Delta Premium Select: What It’s Like and How to Fly for Less

The premium economy cabin has taken the travel industry by storm in the past few years. Travelers want comfortable options for long-haul flights, but not everyone can (or wants to) shell out thousands of dollars for a luxury business-class seat. The happy middle ground? A spacious premium economy cabin with elevated amenities at a price point that’s much more attainable. 

In 2024, J.D. Power named Delta Air Lines the top-ranked airline for first/business and premium economy passenger satisfaction. It is also regularly voted the best U.S. airline by the likes of The Wall Street Journal, so you’re in for a treat, even when flying economy class. 

Here’s everything you need to know about flying Delta Premium Select. 

What to know about flying Delta premium economy  

Delta’s premium economy product, Premium Select, is available on most trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flights and select routes to Latin America. Toward the end of 2024, Premium Select debuted on the route from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) on the Boeing 767 widebody aircraft. 

Keep in mind that Delta Comfort+ is different from Premium Select. This can get confusing, especially since Comfort+ is much more widely available than Premium Select. The differences between the two are notable. 

When traveling in Premium Select, you get more leg room, recline, and seat width. You board earlier, and you receive the Sky Priority suite of services. You also receive upgraded amenity kits and more comfortable pillows and blankets. If you’re in the air for more than 11 hours, splurging on extra space and comfort makes a lot of sense for many travelers. 

Since Premium Select is primarily available on international routes, you might be in mixed cabins if you have a layover in the U.S. For example, I flew from Paris (CDG) to Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM), in Premium Select. My flight from Paris to Atlanta (ATL) was in Premium Select, and my flight from Atlanta to Wilmington was in Comfort+. 

The best routes to fly in Delta Premium Select 

Delta is one of the largest airlines in the U.S. and flies to six continents. With around 5,000 flights daily, it would be impossible to list out all of the routes you can fly in Premium Select. 

According to FlightConnections.com, these are all the nonstop flights from the U.S. operated by Delta. Most of the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights you see will have a premium economy cabin. 

The longer the flight, the more you should consider upgrading for comfort. Delta operates several ultra-long-haul routes with a Premium Select cabin, including: 

• Atlanta (ATL) to Seoul (ICN): 15 hours and 25 minutes
• Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg (JNB): 15 hours and 20 minutes
• Detroit (DTW) to Shanghai (PVG): 15 hours and 5 minutes
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD): 15 hours and 5 minutes
• Atlanta (ATL) to Cape Town (CPT): 14 hours and 45 minutes

Flights like these are exhausting, no matter which cabin you’re in. Flying in Premium Select could be very beneficial if you want to arrive at your destination somewhat refreshed. 

What to expect when flying Delta Premium Select 

Flying in Premium Select on an international route is comparable to flying in first class on a domestic route. You’ll experience some nice touches, like Sky Priority services, a more comfortable seat, and premium in-flight amenities. 

Check-in and security clearance

You’ll receive the Sky Priority suite of services, which includes accelerated check-in, security, and baggage service. Although this benefit is likely not a deciding factor when booking your next trip, it’s nice to have. 

Luggage allowance

Your luggage allowance in Delta Premium Select will depend on your level of elite status, route, and fare class. Premium Select passengers on domestic routes receive two free checked bags up to 50 lbs each. Main cabin passengers pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second, assuming they don’t have elite status or a Delta credit card. 

On international routes, it gets a little more complex. For instance, passengers flying from New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG) would receive one checked bag in the main cabin or two checked bags in Premium Select. But, on a flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (HND), passengers in the main cabin and Premium Select cabin would both receive two free checked bags up to 50 lbs each. It’s best to consult your booking or Delta’s baggage policy page for the most up-to-date information. 

Luggage is tagged for priority handling, so you should hopefully receive it quickly when you arrive at your destination. 

Lounge access

Unfortunately, Delta SkyClub access is highly restricted. Even those paying $650 a year for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve credit card can only visit the lounge 15 times per year. You won’t receive Sky Club access with a Premium Select ticket. 

The only way you’d be eligible for entry is if you are a Diamond, Platinum, or Gold Medallion member flying in Premium Select on international flights. If that’s the case, you’ll also be able to bring in a guest, as long as they are also flying in Premium Select. You can also access Delta Sky Club lounges as a Delta Premium Select traveler if you have an American Express Platinum Card.

Seats

The real benefit of flying Premium Select is the seat. Compared to the main cabin, you’ll have a deeper recline, additional leg room, and an adjustable leg rest and footrest. 

Delta currently has six different aircraft with a Premium Select cabin, and it’s typically pretty small. Although the A350-900 has a layout with 48 Premium Select seats and the A330-900neo has 28, the four other aircraft have 18 to 21 seats in this cabin. So, you can expect it to be quieter and more secluded than other cabins. 

All aircraft have a pitch of 38 inches. That’s four additional inches compared to Comfort+ and up to seven additional inches over the main cabin. 

Aircraft with a Premium Select cabin: 

Airbus:

• A330-200
• A330-300  
• A330-900neo  
• A350-900* 

Boeing:

• 767-300ER*
• 767-400ER  

*Some aircraft models have multiple layouts. Of the three A350-900 layouts, two have a Premium Select cabin. Of the three 767-300ER layouts, just one has a Premium Select cabin. 

If you’re flying Delta Premium Select on an Airbus, you’ll have 18.5 inches of seat width, around half an inch more than Comfort+. On the A350-900, that’s over an inch more width than Comfort+ or the main cabin. 

You’ll have more space flying on a Boeing: The Boeing 767-300ER offers 19 inches of seat width in Premium Select, and the Boeing 767-400ER seats are a whopping 19.5 inches wide. 

To put that into perspective, that’s just a few centimeters smaller than the Delta One seat on the Airbus A330. Granted, you won’t be able to lie down, so that’s not a perfect comparison. It does offer a ton of wiggle room. The downside is that Delta’s Premium Select seats on Boeing aircraft don’t have any under-seat storage. 

Food and drink

Delta Premium Select passengers have dedicated menu items designed exclusively for them, plus premium snack baskets and complimentary wine, beer, and spirits for those 21 and over. You can now pre-order your meal up to 24 hours before your flight, which is a great way to ensure you get precisely what you want. Your main course is served on plates with linen tableware and napkins, silver flatware, and glassware. Small touches like these elevate the experience and make it feel like it’s much more expensive than it is. 

Meal service includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert. I think Delta has some of the best food for a U.S.-based airline. The portions are generous, so you don’t have to worry about being hungry throughout your flight. 

Service, amenities, and in-flight entertainment

You’ll be one of the first people to board and receive a hot towel service, beverage, and snack before your meal. 

You’ll also notice an amenity kit from Someone Somewhere at your seat, filled with essentials for any long-haul flight, like an eye mask and lip balm from Grown Alchemist. I’m a full-time traveler, so I’m cautious with what I bring around the world with me. However, the bag from the Premium Select amenity kit I received a few years ago is a staple in my suitcase. It’s the perfect size to organize cords or other in-flight essentials, and I bring it with me everywhere I go. 

When it comes time to rest, you can use your memory foam pillow, thick blanket, and noise-canceling headphones to get some shut-eye before you land. The thick blanket is enough to justify the upgrade, coming from someone who is constantly cold on flights. It’s leaps and bounds better than the thin blanket in the main cabin.  Small touches like this can drastically improve your in-flight experience. 

How much it costs to fly Delta Premium Select 

A Premium Select ticket can cost several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Airline pricing is dynamic, so prices can fluctuate based on the time of year, the popularity of the route, and availability. 

When paying in cash

Although Premium Select is still an economy ticket, it can be expensive. However, if you want extra comfort, it can be worth the additional expense. 

The six-hour flight between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) is one of the few domestic routes with a Premium Select cabin. You can fly one way this summer for $609, or about half of what it would cost to fly Delta One. Still, if you’re traveling on a budget, it can be hard to justify considering basic economy starts at $134 per ticket. 

An international Premium Select flight, like the one from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (HND), costs just shy of $1,500 each way. 

A much shorter flight from Boston (BOS) to Paris (CDG) costs about the same — $1,434 each way. 

When paying via points in a credit card portal

When you use points for a flight in your credit card portal, they are directly tied to the cash fare. The specific value of your points will depend on which card you have, but you can generally expect a value of about 1 cent per point. So, a $600 flight would cost 60,000 points. 

Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, give you an elevated value of 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point. If you have the Sapphire Reserve, a $600 flight would cost you 40,000 points. 

When booking using SkyMiles

Since award redemptions are loosely tied to the cash fare, the cost of a Delta Premium Select ticket will vary substantially. For example, a nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) in Premium Select could cost around 58,000 SkyMiles each way or 49,300 SkyMiles with a Delta SkyMiles credit card. This is a standard fare with availability throughout May and June 2025. 

Or, you can fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (HND) in June 2025 for 114,700 SkyMiles each way. Since award redemptions typically include free cancellation, a comparable refundable flight would cost $1,657, giving you a valuation of 1.44 cents per point. 

When booking via partner airlines 

Delta is part of the SkyTeam Alliance, so you can book Delta-operated flights through SkyTeam partners to stretch your miles a bit farther. You can’t use your SkyMiles for these bookings, but if you have a flexible point currency from a travel rewards card, you can often transfer your points to the partner airlines. 

A one-way Premium Select flight from New York (JFK) to London (LGW) would cost 78,000 SkyMiles (or 66,300 with a Delta credit card) when booked through Delta. The same flight would cost just 41,360 miles when booked through Air France-KLM’s joint Flying Blue program. 

How much it costs to upgrade to Delta Premium Select 

If you’re lucky and your flight isn’t full, you might be able to score an upgrade to Premium Select at a fraction of the cost. You’ll see upgrade offers when you go to manage your booking. If you have Medallion status, you have more upgrade options.

When paying in cash 

There’s no hard and fast rule for how much an upgrade will cost after booking. I upgraded from the main cabin to Premium Select on a flight from Paris (CDG) to Atlanta (ATL) and paid $249. A few days before my flight, I saw the offer in my account and decided to purchase the upgrade. After a jam-packed work trip to Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, I wanted to catch up on rest and knew I’d be more comfortable in Premium Select. 

Other frequent flyers have seen upgrades to Premium Select for $299 from Minneapolis (MSP) to Tokyo (HND),  $429 from Amsterdam (AMS) to Atlanta (ATL), and $493 from Boston (BOS) to Honolulu (HNL). 

When using SkyMiles

You can upgrade to Delta Select Premium economy using SkyMiles after booking, the same way you can upgrade by paying in cash. When presented with an upgrade offer, you’ll have the option to pay in cash or miles. You can use SkyMiles at a value of about one cent per mile. So, the $299 upgrade would cost 29,900 SkyMiles. Sometimes, this varies a bit — a $429 upgrade offer might only cost 39,900 SkyMiles. 

When using Medallion upgrades

Medallion members receive complimentary upgrades to Delta Premium Select on domestic flights. Unfortunately, complimentary upgrades aren’t available on flights outside the U.S. 

Upgrades to Premium Select will clear based on your level of status:

• Diamond and Platinum Medallion members will clear beginning five days before departure
• Gold Medallion members will clear three days before departure
• Silver Medallion members will clear one day before departure

When using upgrade certificates

Upgrade certificates are available to Diamond and Platinum Medallion members as part of their choice benefits. These are given higher priority over complimentary upgrades. Platinum Medallion members can choose four regional upgrade certificates as their choice benefit. Diamond Medallion members can choose either four global upgrade certificates, eight regional upgrade certificates, or two global and four regional upgrade certificates. 

This means that Diamond and Platinum Medallion members could use regional upgrade certificates to upgrade to Premium Select on a domestic flight, while Diamond Medallion members could use global upgrade certificates for international flights. 

How to save on Delta Premium Select 

Delta Deals

If you book your flight directly with Delta, you should check Delta Premium Cabin Deals for discounted fares. Select your departure airport and product (Delta Premium Select), then explore all available deals. 

Delta Deals can inspire travelers who have yet to decide on a destination. It can serve as a starting point for options to consider before comparing airline partners to see if they can offer better redemptions.

With co-branded Delta cards

If you use miles to book your Premium Select ticket, you should consider applying for a co-branded Delta credit card. There are three cards that give you a variety of perks, including 15% off award redemptions on Delta-operated flights and a free checked bag. 

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

Each card comes with additional benefits aside from savings on award bookings. But 15% off award travel isn’t anything to scoff at. 

Using points and miles

Using points and miles is the best way to save on your Delta Premium Select ticket. You’ll only need to pay taxes and fees, which can be as low as $5.60 each way on a domestic flight. 

How to book Delta Premium Select with points 

If you don’t want to pay thousands of dollars to be comfortable on your next flight, don’t worry. Booking Delta Premium Select with points is easier than you might think. You have several options, from booking directly with Delta to booking Delta-operated flights through partner airlines or credit card travel portals. 

How to book Delta Premium Select using your credit card portal 

You can log into your credit card’s travel portal and search for your desired dates. These portals are travel search engines, so you’ll see results from various providers. Booking a Delta Premium Select ticket from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) would cost $758 or 75,848 Capital One miles. 

Remember, you might not get the best value from your points when booking this way. However, if you don’t want to use credit card rewards for your booking, you can still complete the purchase through the portal — many cards will give you bonus points when booking flights, hotels, or rental cars through the associated travel portal. For instance, if I booked the above flight using my Capital One Venture X through Capital One Travel, I’d earn five miles per dollar compared to just two miles when booked directly with the airline.  

Which credit card points transfer to SkyMiles? 

Delta has an exclusive partnership with American Express. To transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles, you’ll need the American Express Platinum, Gold, or Green cards. 

You can also convert Marriott Bonvoy points to SkyMiles, but we don’t generally recommend doing so. They transfer at a 3:1 ratio, so 30,000 Bonvoy points is just 10,000 SkyMiles. You’ll get more value from your Bonvoy points when booking a hotel stay. 

How to book Delta Premium Select using SkyMiles 

BookingDelta Premium select using SkyMiles is very straightforward. Once you log in to your Delta account, simply enter your departure and destination airports, select whether you want to search for a one-way or round-trip flight, enter your dates, and select Delta Premium Select from the drop-down menu. When you click “shop with miles,” you are automatically taken to the flexible date calendar. 

Then, you can compare flights departing on different days. As you can see, this makes a huge difference — a nonstop flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Milan (MXP) in Premium Select costs just 157,200 SkyMiles on August 19. Depart one day later? That price skyrockets to 221,000 SkyMiles. 

Once you’ve selected your day, go to flight details and book your seat. This is the same process as booking a cash fare. 

What other loyalty programs can you use to book Delta Premium Select? 

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, so you can often book Delta-operated flights through the partner airline’s loyalty program. Popular partners include Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and LATAM. This also opens up the door for transfer partners from major credit cards. 

How to book Delta Premium Select using points from a partner airline

If you want to book the flight from New York (JFK) to London (LGW) through Air France, you’ll log into your account and enter your travel information in the “book with miles” tab.

After confirming the number of miles needed for a ticket, log into your credit card account to transfer the points. Using Capital One as an example, I’d go to the rewards section of my account, click “transfer rewards,” and then select Air France KLM—Flying Blue. 

Capital One miles transfer to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio. Next, I’d enter my membership number and the number of miles I want to transfer before completing the transaction. Miles are usually transferred instantly but sometimes take a few days. 

Once the transfer is complete, I’ll have to log back into my Flying Blue account to book the flight. 

Tips for finding award availability in Delta Premium Select 

Delta makes it easy to see award availability compared to other legacy carriers (and even SkyTeam partners). Enter your departure and destination airports and dates, and select “shop with miles.” After reviewing the flexible date calendar, you can complete your redemption in just a few minutes. 

Other airlines might require you to go to a different website to search for award flights instead of cash fares. Some don’t offer a flexible date calendar, so you have to keep searching for different dates to find a good deal. Delta streamlines the process, which I appreciate. 

You can typically see award availability for Delta flights about 11 months before departure. You don’t have to worry about as much volatility as cash fares. Still, if you want to travel to a popular destination during peak season, consider booking early so flights don’t sell out. 

Should you book Delta Premium Select? 

You should book Delta Premium Select when you want to focus on comfort during a long-haul flight but don’t want to use all your miles for a Delta One fare. This is especially true on trans-Atlantic flights that are frequently overnight. As someone who has gone back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean more times than I can count, I can confidently say that the upgrade to premium economy is worth every penny (or mile). 

Delta does a fantastic job of treating Premium Select like a semi-luxury experience; the little touches make it worth it.