Delta Air Lines’ Boarding Order Explained
Premium fares board first, but Delta elites and Delta cardholders do get a boarding bump.
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Updated · 5 min read
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Nerdy takeaways
- Premium cabin passengers can get on the plane sooner than almost everyone else.
- Elite status holders are also among the first to board.
- If you typically fly in Main, a Delta credit card could be your ticket to faster boarding.
Delta Air Lines has eight boarding groups, which they call “zones.” Keeping track of all those numbers could make your time at the gate a bit confusing, but there's a certain logic to it all. (Also, Delta often uses screens at the gate that display which zone is currently boarding.)
If your ticket lands you in the last boarding zones, there are ways to move up the pecking order without buying a premium cabin seat.
Here’s an explainer on the Delta boarding order — and how to get closer to the front of the line on your next flight.
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The 8 Delta Air Lines boarding zones
Delta has eight official zones, but there are essentially nine boarding groups.
First up is preboarding. This is an opportunity for passengers who need extra time or assistance to get on the plane, as well as active-duty U.S. military members with identification.
After that, the remaining groups board in order from Zone 1 through Zone 8. Here’s what you can expect at the gate (other than a crowd of passengers pushing forward before their turn. C’est la vie!)
| Boarding zone | SkyMiles Medallion members | Other passengers and elite status members from partner airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Preboarding | N/A. |
|
| Zone 1 | N/A. |
|
| Zone 2 |
|
|
| Zone 3 | N/A. |
|
| Zone 4 |
|
|
| Zone 5 |
|
|
| Zone 6 |
| N/A. |
| Zone 7 | N/A. |
|
| Zone 8 | N/A. |
|
Who’s who in Delta’s boarding order
Here's a closer look at the groups included in each boarding zone.
Passengers seated in the premium cabin can get on the plane sooner than almost everyone. Delta First and Delta One ticket holders board in Zone 1, while Premium Select flyers are in Zone 2. Delta Comfort passengers board next, in Zone 3.
Elite status holders are also among the first to board. Delta’s top Diamond Medallion members board in Zone 2. Platinum Medallion and Gold Medallion members are in Zone 4, while Silver Medallions board with Zone 5.
One key exception: When departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Silver Medallion members do not get the same priority boarding status as they do when flying from other airports.
Elite members of partner airlines fall into boarding zones four and five, too.
» Learn more: The Guide to Delta Silver Medallion
This premium economy cabin is only available on certain aircraft — mostly flying internationally. A Premium Select ticket comes with a wider seat, better recline, upgraded meals and onboard amenities, plus the ability to board in Zone 2 before most other passengers.
Delta Comfort
These are extra-legroom seats toward the front of the main cabin. Comfort passengers also enjoy more snack options and free beer and wine (served on flights over 250 miles). Another perk of this section is priority boarding in Zone 3.
» Learn more: The Guide to Delta Platinum Medallion
Sky Priority
Sky Priority is the branded premium access for priority check-in and boarding for SkyTeam alliance airlines. The highest tier of Sky Priority is SkyTeam Elite Plus. Passengers with that status board in Zone 4.
Delta cardholders
Zone 5 includes passengers who booked their ticket with a Delta SkyMiles branded credit card.
If you are traveling in the main cabin, holding a Delta credit card could be the fastest way to elevate your boarding zone. These include popular cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Terms apply.
Top cards for Delta flyers
Annual fee
- $0 intro for the first year, then $150
- $350
- $650
Earning rates
• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotel purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
• 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Other benefits
• First checked bag free.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
• Companion certificate (Delta Main).
• First checked bag free.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
• Airport lounge access.
• Companion certificate (Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main).
• Credit for application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• First checked bag free.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
Learn more
» Learn more: Which is the best Delta credit card offer?
Delta Main Classic and Delta Main Basic
SkyMiles members flying in Delta Main Classic who don’t yet hold Medallion status get slight preference over other main cabin flyers, boarding in Zone 6. Non-SkyMiles members flying in Delta Main Classic board in Zone 7, followed by Delta Main Basic passengers in Zone 8.
Delta’s Main Basic fares come with the lowest boarding tier. That means longer wait times, and often limited overhead bag space. Main Basic passengers have no access to upgrades, seat assignments or mileage earning. Also, if you're flying on a Main Basic fare, you cannot access Delta Sky Club lounges at all — even if you’re a member or would otherwise have access through a credit card.
How are Delta boarding zones assigned?
Delta will automatically assign passengers with elite status, a premium cabin ticket, or flights booked on a Delta branded credit card to the highest eligible zone.
That means if a Diamond Medallion member buys a Main Basic ticket, they can still board in the priority boarding zone for Diamond Medallion members (rather than waiting for Main Basic flyers to be called with the last zone). This provides extra incentive to achieve top Medallion status.
Another example: a Delta branded American Express credit cardholder who buys Main Basic can jump the queue from Zone 8 to Zone 5 for faster access to the plane.
If you typically buy Main Basic, being approved for a Delta credit card could be your ticket to faster boarding.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
How to get priority boarding on Delta
Boarding before main cabin passengers can make a big difference in your travel experience. You’ll have more access to overhead bin space and can get settled a bit faster. Here are some ways you can guarantee faster boarding on Delta flights.
» Learn more: Delta SkyMiles value calculator
If you book one of Delta’s top tickets (like Delta One or Delta First), you’ll be among the first passengers to board. Delta’s premium cabin flyers, no matter the destination, board before Diamond Medallion members, who are in Zone 2. (However, Diamonds traveling in a premium cabin can also board in Zone 1.)
Premium economy passengers in Delta Premium Select also get priority boarding. They’re in Zone 2 with Diamond Medallion members. Premium Select is available on select international flights.
Following these flyers, Delta Comfort passengers board in Zone 3. If you don’t want to pay for Delta One, Delta First or Premium Select, Delta Comfort is often a cheaper way to secure priority boarding.
» Learn more: The complete guide to Delta Medallion elite status
Hold SkyMiles elite status or SkyTeam/partner airline elite status
While you’ll have to wait until halfway through the boarding zone order, SkyMiles members with Platinum and Gold Medallion status as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers can board next along with top elites in partner programs.
This may not be the highest priority in the Delta boarding order, but it is usually before the majority of other passengers seated in the main cabin. Even if you’re flying in the main cabin, those with elite status can board with their relevant, earlier boarding zone.
» Learn more: Best ways to use Delta SkyMiles
Board as military
Active members of the U.S. military carrying a military ID can board before everyone else, including those in the premium cabin.
» Learn more: How to get military travel discounts
Hold a Delta credit card
If you book your ticket on a Delta SkyMiles credit card, you’ll be automatically assigned to board with Zone 5. If you book on your Delta card and are already in the premium cabin or have elite status, Delta’s system automatically lands you in the highest relevant zone.
Either way, since you will probably board before most of the main cabin, there should be plenty of overhead bin space. Depending on how comfortable you like to be while flying, this benefit could be worth the annual fee that comes with these cards.
» Learn more: Is a Delta credit card worth it?
Fly via Delta Corporate
Travelers whose company has a corporate agreement with Delta can take advantage of additional benefits, including Zone 5 boarding. This means you’ll board before other travelers in the main cabin (or, if you have a higher Medallion status or are traveling in a premium cabin, you’ll board with the relevant, higher zone). The ticket must be reserved and paid for through the corporate travel portal.
Delta Business Traveler is a separate, free program for individual business travelers enrolled in SkyMiles. Members will receive exclusive offers from Delta and partners.
» Learn more: Is there a right way to exit an airplane?
Benefits of knowing Delta’s boarding order
The Delta boarding order has a rhyme and reason to it, but it can be tricky to understand at first glance. You’ll be more prepared for your flight with a clear sense of the pecking order.
Key points to remember:
- Delta prioritizes those traveling in premium cabins over most elite status members.
- Holding any elite status or a Delta credit card will give you faster boarding than travelers in the main cabin.
- If you fly Delta often enough, but still have not achieved elite status, consider the credit card path that can get you closer to the front of the line.
(Top photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)
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