Latest news with #EricPhillips
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.
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Delta ditches ‘basic economy' in ticketing overhaul — here's how fliers can still snag a cut-price fare
Delta is grounding Basic Economy. The airline is overhauling its ticket offerings in a bid to give customers 'greater choice and more customization' — and it's its most economical offering will be impacted. But frugal fliers fear not, Delta will still offer the cheapest tier of ticket under a new name. From Oct 1, Basic Economy will be officially known as Delta Main Basic. 'Delta Main Basic offers you the essentials, just as a Basic Economy ticket did before,' a new statement from the carrier declared. From Oct 1, Basic Economy will be officially known as Delta Main Basic. REUTERS Customers who opt for this cut-price ticket type won't be entitled to perks such as seat selection or early boarding. Delta Main Basic is the lowest of the three ticket types offered in economy class. There will also be Delta Main Classic and Delta Main Extra, the latter of which will offer extra air miles. Delta Main Basic is the lowest of the three ticket types offered in economy class. Kirk Fisher – Meanwhile, Basic Economy isn't the only ticket type to be renamed. First Class will soon be known as Delta First, while Comfort+ is being rebranded to Delta Comfort. Eric Phillips, Delat's Chief Digital Officer, said the overhaul '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.' All up, there will be 11 ticket options for customers: Delta First Extra Delta First Classic Delta One Extra Delta One Classic Delta Premium Select Extra Delta Premium Select Classic Delta Comfort Extra Delta Comfort Classic Delta Main Extra Delta Main Classic Delta Main Basic
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 Air Lines gets rid of Basic Economy fare. Here's what will replace it.
Delta Air Lines is doing away with Basic Economy seating – sort of. The airline will fold the base fare into its new Delta Main category – previously called Main Cabin – for flights departing Oct. 1 or later, part of a reworked ticket tier structure. Delta Comfort+ will become Delta Comfort and First Class will be called Delta First, the carrier said Thursday. Premium Select, the airline's international-style premium economy service, and its Delta One business class will keep their names. 'As we listen and learn about what our customers want when it comes to their travel, we know that clarity and choice are paramount,' Eric Phillips, SVP and Chief Digital Officer, said in a news 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.' The Delta Main category will include three levels that the airline calls 'experience options.' Delta Main Basic is the new Basic Economy, a bare-bones fare that comes with restrictions. Flyers will get their seat assignments after they check in, for example, and board in Zone 8. Delta Main Classic comes with options for same-day standby, higher boarding priority and other perks, while Delta Main Extra customers get an even better boarding position, more miles per dollar and more. The four other categories of fares, meanwhile, will come with just two levels each: Classic and Extra. '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 an 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.' That said, the new labels are not as different as they might sound. 'These are naming changes only and do not affect your in-flight experience,' Delta added. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No more Basic Economy: Delta Air Lines reworks airfare structure
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Delta Air Lines gets rid of Basic Economy fare. Here's what will replace it.
Delta Air Lines gets rid of Basic Economy fare. Here's what will replace it. Show Caption Hide Caption USA TODAY's preview of Delta's new airplane interiors A previous version of this video misidentified a level of class offered on Delta flights. Delta Air Lines is renaming its fare classes, including folding Basic Economy into a new "Delta Main" category. Delta Main will have three levels: Basic, Classic, and Extra, offering varying perks and restrictions. Other fare classes like Delta Comfort and Delta First will also see name changes, but the onboard experience will remain the same. These changes apply to flights departing on or after October 1. Delta Air Lines is doing away with Basic Economy seating – sort of. The airline will fold the base fare into its new Delta Main category – previously called Main Cabin – for flights departing Oct. 1 or later, part of a reworked ticket tier structure. Delta Comfort+ will become Delta Comfort and First Class will be called Delta First, the carrier said Thursday. Premium Select, the airline's international-style premium economy service, and its Delta One business class will keep their names. 'As we listen and learn about what our customers want when it comes to their travel, we know that clarity and choice are paramount,' Eric Phillips, SVP and Chief Digital Officer, said in a news 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 Delta Main category will include three levels that the airline calls 'experience options.' Delta Main Basic is the new Basic Economy, a bare-bones fare that comes with restrictions. Flyers will get their seat assignments after they check in, for example, and board in Zone 8. Delta Main Classic comes with options for same-day standby, higher boarding priority and other perks, while Delta Main Extra customers get an even better boarding position, more miles per dollar and more. The four other categories of fares, meanwhile, will come with just two levels each: Classic and Extra. '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 an 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.' That said, the new labels are not as different as they might sound. 'These are naming changes only and do not affect your in-flight experience,' Delta added. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
