Delta First Class: What It’s Like and How to Fly for Less

Delta First Class is a fantastic way to experience classic luxury on flights throughout the U.S. and shorter international flights. As one of the major legacy carriers, Delta is consistently voted one of the top airlines in the country, and its first-class product reflects this reputation. 

In my opinion, the in-flight experience blows competitor airlines out of the water — flight attendants are welcoming and diligent, and they want to ensure you have the safest and most comfortable experience from takeoff to touchdown. 

If you’ve ever wanted to experience it for yourself, here’s everything to know about flying Delta first class:

What to know about flying Delta First Class 

The most important thing to know is that Delta First Class and Delta One are two different products. 

Delta’s first class is primarily available on domestic and short-haul international flights to Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America. You’ll typically find around 20 first-class seats on a plane, but smaller regional aircraft like the Boeing 717 have just 12 first-class seats. If it’s a popular route serviced by a smaller plane, you’ll want to book in advance, as space can fill up quickly. 

On the other hand, you’ll find Delta One cabins mainly on international routes and select transcontinental flights like Boston to Los Angeles. Delta One is more of an international business class offering with lie-flat seats and premium amenities. 

When flying in Delta’s first-class cabin, you’ll have extra space, an outlet so you can stay connected, a dedicated flight attendant, and overhead bin space. Even on small planes, you’ll have more than enough room to spread out while getting to your destination safely. 

The best routes to fly in Delta First Class

Delta operates around 5,000 daily flights to more than 290 destinations on six continents, so there’s a strong chance Delta flies to a destination you’d like to visit. If you’re looking to fly first class within the U.S., there are far too many cities to list out each and every route. That being said, you can find Delta hubs in the following cities across the country: 

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Detroit
• Los Angeles
• Minneapolis-St. Paul
• New York-JFK and LaGuardia
• Salt Lake City
• Seattle

Keep in mind that not all Delta planes have the same cabin configurations. The Airbus A321neo, one of the newest aircraft to join the fleet, features 20 first-class seats with extra privacy and storage. There are currently 54 of these aircraft in service, with a total purchase commitment of 155 through 2027. 

Popular routes served by the A321neo include: 

• Miami (MIA) to Seattle (SEA)
• Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX)

If you’re lucky enough to fly on an aircraft like the A321neo or select Boeing 737-800 with the refreshed first-class cabin, you’ll notice the difference. The seats provide much more privacy for first-class passengers than older cabin designs, along with a sturdier tray table and additional storage for your belongings. 

Note that multiple aircraft can serve the same route, so be sure to check when booking if you want the newest first-class experience.

What to expect when flying Delta First Class 

When you fly first class with Delta, you should expect simple luxury experiences. You won’t see lie-flat seats or onboard showers. However, you will get more space, a more comfortable seat, attentive service, and upgrades like glass instead of paper cups. 

You’ll also receive perks like extra baggage allowance and the ability to change or cancel your ticket without any change fees on select flights, which can be helpful if your plans change. 

Check-in and security clearance 

First-class passengers receive the Sky Priority suite of services. These will vary by airport but include expedited check-in, security, and baggage handling. Some airports, like those in New York (JFK and LGA), will have separate rooms dedicated to Sky Priority customers, while others will have special lanes. 

Luggage allowance

Delta first-class passengers receive up to two free checked bags and expedited baggage service. Ideally, this means your bag should be one of the first off the plane, but this doesn’t always happen in practice. Your bags are tagged as priority, so you should get them relatively quickly. 

In comparison, passengers in the main cabin or Comfort+ without Medallion status will pay $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second checked bag. If you’re moving cities and have two suitcases, the increased baggage allowance alone could pay for your upgrade to first class. For instance, a flight from New York (JFK) to Raleigh (RDU) is $129 in Comfort+ and $184 in first class. That’s only a $55 difference, so if I had two suitcases to check, I’d save $25 by flying in first. 

Lounge access

Due to overcrowding over the past few years, Delta has restricted lounge access to a select group of passengers, and this doesn’t include first class. You can only access the SkyClub when flying first class if you have Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion status and are flying to Mexico, Canada, or Central America. If you have the Delta SkyMiles Reserve or American Express Platinum card, you can access the lounge regardless of fare class (up to a certain number of visits per year). 

If you do visit a Delta Sky Club lounge during your travels, you should expect a high level of service. These lounges are meticulously crafted and feature delicious food and a variety of spaces to accommodate every type of traveler. 

Seats

Most aircraft have 12 to 20 first-class seats. The Boeing 757-300 has the largest first-class cabin, with 24 seats, while the Embraer E-170 and Bombardier CRJ-700 have the smallest, with just nine seats. 

Delta Aircraft with a first-class cabin:

Airbus

• A220-100
• A220-300
• A319-100
• A320-200
• A321-200
• A321neo

Boeing

• 717-200
• 737-800
• 737-900ER
• 757-200
• 757-300

Bombardier:

• CRJ-550
• CRJ-700
• CRJ-900

Embraer

• E-170
• E-175

Most aircraft hover around 20 inches in seat width and 36 inches in pitch. That’s about three inches more width than the main cabin and up to seven inches more pitch. You’ll also have up to eight additional inches of legroom compared to a main cabin seat. While this might not seem like much, a few extra inches can make a major difference in overall comfort. 

As a first-class passenger, you’ll have dedicated overhead bin storage and additional floor storage. However, overhead bin space is minimal on smaller planes with a 1-2 seating configuration, like the Embraer E-170. Even with dedicated storage, a larger carry-on bag might not fit, so plan accordingly. 

Delta has also recently unveiled a revamp of the first-class cabin on the Boeing 757 narrowbody aircraft, which will debut later this fall. You’ll notice new seat covers over memory foam cushions in a darker hue than the classic Delta blue. 

Food and drink

All first-class passengers receive complimentary Starbucks coffee and wine, beer, and spirits for those aged 21 and up. Food will vary depending on the length of your flight: 

• 900 miles and under: Premium snacks and beverages.
• 900 to 2,299 miles: Chef-curated breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a selection of snacks.
• 2,300 miles and over: Fresh meal service and a selection of snacks.

If you’re having a hard time imagining flights that fall into these categories, here are some approximate distances for nonstop routes operated by Delta: 

• New York to Atlanta: 760 miles
• New York to Denver: 1,620 miles
• Miami to Seattle: 2,720 miles

Service, amenities, and in-flight entertainment

Delta’s first-class cabin has a flight attendant, so you’re well taken care of no matter how long your flight is. On many routes, you’ll notice a large 11-inch entertainment system so you can watch movies or play games during the flight. 

Delta is currently in the process of rolling out fast, free Wi-Fi across its fleet. 90% of Delta’s domestic mainline fleet already has the new Wi-Fi installed, so there’s a good chance you’ll experience it on your next flight. 

How much it costs to fly Delta First Class 

The cost of a first-class ticket varies tremendously depending on where you’re flying, the time of year, and when you book. 

When paying in cash

Shorter flights, like from Washington, D.C., to Raleigh, North Carolina, average about $200-$250 for a one-way flight. 

Longer flights might not be much more expensive — you could get a first-class seat on one of the longest nonstop domestic itineraries for $500-$550 each way. 

When paying via points in a credit card portal

Most of the time, the points required to book a flight through your credit card portal are directly tied to the cash price. Most cards give you a value of about one cent per point, while some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, will give you 1.5 cents per point. So, a $300 Delta flight would cost anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 points. 

When booking using SkyMiles 

The number of SkyMiles required for a first-class ticket depends partly on the cash fare, with some flexibility. For instance, a $529 first-class ticket from Miami to Seattle would cost 41,600 SkyMiles when taking advantage of the Delta credit cardholder discount (more on that later). 

Meanwhile, the $228 flight from DCA to RDU would cost 17,000 SkyMiles. On average, you’ll see a valuation of 1.2 to 1.4 cents per SkyMile, but there are sweet spots where you can get even more value. Delta doesn’t publish an award chart, so redemption rates can depend on the time of year, the popularity of the route, and other factors. 

When booking via partner airlines 

You can book select Delta-operated routes through partner airlines, which can be advantageous if you’re looking to save a few miles. Partner airlines can sometimes have better deals than booking directly though Delta. Popular Delta partners for booking Delta First Class include Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Air France-KLM Flying Blue. 

Virgin Atlantic provides an award chart for Delta-operated flights based on distance. Here’s how many points you’ll need for most first-class flights:

• 0-500 miles: 21,000 Virgin points each way
• 501-1,000 miles: 41,500 points each way
• 1,001-1,500 miles: 59,500 points each way
• 1,501-2,000 miles: 66,500 points each way
• 2,001-3,000 miles: 70,000 points each way
• 3,001-4,000 miles: 80,000 points each way
• 4,001-5,000 miles: 105,000 points each way
• 5,001-6,000 miles: 130,000 points each way
• 6,001+ miles: 165,000 points each way

Flights to the UK and other parts of Europe are priced based on where you’re departing from and whether you’re traveling during peak or off-peak dates:

• East Coast to UK: 47,500-57,500 points each way
• Central U.S. to UK: 47,500-57,500 points points each way
• West Coast to UK: 67,500-77,500 points each way

Although you’ll get the most savings when booking a Delta One flight between the U.S. and Europe, you shouldn’t pass on the opportunity to book domestic routes through Virgin Atlantic for additional savings. 

How much it costs to upgrade to first class on Delta  

There will also be substantial variation in how much it costs to upgrade to Delta First Class. If there is availability, you might see the option to upgrade to Delta First Class on a future flight when managing your booking. It will tell you how much it will cost, in miles or cash, to secure the upgrade. Some travelers have received first-class upgrade offers of $160 from Houston (IAH) to Los Angeles (LAX), $170 from Boston (BOS) to San Diego (SAN), and New York (JFK) to Portland (PDX) for $257. 

The price will vary depending on your route and is often calculated per segment. Let’s say you are flying from Raleigh, North Carolina, to San Francisco with a layover in Atlanta. If you see the option to upgrade to first class and it seems shockingly affordable, it could be because it’s only for an upgrade on the Raleigh to Atlanta flight. 

If you’re a Medallion member, you might receive a complimentary upgrade. With all tiers, you’ll receive complimentary upgrades to first class based on availability. Over the years, I’ve been both Silver Medallion and Gold Medallion (the first two tiers) and regularly received upgrades from Comfort+ to first class when flying domestically. Platinum and Diamond Medallion members also have the option to apply global and regional upgrade certificates to ensure an upgrade. 

How to save on Delta first-class tickets

Delta Deals

If you are flexible with your dates and destinations, one of the best ways to find great first-class fares is through Delta Deals. You can find current premium cabin deals by selecting your departure airport, desired region, and fare class.

This is a solid option for someone who wants some travel inspiration while spending as few SkyMiles as possible. 

Flexible change policy

During the pandemic, Delta made changing or canceling your flight much easier, as long as you weren’t flying basic economy. If you’ve already booked your flight, you should keep an eye on it. Airline pricing is dynamic, so prices fluctuate over time. If you notice that your flight got cheaper, you can often cancel and rebook at the lower price or change departure times without paying a fee. 

If these options aren’t available, I’ve had success contacting Delta customer service and explaining that the flight has gotten cheaper. They are typically more than happy to refund the difference in fares, especially if you booked with miles. 

Using points and miles

The cheapest way to book a first-class ticket on Delta is to use your points and miles. You’ll only pay taxes and fees. These can be as low as $6 on a domestic itinerary, and if you get a great value redemption, you can stretch your SkyMiles pretty far. 

Since Delta uses dynamic pricing, the mileage portion of your flight can be costly. Be sure to compare Delta’s pricing against Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Flying Blue. Through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, you can book a domestic Delta first-class ticket for as little as 21,000 points each way. Flying Blue can also be an excellent option.

For example, Delta may charge 22,000 SkyMiles each way for a first-class ticket between Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). But the same flight will cost you just 18,500 miles through Flying Blue.

How to book Delta First Class with points 

You have a few different options if you don’t want to pay cash for your first-class Delta flight. The most straightforward way, booking directly with Delta, can sometimes be the most costly. You might find better rates by booking through a partner airline. 

How to book Delta First Class using your credit card portal 

We generally don’t recommend booking flights using points through your credit card portal. However, since Delta uses dynamic pricing, there are some situations where it could make sense. Points redeemed through the Amex Travel portal are worth one cent each. So, a $500 Delta first-class ticket will set you back 50,000 Amex points. The same goes for Citi ThankYou and Capital One Travel redemptions. 

The Chase Travel portal is a little different. For those with a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, points are worth 1.25 cents each, while Sapphire Reserve cardholders get 1.5 cents per point in value. So that $500 Delta first-class ticket would require 33,333-40,000 points.

It’s always best to compare credit card portal pricing against the number of miles Delta requires so you don’t overpay for a flight.

Which credit card points transfer to SkyMiles?

Your options for transferring credit card points to Delta SkyMiles are limited. The only flexible point currency that transfers to SkyMiles is American Express Membership Rewards. So, you’ll need a card like the Platinum Card by American Express or the Amex Gold Card to transfer points to Delta SkyMiles. 

Another option is to get a co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit card. These cards offer beneficial perks for any frequent flyer. Each card offers a 15% discount on award redemptions for Delta-operated flights, which can amount to substantial savings. 

• Delta SkyMiles Gold: $0 intro annual fee, then $150
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum: $350 annual fee
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve: $650 annual fee

How to book Delta First Class using SkyMiles 

Whether you’re a frequent flyer constantly accruing Delta SkyMiles while on the go or you hold a Delta credit card, once you have enough SkyMiles in your account, booking a first-class flight is easy. 

All you need to do is log in, enter your departure and arrival airports and dates, and select “shop with miles.” You will then be taken to the flexible date calendar. 

As you can see, altering your dates by a few days can make a dramatic difference. If you wanted to depart on July 12, leaving just one day earlier or later would save you more than 20,000 miles. 

Once you’ve selected your route, you can complete the booking process like you would purchase a cash fare — select your seat, purchase any add-ons, and complete the redemption. 

What other loyalty programs can you use to book Delta First Class? 

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, so you can book a flight using points from SkyTeam partners. This is especially helpful when booking international flights, though it may lose a bit of utility when booking domestic first-class fares. Still, you can look on Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, or Air France-KLM to see your options. 

How to book Delta First Class using points from a partner airline

There are a few times when booking your Delta-operated flight on a partner airline could make sense. You can often find excellent award redemptions for domestic Delta-operated flights through the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. A first-class ticket from New York (LGA) to Raleigh, North Carolina (RDU) costs just 21,000 Virgin Atlantic miles, but the same flight will cost 32,000-35,000 Delta SkyMiles. 

Since Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One miles all transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, this workaround allows you to book a Delta flight using points, even if you don’t have any SkyMiles. 

Tips for finding first-class award availability on Delta  

Delta makes it extremely easy to find award availability compared to other legacy carriers. When you select “shop with miles,” the website automatically takes you to the flexible date calendar. This way, you can see if you can save by altering your dates by a day or two. 

You can see Delta award availability up to 331 days before departure, and mileage redemptions don’t usually fluctuate as much as cash fares. Subject to availability, I could book a first-class ticket from New York to my home in Wilmington, North Carolina, for the same price three weeks from today as January 2026. 

You can also use tools like point.me to find award availability. Use the explore tool to determine where you might want to go and calculate how many points it will take to get there. Then, go through the steps to book your flight.

Should you book Delta First Class? 

Delta First Class is a fantastic option for your next flight, and you can often find great deals on routes. Domestic planes can be tiny, and, as a tall person, I almost exclusively fly Delta First Class when I’m in the U.S. Otherwise, it’s a very uncomfortable flight. 

That said, the first-class experience is highly dependent on the aircraft — smaller planes and shorter routes might translate to an outdated experience. Newer aircraft, like the Airbus A321neo, which Delta first introduced in 2022, have enhanced features like added privacy. 

First class is often only marginally more expensive than Comfort+, so it’s worth the upgrade.