Here’s everything you need to know before you fly, according to Delta Air Lines reviews.

Since its humble beginnings as a crop-dusting outfit founded in Macon, Georgia in 1925, Delta has grown into one of the largest airlines on the planet. In a typical year, the carrier flies as many as 200 million passengers to 300 destinations in over 50 countries around the globe on its fleet of nearly 800 aircraft.

Delta also partners with other international carriers like Air France-KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic. The airline has major hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, so chances are you might be flying with Delta sometime soon. If so, here’s everything you need to know about Delta Air Lines before your travel, including feedback based on passenger reviews.

Fare Classes

Like many other airlines, Delta offers a variety of fare classes, which can get confusing.

Basic Economy

Starting at the bottom, Basic Economy, or “E” fares, are the cheapest. Seat assignments can only be made after check-in, and you cannot change your flight or receive a refund for cancellation beyond 24 hours. Whether you have Medallion elite status or not, tickets are not eligible for:

• Paid or complimentary upgrades
• Paid, complimentary, or discounted Delta Comfort+ (extra legroom) seats
• Paid or complimentary Preferred seats (window or aisle seats toward the front)
• Same-day confirmed or standby changes

Despite those drawbacks, many fliers feel like the savings are worth it, especially if you check in as soon as you’re able to and can snag a seat. That’s what Tripadvisor commenter Solo Traveler did, saying, “I was able to select the same seat at check-in that I would normally have chosen, and saved myself a substantial sum (about $125).”

Main Cabin

If you fly in a Main Cabin fare, you will be able to select some seats for free upon booking. You will also have the option to purchase Preferred (aisle and window) and Comfort+ (extra legroom) seats, as well as paid or complimentary upgrades depending on your elite status. Passengers who purchase fares in Main Cabin and higher may change or cancel tickets under certain restrictions.

Comfort+

Delta Comfort+ is the airline’s designation for extra legroom economy, including dedicated overhead space, priority boarding, and extra snacks and amenities compared to Main Cabin. According to Tripadvisor commenter Nelson, “I really thought the Comfort option was worth the price. Excellent legroom, great movie screens, premium snacks and earbuds, great luggage compartments, preferred boarding, etc., were worth the additional cost!”

Premium Select

Delta introduced Premium Select international premium economy in 2017, featuring larger seats, updated entertainment screens, and better amenities than in economy.

Folks in this cabin also receive Sky Priority service at the airport, including expedited check-in, security, and baggage services, as well as priority boarding.

First Class

Despite the name, First Class is not Delta’s most premium option. It applies only to domestic and regional flights and resembles Premium Select. Passengers receive a higher baggage allowance plus better food and drinks than economy passengers and have priority boarding.

Delta One

The airline’s flagship cabin is Delta One, featuring podlike lie-flat seats and premium amenities. Passengers enjoy Sky Priority treatment at the airport and access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying internationally.

Flight Change and Cancellation Policies

There are no change or cancellation fees if you purchase tickets in Main Cabin or higher on flights originating from North America. However, you will receive the original airfare as an eCredit and will have to pay the price difference if your new flight is more expensive than your original.

For Basic Economy tickets (which are non-refundable), you will be charged a cancellation fee starting at $99. This may be higher depending on your itinerary, and the remaining value of your ticket will transform into an eCredit for future flights.

Although that leaves some flexibility for travelers, as Tripadvisor user Joe C discovered, future flight credits can have their limitations. “Tried to book a new reservation only to be told the [price] had quintupled! Gee, thanks Delta,” he remarks, highlighting the disadvantage of travel credits versus refunds.

Standing by for a more convenient flight is free, but confirming a same-day change costs at least $75, unless you have Delta Gold Medallion status or higher.

Baggage Policies and Fees

Whether or not you can check a bag for free will depend on the ticket you buy and whether you hold Medallion elite status or a Delta credit card. You can determine your baggage fees using the airline’s calculator.

If you’re in Basic Economy without elite status or a credit card, you can bring a carry-on bag but must pay for checked luggage, with fees starting at $30 for the first bag domestically or $75 internationally.

Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ customers on domestic flights generally pay $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second. Some prices are elevated for flights to Mexico, while international itineraries, such as flights to Europe or Asia, may include a free first checked bag.

Passengers in First Class, Premium Select, and Delta One typically receive two checked bags at no cost.

If you possess a Delta American Express credit card or have Medallion elite status, you’ll receive complimentary checked baggage irrespective of the fare you book, based on specific benefit combinations.

Boarding Order

Delta’s normal boarding procedures follow this sequence:

• Preboarding for customers needing assistance or additional time to board, plus active U.S. military
• Delta One and First Class passengers
• Diamond Medallion members
• Delta Premium Select customers
• Early boarding for passengers with car seats or strollers
• Delta Comfort+ passengers
• Sky Priority, including Delta’s own elites and those of some partner airlines
• Main Cabin passengers with elite status
• Main Cabin passengers without elite status
• Basic Economy customers

This may lead to confusion, as noted by Yelper Nancy M., who described the boarding process as “indecipherable,” making it difficult for regular passengers to navigate.

Seats and Legroom

Delta has an array of planes, so your exact seat dimensions will depend on the aircraft type and class of service. Generally, however, expect the following sizes:

Main Cabin

Economy seats range from 16 to 18.6 inches wide, with pitch from 30 to 33 inches and limited recline. Depending on the aircraft, they may be arranged in various configurations.

Most fliers find the seats acceptable, albeit tight for long journeys. SkyTrax commenter N Harkov noted, “Seat was quite comfortable, but legroom was not so great (I am six feet tall). Overall, it isn’t bad, but I was definitely happy to stretch my legs after 10 hours aboard.”

Comfort+

Comfort+ seats maintain the same width and recline but offer up to 34 inches of pitch.

First Class

Domestic first-class seats tend to be 20 to 21 inches wide with 35 to 39 inches of pitch, usually in a 2 – 2 arrangement.

Premium Select

Premium Select features chairs that are 18.5 inches wide with 38 inches of pitch and up to seven inches of recline, laid out in a 2 – 3 – 2 or 2 – 4 – 2 configuration.

According to Charles1019 on Tripadvisor, “These seats are like the original first class seats used internationally years ago by Delta, with some upgrades. You can fully recline your seat without the possibility of making the passenger behind you mad. Lots of space. They have retractable leg rests, and the television screen is much bigger than the largest domestic versions. Super comfortable flight all around!”

Delta One

In Delta One, seating is arranged in a 1 – 2 – 1 configuration, allowing direct aisle access. Seats are 21 to 22.5 inches wide and recline to flat beds that measure 71 to 80 inches. Pods on the A350 or A330-900neo even boast closing doors for privacy.

This feature delighted Tripadvisor commenter The Travel Squad during a January 2020 flight: “Great experience flying business in the Delta One Suites. The best business class experience so far, full privacy in the suite, great food and service.”

Amenities and Entertainment

Food and Beverage

On shorter domestic flights, Delta provides a selection of packaged snacks, coffee, tea, and bottled water. Passengers in higher classes might receive complimentary drinks, with Main Cabin customers able to purchase these on longer domestic flights.

According to recent short-haul Main Cabin flier The_Wanderer1992 on Tripadvisor, “They had a limited snack offering with a small bottle of water, peanuts and cookies.”

On selected Hawaii flights and international routes, Main Cabin and Comfort+ passengers enjoy a meal service with entrée choices, while Tripadvisor commenter ESPASSOC described the food as “tasty for the main meal.” Premium Select passengers receive larger meals, and those in Delta One benefit from gourmet menus presented with the airline’s bespoke Alessi flatware.

According to Tripadvisor reviewer brmusicman, the Delta One meal from Sydney to Los Angeles was “elegantly presented and tasty.” He enjoyed a tray of appetizers, a well-prepared fish main course, with dessert comprising of ice cream and cheese.

Onboard Comfort

On long-haul flights, Main Cabin and Comfort+ passengers receive pillows and blankets, along with basic amenity kits. Premium Select offers enhanced kits, while Delta One passengers enjoy refined “Someone Somewhere” kits, featuring high-end grooming products.

In-flight Wi-Fi

Delta provides Wi-Fi for purchase on nearly all flights and offers free mobile messaging via its onboard network, which many passengers find advantageous.

Wi-Fi is occasionally unavailable, as highlighted by Tripadvisor user wanderinstyle, who experienced inconsistencies during their journey. It’s recommended to load essential websites prior to your flight.

Entertainment and Outlets

The airline features over 1,000 hours of free entertainment through its Delta Studio system. Most planes come equipped with in-seat power and USB ports for device charging, although some older aircraft do not have power plugs throughout the economy cabins.

Delta Credit Cards

Depending on how many miles you hope to accumulate and what perks you’re looking for, consider one of these three credit cards.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers bonus miles after eligible spending and earns two miles per dollar on Delta purchases. Cardholders also enjoy their first checked bag free and priority boarding.

One step up is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, providing bonus miles after eligible spending as well, with additional rewards from hotel purchases.

Finally, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers substantial bonus miles and perks like access to Delta Sky Clubs. It also provides a companion certificate for a round-trip ticket in select classes.