Based on Delta Air Lines reviews, here’s what you need to know before you fly.
With humble beginnings as a crop dusting outfit in Macon, Georgia in 1925, Delta has grown into one of the world’s largest airlines. On its fleet of almost 800 aircraft, the carrier flies 200 million passengers each year to 300 destinations in over 50 countries.
Air France-KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic are some of Delta’s international partners. The airline has major hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, so chances are you might fly with Delta sometime soon. Find out everything you need to know about Delta Air Lines Reservations before booking, including feedback from passengers.
With Delta, you can fly anywhere in the world
Atlanta is one of nine Delta hubs in the United States. In addition to Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York JFK, LaGuardia, and Salt Lake City, Delta has major domestic operations as well. However, Delta can take you much further than just around the United States. With Delta’s own flights, you can travel to over 240 destinations on six continents in 52 countries. It’s worthwhile to understand Delta’s SkyTeam membership for destinations not on Delta’s flight map. SkyTeam, one of the world’s largest airline alliances, was founded by Delta. It is currently made up of 24 airlines, from WestJet in Canada to LATAM in South America. Others include Air France, China Eastern, and many others. There is no hassle when booking a connecting Delta flight with any of these carriers. Your bags are handled immediately, and your flights are all included on the same booking. SkyTeam is a partnership between Delta and its partners that operates more than 15,000 flights every day. Find out more about SkyTeam on Delta’s website.
Delta has a hub-and-spoke system.
Delta’s hubs were mentioned earlier. Why are they important? Well, when you book a long-haul flight with Delta, you will inevitably connect to your wide body portion at one of these nine hubs. You may be able to start your journey at a smaller, more local airport, perhaps even a very small regional airport. However, you will likely be dropped off at one of these big hubs to connect on your long haul flight.
Three other airlines operate Delta Connection, a Delta subsidiary brand that operates many of Delta’s regional services. In addition, Endeavour Air has 166 Canadair regional jets, Republic Airways has 218 Embraer regional jets, and SkyWest has 502 airplanes in total. The Delta Connection company provides service to 211 destinations in the United States, Canada, Cuba and the Bahamas between them. Delta Connection flights serve some of these airports as well, but in many cases, you’ll fly in via Delta Connection if you’re from a regional airport. You’ll still be protected as if that flight were a Delta mainline flight, so don’t worry.
There are various classes of Delta flights
There are several cabin classes to choose from, starting with Basic Economy and moving up to Delta One depending on whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
- Basic Economics:This is the cheapest ticket and doesn’t come with checked bags, seat selection or change and refund privileges.
- Main cabin: A regular economy fare allows you to select your own seat, bring a carry-on bag, and get protection if you need to cancel or change your trip.
- Comfort: Economy comfort is still economy, but it’s the best economy. Seats have extra legroom, overhead bins dedicated to snacks, and more amenities than main cabins.
- Premium Select: This is an international premium economy class seat, which is not available on Delta’s short haul services. There are larger seats, bigger IFE screens, and priority airport check-in and boarding.
- Delta First: While Delta First is not the airline’s most impressive product, you do get more baggage allowances, wider seats, and priority boarding with this premium service.
- Delta One: In a Delta Sky Club, you have access to food and beverages that are available only to Delta Sky Club members. This is the king of all cabins for long haul flights.
Policy on Flight Changes and Cancellations
Delta Cancellation Policy State that if you’re within 24 hours of purchasing your ticket you can cancel your flight without a penalty when you book directly with Delta. Be sure to cancel your flight prior to departure. If you purchased a non-refundable ticket, you may cancel your ticket prior to departure and receive an e Credit if applicable.
For Delta Flight Change It’s easy to make changes yourself in My Trips and the Fly Delta app in just a few simple steps – saving you time and helping you stay in control of your travel plans. If your travel plans have changed, be sure to make changes prior to your departure.
Id tickets purchased in Main Cabins or above on flights originating in North America, Delta doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees. If your new flight is more expensive than your previous flight, you will have to pay the difference. However, you will receive the original airfare as an e-Credit.
If you purchase a Basic Economy ticket (non-refundable), you will be charged a cancellation fee of $99. You can find the exact fee on your ticket under “Fare Rules.” The remaining value of your ticket, minus the fee, will be used as an eCredit in the future.
In spite of this, future flight credits have limitations, as Tripadvisor board member Joe C discovered. “I booked a [flight] last year only to be told it had been canceled and I’d receive a ‘credit’ for future travel,” he wrote. “Tried to book a new reservation, but I was told the [price] had quadrupled! Gee, thanks Delta! Now I understand why they gave me a credit instead of a refund!”
Standby for a more convenient flight is free, but if you want to change your seat on the same day, it will cost you $75 (unless you have Delta Gold Medallion status or higher).
Main hub / headquarters:
Since 1941, Delta’s corporate headquarters has been located at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Monroe, Louisiana.
The official website is:
On Delta’s website, customers can book trips, cars, hotels, and vacation packages; check flight status; print boarding passes and luggage tags; sign up for the SkyMiles frequent flyer program; purchase fares; receive weather alerts; learn about the airline’s ground and inflight experience; the Sky Club; apply for a credit card; and receive news.
Seat Maps:
Delta Air Lines provides all the details you need to find your seat, figure out how much room you have for carryons, and much more: seat numbers and maps, entertainment options, and more.
Frequent Flyer / Alliance:
Here you can join Skymiles, manage your account, learn how to earn, use, and transfer miles. You can also find more information about the SkyTeam Alliance.
Major Crashes / Incidents:
As Delta’s deadliest crash occurred on August 2, 1985, the flight took off from Fort Lauderdale and crashed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, killing 133 passengers and crew on board. Thirty-four people survived. Following the crash, many changes were made to pilot wind shear training, weather forecasting, and wind shear detection. The story was later turned into a television movie.
Airline News From Delta:
Check out Delta Air Lines’ news hub for the latest news alerts in different languages.
A Fun Facts About Delta:
As of December 28, 2015, Delta Air Lines carried the 100 millionth passenger to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, a record for any airport in the world. The carrier also has the largest in-house meteorology team — 25 strong — in the world. These meteorologists provide comprehensive, detailed forecasts that help the airline make decisions that affect the operation
Easily Manage Delta Airlines with the Cheapest Fares
The Delta Airlines Flight Booking site now allows you to manage your flight itinerary, schedule, and check current fares. You can also modify your flight and cancel it without leaving the website.
The booking website offers amazing deals and cheapest Delta Airlines tickets for registered users. However, to take advantage of the offers, you must register with the website and stay up to date with the daily deals.
How does this airline’s Manage Booking Section work?
By using your phone or laptop, you can manage your Delta Airlines flight booking easily. This section allows you to modify your flight details, change the cabin class, and add other services. Along with this, you can see the fees you need to pay if you cancel your reservation and determine if it is accepted. In order to do this, the booking website will guide you step-by-step.
Here are some other things you can do:
- Delta Airlines offers a flight booking website that allows you to edit any aspect of your flight
- If you wish to change your luggage allowance, your location, or your meal, you can do so
- In the manage booking section, you can make the necessary changes
- Before 30 minutes of departure, you must make any changes
Which Services Can You Avail from Delta Airlines?
It’s easy to book Delta Airlines cheap flights and choose a seat. However, all seats are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If you book early, you can easily get your preferred seat. Check Delta Airlines’ flight booking website for fares and book your seats accordingly. When you wish to change your flight last-minute before leaving the gate, you can take advantage of such services.
In addition, these services allow you to manage your Delta Airline tickets from home. You just need to log into your account. However, you do not need to worry about losing any important information since everything is handled through the booking site.
Airline baggage policies and fees
Checking a bag for free depends on your ticket and whether you have Medallion elite status or a Delta credit card. You can find out your baggage fees by using the airline’s calculator.
Basic Economy passengers without elite status or airline credit cards can bring a carry-on bag, but they will have to pay for checked luggage pretty much every time they fly. Prices start at $30 within the United States and $75 internationally for the first bag.
Delta Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ customers pay $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second. Some prices are higher for Mexico, but some international itineraries include a free first bag.
Two checked bags are generally included in First Class, Premium Select, and Delta One.
The Delta American Express credit card, or Medallion elite status, allows you to check one or two bags for free, regardless of the fare you book.
Frequent Flyer Program Delta SkyMiles
A member of Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles loyalty program receives miles whenever they fly with Delta or one of the SkyTeam Alliance partner airlines. You can earn miles for everyday purchases such as shopping or dining out and spending on certain credit cards. For Delta frequent flyers who wish to become Medallions, they need to work their way up the membership tiers. There are four Medallion status levels: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond – Diamond, as you might have guessed, offers the greatest benefits, such as upgrades and priority boarding.
Additional baggage is available for a fee on Delta flights
You can buy baggage upgrades before flying if you wish to take more than just a carry-on bag in Delta’s Main Cabin. In some cases, these fees can be waived if you have the right co-branded credit card or are a military member – contact Delta for more information.
A single checked bag costs $30 each way, but weighs no more than 50 pounds. A second checked bag costs $40 each way, but must weigh no more than 50 pounds. Additionally, you will receive a free carry-on bag, a personal item, and a free baggage fee.
A carry-on bag must not exceed 45 inches (length plus width plus height), and its individual sides cannot exceed 22″ x 14″ x 9″. The weight limit is irrelevant. You can also bring special items, including buggies, wheelchairs, bulky items, and sporting equipment. However, you must make arrangements for this before the flight.
Even if you don’t fly, you can earn elite status
Delta SkyMiles lets you earn Medallion status without flying.
Having both Delta co-branded American Express cards that earn Medallion Qualification Miles (either the consumer or business version) could lead to upper-level Platinum Medallion status without ever flying Delta.
Here are the four cards and the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) they earn:
American Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card: With your Card, you can earn 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 twice through 12/31/23. For example, you can earn 20,000 MQMs if you spend $50,000 through 12/31/23. From 1/1/24, there will be another way for you to earn Medallion Status with this card. Learn more by visiting delta.com/skymiles. Program changes. The annual fee is $250 (see rates and fees).
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: If you spend $25,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs, up to two times. By spending $50,000 annually, you can earn 20,000 MQMs. The card has a $250 annual fee (see rates and fees). This benefit will cease to be available on 1/1/24, and you can gain Medallion Status using the new program changes at delta.com/skymiles.
American Express Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card : You can earn 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000 on your Card four times through 12/31/23. Thus, if you spend $120,000 through 12/31/23, you will gain 60,000 MQMs. This benefit will no longer be available on 1/1/24, and there will be an alternative way to earn Medallion Status with this card. Learn more at delta.com/skymiles. Program changes. The annual fee is $550 (see rates and fees).
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card:
Whenever you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn 15,000 MQMs. By spending $120,000 in a year, you will earn 60,000 MQMs. The card’s annual fee is $550. A Reserve Card Member will receive 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year starting on 2/1/25. To earn unlimited visits, the total amount of eligible purchases on the Card must be $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and every calendar year thereafter.
The Platinum Amex and Delta Reserve Amex can be used to achieve Platinum status if you spend $50,000 and $120,000 on each card. Due to your 80,000 MQMs (just ahead of the 75,000 threshold), you will waive the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) requirement for Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion status.
Delta’s Platinum Medallion status is not the top tier, but it still offers unlimited upgrades and Choice Benefits that can improve your flying experience.
Diamond MQD benefits kick in only after you spend $250,000 on eligible purchases across your Delta co-branded American Express credit cards.
All four cards offer a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights when you redeem your SkyMiles and pay taxes and fees with the card. This does not apply to partner flights.
Seats and legroom
Main cabin
Seats in economy classes are 16-18 inches wide, 30 to 33 inches pitch (the distance between the seatbacks), and two to three inches reclining. Depending on the plane, they can be arranged in anything from a 2 – 2 pattern to one that is 2 – 4 – 2 or 3 – 3 – 3.
For long rides, the seats are serviceable, but they can get tight. During his economy flight experience on an A330, SkyTrax commentator N Harkov said, “I found the seat quite comfortable, but the legroom wasn’t so great (I am six feet tall) … Overall, it’s not bad, but after 10 hours aboard I was glad to stretch my legs.”
Comfort+
Seats with Comfort+ offer the same width and recline, but have a pitch of up to 34 inches.
First class.
The width of domestic first class seats is typically 20 to 21 inches with a pitch of 35 to 39 inches.
Premium Select
Premium Select is seated in a 2 – 3 – 2 or 2 – 4 – 2 configuration. They can expect chairs that are 18.5 inches wide with 38 inches of pitch and up to seven inches of recline.
“These seats are similar to the first class seats Delta used internationally years ago, with a few upgrades,” according to Charles1019 on Tripadvisor, who flew Premium Select in March 2020. You can fully recline your seat without making the passenger behind you mad. They have retractable leg rests, and the television screen is much wider than domestic versions. It is a super comfortable flight everywhere.!”
Delta One
Lastly, Delta One seats are 1 – 2 – 1, which means everyone has direct aisle access. Seats are 21 to 22 inches wide, recline to flat beds 71 to 80 inches long, and have their own closing door for privacy.
On a January 2020 flight, The Travel Squad posted this comment on Tripadvisor: “Great experience flying business in the … Delta One Suites. The best business class experience so far, great food and service.”
Amenities and entertainment
Food and Beverage
Domestic flights with shorter distances will offer packaged snacks, coffee, tea, and bottled water, while longer flights will serve wine, beer, soft drinks, and juices (Main Cabin customers can purchase these on longer domestic flights).
According to a recent Tripadvisor review by The_Wanderer1992, “The snacks in the Main Cabin were limited to a small bottle of water, peanuts, and cookies.”
A limited number of Hawaiian flights and international routes offer one meal service including an entrée and dessert along with complementary beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits in Main Cabin and Comfort+ cabins. The food, according to Tripadvisor reviewer ESPASSOC, was “tasty for the main meal and served with complimentary soft drinks and/or alcoholic beverages.”
The Delta Premium Select gets a larger meal, including salad and bread. Delta One members receive bottled water and a gourmet menu, served with the airline’s bespoke Alessi flatware.
In his trip from Sydney to Los Angeles, Tripadvisor reviewer brmusicman praised Delta One’s “elegantly presented and tasty” meal. Among the appetizers were marinated shrimp, an arugula salad with tomatoes and mozzarella, and a tasty soup. As part of the main course, we had well-prepared fish, followed by ice cream and cheese for dessert, and the wine selection wasn’t particularly excellent, but it was adequate.”
Onboard comfort
In addition to pillows and blankets, Main Cabin and Comfort+ passengers receive toothbrushes, toothpaste, eyeshades, earplugs, and a cleansing towelette on long-haul flights. In Premium Select, passengers get all that plus socks and Le Labo lip balm and facial mist, while Delta One passengers get Someone Somewhere kits that include Grown Alchemist lip balm and hand cream.
In-flight Wi-Fi
The airline offers free mobile messaging via iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp via its onboard network, which many passengers seem to appreciate.
“I had Wi-Fi all the way from LAX to Tokyo and from New York to Los Angeles,” said Tripadvisor user wanderinstyle, who flew from New York to Tokyo via Los Angeles, and back. On the way from Los Angeles to New York, there was no internet, it was down,” punctuating the disappointment with a frowning emoji. Even though that seems unlikely, you should make sure you have loaded any websites in advance.
Entertainment and outlets
Additionally, Delta offers over 1,000 free hours of entertainment via its Delta Studio system, including movies and TV shows available on seatback touchscreens on most mainline aircraft.
The in-flight entertainment was awesome … The screens were big and the colors vibrant … They even had a USB port for cell phone charging.”
On that note, most planes have in-seat power and USB ports that can be used to charge your devices on board. In the economy cabins of older aircraft, such as Boeing 757s and 737s, there are no power plugs. Look through Delta’s amenities key on your booking page to see if there are power ports on your flight.
Delta Credit Cards
The three credit cards below might be a good option for you based on how many miles you hope to earn, how often you fly Delta, and your preferences for perks.
- When you spend eligible purchases on the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, you usually earn 40,000 to 70,000 bonus miles. It earns two miles per dollar on Delta purchases, dining, and supermarkets; and one mile per dollar on everything else. In addition to a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 20 percent back on in-flight food purchases, cardholders are waived for the first year of their card.
- When you spend on eligible purchases with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, you usually get between 50,000 and 90,000 bonus miles (plus 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles toward elite status in some cases). Delta and hotels earn three miles per dollar, dining and supermarkets earn two miles per dollar, and everything else earns one mile. Cardholders receive a domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year after renewing their card and paying the $250 annual fee.
- Last but not least, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card usually includes anywhere from 50,000 to 80,000 bonus miles and 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after eligible spending. The card earns three miles per dollar on Delta purchases and one mile per dollar on everything else. After renewing and paying the $550 annual fee, you will receive a companion certificate each year for a domestic round trip ticket in Main Cabin, Comfort, or First Class, which can be worth thousands or hundreds of dollars. The main benefits are access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when traveling with Delta.
