Delta to Introduce Premium Select Seats on Cross-country Flights for the First Time

11.06.2024 - 16:41 / travelandleisure.com / Delta Comfort / John F.Kennedy / Delta I (I) / Delta

Delta Air Lines is about to make flying cross-country more comfortable by introducing its Premium Select cabin for the first time on flights between New York and Los Angeles.

Starting Sept. 10, the elevated cabin will be available on flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), according to the airline. The cabin will be offered on four of Delta’s 11 peak-day flights between the two cities operated on a Boeing 767 widebody aircraft.

The airline plans to expand the service to more frequencies between New York and Los Angeles later this year.

“Delta Premium Select will bring a new level of comfort, luxury and practicality to one of Delta's most important routes in the domestic U.S. as we continue to work to deliver more premium experiences to our customers,” Maurico Parise, Delta’s vice president for brand experience design, said in a statement. “This product has been a success internationally, especially following the recent investments we’ve made onboard, and we know that customers flying between New York and Los Angeles will enjoy the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat and premium experience.” 

In addition to Premium Select, the flights between New York and Los Angeles will also feature Delta One, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin seats.

A one-way flight search by Travel + Leisure between JFK and LAX on Sept. 10 revealed tickets for Premium Select starting at $604 for the nonstop 8 a.m. flight. That same flight starts at $154 for basic economy, $204 for Main Cabin, $354 for Comfort+, and $1,549 for Delta One.

Delta said SkyMiles Medallion members will now be eligible for complimentary upgrades to Delta Premium Select on domestic flights, which will follow the same timing and priority as complimentary upgrades to first class.

Premium Select is Delta’s version of premium economy and features a fold-out leg and footrest along with expedited check-in, security, and baggage services, and the option to pre-select a meal (think: summer vegetable lasagna with parmesan cream sauce and cherry tomatoes). On board, travelers also receive a memory foam pillow, noise-canceling headsets, and a premium amenity kit from Someone Somewhere.

Delta first introduced the cabin in 2017 and said it is currently available on most of the airline’s Pacific and transatlantic flights and on select routes to Latin America.

The decision to roll out Premium Select on cross-country flights comes as Delta outfits its Boeing 737-800 aircraft with its newest First Class seat and refreshes some Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin seats with new 10-inch Panasonic seatback screens and touchless features in bathrooms. The airline is also in the process of