Delta makes major change to domestic flights in a bid to boost profits
- The airline is targeting customers willing to pay more for a premium service
- READ MORE: American Airlines is making it harder to earn frequent-flyer miles
Delta Air Lines will offer its premium economy service on flights between Los Angeles and New York City from September, the airline has announced.
It is the first time that the carrier has offered the seats - which cost more than standard economy - on transcontinental flights.
Premium economy has been around on long haul flights on European airlines for decades, but is is a relatively new class of ticket for US carriers.
Delta's service offers 'elevated dining' and more leg room, and tickets are around twice as much as a standard economy ticket. For example, Los Angeles to New York one-way is $600 rather than $300.
The change is the airline's latest bid to boost sales through targeting customers willing to spend more for perks.
Major US airlines are battling to upgrade planes with more premium seating and sell more rewards cards to capitalize on Americans who are willing to spend larger amounts on travel.
Premium Select seats offer customers more space to stretch out and additional recline
It seems to be working already for Delta. Ticket revenue from Delta's main cabin rose 4 percent in the first quarter of this year to $5.4 billion from a year ago, while premium product revenue came in 10 percent higher at $4.4 billion, CNBC reported.
British Airways and Delta's sister airline Virgin Atlantic have offered premium economy on routes between London and US cities for two decades.
Delta introduced its version - known as Premium Select - in 2017 and it is now on most for trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights, as well as on select routes to Latin America.
Delta announced that it would start selling Premium Select on flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles International Airport from September 10.
Mauricio Parise, vice president of brand experience design, said that customers flying between the two major cities would 'enjoy the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat and premium experience.'
Delta's initial pricing for Premium Select comes in at around $600 for one-way premium transcontinental flights, according to The Points Guy.
Regular economy seats tend to cost around $300 for the same six-hour route.
The new cabin offers a mid-way between Delta One business class pods and standard coach.
Premium Select seats offer customers more space to stretch out, additional recline and an adjustable footrest and leg rest.
Other amenities include a memory-foam pillow, noise-canceling headsets and a 'plush blanket' made from recycled materials.
Customers will also receive a kit with travel essentials and will have the option to pre-select their desired first service entrée.
Meals will then be served on-board on real china plates with linen tableware and napkins, as well as silver flatware and glassware.
Delta announced that members of its Medallion loyalty program would be eligible for complimentary upgrades to premium seats on a space-available basis.
But some Medallion members may be rankled by the change, The Points Guy reported.
'Historically, Delta has flown premium economy-equipped Boeing 767s on select flights between New York and LA.
The new cabin offers a mid-way between Delta One business class pods and standard coach
Other amenities include noise-canceling headsets and a hot towel service
'When it does, the Premium Select cabin is marketed as Comfort+, meaning eligible Medallion members can get instant upgrades to these recliners from the moment they book.'
Now elite members must fork out some extra cash or air miles in order to book these seats under the new setup.
The expansion marks Delta's push into the premium segment, according to The Points Guy, and it is now playing catch up with United Airlines.
'That's because United has long offered premium economy (or Premium Plus) on flights between Newark and both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
'United's premium cabin routinely sells out on these transcontinental flights, so it'll be interesting to see how Delta fares,' the travel expert reported.
