The Delta premium economy guide: everything you need to know in 2022

Delta Air Lines' premium economy service is available on flights to a variety of destinations, offering many of the familiar perks of business class but scaled back to match the expectations (and budget) of premium economy passengers.

Here's what you need to know about Delta Premium Select, including how you can qualify for airport lounge access which isn't otherwise included with your ticket by default.

In this article:

• What is Delta premium economy?
• Five reasons we love Delta Premium Select
• Three tips before you fly Premium Select on Delta
• Getting an upgrade on Delta
• Reviews of Delta Premium Select
• Delta lounge reviews
• Delta premium economy class FAQs

What is Delta premium economy?

Delta premium economy, branded as Delta Premium Select, is the airline's better-than-economy service on selected international flights. Unlike Delta Comfort+, which is an economy class seat with extra legroom, Delta Premium Select is a true international-grade premium economy experience in a separate cabin.

Here, you can expect upgraded food and beverages, a larger seat with fewer passengers in each row, more legroom, priority boarding, amenity kits and more.

Five reasons we love Delta Premium Select

1. The extensive recline, and extra legroom

Compared to regular economy, which Delta calls 'Main Cabin', Delta Premium Select passengers get up to 75% more recline, with up to eight inches of extra legroom.

Relax and recline in Delta Premium Select

Added to that, each seat offers a swing-up legrest, along with a height-adjustable foot rest, so you can fine-tune your seat into the most comfortable position.

2. There's AC power to keep laptops juiced-up

Another improvement over economy is that you'll find AC power outlets in Delta Premium Select, joining USB chargers for smaller devices like smartphones and the like.

Whether yours is a relativaly quick hop from New York to Europe or a longer trip such as between Sydney and Los Angeles, you'll be able to work when you need to, and land with your gadgets fully-charged and ready for your busy day ahead.

Keep your devices recharged in Delta Premium Select

3. HD inflight entertainment, plus noise-cancelling headphones

On Delta's Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft, each Premium Select passenger gets a 13.3-inch HD inflight entertainment screen, along with noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the hum of the engines and other noises within the cabin.

When flying Premium Select on Boeing 757 flights, the TV instead measures up to 11 inches, although noise-cancelling headphones aren't offered.

4. The Tumi amenity kits

Delta's premium economy experience includes some of the staples of business class: one of them being a complimentary Tumi-brand amenity kit.

Inside, you can expect to find moisturiser, a dental kit, earplugs, socks, and an eye mask: and after your flight, the bag can be repurposed as something else: perhaps as pencil case, or a pouch to keep your cables tidy when travelling.

5. Your journey is all-inclusive

North American airlines are known for selling fares that include little more than a seat on a flight, with everything else purchased as an add-on before the trip or during the flight – but in Delta Premium Select, the journey includes everything you'd expect of a long-haul premium economy flight.

It starts with priority check-in and complimentary priority-tagged bags, continues with Sky Priority access at security checkpoints and boarding gates, and then on board, all entertainment, food and beverages are complimentary, including alcohol.

Enjoy complimentary food and beverages in Delta Premium Select

The only thing not covered is airport lounge access, which most airlines don't bundle with premium economy: but if your wallet packs a Gold-grade frequent flyer card from Delta, Virgin Australia or SkyTeam; an AMEX Platinum Charge Card or AMEX Centurion Card or another eligible credit card, you may qualify for complimentary Delta Sky Club access before your flight.

Three tips before you fly Premium Select on Delta

1. Seat selection is complimentary, so don't delay

Regardless of your frequent flyer status, there's no charge to pre-select your seat when flying in Delta Premium Select. That's handy particularly on longer international flights operated by Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft, where the seating layout adopts a 2-4-2 format.

Beware of the middle seat in Delta Premium Select, which you can avoid by selecting your seat early

Yes, that means each row has not one, but two middle seats, and as you can imagine, the aisle and window seats are more popular with passengers and get snapped up first. Choosing your seats earlier rather than later can help avoid getting stuck in the middle.

2. You can use messaging apps on the WiFi for free

On all Delta flights where WiFi is available, access to Facebook Messenger, Apple iMessage and WhatsApp is complimentary on mobile devices, so you can keep in touch with friends and family – or line-up your next business meeting – at no charge.

This free service allows you to send and receive text and emojis, although images and video can't be shared or received, and if you'd like access to anything else, such as the full use of Facebook, you'll need to purchase a pass or subscription.

Flight test: Delta's complimentary inflight WiFi messaging service

3. Pack your frequent flyer card for smooth lounge access

As airport lounge access isn't included with your Delta Premium Select fare, if you have a frequent flyer card that provides this privilege, be sure to bring it with you for easy and hassle-free access.

That's especially the case if your elite status comes from a partner airline program like Virgin Australia Velocity, as lounge agents will often ask to see the card to input its full details into the system, before welcoming you inside.

The same is true if your Sky Club access comes from holding an eligible credit card, such as the AMEX Platinum Charge Card, as the lounge staff will usually need to swipe your physical card through the system.

One exception applies, and that's for Delta SkyMiles members who link their SkyMiles and American Express accounts via the SkyMiles website or Delta mobile app, and have their SkyMiles number attached to the reservation.

When scanning that boarding pass, the computer will automatically recognise the eligible AMEX card from the number on file and grant access, but that's not available when crediting flights to any other program.

Getting an upgrade on Delta

Members of Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyer program may be able to use miles to upgrade from economy to premium economy, while top-tier frequent flyers may be able to use a Global Upgrade Certificate (GUC) instead. Paid upgrades are also available in some circumstances.

Upgrade with Delta SkyMiles

Known in Delta circles as a Mileage Upgrade Award, any SkyMiles member has the chance to upgrade to Premium Select when travelling on a paid Main Cabin ticket.

Even if you've booked a regular economy airfare, you may be able to upgrade to Delta Premium Select

The number of miles needed will vary from flight to flight, with upgrades possible both during the booking process and after your reservation has been made, by using the Delta app or website, or by contacting Delta reservations in your country.

All upgrades are subject to availability, which may depend on the fare type you purchase. In some cases, even though your flight may be eligible for an upgrade, the website or app may tell you otherwise (for example, on flights departing the UK). If you can't get upgraded online, give Delta a call to see what's possible.

Use a GUC (Global Upgrade Certificate)

Delta Diamond Medallion members who choose Global Upgrade Certificates as one of their 'Choice Benefits' every year may be able to exchange one of those GUCs for a complimentary upgrade to Delta Premium Select, subject to availability.

However, it's not possible to use a Regional Upgrade Certificate to achieve the same goal, nor do elite Delta Medallion frequent flyers receive complimentary upgrades to Delta Premium Select.

Purchasing a Delta Premium Select upgrade

During the booking process, you may be offered the opportunity to upgrade to Delta Premium Select for an extra charge. Alternatively, you may be able to upgrade an already-booked ticket by contacting Delta reservations.

As when using miles, the cost of an upgrade will vary from flight to flight, and remains subject to availability.

Reviews of Delta Premium Select

Los Angeles to Sydney: Delta Boeing 777 Premium Select review

Delta lounge reviews

New York City: Delta Sky Club lounge, JFK T4 (flagship lounge)

New York City: Delta Sky Club lounge, JFK T2 (regional lounge)

Washington, D.C.: Delta Sky Club lounge, DCA Airport

Delta premium economy class FAQs

What is premium economy class on Delta?

As above, Delta Premium Select sits two rungs above regular economy on Delta, and one rung below business class. For example, on long international flights, regular economy is known as Main Cabin, extra-legroom economy is Delta Comfort+, premium economy is Delta Premium Select, and business class is Delta One.

You won't find Premium Select on domestic Delta flights within the USA: only on international flights to places like Europe, Asia and Australia.

Does Delta Premium Select have the same seat as business class?

No. While other elements of the experience are comparable, Premium Select features a reclining seat:

Delta Premium Select is comfortable, but it's a step down from business class

Business class (Delta One) instead features a flatbed, with a higher level of inflight service.

What is the difference between economy and premium economy on Delta?

Delta's Premium Select premium economy is an all-inclusive experience akin to 'business class lite', with upgraded inflight dining, complimentary checked baggage and more, to make your journey more comfortable.

Frequent flyers will also earn more Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) in Delta Premium Select than in economy, with similar gains to be had in other frequent flyer programs such as Virgin Australia Velocity, where status credits are earned at premium economy rates: usually triple that of entry-level economy.

Also read: Up close with Delta's Airbus A350, Boeing 777 premium economy seat

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.