Latest news with #Comfort+
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delta is ditching 'basic economy,' but don't expect buying a ticket to be any simpler
Delta Air Lines is rebranding its ticket categories and nixing basic economy. The affordable tickets have been renamed Delta Main Basic. Delta says the changes will provide more choice and clarity for customers. Delta Air Lines is saying goodbye to basic economy — but don't worry, it's not actually going anywhere. The airline on Thursday announced a rebranding of many of its fare categories, including an end to the "basic economy" moniker. The tickets will now be known as Delta Main Basic as part of a three-tier economy class — basic, classic, and extra — each with varying mileage accumulations, boarding groups, and flexibility for changes. Delta Comfort+ has also been renamed Delta Comfort, while First Class is now Delta First. Delta Premium Select and Delta One remain unchanged. These four categories will each have classic and extra tiers, giving a grand total of 11 cost options to get from point A to point B. The new names will give flyers "more choice and greater clarity," Delta said. Main Basic will keep the familiar benefits (or lack thereof): seats not assigned until check-in, the lowest boarding priority, no miles, no bags, and cancellation fees with only partial credit refunds. It's a stark difference from the highest Extra economy ticket, which includes seat selection, earlier boarding, more points than the mid-tier, and a full refund. Delta and most of its competitors first introduced basic economy fares around 2012 to compete with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Southwest. Despite their restrictions, they've proven a hit with budget-conscious travelers. But lately, premium seats have been the money makers for airlines as they face a downturn in ticket sales. In late 2024, Delta President Glen Hauenstein told investors that the company is seeing more demand for premium than economy seats. As such, it's focusing additional capacity on these more expensive tickets, a strategy it hopes will triumph over budget carriers. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delta is ditching 'basic economy,' but don't expect buying a ticket to be any simpler
Delta Air Lines is rebranding its ticket categories and nixing basic economy. The affordable tickets have been renamed Delta Main Basic. Delta says the changes will provide more choice and clarity for customers. Delta Air Lines is saying goodbye to basic economy — but don't worry, it's not actually going anywhere. The airline on Thursday announced a rebranding of many of its fare categories, including an end to the "basic economy" moniker. The tickets will now be known as Delta Main Basic as part of a three-tier economy class — basic, classic, and extra — each with varying mileage accumulations, boarding groups, and flexibility for changes. Delta Comfort+ has also been renamed Delta Comfort, while First Class is now Delta First. Delta Premium Select and Delta One remain unchanged. These four categories will each have classic and extra tiers, giving a grand total of 11 cost options to get from point A to point B. The new names will give flyers "more choice and greater clarity," Delta said. Main Basic will keep the familiar benefits (or lack thereof): seats not assigned until check-in, the lowest boarding priority, no miles, no bags, and cancellation fees with only partial credit refunds. It's a stark difference from the highest Extra economy ticket, which includes seat selection, earlier boarding, more points than the mid-tier, and a full refund. Delta and most of its competitors first introduced basic economy fares around 2012 to compete with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Southwest. Despite their restrictions, they've proven a hit with budget-conscious travelers. But lately, premium seats have been the money makers for airlines as they face a downturn in ticket sales. In late 2024, Delta President Glen Hauenstein told investors that the company is seeing more demand for premium than economy seats. As such, it's focusing additional capacity on these more expensive tickets, a strategy it hopes will triumph over budget carriers. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Delta is ditching 'basic economy,' but don't expect buying a ticket to be any simpler
Delta Air Lines is rebranding its ticket categories and nixing basic economy. The affordable tickets have been renamed Delta Main Basic. Delta says the changes will provide more choice and clarity for customers. Delta Air Lines is saying goodbye to basic economy — but don't worry, it's not actually going anywhere. The airline on Thursday announced a rebranding of many of its fare categories, including an end to the "basic economy" moniker. The tickets will now be known as Delta Main Basic as part of a three-tier economy class — basic, classic, and extra — each with varying mileage accumulations, boarding groups, and flexibility for changes. Delta Comfort+ has also been renamed Delta Comfort, while First Class is now Delta First. Delta Premium Select and Delta One remain unchanged. These four categories will each have classic and extra tiers, giving a grand total of 11 cost options to get from point A to point B. The new names will give flyers "more choice and greater clarity," Delta said. Main Basic will keep the familiar benefits (or lack thereof): seats not assigned until check-in, the lowest boarding priority, no miles, no bags, and cancellation fees with only partial credit refunds. It's a stark difference from the highest Extra economy ticket, which includes seat selection, earlier boarding, more points than the mid-tier, and a full refund. Delta and most of its competitors first introduced basic economy fares around 2012 to compete with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Southwest. Despite their restrictions, they've proven a hit with budget-conscious travelers. But lately, premium seats have been the money makers for airlines as they face a downturn in ticket sales. In late 2024, Delta President Glen Hauenstein told investors that the company is seeing more demand for premium than economy seats. As such, it's focusing additional capacity on these more expensive tickets, a strategy it hopes will triumph over budget carriers.
Time Out
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
This airline is number one in customer satisfaction for 2025… for now
Just in time for the busy summer travel season, the J.D. Power 2025 North America Airline Satisfaction Study is out. Based on feedback from over 10,000 passengers, the survey highlights which airlines are getting it right—and which ones are falling short. Southwest Airlines has earned the number one spot in the economy category for the fourth year running. Whether the airline can hang on to that accolade is yet to be seen, however, as the recent decision to drop their free checked bags perk —which was met with widespread disappointment—wasn't reflected in this survey. JetBlue dominated in first/business class, while Delta's Comfort+ topped the premium economy category with its extra legroom, complimentary drinks and premium snacks. Alaska Airlines also made a strong showing in the premium categories. The survey also reveals the airlines that could stand to improve their customer relations. Spirit, Frontier, WestJet, Air Canada and American Airlines rounded out the lowest-ranked carriers in the economy segment. Despite chaotic airports and more frequent delays, overall airline passenger satisfaction has increased. Economy class made significant gains thanks to better interactions with airline staff. Frontline service and customer perks go a long way toward keeping customers satisfied. 'Throughout our one-year study period, we've seen a slight decline in both ticket prices and passenger volume, which has helped keep overall passenger satisfaction levels high,' Michael Taylor, J.D. Power's senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail, and customer service, said in a statement. 'But it's clear that market dynamics are changing and will likely affect passenger experience in the coming weeks and months. Airlines will likely have a tougher year this year, economically, but the key to their longer-term success will be how well they manage economic headwinds without compromising on customer experience.'
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
These airlines ranked highest and lowest in customer satisfaction for 2025: JD Power study
Their service ratings are taking off. According to J.D. Power's 2025 North American Airline Satisfaction Study, overall passenger satisfaction is up six points from 2024 — and three airlines reigned supreme. Airline passengers have revealed that JetBlue, Delta Air Lines and Southwest provide the highest customer satisfaction rate. 6 Passengers have revealed that JetBlue, Delta Air Lines and Southwest have the highest customer satisfactory rate. ¬© Simon Lewis Studio The study analyzed seven core elements: airline staff, digital tools, ease of travel, level of trust, on-board experience, pre/post-flight experience and value for price paid. It also measured satisfaction rates in three different segments: first/business, premium economy, and economy/basic economy. Looking at these aspects, JetBlue ranked the highest in customers satisfaction in the first/business segment, while Delta came in second and Alaska Airlines in third. In premium economy, Delta takes the top spot for a third consecutive year with Delta's Comfort+, which offers flyers extra leg room as well as free wine, beer and premium snacks. JetBlue ranked second and Alaska ranked third. 6 JetBlue ranked the highest in customers satisfaction in the first/business segment. J.D. Power Southwest Airlines has the highest customer satisfaction rate in the economy/basic economy category for the fourth consecutive year. In second for this segment was JetBlue and in third, Delta. However, Southwest's top spot could be in jeopardy considering the survey didn't account for the airline's highly controversial decision to end the free checked bag policy, which was met with fiery backlash from loyal customers. On the other side, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, WestJet, Air Canada and American Airlines ranked in the bottom five for the economy/basic economy category. 6 Southwest's top spot could be in jeopardy considering the survey didn't account for the airline's highly controversial decision to end the free checked bag policy.6 In premium economy, Delta takes the top spot for a third consecutive year with Delta's Comfort+. J.D. Power 'Throughout our one-year study period, we've seen a slight decline in both ticket prices and passenger volume, which has helped keep overall passenger satisfaction levels high,' Michael Taylor, senior managing director of travel, hospitality, retail and customer service at J.D. Power, said in a statement. 'But it's clear that market dynamics are changing and will likely affect passenger experience in the coming weeks and months. Airlines will likely have a tougher year this year, economically, but the key to their longer-term success will be how well they manage economic headwinds without compromising on customer experience.' 6 Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, WestJet, Air Canada and American Airlines ranked in the bottom five for the economy/basic economy category. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon 6 Southwest Airlines has the highest customer satisfaction rate in the economy/basic economy category for the fourth consecutive year. J.D. Power The survey was based on responses from 10,224 passengers who had flown on one of the airlines within the last month of participating in the survey, with responses collected from March 2024 through March 2025.
