Delta Expands Economy Comfort Seating to More Markets

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will build on the success of its Economy Comfort seating on long-haul international flights by selling the premium Economy Class product on all flights longer than 750 miles. This expansion puts Economy Comfort on all of Delta's dual-class aircraft and is now available for purchase on all mainline domestic and international flights departing on or after June 7.

"Our expansion of Economy Comfort gives customers more premium seats to choose from no matter where they fly on Delta," said Glen Hauenstein, Delta's executive vice president - Network Planning, Revenue Management and Marketing.

Customers seated in Economy Comfort enjoy three to four inches of additional leg room as well as Priority Boarding. The product is available in the first three-to-five rows of the Economy cabin on more than 550 of Delta's mainline aircraft, including its Boeing 767, 757, 737, MD88, MD90, DC9, Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft, and on more than 250 two-class regional jets including the CRJ900, CRJ700, E170 and E175 aircraft types.

Customers who have purchased an Economy ticket on Delta can upgrade to Economy Comfort for an additional introductory fee of $19-$99 each way on flights within the domestic U.S and on short-haul international markets. Economy Comfort seats are available for purchase for flight through delta.com, Delta check-in kiosks, and Delta reservations for flights that depart June 7 or after.

Similar to Delta's long-haul international Economy Comfort product, complimentary access to domestic and short-haul international seats will be available to all SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallions and customers purchasing full-fare Economy class tickets. Gold Medallion members will also have free access to these seats after they place their reservation, while Silver Medallions can purchase them at a 50 percent discount after purchasing a ticket or can access these seats for free at check-in.

The expansion of Economy Comfort is the latest in Delta's more than $3 billion investment in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to Economy Comfort, Delta is adding more First Class seats and in-flight entertainment to its domestic product; offering full flat-bed BusinessElite seats on its entire international widebody fleet; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights; is nearing completion of its plan to install in-flight Wi-Fi service to all domestic two-class aircraft -- including regional jets - that have a First and Economy class cabin; updating Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system; and building new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways - the new international terminal in Atlanta now open and the expanded international terminal opening next May at New York-JFK.