Delta debuts premium economy between New York and LA, mixed news for elites

10.06.2024 - 19:55 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy / Delta Skymiles / Delta I (I) / Delta

Delta's premium transcontinental route between New York City and Los Angeles is getting even more premium.

The Atlanta-based carrier announced Monday that it will officially start selling a Premium Select cabin on flights between these two cities beginning in September.

This change has been a long time coming for Delta ... and it's not necessarily great news for all travelers. Here's everything you need to know.

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Beginning Sept. 10, Delta will begin selling Premium Select seats on flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

At the outset, Delta will offer the Premium Select product on four of its 11 peak-day departures between these cities. Later in the year, Delta will expand this premium economy experience to additional frequencies.

Delta's initial pricing for Premium Select comes in at around $600 for one-way premium transcontinental flights. The same seat is going for 57,000 Delta SkyMiles, which represents a roughly 1.05 cents per mile valuation — below TPG's valuation of 1.15 cents per mile.

Delta's Premium Select cabin offers an intermediate experience between pricey Delta One lie-flat business-class pods and the standard economy or extra-legroom Comfort+ economy seats.

For one, this cabin offers spacious recliners in a 2-2-2 configuration on board the Boeing 767 that's deployed between New York and Los Angeles. Seats have generous recline, large tray tables, bigger TV screens and a few other bells and whistles. I particularly enjoy the legrests and footrests that make it easier to catch some shut-eye in these seats.

All in all, the recliners largely resemble the product that you'd find in traditional domestic first-class cabins.

That said, the "soft product" — all the items that aren't physically attached to the aircraft — will receive a nice upgrade on the five- to six-hour jaunts between the coasts.

For one, travelers will enjoy a host of premium amenities, including a memory foam pillow, a plush duvet, a Someone Somewhere-branded amenity kit and noise-canceling headsets.

When it comes time to dine, Premium Select flyers will be served from a menu of favorites curated by New York City-based Union Square Events on westbound flights and LA-based Jon & Vinny's on eastbound flights.

Travelers will be able to select their preferred entree through the Manage My Flight portal a few days before the flight. Meals will be served on real china plates with linen tableware and napkins, as well as silver flatware and glassware.

Before arrival, travelers will be offered a snack basket and some chocolates.

At the airport, Premium Select travelers are