If you've booked flights with Delta or walked down the aisle of one of their planes, you've probably seen the seats a few rows back. They're definitely not first class, but it's not exactly economy, either. It's called Delta Comfort. But what is it, really? And what do you get?
When you think Comfort, think “extra legroom.” These seats are a slight step above standard economy seats thanks to a few extra inches of room to stretch your legs – plus, you get a few extra perks like earlier boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, complimentary alcoholic drinks and better snacks. Delta marks these seats with quilted seatbacks, red around the headrests, and “Comfort +” branding.
Almost every airline offers some extra legroom seating option on their planes – and installing more of them, to boot – but few have gone as far as Delta. Sure, it's an upgrade over the standard economy seats a few rows back … but how much of an upgrade? And whether you're paying more or getting moved up for free, is it worth it?
Read our review for everything you need to know about Comfort perks, how to upgrade, and what kind of amenities you get with these fares.
What is it?
Delta Comfort is a seat and fare available on all Delta and Delta Connection two-cabin aircraft across Delta's entire network, giving travelers a seat with slightly more legroom and some other perks.
Here’s what passengers can expect:
- Seats located closer to the front of the plane on domestic flights
- Extra recline and greater legroom on longer flights
- Premium snacks and complimentary coffee, beer, wine, and spirits on most flights
On most domestic flights, these seats are sandwiched between the regular economy rows and the first-class cabin. On nearly all long-haul routes, Delta also has a Premium Select cabin with slightly larger, wider, and even more comfortable seats. On those flights, Comfort sits between that cabin and the economy section.
Exactly how much extra legroom you get in these seats varies from plane to plane. In most cases, you can expect an additional 2 inches to 4 inches of space to stretch your legs compared to standard economy seats.
You can purchase Delta Comfort tickets on their own when you purchase your fare on Delta's website. They're available at checkout, as shown on this search from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Las Vegas (LAS).
You can also purchase a Main Cabin fare and upgrade to Comfort if there are seats available. These upgrades sell for as little as $5 to $7 on some short-hop Delta routes, though rates of $50 or more seems to be the norm … while they could also cost hundreds of dollars on other routes, especially flying abroad.
Loyal Delta flyers who have earned Medallion Status can get upgraded to Comfort for free – including top-tier Delta Diamond and Platinum members, who are regularly upgraded to Comfort seats immediately after booking. For the rest, your odds of getting upgraded to the extra legroom seats depend on your level of status and the route.
Some Delta SkyMiles American Express credit card holders can also get upgraded to Comfort, but start way down the upgrade list. SkyMiles Platinum and SkyMiles Reserve cardholders are both eligible for this benefit.
Thrifty Tip: Right now, American Express has a special sign-up offer on the Reserve card that includes two roundtrip Delta Comfort tickets with few limits or restrictions!
How is It Different than Main Cabin & Basic Economy
Comfort seats are located closer to the front of the plane, typically offering an extra 3 inches of legroom more than Delta's standard Main Cabin seat. These seats typically include at least 34 inches of legroom, compared to just 31 or 32 inches of legroom in economy.
A tiny feature I love in Delta Comfort is the small front pocket on the seatback pocket for your phone, wallet, or headphones.
But when it comes to legroom, Comfort isn't always a step above what you can get in economy. On some planes, you'll get even more legroom in what Delta calls its “Preferred Seats” in economy – especially exit rows. You typically have to pay extra for these seat assignments unless you have Delta Medallion Status, in which case you can select them for free.
On long-haul international flights, Comfort travelers also get a pillow, blanket, earbuds, and a small amenity kit for the journey.
Unless you have a Delta SkyMiles American Express card that lets you board early, your boarding group will depend on your fare class and where you are seated on the plane. In Comfort, however, you get to board after the first class cabin and before anyone in Main Cabin, giving you some extra time to find your seat. Comfort passengers also have dedicated overhead baggage space in their section, meaning there is more likely to be room for your carry-on bag once onboard.
Comfort passengers also get access to extra snacks like bags of chips, granola bars, and several sweets. In the economy cabin, normally only almonds, pretzels, or cookies are available to passengers.
No matter where you're flying, free alcoholic drinks are one of the most valuable perks of sitting in Comfort – not something that is afforded to economy passengers on domestic Delta flights. Free beer, wine, and liquor are available to Comfort passengers on flights 350 miles or longer.
Make no mistake: Delta Comfort is not anything close to Premium Select, First Class, or Delta One. Think of it as glorified economy.
First class seats are wider and also provide far more legroom than Delta Comfort, with as much as 5 inches more legroom compared to Delta Comfort. First Class passengers get priority check-in, priority boarding, a much, much comfier and roomier seat, and the best service on the plane. Comfort is only a slight upgrade from economy in terms of legroom and service.
Delta First Class seats on domestic flights are recliner-style seats with up to 40 inches of legroom in most cases. Because there are often only four seats per row (as compared to six in economy and Comfort), these seats are substantially wider, too.
Delta One suites on international flights are even more luxurious with lie-flat beds, doors that close for additional privacy, storage space, high-quality chef-curated meals, and more. On longer First Class flights around the U.S. and closer to home, passengers also receive hot meals on longer flights, larger seatback screens, and service from a flight attendant solely dedicated to the first class cabin.
Delta Premium Select offers a better experience on nearly all long-haul international flights. It's a big step above the comfort and amenities in Delta Comfort. Delta Premium Select seats are much wider with more recline, adjustable leg and headrests, and even more legroom. Compared to Comfort, this cabin also includes offers elevated dining options, premium snacks and beverages, and an amenity kit.
Comfort tickets do not receive special perks like SkyPriority check-in or boarding, which you get with Premium Select, First Class, and Delta One.
How to Book It
Comfort fares are available for purchase at booking on the Delta app or Delta.com just like any other fare, whether you're paying cash or redeeming SkyMiles.
Just beware that Delta has started selling basic Comfort fares, too – a stingier (and slightly less expensive) option that doesn't allow you to pick your seat, earns fewer miles, can't be upgraded to Delta First, and incurs at least a $99 fee if you cancel for a Delta eCredit. Want all those perks? You'll have to pay up for a standard Comfort fare.
But there are other ways to get yourself into a Delta Comfort seat.
For instance, you can upgrade to Comfort at any point after purchasing your ticket. Just keep in mind that if you buy the cheapest Delta “Main Basic” Economy fare, those are not upgradeable.
Otherwise, you'll be given an upgrade offer to the Comfort and First Class cabins if seats are available on both the Delta app or at Delta.com. Those offers can be as low as $7 for a one-way trip, like this short flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Chicago-O'Hare (ORD).
Sometimes, those upgrade offers can be hundreds of dollars, though.
In my experience, those offers typically (but not better) get better and better the closer you get to travel. The $7 offer for the Chicago flight was offered to me the morning of the flight. The Cancún flight is still two months away, meaning Delta hopes it can still sell that seat at a premium to a better-paying customer.
There is a better way to get yourself to Comfort for no money at all: complimentary upgrades.
Complimentary Upgrades
In theory, all flyers with Delta Medallion can get unlimited free upgrades. While upgrades have gotten harder to come by – especially all the way up to first class – this remains one of the marquee perks of earning status with Delta.
Diamond Medallion members get first dibs, then Platinum Medallion, then Gold, and then Silver. And when you request an upgrade on your ticket, you are put into a ranked list based on, among other things, your status with the airline.
In fact, if you hold either Delta Platinum or Delta Diamond Medallion status, you'll be upgraded to a Comfort seat almost immediately after booking – assuming that there are seats available. Because of that, you'll be in at least Comfort on most flights you book.
Read more: How Does Delta Determine its Medallion Upgrade Order?
With Delta Gold Medallion status, Comfort upgrades start to clear 72 hours prior to the flight – based on availability. And finally, if you hold Silver Medallion status, Comfort seat upgrades will start to clear 24 hours prior to the flight – assuming there are seats available. Even with the lowest Silver Medallion status, upgrades are very possible.
Still, if you have Medallion status, make sure to request that upgrade! It's worth a shot at a total cost of $0.
Related reading: Why Free Upgrades on Delta are Getting Harder & Harder
Bottom Line
Delta Comfort is basically an economy seat with slightly more legroom, and a few other perks like priority boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and free extra snacks and drinks on domestic flights. On long-haul international flights, that includes amenity kits similar to what you'd find in the other premium cabins.
While it isn't anywhere close to the comfort and service you'd find in first class or other premium cabins, it is a better experience than economy – especially if you can upgrade for free or for a small upcharge.
Delta Comfort can be worth it. In most cases, it's probably not worth spending hundreds more dollars for only a slightly better seat, but it's certainly worth it if you get upgraded for free – a possibility for travelers with Delta Medallion status – or see the option to upgrade for cheap.
I got upgraded to Comfort+ on a recent flight from EWR-ATL, solely for holding the Delta Platinum. I bought the ticket months before the recent “enhancements” to the card, and yet still got the upgrade unannounced. Same happened on a short flight last year from YYZ-LGA, again because I had the Delta Platinum. I’ve never had Medallion status, and don’t fly nearly often enough personally or for business to ever come close, even with the MQD boost.
We did the comfort plus once I ant remember if we paid or it was free upgrade. We didnt knwo what the heck it was so it was. The flight attendants didn’t seem to care either. We ask what it was and they didn’t seem to even know either. Weird I know!
Thanks for the informative article. Which seats are widest (58r shoulders)? How often are Reserve card members upgraded to Delta1 after purchasing Comfort+, a level below?
Was this article written by AI? It is VERY repetitive.
And one aspect it leaves out, those seat with extra leg room have a metal divider between them, so you cannot lean to the side, nor can you spread out if no one is sitting next to you.
I assure you that nothing on our site is written by AI. You’re right, some Delta Comfort Plus seats have larger armrests that extend to the cushion of the seat. But that’s also true in some standard economy seats, too.
A very well written and informative article. I just upgraded to Comfort +! without knowing what extra I was getting for my $. Now after reading your story I know that my extra cost for a @6500 mile flight was well worth the money.
Just flew PDX to AMS Comfort+ there and Economy back.
Comfort+ did have more leg room but the seat cushions were actually thinner. Our group of 4 found the economy seats much more comfortable even with two of us being over 6’3″
The only thing the amenity kit gets you above economy is a tooth brush and a little tooth paste.
Does the amenity kit come with SJD to JFK flights? What is in the amenity kit? We have a 6 hour flight coming up and im preparing.
Nothing fancy in the amenity kit.
They were also handing them out to both classes on our flight.
I enjoyed your article. Being exclusively a Delta flyer, I find it to be accurate and well written. I did not know all that I was getting with the upgrades, and was a little surprised actually, so your article educated me. Thanks
I’ve been flying a lot on business this summer and Ive been offered the opportunity to upgrade with my status. I’ve decided, with the exception of 10C/D on the A321, I much prefer an exit row aisle seat. Hands down.
Do you think it’s worth giving up the economy exit row (where no one is in front and you can stretch out) for Atl-Amsterdam overnight flights? I love the legroom of the row but not the in arm tray table. I’m silver on delta.