Delta Airlines Premium Economy Review

Quick Answer: If you are looking for a definitive Delta Airlines Premium Economy review, the short answer is yes---Delta Premium Select is highly worth the upgrade for long-haul international flights. It perfectly bridges the gap between standard economy and business class by offering a wider seat with up to 38 inches of pitch, a fold-out footrest, upgraded dining on real tableware, expedited SkyPriority airport service, and two free checked bags included with the fare itself. However, keep in mind that it does not include Delta Sky Club lounge access.

If you have a flexible budget but aren't looking to spend thousands of dollars on a lie-flat Delta One ticket, Premium Select is a solid "happy medium." Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what to expect from the seat, the service, and the overall experience in 2026.

At a Glance

1. Seat pitch: up to 38 inches (varies slightly by aircraft)
2. Seat width: 18.5 to 19 inches (varies by aircraft)
3. Recline: up to 7 inches, plus a fold-out leg rest and footrest
4. Checked bags: 2 free, up to 50 lbs / 23 kg each — a fare benefit, not a SkyPriority perk
5. Boarding: Zone 2, right after Delta One and pre-boarding
6. Lounge access: not included; requires Medallion status, an eligible premium card, or a day pass
7. Aircraft: mainly the A350-900, A330-900neo, and select retrofitted 767-300ER/767-400ER
8. Typical price: roughly 50% to 100% more than Main Cabin on the same route

Bottom line: worth it on international or overnight flights over six hours; skip it on short-haul routes, where Comfort+ gets you most of the benefit for less.

The Hard Product: Seat Comfort and Dimensions

The biggest selling point of Delta Premium Select is the physical space. On long-haul widebody aircraft (like the A350, A330-900neo, and retrofitted 767-400ERs), you are getting a seat built for sleeping and stretching out, rather than just surviving the flight.

1. Pitch and Legroom: You get up to 38 inches of pitch, which is a massive 6-to-7-inch improvement over the standard Main Cabin. Even passengers over six feet tall will find they can stretch their legs without their knees hitting the seat in front of them.
2. Seat Width: Seats are generally 18.5 to 19 inches wide. That extra inch or two over standard economy provides crucial shoulder room, meaning you aren't battling your neighbor for the armrest.
3. Recline and Hardware: Premium Select seats offer up to 7 inches of recline (compared to 5 inches in the back). Most importantly, the seat features an adjustable, fold-out leg rest and a footrest. While it is completely analog and not a motorized lie-flat bed, elevating your legs significantly reduces fatigue on a 10-hour flight.

Because Premium Select is fitted across several different aircraft, the exact numbers shift depending on what you're flying. On the flagship Airbus A350-900, the cabin holds 48 seats in a 2-4-2 layout with 38 inches of pitch and 18.5 inches of width. The Airbus A330-900neo is close behind, with 28 seats in a more couple-friendly 2-3-2 layout, the same 38-inch pitch, and 7 inches of recline — a better pick if you're traveling as a pair and want to avoid a stranger in the middle seat. On the retrofitted Boeing 767-300ER and 767-400ER, the cabin shrinks to 18–20 seats in a staggered 2-2-2 layout, which means every single seat has direct aisle or window access, and the seats themselves run slightly wider, at about 19 inches. Not every 767 in Delta's fleet has been retrofitted with Premium Select, so it's worth checking your specific aircraft on Delta's seat map tool before you book.

The Soft Product: Amenities and Entertainment

Delta has aligned the Premium Select soft product closely with what you might expect in a business-class cabin just a decade ago.

1. Amenity Kits: Passengers receive a premium amenity kit from Someone Somewhere (confirmed as Delta's Premium Select partner as of mid-2026), containing Grown Alchemist skincare items like a lip balm and eye mask, along with earplugs, a toothbrush, and socks.
2. Bedding: Expect a noticeable upgrade here. You are provided with a memory foam pillow and a plush, oversized blanket made from recycled materials, which is far superior to the paper-thin blankets found in the Main Cabin.
3. Entertainment: The in-flight entertainment (IFE) is top-tier. Premium Select features high-resolution screens up to 13.3 inches. You are also provided with noise-canceling headsets, and every seat features a dedicated universal power outlet and USB ports to keep your personal devices charged. On a handful of shorter Premium Select routes and older narrow-body aircraft, Delta swaps the 13.3-inch screen and headphones for a smaller seatback display and earbuds, so it's worth checking your specific aircraft before you fly.

The Dining Experience

Food and beverage service in Premium Select is a noticeable step up from standard economy, designed to feel more like a restaurant experience in the sky than a standard airplane meal — within the practical limits of an aircraft galley, of course.

1. Elevated Service: The experience begins with a hot towel (oshibori) service shortly after takeoff to freshen up.
2. The Food: Meals are plated on sustainable, eco-friendly tableware and served with linen napkins and real metal flatware. The menus are chef-curated, offering a choice of globally inspired hot entrees. While it doesn't quite reach the multi-course culinary heights of Delta One, the ingredient quality and presentation are excellent.
3. Beverages: Premium alcoholic beverages, including sparkling wine, craft beer, and spirits, are complimentary throughout the flight.

Airport Perks: The SkyPriority Advantage

A major, often-overlooked benefit of booking a Premium Select fare is SkyPriority, Delta's tier of expedited airport services shared with Delta One passengers and top Medallion members. This streamlined airport journey saves you time before you even board the plane:

1. Priority Check-in: Access to dedicated, shorter lines at the check-in counters.
2. Expedited Security: Access to priority security lanes at participating airports (availability varies by location).
3. Priority Boarding: You board immediately after Delta One and pre-boarding, ensuring you have plenty of time to settle in and secure overhead bin space.

Separately from SkyPriority, your Premium Select fare also comes with its own baggage allowance: two free checked bags, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each. This is a fare-based benefit, not a SkyPriority perk, and it can save you real money if you're packing heavy for an international trip. Allowances can vary by route and Medallion status — Delta One passengers and top-tier Medallion members, for example, get a higher 70-lb weight limit — so it's worth confirming your specific itinerary's allowance when you book.

Note: Delta Premium Select does not automatically grant you access to Delta Sky Clubs. You will still need an eligible premium credit card or top-tier Medallion elite status to enter the lounges.

Comparison: Where Does Premium Select Fit?

If you are debating whether to upgrade or save your money, here is how Premium Select stacks up against the rest of the plane on international routes:

How Delta Premium Select Compares to Other Airlines

Delta isn't the only U.S. carrier with a dedicated premium economy cabin:

1. United Premium Plus: around 38 inches of pitch and 18.5–19 inches of width on most widebodies (20 inches on United's newest "Elevated" 787-9 seats), plus 2 free checked bags up to 50 lbs each.
2. American Airlines Premium Economy: roughly 38 inches of pitch and up to 19 inches of width, with priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage — but no lounge access, same as Delta.
3. British Airways World Traveller Plus: about 38 inches of pitch and 18.7–19.5 inches of width depending on aircraft generation, plus noise-canceling headphones and a larger baggage allowance than economy.

On paper, the three are close in seat pitch. Delta's edge is mostly in the details: the footrest-and-leg-rest combo, the SkyPriority experience, and a more modern cabin on the A350 and A330-900neo.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Pros:

1. Significantly more legroom and width than Main Cabin or Comfort+
2. A genuine fold-out leg rest and footrest, not just extra recline
3. Upgraded dining with real tableware and complimentary premium drinks
4. SkyPriority airport perks plus a generous checked-bag allowance
5. Large entertainment screens and in-seat power at every seat

Cons:

1. Doesn't include Delta Sky Club lounge access
2. Seats recline but don't lie flat — sleep quality still trails Delta One
3. Typically 50–100% more than Main Cabin, hard to justify on short or daytime flights
4. Not available fleet-wide; some 767s and shorter routes still skip the cabin entirely

Is It Worth the Price? A Quick Cost Breakdown

Premium Select fares often run 50% to as much as 100% more than Main Cabin on the same route — anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to nearly double the fare, depending on route, season, and how far ahead you book. As a rough rule of thumb: if the gap is a few hundred dollars on an overnight or 8-plus-hour flight, most travelers find it worth it. If Premium Select creeps up close to half the price of Delta One, it's worth comparing the two directly, since Delta One's lie-flat seat may be the better value at that point.

Premium Select tends to be weakest on: flights under six hours, daytime flights where you won't be trying to sleep anyway, and older 767s that haven't been fully retrofitted. It's strongest on long, overnight international routes, where the footrest and extra recline directly translate into better rest.

Final Verdict

If you are flying across an ocean or taking a daytime flight exceeding six hours, Delta Premium Select is incredibly easy to recommend. It protects you from the physical toll of long-haul economy travel without demanding the astronomical price tag of a true business class suite. The combination of the deeper recline, the crucial footrest, and the time-saving SkyPriority airport experience makes it a highly competitive premium economy product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delta Premium Select the same as Delta Comfort+? No. Comfort+ is a Main Cabin seat with extra legroom; Premium Select is a separate, dedicated cabin with a wider seat, footrest, upgraded dining, and its own flight attendants.

How many free checked bags do you get with Premium Select? Two, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each, included with the fare — separate from SkyPriority airport services. Allowances can vary by route, so confirm at booking.

Does Premium Select include Delta Sky Club lounge access? No. You'll need Medallion elite status, an eligible premium credit card, or a paid day pass, even with a Premium Select ticket.

Can I upgrade to Premium Select with miles or a Global Upgrade Certificate? Yes — Premium Select seats can often be booked or upgraded to using SkyMiles, and a Global Upgrade Certificate can move you from Premium Select up to Delta One.

Is the meal service in Premium Select actually better than Main Cabin? Yes, but it's elevated economy dining, not business class — real tableware and a wider menu, without the multi-course service found in Delta One.

Seat specifications, baggage policies, and amenity details were checked against Delta's official Premium Select and baggage pages as of July 2026. Airline policies change often, so confirm current details on delta.com before booking.