Delta Air Lines Debuts ‘Comfort Basic’ Fare

Delta Air Lines’ newest experience—Delta Comfort Basic—is now on sale for travel starting on or after Nov. 19.

The move adds a “Basic” option to Delta Comfort, giving flyers the perks of that class, mainly the extra legroom, dedicated overhead space, Zone 3 boarding, and complimentary wine and beer, but at a lower price point. Travelers opting for Comfort Basic, the entry point into Delta’s premium cabin, instead of the traditional Comfort tickets are essentially trading flexibility and the ability to get a refund for a lower price within the Comfort cabin.

Delta Comfort Basic will sit below Delta Comfort and Delta Comfort Extra.

The new class will only be available for revenue tickets; customers purchasing tickets with miles will not be able to get a Delta Comfort Basic ticket. (Delta’s main cabin “Basic Economy” does allow for reward tickets.)

At first, Comfort Basic will only be available on “very select Delta-marketed and operated domestic itineraries,” the airline said. If the option is not available during booking, it is not an option for that flight or route.

Delta has gone all-in on its premium experiences, which now essentially start at Delta Comfort Basic. Premium and luxury travel has outpaced Delta’s main cabin growth for a while now. Between 2011 and 2014, the airline’s premium seating accounted for just 20% of its offerings. From 2015 to 2019, that figure rose to 25%. By 2022, premium products represented 30% of Delta’s offerings and have since become the airline’s highest-margin segment.