 centimetres) in-flight entertainment touch-screens in Premium Select are larger than those in Economy Class and feature over 1,000 hours of entertainment from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the best television series, plus a host of podcasts and audio options available through Delta Studio. In addition, there are up to 18 channels of live satellite television. Programming is available in many languages, with noise-reducing headphones available at each seat before takeoff.

A moving map display is available on all international flights, while the latest A330-900neo has an impressive multi-function flight tracking system. Currently, wireless internet is available on almost all long-haul Delta flights for a fee, which is charged based on a time limit – however, in February 2023, Delta partnered with T-Mobile to bring free and fast Wi-Fi to all Delta customers on domestic flights with international and regional routes expected to be serviced with free Wi-Fi by the end of 2024.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on Wi-Fi and inflight entertainment.

Mexican apparel brand Something Somewhere provides useful, environmentally friendly artisan amenity kits containing Delta-branded socks, a Delta-branded bamboo toothbrush with toothpaste, earplugs, an eye mask, and Grown Alchemist natural skin care products, vanilla-watermelon lip balm and vanilla-orange skin cream. A nice touch is seeing details about which artisan made the individual kit via a scannable QR code. Premium Select passengers also receive a memory foam pillow and plush blanket made from recycled materials. 

Families travelling with infants can request a bassinet, which Delta dubs a SkyCot, free of charge by contacting Delta Reservations before arriving at the airport. These can only be used adjacent to specific seats. These are ideal for babies weighing up to 9 kilogrammes (20 pounds) and up to 66 centimetres long (26 inches).

Delta Premium Select is not available on domestic flights and shorter international flights. Even planes equipped with Premium Select seating do not offer the amenities and inflight service when not used on long-haul flights.

Delta is a leader in sustainability among North American carriers. The airline was one of the first to introduce an onboard recycling program in the 1990s, and it continues to do so today while also making an effort to reduce single-use plastic. Delta strives for partnerships that drive social impact, from bagasse dinnerware to sustainable amenity kits handcrafted by artisans in Mexico. 

The airline aims to replace 10 per cent of its fuel with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. 

The airline is heavily invested in its communities, participating in nonprofit events and supporting them financially. One such organization is Habitat for Humanity, where Delta employees regularly build new homes for the less fortunate. 

Delta is also upgrading the winglets by installing split-scimitar winglets. This enhancement will make the aircraft more fuel efficient, saving nearly 3.3 million gallons of fuel per year

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.