The last time I boarded a Delta Air Lines flight was 2014, when I was invited to be a guest announcer for a rather important race. Since then, my flying – both domestic and internationally – has been focused on the other three American carriers. This was partially by choice and partially by economics: many Delta flights going west connected through Atlanta, while others out of my home airport were cheaper aboard other Star Alliance carriers.
In preparation for my KLM World Business journey to Amsterdam, along with radical changes made by the carrier over the last three years, I was curious to discover what changed. With curiosity abound, I decided to spend a little bit more in an up-purchase and book my connecting flight in Delta’s domestic premium economy class, Comfort+.
My day didn’t start well: storms over the northeast pushed back my flight by three hours. As is customary, Delta did provide the complimentary snack cart to make the wait just a little easier. I selected a couple of beverages and a bag of chips while we waited to board our flight.
Once we were cleared with an inbound slot to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), it was time to board a rather empty flight. With nobody near me, I was welcome to stretch out in the Embraer E170 jet for the two hour flight.
The first noticeable change on Comfort+ flight was a slightly more comfortable seat. The quilted leather was a nicer touch and the headrest was more comfortable. If were to lean back, I could have a comfortable nap.
The seat back pocket was improved as well. Instead of the standard single-pocket black hole, I found a second pocket to fit my smartphone and wallet. A full power outlet was also at my seat, with a firm enough connection that I did not have to constantly adjust the plug.
Once off the ground, I was able to stretch out and see just how much more room I received in Comfort+. The Delta website promises “up to four additional inches” of space between seats in the upgraded seats. Without a personal item under the seat, the extra four inches allowed me to stretch out my five-foot-nine frame without slamming into the seat back in front of me.
While this seat did deliver on that promise, it wasn’t enough for me to get truly excited: unfolding and typing on my 14-inch laptop was still an ordeal in the limited space.
During service time, I was interested to see if I could get my free adult beverage, offered to Comfort+ flyers on trips over 250 miles. During service time, I pointed out the featured cocktail, featuring Fresca and tequila. While the flight attendant couldn’t create it, he graciously gave me the ingredients to recreate it myself.
Despite all of the amenities, there were some issues I experienced on the flight. First off, the seats in Delta Comfort+ were the exact same width as those in economy. Albeit a minor issue, I discovered that having a second person in my row would make the flight feel much more cramped, losing some of the allure of the upgrade. Second, the overhead bins on my smaller aircraft left something to be desired. Making up for that was the fact that Comfort+ came with Sky Priority boarding and dedicated overhead bin space – helping me to ensure a spot for my carry-on.
Overall, was the upgrade to Delta Comfort+ worth the extra $20 I paid for the round trip? Aboard a bigger aircraft, the additional legroom, beverage and dedicated overhead space could make my journey a little more comfortable. That being said, the seat width and limited space could simply be paying more for not much else. Additionally, for the price of upgrading in miles, travelers who receive an airline credit from a credit card – like those on the Premier Rewards Gold card from American Express – could recreate the same experience in regular economy without paying for an additional upgrade.
While the amenities were nice, I cannot say that I would say it was good enough to upgrade your trip in miles. In situations where there is a negligible difference in price between regular economy and Comfort+, I would gladly entertain the opportunity to have a better in-flight experience.
Would you upgrade your next flight to Comfort+? Or is paying for the half-upgrade not worth it? Let me know where you stand in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com