Delta Comfort+ vs Economy: A Budget Traveler's Guide to Premium Flying Experience

Is Delta's Comfort+ worth the splurge? Come along and find out with me!

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like every travel video I see on TikTok and YouTube features someone’s experience flying first class. The lay-flat bed, champagne before takeoff, and luxury amenity kit all sell this air of luxury I can only hope to attain one day. As a twenty-something saving for a house, paying off a new car, and trying to stretch every dollar I can for travel, it’s safe to say the first-class life is a little further out than I’d hoped.

Enter “Premium Economy,”  US airlines’ answer to people like me who are interested in the premium flight experience without the budget to spring for first class. I’ve contemplated splurging for Delta’s premium economy offering, Comfort+, a few times. After I (finally) achieved Delta Silver Medallion status in 2023, I had the opportunity to fly Comfort+ on a free upgrade from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles.

Come along as I compare this flight experience to a standard economy class ticket so you can determine if Delta Comfort+ is the splurge!

Delta Comfort+ vs. Economy: Is it Worth it Or Not?

The Plane:

I flew Comfort+ on Delta’s early morning direct route from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Los Angeles (LAX). The route is serviced by Delta’s Airbus A321neo, a narrow-body aircraft, and the newest narrow body to Delta’s fleet. The 194-seat airplane features 20 domestic First Class seats, 42 Delta Comfort+ seats, and 132 Main Cabin seats. All seats offer seatback entertainment systems, power ports, and wifi access. The plane felt generally new with Delta’s upgraded overhead lighting packages and the large overhead bins that accommodate rollaboards stowed “library style.”

Seat:

One of the main points of intrigue for Comfort+ is the additional legroom the seats offer. While I didn’t pull out a tape measure, I can attest that the legroom difference between Comfort+ and Economy creates a noticeably more comfortable experience. I’d equate the leg space offered in Comfort+ to the amount of space in the exit row. Is there enough space to get up from the window without disturbing a seat neighbor in the aisle? Well, no. But there is enough space to allow for comfortable crossing and uncrossing of legs without bumping the seat in front of you.

In addition to the slightly roomier seat, the seatback pocket offers a slip pocket for a cell phone which is nice, although I’m not sure why this isn’t standard in economy already. The seats have red trim and seemingly have more luxurious headrests and leather upholstery. That said, any difference in seat comfort is negligible, at least on the Airbus A321neo.

Delta's Comfort+ seat offering

In-Flight Entertainment:

Unlike First Class, there is no real difference between Comfort+ and Economy. Both seating categories offer seatback entertainment with the same size screen and collection of films, television, live TV, and games available. All this to say, in-flight entertainment isn’t a differentiating factor for Comfort+ and Economy seating.

Meal/Snack Service:

Finally,  a noticeable difference! Comfort+ passengers enjoy free alcoholic beverages on all flights longer than 500 miles. I’d imagine this would be an appreciated amenity, especially on a vacation flight. I did partake in a morning mimosa just for the hell of it and enjoyed the nice perk. Unlike first class, the Comfort+ beverage service doesn’t take place until after takeoff. However, Comfort+ passengers are served ahead of the economy cabin.

In addition to the beverage service, Comfort+ offers an enhanced snack service. On my domestic flight, service included an all-you-care-to-enjoy special basket of more “premium” snack options; Sun Chips, Chex Mix, organic full-size granola bars, and mixed nuts. This was a nice touch as well, though I would’ve loved to see a discount or even a complimentary snack box, sandwich, or fruit tray, which were available to purchase for both the Comfort+ and Economy cabins. First-class passengers received a full breakfast.

On my 4-hour 30-minute flight, full service only came once, in addition to two water and coffee services. I’d expected the flight attendants to ask the Comfort+ cabin for beverage refills, but that didn’t happen on this flight.

Delta's Comfort+ passengers enjoy free alcoholic beverages as part of their fare.

Other Extras:

Delta touts early boarding, early disembarkation, and dedicated overhead bin space as additional benefits for Comfort+. I can take or leave early boarding, especially when there isn’t any beverage service while the flight is at the gate. Delta AMEX cardholders already see the benefit of Main Cabin 1 boarding, so the difference between Comfort+ and Main 1 isn’t remarkable. I enjoyed the early disembarkation, though this is also negligible if you’re seated within the first few rows of economy.

As with regular economy, seat selection is included in the fare. Dedicated overhead bin space is another valuable benefit, especially for passengers traveling with carry-ons only. Beyond this, Delta offers pillows, blankets, and amenity kits, but only on long-haul international flights.

Price:

Comfort+ round-trip tickets on the same route I flew typically run around $120 more than regular economy and around $200 more than Basic Economy. The First Class fare will double your flight price at an additional $1,200. During peak travel times like Thanksgiving, that price gap widens to $240 more than Main Cabin and $292 more than Basic Economy. During peak season, expect to pay around $850 more for a seat in First Class. These prices fluctuate in line with demand.

So… Is it Worth It?

Let me be frank: paying $240 more for free drinks, slightly more legroom, and an overhead bin space is absolutely insane. Think about all the things you can purchase on vacation for $240… A nice spa day? An all-day excursion to a point of interest? Upgrading your hotel room to a more appealing view? Two really nice meals out? To sacrifice one of those things for a free $8 drink and several slight benefits that can be achieved by having a Delta credit card is simply not worth it, at least to me. Leave the Delta Comfort+ flights to free upgrades (Which can be achieved fairly easily through credit card status), or save the splurge for international travel when extra leg room and dedicated bin space become a more valuable proposition. And don’t even get me started on the prices for domestic first class… But that’s another story for another time!