Latest news with #DeltaComfort
Time Out
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Delta Air Lines is getting rid of Basic Economy: here's why
If you're flying Delta this fall—perhaps through its busy hub in Atlanta —you'll notice a change when booking your flight. Starting October 1 (yep, heads up if you're planning holiday travel), Delta Air Lines is scrapping its Basic Economy class—at least in name. The no-frills fare that's cheap but comes with restrictions isn't going away, but it's getting a new name as part of a rebrand of Delta's fare classes. Here's what you need to know. Why is Delta Air Lines getting rid of Basic Economy? According to the airline, the rebrand offers more flexibility and customization, allowing passengers to choose the experience they want. "As we listen and learn about what our customers want when it comes to their travel, we know that clarity and choice are paramount," SVP and Chief Digital Officer Eric Phillips said in a press release. "Our reimagined shopping experience gives customers more options and flexibility to pick the travel experience that works best for them, and a full picture of all the benefits of flying with Delta." What is replacing Delta's Basic Economy? The airline is folding Basic Economy into a revamped Delta Main category (formerly Main Cabin), which now features three tiers: Basic, Classic and Extra. Delta Main Basic is essentially the same stripped-down experience: no seat selection until check-in and last boarding position in Zone 8. But Delta hopes the new name signals a broader, more flexible ticketing system. Delta Main Classic comes with perks like free seat selection, no-fee cancellations and same-day standby. Go for Delta Main Extra and you'll get even more: full refundability, earlier boarding, free same-day confirmed changes and a better mileage earning rate. Other fare categories are also getting rebranded. Comfort+ becomes Delta Comfort, First Class is now Delta First, but the in-flight experience won't change. Premium Select and Delta One keep their current names. Delta says the overhaul is about simplifying choices and making it easier for travelers to understand what they're buying. In practice, it's a branding pivot that lets Delta soften the stigma around Basic Economy without eliminating the budget option entirely.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delta is ditching basic economy fare and overhauling entire ticketing structure
Delta Air Lines has announced changes to its fare classes, including readjusting its Basic Economy seating. Beginning Thursday, for flights on or after October 1, the Delta seats will now be under new categories: Delta Main, Delta Comfort, Delta First, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One, according t a news release. Basic Economy will now fall under the Delta Main category, in which there are three tiers: Delta Main Basic, Delta Main Classic, and Delta Main Extra. Main Basic is the equivalent of Basic Economy, with seats being assigned after check-in and Zone 8 boarding priority. Main Classic includes better boarding priority, same-day standby options, and added flexibility for flyers to choose their seats. Main Extra expands even further with a higher boarding priority. 'You can get the benefits you've become accustomed to when you book Classic – seat selection, no-fee cancellation and Same-Day Standby,' the airline said in the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on its website. 'Extra gets you more than Classic or our previous Refundable ticket option. With Extra, you can enjoy full refundability if you decide to cancel, earlier boarding, free Same-Day Confirmed options and more miles earned.' Delta Comfort was formerly known as Delta Comfort +, and Delta First was formerly known as First Class. The airline noted in the release that only the names of the seating categories would be changing, with all of the same existing benefits, and that the update would not 'affect your in-flight experience.' 'As we listen and learn about what our customers want when it comes to their travel, we know that clarity and choice are paramount,' Senior Vice President Eric Phillips, said in the release. 'Our reimagined shopping experience gives customers more options and flexibility to pick the travel experience that works best for them, and a full picture of all the benefits of flying with Delta.' Delta's news comes after Spirit Airlines announced it would be offering new incentives, including improved seating, in an attempt to lure travelers. The airline's newly announced options offer customers access to seats with extra legroom and a slew of accompanying perks. Spirit previously offered more space to passengers through a 'Go Comfy' option, which blocked off a middle seat in a row of three seats. According to the press release, this option will soon be phased out and replaced with seats with extra legroom. The flight package also includes a carry-on bag, no change or cancel fees, priority boarding, reserved overhead bin space, a snack, and a non-alcoholic beverage in addition to the larger seat. Seven rows toward the front of the plane, totaling more than 40 seats, will have 32 inches of space rather than the customary 28. The new 'Go Comfy' plan will be available for booking Thursday, and travelers will able to start flying in those seats on July 9.
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.
