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The Guide to Delta Premium Economy
Premium economy gets you a wider seat, elevated meals and two free checked bags, among other perks.
A Los Angeles native, Jennifer is a freelance personal finance writer and editor whose goal is to help readers get excited about improving their financial health. She loves using credit card rewards points toward airfare, and recently took a round-trip flight to Southeast Asia entirely on points. Her work has been featured by Forbes, HuffPost, MSN Money and Business Insider.
Claire Tsosie is a managing editor for the Travel Rewards team at NerdWallet. She started her career on the credit cards team as a writer, then worked as an editor on New Markets. Her work has been featured by Forbes, USA Today and The Associated Press.
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Your comfort during a long-haul flight can make or break your energy levels once you arrive on the ground. In 2017, Delta Air Lines sought to provide passengers with a solution when it launched its premium economy class called Premium Select.
The elevated seating option — which is located between the luxurious Delta One and Comfort Plus class sections — offers passengers more opportunities to relax on select international flights.
Here’s what you need to know about Delta’s premium economy fare, Premium Select.
Seats in the Premium Select section are designed to offer a quilted plush feel and wider armrests, reducing the chance of bumping elbows with your neighbor. When comparing Delta premium economy and economy, you’ll find a wider seat, extra reclining capability, and adjustable rests for your head, legs and feet that let you stretch out comfortably compared with the main cabin.
On Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, for example, Premium Select seats are 18.5 inches wide with a pitch of 38 inches, while main cabin seats are 18 inches wide with a 31-33 inch pitch.
Although you can’t lie flat in Premium Select as you can in Delta One, the extra space in premium economy might be worth it to avoid cramped international flights.
The quality of menu options you’ll receive in Delta’s premium economy class might vary depending on your destination. However, the airline promises “elevated” dishes that are curated for the class.
In general, in addition to a selection of snacks during your flight, you can expect a three-course meal that includes an entree, bread, salad and dessert.
Food is generally of higher quality than what’s served in the main cabin and comes with stainless steel utensils rather than disposable ones.
An array of complimentary beverages is also provided. In addition to non-alcoholic beverages and Starbucks coffee and tea, Premium Select passengers who are 21 or older can get free alcoholic beverages, like wine, craft beer and spirits during their flight.
Regardless of where you sit once you're on the plane, a Delta-branded credit card can make your trip go a little smoother. Most include free checked bags and priority boarding, and some really stack up the perks. Among options:
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 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
• No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
• First checked bag free.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
• Companion certificate (main cabin).
• First checked bag free.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
• Airport lounge access.
• Companion certificate (first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin).
• Credit for application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page.To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page.To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page.To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
Amenities and other perks
Passengers of Delta’s premium economy class enjoy a few select perks throughout their flight.
Delta premium economy luxury amenity kit
A premium Someone Somewhere amenity kit is complimentary for each ticketed passenger in Premium Select. It includes:
An eye mask to block out cabin lights.
Earplugs.
Le Labo facial mist.
Lip balm.
Socks.
Travel toothbrush and toothpaste.
Other perks of Delta premium economy
Complimentary checked baggage. Delta Premium Select passengers receive two free checked bags, included with their boarding pass.
Noise-canceling headset. Delta offers LSTN noise-canceling headsets to all Premium Select passengers to enjoy in-flight entertainment without cabin noise.
Priority security and boarding. As a Premium Select guest, you have access to priority security lines at participating airports and priority boarding after pre-boarding groups and Delta One and first class customers.
If you're considering booking Delta Air Lines premium economy
The addition of the Delta premium economy seat class offers an impressive experience above the main cabin section at a significantly lower cost than Delta One. However, the price of Delta’s Premium Select certainly still reflects the elevated in-flight experience it offers.
If a Premium Select seat is within your travel budget, the convenience of a Delta premium economy seat — from faster airport service to the extra space aboard — might be worth it.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
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