Delta Air Lines will bring its premium economy service to transcontinental flights in September, its latest attempt to boost sales of higher-priced tickets to customers willing to splurge for more space and perks.
Premium economy is a relatively new class of service that major airlines offer on longer, mostly international flights. It sits between first or business class and the rest of economy and can command a ticket price often twice as much as standard coach.
The added service will start Sept. 10 on four of 11 peak-day flights between Los Angeles and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Boeing
767s. Delta said it plans to expand service later this year.
Delta customers who purchase standard economy tickets will be able to pay for upgrades to premium economy on the transcontinental flights.
Delta said Medallion elite members of its loyalty program, will be eligible for complimentary upgrades to so-called Delta Premium Select, but they will also be able to list for upgrades to its top-tier Delta One product on those flights.
Some of Delta’s planes flying some routes previously had premium economy seats on them, but the carrier wasn’t offering the service that comes along with it, like amenities kits, noise-canceling headphones, a full meal and a blanket. The seats were sold as extra legroom tickets, which are a rung below premium economy.