Delta Comfort Plus Vs First Class: Which is Better?

An improved onboard experience is provided by Delta’s first class and Delta Comfort+ products. Delta Comfort and Delta First Class are two of these options that are extensively covered in our article.

When choosing an airline for your next trip, you might’ve considered Delta Air Lines — one of the “Big Four” The third-highest percentage of arrivals and departures that are on time, as reported by U.S. carriers, comes from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. However, timely departures and arrivals are only one aspect of a great flight.

How refreshed you feel after stepping off a Delta flight depends on your onboard experience, which includes everything from booking to boarding and in-flight amenities. Nevertheless, depending on the seat class you select, this experience may change. This comparison between first-class and Delta’s Comfort Plus cabins can assist you in determining which is best for your preferences.

Differences Between Delta Comfort Plus Vs. First Class

There are some general similarities between Delta Comfort Plus and first-class accommodations. For instance, you would have more legroom, specific overhead storage space above your seat, and earlier boarding and deplaning times than other main cabin passengers.

However, the most significant differences are:

• Checked bags. A free personal item, one free carry-on bag, and two free checked bags are provided for each passenger flying first class. In general, only one free carry-on bag and one free personal item are included in Delta Comfort Plus fares; additional bags are subject to a fee.
• A dedicated flight attendant. First class has a dedicated Delta attendant who is available to help with requests during the flight, in contrast to Delta Comfort Plus, which does not. Delta Comfort Plus passengers, on the other hand, share attendants with other cabins.
• Fare cost. First-class fares come with a higher price tag than Delta Comfort Plus because they provide a higher caliber of service on board. Despite offering more comfort, Delta Comfort Plus is still regarded as a part of the main cabin.

Delta Comfort Plus

Fare Flexibility/ticket Changes

Travelers who booked the main cabin or higher flight with Delta, including Delta Comfort Plus flights, are not subject to change fees. Additionally, you won’t be charged a fee for changes to domestic Delta Comfort Plus flights or flights departing from North America to another nation, giving you maximum flexibility if your plans change.

Baggage and Boarding

Holders of boarding passes for Delta Comfort Plus have access to early boarding. After those who are pre-eligible for boarding, Delta One, Delta Premium Select, and first class, you will board. However, you will board ahead of Sky Priority, the main cabin, and economy classes. You will also get off the plane before the people in the main cabin.

Once on board, passengers in Delta Comfort Plus have easier access to their carry-on luggage thanks to an overhead compartment reserved just for this class.

Seat Selection

Delta Comfort Plus offers up to three inches more legroom than the main cabin, in addition to allowing you to choose your seat in advance. Additionally, you can recline further for comfort on long-haul international flights.

Earnings Rates (towards Status)

Members of the Delta SkyMiles program receive 5 miles for every dollar they spend on a Delta Comfort Plus fare. For the premium cabin option, you can earn miles whether you buy a Delta Comfort Plus seat in advance of booking or as an upgrade afterward. The only exception is if you received a free upgrade from the main cabin to a Delta Comfort Plus seat.

Based on their elite status tier at the time of booking, Medallion members will accrue more miles.

Upgradability

You can choose to upgrade to Delta Comfort Plus at the time of booking, right up until your flight, by using the Delta app or Delta.com.

Once you’ve gotten on the plane, you can no longer get a free upgrade to Delta Comfort Plus. There is no option to upgrade from a basic economy seat to Delta Comfort Plus.

Delta First Class

There are differences between Delta One and Delta’s first-class offering.

Fare Flexibility/ticket Changes

The same degree of flexibility as a Delta Comfort Plus seat is available to you when you purchase a first-class fare. Since Delta eliminated its change fees, first-class ticket holders have more freedom to alter their travel plans as needed.

Seat Selection

First-class seats offer up to five more inches of legroom than Delta Comfort Plus seats and up to eight more inches than seats in the main cabin. A wider reclining range of up to 5.4 inches is also available to you.

Baggage and Boarding

First-class passengers who board the aircraft following pre-boarding groups and Delta One but before Delta Comfort Plus passengers are given priority boarding. The first passengers off the plane are typically in first class.

The availability of two free checked bags is a significant benefit of booking a first-class seat. Compared to Delta Comfort Plus, which does not offer complimentary checked baggage, this benefit will save you $30 for each bag.

Earnings Rates

Like Delta Comfort Plus, general Delta SkyMiles members who reserve a first-class seat will accrue 5 miles for each dollar spent on a flight promoted by Delta. Additionally, if you choose to upgrade after booking, you’ll accrue 5 miles for every dollar spent.

Depending on their Medallion tier at booking, Medallion members receive a higher mileage rate per dollar.

Upgradability

Based on availability, passengers in all other lower ticket classes—aside from basic economy—can upgrade to first class from the time they purchase their tickets until three hours before takeoff.

How to Access Delta Comfort+ and First Class Seats?

There are several ways you can purchase a Delta Comfort+ or first-class seat:

• As you purchase your ticket, you may be prompted to use miles or pay a small incremental amount to upgrade, depending on the ticket. Along the way of making a purchase, this is intended to upsell you.
• After purchase, you can upgrade using miles, depending on if there is space available.
• To upgrade to first class, you can use a Delta Regional Upgrade or Global Upgrade certificate (given to some elites annually) to confirm the first-class seat in advance.
• If you’re an elite passenger, you can select a Delta Comfort+ shortly after booking (if you are a high enough status), or you can be added to the upgrade list to receive a complimentary upgrade to first class within 5 days of departure.

Delta Classes of Service

It’s crucial to understand the differences between each class of service before comparing first-class and Delta Comfort+.

Delta One

Delta One is Delta’s highest level of service, which features flat-bed seats, chef-inspired meals, Access to the Sky Club lounge, and a less crowded cabin. The Delta One experience is available on most lengthy international flights as well as coast-to-coast flights.

First Class

First class is Delta’s premium cabin offering for flights within the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and a few regional South American locations. Wider seats, onboard meals, and attentive service are all available in first class.

Delta Comfort+

Delta Comfort+ seats are extra legroom seats within the Main Cabin that also feature an enhanced refreshment service.

Standard Seats

The majority of passengers will be seated in seats with a typical coach configuration in the main cabin. This typically occurs in a 3-3 configuration on narrow-body aircraft and a 2-2 configuration on regional jets.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

It doesn’t matter if you fly First Class with Delta or select the Delta Comfort+ option; either way, the seats in the Main Cabin are more comfortable.

The price disparity between the fares, however, might be a deterrent for some passengers.

For travelers who want to enjoy perks like premium snacks, more legroom, and amenity kits on long-haul flights or who don’t want to worry about overhead bin space running out, Delta Comfort Plus is a good choice. In contrast, the first-class cabin offers a superior in-flight experience based on amenities, service levels, and seat comfort if it is within your budget.