Delta Airlines Baggage Fees Guide: (International & Oversized) [2023]

Delta baggage fees are pretty similar to what other major carriers like United and American but there are some differences. In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the different types of baggage policies and fees for personal items, carry-ons, and checked baggage. I’ll also show you several ways that you can avoid paying Delta baggage fees, including those on international flights.

What are the Delta baggage fees?

Delta allows you to bring on one personal item and one carry-on item free of charge and will usually charge $30 each way for your first bag at or under 50 pounds. The price for additional bags will depend on the route you’re taking and on additional factors as well. Keep reading below for more specifics on the baggage fees. 

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

How to get free checked baggage with Delta

There are numerous ways to avoid checked baggage fees on delta airlines. One of the easiest and quickest methods is to just get the right credit card but I will cover all the different routes you can go below.

Delta credit cards baggage benefits

If you have an eligible SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, you receive your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your SkyMiles Credit Card. The benefit extends to up to eight travel companions listed on the cardmember’s reservation (for a total of nine passengers).

Here is a list of eligible cards:

The Delta credit cards offer welcome bonuses tend to come and go throughout the year so for cards like the Gold and Platinum card, you want to make sure that you’re jumping on those cards when the welcome offers are the highest.

Typically, I would try to find these cards offering 60,000 miles or more for a welcome bonus. However, if you are primarily concerned with free baggage, then you might want to just jump on these cards right away!

Related: How much are Delta SkyMiles worth?

Delta elite status baggage policy

If you have elite status with Delta they will reward you with free baggage (up to three bags). Here’s what you can expect to get from Medallion status.

Flights within the US

  • Silver: One free 70 pound bag
  • Gold: Two free 70 pound bags
  • Platinum: Three free 70 pound bags
  • Diamond: Three free 70 pound bags

You’ll also get an additional 50 pound bag for free when flying between other international destinations.

Also, if you are flying first class (Delta One) you can get three free 70 pound bags regardless of status level. And if you are flying Delta premium select you can get three free 50 pound bags regardless of status level.

Delta military baggage policy

If you are an active military member flying with Delta you can get many bags for free. When on military orders your bags can be 80 inches and for personal travel your bags can be 62 inches. If you are traveling on military orders you can get five free 100 pound bags regardless of what type of class you are flying. So for example if you are flying basic economy or you are flying first class you will get five free 100 pound bags each time.

Things are a little bit different if you are flying for personal travel. If you’re flying for personal travel then you will only get two free 50 pound bags if you are flying basic economy, main cabin, or Delta comfort plus. If you’re flying Delta premium select you get three free 50 pound bags. However, if you are flying first class, or Delta one you will get three free 70 pound bags. To find out more about military airline benefits click here.

Delta carry-on & personal item rules

Delta allows you to bring on one personal item and one carry-on. This is very similar to other major US airlines but different from those budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier that love to charge you for carry-on items. One thing that makes Delta unique is that with their basic economy product, you still get a free carry-on.

What are Delta personal items?

Delta personal items may consist of the following:

  • Purse
  • Briefcase
  • Camera bag
  • Diaper bag
  • Laptop computer (computers cannot be checked)
  • 1 item of a similar or smaller size to those listed above

Typically, a small backpack may be considered a personal item as well and they won’t give you any trouble unless you’re trying to bring along a giant backpack. There’s also a list of items that don’t count as personal items and they are as follows:

Related: What’s a Personal Item on a Plane?

What are the Delta carry-on dimensions?

  • Baggage may not exceed 45 linear inches (or 114 cm) in combined length, width and height, including any handles and wheels, with the exception of small musical instruments that fit in the overhead compartment space or under-seat space available at the time of boarding
  • Baggage must meet carry on size limits (approximately 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 56 x 35 x  23 cm).

Passengers traveling on Delta Connection flights, and only those flights with 50 seats or less, are only permitted to carry personal items on board the aircraft due to limited overhead space.

Delta checked baggage policy

Delta checked baggage dimensions 

Your checked baggage must not exceed 62 inches when you total the length + width + height. Your bag must also be no more than 50 pounds unless one of the exceptions applies that allow you to have bags up to 75 or 100 pounds.

You should note that there are separate fees for each limitation you exceed: size, weight and quantity. So let’s say that you were checking an extra bag that also exceeded your weight allowance of 50 pounds and that the bag was also oversized. In that case you’d be subject to three fees: one for the extra bag, one for exceeding the weight limit and one for going over the size restriction.

The fees can change depending on where you are flying to so if you want to check out the fees to the different locations then click here.

Delta domestic checked baggage fees

The standard amount that you will pay for your first checked bag will be $30. However, the prices for checked luggage change depending on the route that you’re flying. Below are some of the fees you can expect to pay for domestic travel when traveling in basic economy, main cabin, or Delta Comfort+.

  • 1st bag: $30
  • 2nd bag: $40
  • 3rd bag: $150
  • 4th+ bag: $200 each

If you are traveling in first class, Delta Premium Select, or Delta One, you’ll be able to bring along two free checked bags up to 70 pounds on just about every route. 

Delta international checked baggage fees

When it comes to international flights, the baggage fees can change a lot depending on your destination. Here are some prices you might run into for travel around North America.

Travel between US and Canada

  • 1st bag: $30 USD/CAD
  • 2nd bag: $50 USD/CAD

Travel between US and Mexico

  • 1st bag: $30 USD/CAD
  • 2nd bag: $55 USD/CAD

It’s worth noting that for some international routes you don’t have to pay for your checked luggage at all!

For example, your first two bags can be checked for free when traveling from North America to the following countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, & Yemen.

There are also a lot of other places that give you your first two bags for free when flying to or from the US like Australia, India, and many countries in Africa, South America, and Asia.

Here is a chart to help you out with the international fees.

Check here for the full list of countries you can fly to while avoiding baggage fees.  

First class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One baggage fees

As stated, you can check two bags free if you are flying First class, Delta Premium Select, or Delta One. Moreover, these bags can weigh up to 70 pounds each. This is the standard allowance of premium passengers that other airlines offer as well.

If you want all the tips on how to deal with checked baggage and how to avoid fees, be sure to check out the ultimate guide to checked luggage here.

Special baggage limitations

Geographical restrictions with Delta baggage

Many airlines have special limitations on baggage when traveling to certain destination during certain times and Delta is no different.

For example, you may be limited to a maximum of one or two checked pieces of luggage when flying to places like Key West, Florida (EYW), Quito, Ecuador (UIO), the list goes on and on here.

So they key is that if you have plans to fly out of the country on Delta and you are planning on bringing a lot of luggage with you, you need to first verify that you’re allowed to bring so much luggage with you during that time. 

What is the total number of bags you can check with Delta?

You can check up to 10 bags per passenger on flights operated by Delta, Delta Shuttle or Delta Connection. Delta does reserve the right to limit the amount of baggage you bring on the plane when the excess prevents them from transporting up to two bags per passenger.

Can you bring excess bags on Delta Connection flights?

Delta Connection carriers will accept excess baggage but only on a space-available basis. If the baggage cannot be carried on the same flight with you, it will be transported on the next available flight.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Delta special baggage items

Delta has some special rules for certain items such as fragile items, sports equipment, medical supplies, etc. Here’s a rundown of some of those policies.

Fragile or bulky items

If you are traveling with something bulky or very fragile, you may want to purchase a ticket for your fragile item so that you can store your item in any passenger seat with a physical bulkhead or divider in front of the compartment.

You’ll need to contact reservations to see about the fee for this but if you wish to do this the item must not exceed 100 pounds and also meet some other requirements you can find here.

Also, if you’re checking something fragile, you might need to fill out a limitation of liability form.

Here’a list of potential fragile or bulky items:

  • Amplifiers 
  • Antiques
  • Bicycles
  • Blueprints
  • Cameras
  • Car Seats
  • Ceramics
  • China
  • Counters
  • Crystal
  • Fishing Rods
  • Flowers
  • Mirrors
  • Musical Equipment
  • Paintings
  • Plants
  • Projectors
  • Sculptures
  • Strollers
  • Televisions
  • Tennis Racquets
  • Trophies
  • Wines

Sports equipment

If you want to bring your special sporting equipment with you on a Delta flight you’ll probably be allowed. Many of the different types of equipment will require you to pay a special fee if they are large or heavy. This fee will likely be around $150 but it depends on the route. Also, be aware that certain countries have specific rules about bringing in certain types of equipment so make sure that you’re aware about that.

  • Antlers 
  • Archery
  • Bicycles
  • Boogie/Skim Boards
  • Canoes/Kayaks (foldable)
  • Fishing Equipment
  • Golfing Equipment
  • Hockey and Lacrosse Equipment
  • Javelins
  • Kiteboards
  • Kneeboards/Wakeboards
  • Parachutes
  • Scuba Equipment
  • Shooting Equipment
  • Skateboards
  • Ski or Snowboard Equipment
  • Surfboards

Musical instruments

Musical instruments or equipment can be checked if the total linear dimension (length + width + height) does not exceed 150 inches (381 cm), and provided the weight, including the case, does not exceed 165lbs (75 kg).

Pets

If you’re looking for special information on pets and the fees for those you can check those here.

Delta baggage protection

You can get your baggage protected from getting lost or being damaged in the transport with many different types of credit cards. But you can also purchase baggage protection from Delta. The fee will be paid at check-in and will change depending on the route and value of your luggage. Here are what the fees look like.

DOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL

TOTAL DECLARED VALUE

FEE PAID AT CHECK IN

Domestic

$3500.01 to $4000.00

$40.00

Domestic

$4000.01 to $5000.00

$50.00

International

UP to $1000.00

$10.00

International

$1000.01 to $2000.00

$20.00

International

$2000.01 to $3000.00

$30.00

International

$3000.01 to $4000.00

$40.00

International

$4000.01 to $5000.00

$50.00

Delta Airlines Baggage Fees FAQ

How much are the Delta baggage fees?

Delta will charge you $30 each way for your first checked bag.

How can I check a bag for free?

You can check your bag for free by using a travel rewards card like the Amex Platinum Card that comes with a $200 airline credit.

There are also co-branded Delta Airlines cards that come with free checked bag benefits.

And finally, if you have elite status or are flying in specific cabins such as business class or first class, you will get free checked baggage.

How heavy can my checked bag be?

Checked bags must not exceed 50 pounds. If you have Medallion status or are flying in a premium cabin (such as business class), your baggage may weigh up to 70 pounds.

How large can checked baggage be?

Your checked baggage must not exceed 62 inches when you total the length + width + height.

How many total bags can I check?

Delta allows you to check up to 10 bags per passenger.

Do I get a free carry-on?

Yes, Delta allows you to bring one carry-on for free as well as one personal item.

How big can a carry-on be?

Delta states that a carry-on cannot exceed 45 linear inches (or 114 cm) in combined length, width and height.

Typically the size limits will be approximately 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 56 x 35 x  23 cm.

Do military members get free baggage on Delta Airlines?

Active military members can get up to five bags checked for free. If they are on military orders, the bags can weigh up to 100 pounds each even if they are flying main cabin or basic economy.

If they are flying for personal travel, they will get two free checked bags that can weigh up to 50 pounds when flying in main cabin.

And if they are traveling in First Class or Delta One, they can get three free checked bags that can weigh up to 70 pounds.

Final word

As you can see, Delta Airlines has a pretty straightforward luggage policy. You can take advantage of free bags if you have status, the right credit cards, are a member of the military, or if you are headed to certain destinations. Always check about special restrictions and fees for special items and you should be good to go with Delta.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo Review (Honolulu to Seattle) [2023]

Delta made a lot of noise whenever it introduced an all-suite business class more than half a decade ago.

Since then, more business class products have introduced fully enclosed suites but I hadn’t had the opportunity to see what the Delta One experience was like until a recent trip from Honolulu to Seattle.

Below, I’ll walk you through the entire experience and give you a detailed review of what you can expect if you end up flying Delta One Suites on the A330-900neo.

Delta A330-900neo overview

The Delta One Suite was announced back in 2016 and it was the “world’s first all-suite business class.” They released the initial version on the A350 and it consisted of a customized version of the Vantage XL seat (which is a seat used by other airlines like SAS, LATAM, etc.)

Then, in 2019 Delta rolled out with the A330-900, which came with 29 fully enclosed suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. The new aircraft came equipped with memory foam cushions and a new wireless in-flight entertainment system among other upgrades.

It’s been used on long-haul flights like Seattle to Shanghai but you can also sometimes catch it on routes from Hawaii which is what we did in this case.

Booking

After finding a bargain saver award on Hawaiian Airlines first class from Phoenix to Honolulu for only 40,000 miles one way, we had to find a way to get back to the mainland.

We found a Delta One flight from HNL to SEA (with a first class connection to PHX) for under $800 which turned out to be a really good deal considering that lots of standard recliner options were going for much more than that.

So we hopped on this booking and earned 3,980 miles in the process along with 5X Membership Rewards on the flight.

Admittedly, it’s a pretty short flight to experience a lie flat product since flying from Honolulu to Seattle only has a flight time of under six hours.

On these medium-haul flights I pretty much go right into a movie, experience the dining, take a short nap, and then the flight is pretty much over.

But it’s still fun and a long enough flight to get a feel for the product so I was happy to make this booking which can be difficult to find since most routes are standard recliners in first class.

Honolulu aerial view

The lounge experience

After flying in from Kona, we arrived to HNL’s Delta check-in area about four hours prior to our flight but were thankfully able to check our bags after a very friendly agent at the check-in counter allowed us to.

We then made our way over to the Delta Sky Club which we would have access to because of our Platinum Cards but they told us we would not be able to get in until three hours prior to departure.

A little disappointed we headed to the food court and hung out for a little bit. Pretty random but we just happened to grab a table next to Flavor Flav which I thought was pretty funny.

Eventually, we did make our way back to the lounge which I really enjoyed. Although it is pretty compact and dated, the food was on point and the service was excellent. You can read more about the lounge here.

Honolulu Delta sky club

Boarding

We were the first in line to board in the priority line and I thought it was interesting that boarding took place right next to the men’s bathroom.

Pretty convenient for those who need to go before boarding although I saw one stunned passenger trying to exit the bathroom when the pre-boarding herd began.

Delta boarding area

The cabin & seat

As soon as we entered the A330 Delta One cabin, I was really impressed by the look and feel of the cabin. It’s a relatively simplistic design but the white suites contrasted with patterned accents and navy seats just looks really nice to me.

The aisles did look a bit narrow and I especially noticed this when I was trying to get photos during boarding.

Usually I can just sort of subtly lean into a suite for people to get by but I felt like I had to step farther into the suite to create enough space for them to pass. Probably won’t be an issue for most people but something to note.

Delta One A330-900neo cabin

I made my way to the bulkhead seat, 1A, which I’d been looking forward to for a while. My immediate impression: “this looks really nice.”

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

I’ve always been a fan of Delta’s branded seat design. Something about the patterns and colors they use just makes their seats pop in a way I’ve come to appreciate. And that was also the case with the Delta One Suite.

When we arrived, the bedding and pillow was packed in a cloth casing which always feels good. There’s something about tearing open plastic bedding packaging that just doesn’t feel nearly as appealing.

Worth noting, they did not provide a mattress pad but they did give us a pair of slippers.

They also did not issue a Someone Somewhere amenity kit which seems to be standard on flights between Hawaii and the western US. (We have not received an amenity kit on Hawaiian Airlines or American Airlines when flying on these routes.)

I know it’s a short flight from Hawaii but six hours is within range for amenity kits for some other airlines, so I kind of wish airlines would issue something, especially for a red eye flight.

But enough about that, let’s talk about the seat.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

You’ll have two separate areas where you’ll find your seat controls.

The first is a touch panel with a few different settings you can change with a click of a button. I like that they had a separate setting for “relax” and “lounge” along with the standard controls you often find for the upright and lie flat positions.

You can also activate the do not disturb sign, turn off your feature light, control suite brightness, and play around with moving specific parts of your seat. I found the buttons to be very responsive on my seat so making quick, fine tune adjustments was never an issue.

Next to the control panel, you’ll find two USB ports and a 110-volt outlet along with a two-prong headphone jack. It’s always nice when you don’t have to go hunting for these things or dislocate a shoulder trying to use them.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo Seat controls

Speaking of headphones, the Delta Studio premium headset was found hanging in the shoulder area of the seat.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo headphones

I’d describe the headphones as medium grade. They are clearly a good step above the cheap headphones you get with certain airlines like Hawaiian or LATAM. But they’re not premium grade, which to be honest was a little bit disappointing.

I think they are good enough to get by with without having to bring your own but for those who really value premium sound or noise cancellation, you may want to bring your own headphones with an appropriate adapter.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo headphones

I will give Delta credit though for a couple of things regarding the headphones.

First, the headphones were not worn down like on my recent American Airlines 777 business class fight. That’s a very low bar but apparently something you still have to look out for.

Second, the crew did not come and pick them up before landing which allowed us to enjoy the in-flight entertainment all the way until we needed to get out of our seat.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo headphones

The in-flight entertainment (IFE) screen spanned 18.5 inches and the screen’s definition looked nice and crisp.

The touchscreen was very responsive and it was nice having a quality screen with an intuitive interface.

The little hanger feature next to the screen is odd to me though because it just does not seem like a good place to hang something up. Maybe I don’t wear enough coats?

Delta One Suite A330-900neo tv screen

One thing I do love about the Thomson XL seats is that they have amazing counter space.

I love being able to set up a small workstation or just have ample room to place bulky items like my DSLR camera and these seats never disappoint in that regard.

Unfortunately, on the other side of the seat it’s a pretty narrow armrest that isn’t afraid to disappoint.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo seat

In terms of seat storage, you have some decent options.

For starters, there is a large space below the counter where you could put your bedding, which you can kind of make out in the photo below.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

There is a compact storage compartment directly underneath the counter which was surprisingly spacious. I was able to fit my entire Canon 6D DSLR inside there which was very convenient and that’s always sort of my test for how spacious a compartment is.

In this area, you’ll also find a small touch panel strip of seat control buttons.

These allow you to easily adjust your seat, lighting, or do not disturb sign while in the lie-flat position which is very convenient.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo seat controls

And finally, this is also where you can pull out the tray table, which is large and sturdy.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo tray table

On the counter you can find a pop-up mirror and the remote control.

The controller will allow you to easily navigate the on screen options for in-flight entertainment but you can also use it to turn on a light or call the flight attendant over if you need something.

As far as the mirror goes, it felt kind of oddly positioned but I guess you could use this “rearview mirror” to check out how stunning you look in the Delta One Suite.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

Behind your shoulder there’s a small storage area that holds a little water bottle and can fit other items if you’re an outlaw and okay with disregarding the signage.

I consider these compartments to be the danger zone because it’s so easy to forget items stored behind you so I tend to avoid putting things in there that I can’t afford to lose.

This is also where you have a special feature light, which provides a bit of ambience to the seat.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo storage
Delta One Suite A330-900neo water bottle storage

Perhaps the biggest reason why I loved this seat was the extra space in the footwell.

This is one of those business class products that offer bulkhead passengers more space for their feet which is something I always value a lot.

I found it much easier to get comfortable in the seat than I did with my prior Thomson XL experiences and I’m pretty sure it had to do with the additional leg room, which looks almost double the size of the standard amount.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo bulkhead legroom

Dining

I found it interesting that the crew did not issue any menus for drinks or dining, as it’s always a pleasure to go through a nice looking menu and contemplate a few different options or even discover new types of cuisine.

When Brad asked about getting a drink, they just asked him “well, what do you want?” which is not really on par with what you expect when flying a premium lie-flat business class product.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo tray

I ended up choosing the beef sliders that came smothered in cheddar cheese. I thought the purple taro buns were a unique touch and liked the flavor from the teriyaki glaze.

I also liked that the texture of the buns and patties did not even feel like airplane food, which is something I’m always a little bit wary of when it comes to a dish like this.

I’m guessing a bit of Hawaiian influence came into the MIA menu with the spicy pineapple and cheese side dish and the coconut cake. Two more solid additions to this meal in the sky.

Overall, it was a very pleasing dining experience. Can’t really complain.

You can find the Delta One menu from Honolulu here.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo dining food
Delta One Suite A330-900neo sparkling water

After dinner, I requested a glass of chamomile tea which wasn’t quite dressed up like Hawaiian Airlines did it. But I had my own mini jar of honey from the Outrigger Hotel which helped me sweeten it up a bit.

In-flight entertainment

After a few flights on LATAM business class and the recent JetBlue mint flight, all of which had subpar screens, I definitely was not taking the quality of this screen for granted!

The flight tracker had some cool in-flight features and was definitely one of the more interesting flight trackers to play around with.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo flight tracker
Delta One Suite A330-900neo flight tracker
Delta One Suite A330-900neo flight tracker

I found the movie and show selection to be pretty extensive and ended up going with the Nolan Ryan documentary, Facing Nolan, which I really loved.

As someone who grew up next-door to his hometown of Alvin, Texas, he was always a big-time figure and it was really cool going down memory lane with this film.

You can check out the current media selection here.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo tv

At some point, the flight attendants did come by and close the suite door for me.

I’m a bit mixed on that because on the one hand, some people may just forget about the door or not know how to use it and so having a flight attendant close it is helpful for them.

But some people like to keep the doors open for various reasons (bathroom visits, less claustrophobic, etc.) so I think it would be better for the flight attendants to ask before closing the door.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo tv

When the doors are closed, you have a high level of privacy as you would expect. However, it’s not like some of the first class suites that have higher doors and walls that give you true privacy from a nosy onlooker walking by. Still, it makes a big difference.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo tv

I liked the look of the cabin aisle when all of the doors were shut although I did notice how scuffed up some of the doors and walls were. Seriously, it looked like the side of a well-used company truck.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo cabin

Here’s a look at the suite from the outside with the door closed (below).

Some people might feel cramped in the suite and I could see how since the seat does appear to be a bit confining. But the seat does have 22.5 inches of width, 45 inches of pitch, and a bed length of ~80 inches. 

I think if you go into the experience NOT expecting it to feel like Singapore Suites because “ZOMG, a door!” you may not feel so cramped.

Once again though, I have to remember that I had the bulkhead seat which probably helped a lot. Also, keep in mind that the suites on the A350 are more spacious than the A330-900, so if you’re coming from that you’ll likely notice the difference.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

The sleeping experience

The bedding is 100% recycled polyester (rPET) bedding, which is what they replaced their old Westin Heavenly bedding with. I never got to experience that Westin bedding which is a shame because that’s my number one hotel brand and it would’ve been nice to see how well Delta executed with it.

Without a mattress pad, I found the seat to be pretty firm so I sort of wrapped the blanket underneath me for moderate comfort. The pillow was pretty thick and lightyears above the pillow issued by Hawaiian Airlines, which helped out a lot with comfort.

Ultimately the bedding set up worked fine for this medium-haul flight but I’m not sure how comfortable I would be in this for a true long-haul flight.

I do think that from a design perspective, certain things could probably be improved to help the sleeping experience such as being able to push the armrest up.

You might also find the bed to feel low to the ground although I was already experienced with that, so it wasn’t a big deal to me.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo bed

I will say once again that having the extra bulkhead legroom made a huge difference for me. It allowed me to sleep on my side with my legs bent pretty far which really helped me get into a comfortable position.

Brad wasn’t very thrilled with the legroom he had in his footwell (in the seat behind me). I think that was also a large reason why he found the seat to be far less comfortable as a whole.

So if you really value your legroom, you may want to consider the bulkhead.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo bed

Typically, I would choose a seat where the counter is on the aisle side for more privacy. But with the suite doors and the ability to get extra legroom, it was a no-brainer for me to go with seat 1A.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

But here’s a look at one of the seats closer to the window which would typically be what I’d go for.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

If you’re sitting in the middle, you can take advantage of a privacy divider in the event you don’t want to have a view of the passenger next to you.

Delta One Suite A330-900neo

Service

Service on this flight was largely on point. I wouldn’t say that it stood out like our JetBlue Mint flight but I felt like the crew was friendly and pretty attentive.

The crew on the Hawaiian Airlines flight out to HNL engaged more with us so I would put them a peg ahead of this crew.

Lavatory

The first class bathroom was nothing really special but here’s a quick look at it.

Landing

After getting a little bit of rest we came into Seattle. I was hoping to get some magnificent sunrise views but we were just a little bit too early.

After landing, we had a layover of about three hours which we spent at the SEA Delta Sky Club. I really liked that lounge and will have a full review to come.

Final word

Overall, I really enjoyed my first flight with Delta One Suites. The key for me was sitting in the bulkhead and getting the extra legroom as I think that made all the difference with the level of comfort.

I was a little underwhelmed with some of the experience like not getting a dining or drink menu, no amenity kit, headphones, etc. but for all of the things that really matter like the dining and the service I feel like Delta mostly delivered at a pretty high level.

Delta Sky Club HNL Lounge Review: Compact & Equipped but Dated

Over the past couple of years, I’ve really started to become a big fan of Delta Sky Clubs.

But on a recent trip to HNL, I had my doubts about the Delta Sky Club mostly because I knew it would be small and the prior lounges I visited at HNL were nothing special.

But luckily, my expectations were surpassed at this compact yet equipped lounge and in this article I’ll tell you all about the experience!

Getting to the Delta Sky Club at HNL

It was extremely easy to get to the Delta Sky Club which was no surprise because HNL is not very big.

The Delta Sky Club is located in terminal two just outside of security near Gate F1.

Delta check-in was located in lobby seven so that is the lobby that we entered through after going through the USDA check for our checked bags.

Once you make it past security, you’ll turn left and it’s very hard to miss the lounge.

Delta Sky Club HNL

Gate F1 also happened to be our gate so it made getting to the lounge and planning our exit as easy as could be.

Related: Which Lounge at HNL: Premier Club or Plumeria Lounge for Hawaiian Airlines?

Access for the Delta Sky Club at HNL

We had access to the Delta Sky Club HNL via our American Express Platinum Cards because we were flying Delta back to the mainland.

Specifically, we were flying Delta One Suites from HNL to SEA and then Delta First Class from SEA to PHX.

We had just arrived from Kona to HNL about four hours before our departure and the check-in agents were gracious enough to check our bags for us.

However, the lounge strictly stuck to the three hour prior to flight window and that meant that we would have to kill some time before being able to enter the lounge. That was annoying but it’s probably a good thing they have the policy because it is such a small lounge.

Related:

Delta Sky Club HNL

Experiencing the lounge

When we were finally able to get into the lounge, the agents were very friendly and professional.

They made sure to tell us about all of the features of the lounge and invited us to send our own Hawaiian postcards (with postage paid for by Delta). That, to me, was a very nice and fitting touch for travelers departing Hawaii and we sent a couple of them out to family members.

Delta Sky Club HNL

The lounge had a pretty minimal amount of traffic which made it very relaxing at least for the first hour or so.

It would pick up and get a little bit busy but it never got too crazy and died down towards the end of our visit. That was nice because for small lounges like this, I always worry about the lounge becoming an unenjoyable madhouse.

There were a hand full of different seating areas and we decided to grab a couple of chairs just on the other side of the bar. Some of the seating does have counters with outlets so look out for those if you need to stay powered up.

Most of the seating options offered in the lounge were the same or similar and consisted of typical airport lounge chairs. Comfortable yet a little boring by today’s lounge standards. You can get a feel for the different seating areas with some of the photos below.

Delta Sky Club HNL

I liked the Hawaiian artwork on display and also liked that they had a profile of the artist below each piece.

Delta Sky Club HNL

Aside from the entire lounge feeling pretty dated, I did like the relaxing color scheme found throughout the lounge with teal/mint accents contrasted against woodgrain. Not necessarily the most impressive decor for sure, but I appreciated that they at least had done something a little bit different.

Delta Sky Club HNL
Delta Sky Club HNL
Delta Sky Club HNL

The drinks and dining

I went over to check out the dining options and I was pleasantly surprised to see so many different hot food items along with some tasty sandwiches.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect in this lounge since our last lounge experience at HNL definitely was nothing special.

But this exceeded my expectations with a diverse range of food options raging from Hawaiian to Japanese, and also offering your basic items like ham and cheese sandwiches and even comfort foods like chicken noodle soup. I’d say it was a pretty solid food line up.

Delta Sky Club HNL food

Here’s a close look at all of the food items that were offered in the late afternoon/early evening.

Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Kalua pork with cabbage
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Hawaiian shoyu chicken
Delta Sky Club HNL food
Pancit bihon.
Delta Sky Club HNL food

If you were just looking for snacks, they did have a stand with Lays potato chips.

Delta Sky Club HNL food

And another station with desserts which included some type of pudding dish, oatmeal raisin cookies, and a small freezer with some sort of special ice cream.

Delta Sky Club HNL dessert
Delta Sky Club HNL dessert

As for drinks, the lounge has a small bar with a very friendly bartender who also was pretty efficient at serving up drinks. You never saw the line get a long at all.

Delta Sky Club HNL drinks

The mai tai drinks, complete with decorative flower and umbrella, seemed to be a major hit for many people. I just went with my usual sparkling water but Brad had one last mai tai before we departed Hawaii.

Delta Sky Club HNL drinks mai tai

There’s also a good lineup of different teas with honey and an easy to use hot water dispenser.

Delta Sky Club HNL tea
Delta Sky Club HNL tea
Delta Sky Club HNL tea

Iced tea, lemonade, and ice water were also available.

Delta Sky Club HNL drinks

If you want some soda water they had a small soda water dispenser and if you’re in the mood for some coffee they had two espresso machines.

Delta Sky Club HNL drinks
Delta Sky Club HNL drinks

Near the food station, they had a pretty long row of two person dining tables along with some seats with tables found along the wall.

In the back corner of the lounge there was a TV area with a large screen playing ESPN. This appeared to be the busiest area of the lounge during our stay.

Delta Sky Club HNL

The lounge had a rack of literature to check out and I decided to try out a travel magazine to pass some time.

Delta Sky Club HNL magazines
Delta Sky Club HNL magazines

It had been a while since I had sat down with a magazine and I actually enjoyed going through it and learned quite a bit about some cool spots on different islands of Hawaii.

I definitely think I’m going to return to magazine reading as it was something I used to always do at airports and when flying but at some point I just dropped the habit.

There’s a small workstation area with a few chairs, some outlets, and a printer station. If you have something that you need to print, you can send it to the printer via email by just following the instructions.

Delta Sky Club HNL workstation
Delta Sky Club HNL workstation

In this back corner of the lounge there is another TV area but it’s a good amount smaller than the other section. It was also much quieter over here.

Delta Sky Club HNL tv area

One thing that I thought was interesting about the lounge is that they came around with a cart serving mini cannolis and some type of special alcoholic tea. That’s not something I typically see in an airport lounge, especially a small one, so I thought it was pretty cool and once again a nice touch by Delta.

Delta Sky Club HNL snacks

The bathroom

While some Delta Sky Clubs on the larger side have some pretty amazing (and huge) bathrooms, the men’s bathroom here is quite small with one urinal and one stall. I know this is a smaller lounge but only having one stall is under equipped to me.

Delta Sky Club HNL bathroom
Delta Sky Club HNL bathroom
Delta Sky Club HNL bathroom

Final word

The Delta Sky Club at HNL is pretty compact and yes it is dated.

However, the staff is great and the dining and drink options were solid and plentiful. The lounge also provided a few special touches here and there that made the experience feel a bit more premium.

Overall, I really liked the lounge and would prefer visiting this over the Plumeria lounges any day but it will be nice if the lounge can get some renovation love in the near future.

Buying an Extra Seat on Delta Air Lines: What You Need to Know About the Process

Are you thinking about purchasing an extra seat on Delta Air Lines because you are a plus-sized passenger or just because you want some extra comfort?

If so, then it will be helpful for you to know how the booking process works along with some other helpful information like how to make sure you don’t lose your extra seat!

Below, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about purchasing an additional seat for your flight and hopefully will answer most or all of your questions!

How to book an extra seat on Delta Air Lines

A Delta representative confirmed that in order to book an extra seat, you need to call customer service.

This is in contrast to some other airlines like United that allow you to book an extra seat online, even if the process is a little bit strange.

When you purchase an extra seat, Delta will create an additional booking that essentially acts like a second passenger is traveling with you.

However, on the name for the second passenger you might see your first name replaced with “EXST.” The gender and date of birth should be the same as your own.

Your extra seat should be linked to your main ticket which means that if you encountered irregular operations, such as a flight change caused by Delta, your extra seat should “follow” you to your new flight.

Sometimes this may not happen and you may have to work out the situation with Delta but that should be rare according to the rep I spoke with.

For some other airlines, the second boarding pass gets printed out and scanned during the boarding process so you might need to print out that second boarding pass when flying with Delta and scan it.

The reason is that if you don’t scan the second boarding pass it could trigger a “no-show” which could mean that an additional passenger is assigned to your flight and that could cause issues for your extra seat.

Delta’s system may not work that way but you may want to confirm that.

If you want to use your SkyMiles to purchase the extra seat, that should be allowed as long as there are open awards.

Just be aware that you cannot purchase a basic economy ticket as an extra seat. That’s because a seat assignment is required and those basic economy fares do not allow for advanced seat selection.

Delta airline seats

A seat just for comfort?

Unlike Southwest Airlines that does not allow you to purchase an extra seat solely for comfort, Delta is among the airlines that allows you to purchase an extra seat even if you don’t need it for size reasons.

It’s also possible for you to purchase more than one extra seat if you would like.

For example, if you were on crutches and wanted to keep your foot elevated during the flight, you could purchase two additional seats and occupy an entire row.

(Of course, during takeoff and landing you need to comply with safety requirements.)

Will you be required to purchase an extra seat?

If you are a customer of size, often a major question is will you be required to purchase an extra seat?

This always depends on the circumstances but Delta seems to be one of the more plus-size friendly airlines as I will explain below.

If you need a seatbelt extender…

If you need a seatbelt extender, you are NOT required to purchase an extra seat. One reason for this is that people are just built very differently.

Some people carry their extra weight in different parts of the body so just because you need a seatbelt extender, that does not mean that you will be intruding on the passenger next to you.

The armrest does not have to come down

One of the big reasons why Delta is friendly to plus-size passengers is the armrest policy.

They state:

Delta does not require a passenger who needs a seatbelt extender or is unable to lower the armrest to purchase an additional seat

So just because the armrest cannot go down, that does not mean that you have to purchase an extra seat.

Often, whether or not the armrest can come down (and remain down) while a plus-sized passenger is seated is sort of a test of whether or not the passenger will be able to fly without buying an extra seat.

If the armrest can’t come down, the passenger is required to purchase an extra seat. But that is not the case with Delta.

While this is good news for many, to ensure that you don’t need to purchase an extra seat you still have to make sure that you are not “impeding on” another passenger….

If you impede on another passenger

Delta states that if you impede on another passenger, that’s when things become problematic.

Now what exactly “impede” means is the million dollar question.

Typically, this means if you are body is occupying space in the next seat (with the armrest acting as the official divider).

But it gets a little bit tricky when you talk about elbows, shoulders, etc.

In the end, this likely is a case-by-case determination that could largely depend on the passenger next to you.

Some people are just much more tolerant than others when it comes to rubbing arms or bodies with others.

If the crew determines that you are impeding on another passenger then there are a few different scenarios that could play out.

You could be asked to move to another seat.

For example, maybe there is an empty seat somewhere else on the plane or even just a smaller passenger that you can sit next to.

(Sometimes the passenger next to you may volunteer to swap with someone else or move to a different seat.)

If the flight is full then you could be asked to take a later flight that will have available seating.

To ensure that you will have space, you may want to purchase an additional seat for that later flight but that will not be required because the next available flight may not be full.

But obviously if that flight did become full — perhaps with standby passengers — you could find yourself right back in the same situation so it’s usually a good idea to purchase the extra seat to avoid these situations.

If the next flight is more expensive, Delta reps told me that you would not be responsible for paying the fare difference.

I should point out that some airlines will also cover a hotel and meals if you are refused the ability to fly until the next day. I did not get confirmation that Delta does this but since other major airlines do, it’s worth asking about.

Delta Air Lines planes

Can you use preboarding?

Preboarding is available to a lot of different passengers and it is required under the law to provide it to people who need extra time or assistance to get settled in their seat.

If you are a customer of size, you could easily make an argument that you may need extra time to get into your seat so I think preboarding should be on the table. After all, it is something that you self identify for.

If you are interested in preboarding then simply speak with a gate agent and they should be able to get you situated for it.

How an extra seat affects your luggage

If you were hoping to get an extra carry-on when purchasing an extra seat, that is not going to happen.

Instead, your carry-on allowance is strictly tied to the passenger flying — not the seat. (I believe this is a safety issue and not strictly an airline issue.)

However, the good news is that you will be entitled to extra checked baggage based on the number of seats that you purchase. Read about Delta baggage fees here.

What seats can you select?

If you are a customer of size then you want to avoid the emergency exit row.

That’s because seatbelt extenders are not allowed in those seats and the arm rests cannot be pushed up which means you will be dealing with limited seat width.

If the aircraft has rows with only two seats, that would be the ideal seat selection. However, if you are traveling with a companion then a row with three seats also works just fine.

Delta Air Lines seat

Protecting your extra seat

One of the drawbacks of purchasing an extra seat is that sometimes you have to keep people away from trying to poach your seat.

Also, there are reports of flight attendants trying to put people into the extra seats in order to accommodate other passengers or even to accommodate standby passengers.

Because of this, it’s a good practice to notify a flight attendant that you have paid for an extra seat as soon as you get settled in.

That should let them know that the seat is off-limits to others and they should help you “guard” the seat.

If for some reason your extra seat is occupied by a passenger then be sure to follow up with Delta to request some type of compensation.

Can you earn extra miles?

It appears that you can earn extra award miles at least for one extra seat. However, if you were trying to earn MQDs, MQMs, MQS, and Medallion bonus miles that might be a different story. Speak with a Delta agent about those requests.

What happens when you try to upgrade?

If you are I’m a Medallion member trying to be waitlisted for a complimentary Medallion upgrade then you should probably contact Delta reservations customer service.

It’s worth being aware that Delta says that if the complimentary upgrade clears, there are no refunds for the extra seat if it was a nonrefundable fare.

Final word

If you want an extra seat because you need more space or because you want to be more comfortable, you need to call Delta in order to book.

If you suspect that you will be impeding on another passenger then you might need to purchase an extra seat so that you don’t get put on a different flight.

Delta Airlines Lost & Found Guide [2023]

Losing an item on a plane or in an airport can be a nightmare. I know this from personal experience.

But thankfully, airlines and airports have pretty sophisticated lost and found services. Many people are reunited with the lost items every day so if you lost something when flying Delta Airlines, don’t lose hope.

Below, I’ll outline all of the steps you can take to recover something lost on Delta Airlines including how to timely file a claim and how to optimize your chances of getting your item recovered.

The immediate step: get to the Delta Airlines gate

If the de-planing has started and you realize that you have a lost item while you are still on a Delta Airlines plane, then just try to be calm and search around your seat while everyone exits.

Eventually, as the passengers exit, a flight attendant will probably approach you to see what’s going on and you can let them know that you have a lost item.

They might be able to help search for you right there but depending on the flight schedule, you might also be ushered out quickly.

If you have already entered the airport from your arrival, and you realize that you have a lost item then you should try to go directly to the Delta arrival gate.

If there is a line for the gate agent, feel free to jump (politely) to the front of the line and just let the agent know that you have something urgent.

Let them know about your lost item and where you were seated and they might be able to get some crew members to help.

If nobody is attending at the desk then you might be able to catch crew members entering the terminal from the jet bridge.

Unless they have somewhere to promptly be, you’ll be surprised how helpful crew members can be in these type of situations.

Past the sterile area

Every airport has a sterile area.

This is the part of the airport that is past security and it means that everyone wandering through those corridors has undergone some type of security screening.

Once you leave the sterile area, you cannot re-enter the sterile area unless you go back through security to make sure that you are in compliance with the TSA rules.

You should always see a sign marking the sterile area as you head towards the baggage claim section of the airport. (it might look like something from the image below.)

If you have already exited the sterile area then you’re not going to be able to get back to the gates unless somehow you were able to get through security which is unlikely as well.

Therefore, your best bet will be to locate a Delta Airlines help desk. Some airports, especially Delta hubs, may have a few Delta help desk’s located in different parts of the airport.

But most likely if you have already exited the sterile area, your best option will be to go to a Delta Airlines desk at baggage claim.

Typically these agents deal with lost luggage but on occasion they can also help you out for your personal lost items.

In one scenario, I recall a passenger even got an agent working the baggage claim desk to radio to agents sweeping the plane.

They were soon reunited with their lost item at baggage claim which is one reason why I always recommend for people to give this method a try.

Related: Delta Air Lines Boarding Policy Guide

airport sterile area

Items left at the TSA Security Checkpoint

If you think that you may have left your items at the TSA security checkpoint then your priority should be to get in contact with the Lost and Found for TSA.

TSA has its own Lost and Found department at all US airports and you can find the contact details for the relevant one here.

This is a separate lost and found department that is distinct from Delta Airlines and from the airport.

If they don’t have any record of your item, then it’s possible that item could’ve been referred to the airport’s lost and found so don’t lose out all hope until you check with them.

Related: What Happens if Your Item Is Not Allowed Through TSA Security? Can You Get It Back?

For items lost in and around the airport facility

What about if you suspect that you left your item sitting around the airport terminal?

For example, maybe you were at ATL and you left your phone sitting on a bench somewhere in the airport? Or perhaps, you suspect that you may have left your last item in a bathroom at SLC or MSP.

If you think that you may have left your item somewhere in the airport then you want to check with the specific lost and found department at that airport.

Head to an information desk and ask them where the airport’s lost and found counter is and that will be the easiest way to find them.

Sometimes the lost and found works in partnership with the airport police so you might also find a desk where you’ll find the police.

Airports also will have a dedicated webpage for their lost and found.

You might be able to submit a claim or simply find an email or phone number that could be helpful. I always prefer to handle these things via email so that you have a paper trail of what went on in your discussion.

If you left something in a Delta Sky Club airport lounge then try to contact Delta ASAP. You could also contact the airport and see if they can transfer you to the lounge.

See if they can get you in touch with someone at the lounge and give them all the details you can such as what time you were in the lounge and where you were seated.

Related: Delta Airlines Baggage Fees Guide

What if you have left the airport?

Okay, now let’s say that you have already left the airport. Maybe you were taking an Uber back to your hotel or you are already back home when you realize that you have a lost item.

If this happens to you then you can immediately call the airport or Delta and see if anything can be done.

But there’s a good chance that you’re going to have to just file your claim online in order to proceed with recovering your lost item.

How to file a Delta lost and found claim online

Like other airlines such as JetBlue, Delta Airlines utilizes nettracer to process lost and found claims.

To file a lost and found claim for Delta Airlines click here.

Make sure that you select you are looking for an item that was NOT lost in your checked baggage to begin your claim.

Filing the claim is a very simple three step process but you don’t want to rush through the steps because detail is as important as ever when resolving these claims.

Also, keep in mind that you really want to file a report within seven days of your item being lost to increase your odds of it getting recovered.

The first section is going to ask you to describe your item. You’ll select an appropriate category and provide details like the item color, case color, brand, model, and item size.

If you have the serial number on hand or some other type of unique ID number you definitely want to input it here.

Finally, there will be a box you can fill in that asks you to describe what makes your item unique.

Once again, think of anything that you can that could possibly allow your lost item to stand out such as any scratches, stickers, screen cracks, etc.

The more detail that you supply, the more your claim will catch the eye of someone working on your file which will likely increase the odds of it being found.

After you input all of your item information, you then need to input some contact details and also details related to your itineraries.

After you file your claim, you should receive a confirmation email about your claim. If for some reason it does not appear then be sure to check your spam box.

If they find an item that matches the description of your lost item, you will receive an email notification or a phone call with further instructions on what to do.

For example, they may ask you further questions to confirm that you are the true owner of the lost item.

In some cases, they might ask you to call your phone which is why it’s recommended to leave your call service activated on your phone for at least one week after you file your claim. (You may want to deactivate any associated data plans.)

If you can verify ownership then they will arrange for shipping the item to you and you will be responsible for paying for the shipping costs which can be paid with a credit card.

The search efforts will take place for approximately 30 days after they receive your lost item report.

If no item is ever recovered that matches your description then you should receive an email stating that they were unsuccessful and that the search is over for your item.

Items that are never recovered may be destroyed, sold, or donated. However, certain items like military IDs or passports get sent to places like the US Department of State.

Final word

Delta Airlines relies on one of the same Lost and Found services that other major airlines rely on. It’s a service that has helped thousands of people find their lost items.

While those services are helpful you can increase your odds of recovering your item by timely filing your report and providing the highest level of detail possible.

In many cases, you might also have to rely on a little bit of luck but if you follow the steps above you should maximize your recovery odds with Delta Airlines.

Delta Air Lines Boarding Policy Guide: Another Switch to Group Ordering [2023]

Delta Air Lines has one of the more confusing boarding group orders since elite members are broken up more than others.

Still, it is relatively simple to follow given the different branded terms used to describe the boarding groups and the color schemes that go along with them.

What’s harder to keep up with are the different changes that they make like the one recently made to Diamond Medallion Members and First Class.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Delta Air Lines boarding groups and policies.

Full list of Delta Air Lines boarding groups

  • Preboarding
  • Delta One
  • Delta Premium Select or First Class
  • Diamond Medallion Members
  • Delta Comfort+
  • Sky Priority
  • Main cabin one
  • Main cabin two
  • Main cabin three
  • Basic Economy

If the Delta Air Lines boarding groups above do not look familiar to you it might be because Delta Air Lines used to have boarding groups one through six.

The first two boarding groups were for Premium and Sky Priority members while the remaining four groups were for boarding zones one through four.

But Delta Air Lines recently changed the boarding group classification to reflect the type of ticket fare purchased. As you can see in the chart below, there were eight different groups labeled according to fare.

But then in 2022 they did another reshuffling and added a specific boarding group for Diamond Medallion Members.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Old boarding group chart
Delta boarding sign

Delta Air Lines boarding groups explained

  • Preboarding
  • Delta One or First Class
  • Diamond Medallion Members
  • Delta Premium Select
  • Delta Comfort+
  • Sky Priority
  • Main Cabin one
  • Main Cabin two
  • Main Cabin three
  • Basic Economy

Pre-boarding

Unaccompanied minors

Unaccompanied minors are children who are 5-14 years old and traveling without a parent, legal guardian or someone who is at least 18 years old. There are special rules regarding traveling as an unaccompanied minor and you can read more about those here.

Customers with disabilities

If you have a visible disability (such as being in a wheel chair, on crutches, etc.), you will be able to board without questions.

However, if your disability is not readily apparent it may be a good idea to verify with the gate agent that you can still get pre-boarding. This is something you self-identify with so you should not get much pushback.

 Related: Guide to Visiting Airports & Flying with Vision Impairments.

Active members of the military

Delta Air Lines will allow active members of the military to board during pre-boarding.

Related: Check out all of the benefits military members can take advantage of when flying.  

Delta One or First Class

The Delta One product is the premium product offered by Delta Airlines. This product consists of fully lie flat seats and other amenities and you typically find it on long-haul international flights although it can also be flown on some domestic routes.

It now looks like first class passengers fall into this group who are flying on shorter flights such as on domestic flights across the country.

Related: 15 Best Ways to Redeem Delta SkyMiles

Delta Diamond Medallion Members

Delta Diamond Medallion Members are the top level of elites with Delta Air Lines and now they have their own boarding group right after Delta One.

Delta Premium Select

The groups consist of Delta Premium Select customers.

Delta Premium Select is basically just a premium economy product which is an upgraded class between economy and business class that is typically found on long-haul flights.

You’ll get a wider seat, additional recline, and an adjustable footrest and leg rest on Delta Premium Select.

It’s also possible that Delta will offer early boarding for customers traveling with carseats and strollers at this point. This is known as “early access.”

These groups used to be a part of the pre-boarding group but got pushed back after the changes in 2019.

Delta Comfort+

Delta Comfort+ is the upgraded economy class product.

It’s similar to Main Cabin Extra on American Airlines as it allows a little bit of extra legroom and comes with some additional perks.

The extra legroom might only be up to 3 inches more but for people of certain heights, those 3 inches can go a long way.

You can read more about it here.

Delta first class

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Sky Priority

Delta Platinum Medallion members and Gold Medallion members will board in this group.

A lot of people were not happy that Platinum and Gold members were forced to board after Delta Comfort Plus passengers but that is how the recent changes played out.

Members who have not boarded with another group will board here as well.

These include elite members belonging to the following groups:

  • Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members
  • GOL Smiles Diamond members
  • SkyTeam Elite Plus members
  • LATAM Pass Black Signature, Black and Platinum Elite
  • WestJet Rewards Platinum and Gold Elite

Main cabin one

If you hold the lowest level of elite status with Delta, known as Silver Medallion, you will board with the first group of economy passengers.

Note: Silver Medallion Members will not have a dedicated Priority Boarding zone on Delta flights departing AMS and CDG due to Air France-KLM boarding policies.

Other passengers who board with the first economy group are Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve Card Members. These are the co-branded Delta Airlines credit cards issued by American Express.

These cards also come with additional perks such as free baggage and in some cases a companion certificate.

Other members who will board in this group include the following:

  • Delta Corporate Travelers
  • Priority Boarding Trip Extra customers
  • Flying Blue Silver members
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver members
  • Sky Team Elite
  • SkyMiles Select Members
  • LATAM Pass Gold+ Elite
  • WestJet Rewards Silver Elite

Tip: Check out the free app WalletFlo so that you can optimize your credit card spend by seeing the best card to use! You can also track credits, annual fees, and get notifications when you’re eligible for the best cards!

Main cabin two

This group will consist of additional main cabin passengers who do not fall into the Main cabin three group based on the type of fare bucket they purchased.

Main cabin three

Main Cabin customers booked in T, X and V fares will be the last economy passengers to board before basic economy. You can see the available fare class displayed at the time of purchase when searching for flights.

For example, here is a look at a main cabin ticket displaying the “T” fare. If you booked that ticket, you would be boarding in Main Cabin three.

Search results showing economy fare.

Basic economy

Basic economy tickets are the cheapest type of airfare you can purchase. These tickets do not come with certain perks such as not allowing you to select your seat so as you can imagine you will be the last group to board.

While basic economy will not charge you for a carry-on item, you may not have space to store it on many aircraft. Therefore, you may have to check your bag which you can do for free.

Getting to the boarding area

On the day of your flight, you want to arrive at the airport around two hours prior to departure for a domestic flight. You must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to check in and you must arrive at the gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

These are just general guidelines and the actual time needed may be different based on the airport, your route, and whether or not you are checking bags. For example, if you are traveling with checked bags through ATL, you need to check in at least 45 minutes prior to departure.

If you would like to see a breakdown of the minimum check-in times for various airports click here.

If you are an experienced traveler or are familiar with the airport and wait times of course you can arrive even later than the recommended arrival times especially if you have TSA Pre-Check and/or CLEAR.  

Personally, I like to arrive at the airport extra early to give me the least stressful experiences as possible. Arriving extra early also means that you will be able to spend time hanging out at the Delta Sky Club if you have access.

In the past, you might hear an announcement or see a screen indicating a specific boarding group zone number but now you will see the branded term for your ticket fare when it is time to board.

For example, if it is time for Delta One/Diamond members to board you will see the purple signage along with the fare class posted on the screen.

You can find your estimated boarding time on your boarding pass (on the paper version or on the mobile version).

Related: Why You Should (And Shouldn’t) Check in Online for Flights

Delta sky club at LAX
Delta Sky Club.

Delta Air Lines boarding FAQ

What are the Delta Air Lines boarding groups?

Preboarding
Delta One or First Class
Diamond Medallion Members
Delta Premium Select
Delta Comfort+
Sky Priority
Main Cabin one
Main Cabin two
Main Cabin three
Basic Economy

When do American Express cardmembers board?

American Express cardholders of Delta co-branded credit cards are allowed to board with main cabin group one.

What are the Delta Air Lines boarding coronavirus changes?

Due to the coronavirus, delta made some temporary changes to its booking including allowing passengers to begin boarding at the back of the plane first. Find out about other changes here.

What is the latest I can check-in?

Assuming you were not checking in any bags, you must check-in at least 30 minutes prior to departure but you must arrive at the gate at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

Do military members get priority boarding?

Yes, active military members can board during pre-boarding.

When do Diamond Medallion Members board?

Diamond Medallion Members now board directly after Delta One or First Class.

How many Delta boarding groups are there?

Counting pre-boarding, there are now 10 boarding groups.

Final word

The boarding order for Delta Air Lines is a little bit different from other airlines that prioritize elite members more. However, it’s still pretty easy to follow with the different color schemes and branding terms used for the different ticket fares.

Delta Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy (Fees) [2023]

Sending a little one unaccompanied off to another destination in another state or even country can feel like a daunting task. Many different types of unexpected challenges can come up and so you obviously want to do your best to make sure that the unaccompanied minor is in good hands.

In this article, I will break down everything you need to know about the Delta Airlines unaccompanied minor policy, including things like the fees. I’ll also show the different rules that apply to different ages and provide some tips for unaccompanied minors.

What is the Delta unaccompanied minor policy?

Delta Airlines requires children aged five through fourteen to be accompanied through the airport for an additional fee. If the child is four years or younger he or she must be accompanied by an adult (passenger aged 18 or older). 

Several rules and restrictions apply depending on the age of your child and potentially the location of their travel so keep reading below for more details.

What are the Delta Airlines unaccompanied minor fees?

The Delta unaccompanied minor service fee is $150 (plus tax) each way. The fee will be in US dollars but will be in Canadian dollars or in Euros when departing Canada or Europe. 

This fee will apply to travel within the US but also to international travel on both nonstop and connecting flights. And don’t forget that this fee is in addition to the ticketed fare (the cost of the ticket). 

This price is good for up to four children. So if there are four unaccompanied minors then you only have to pay the $150 service fee one time. So for example, if you had three children setting out on a one way flight the total that you would have to pay is $150 (plus tax).

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Delta Airlines A330-323.

Delta Airlines unaccompanied minor rules

Age restrictions

There are different restrictions that apply to children depending on their age. Keep in mind that their age is determined based on their age at that time of travel and not at the time of booking.

  • Four years and younger: If the child is four years and younger the child may not travel alone and must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years old.
  • 5 to 7 years: If the child is 5 to 7 years old they may travel on some nonstop flights only.
  • 8 to 14 years: If the child is 8 to 14 years old they may travel on some nonstop and on some connecting flights.
  • 15 to 17 years: Children who are ages 15 through 17 are permitted to travel as a standard passenger but you can still pay for them to travel as an unaccompanied minor if that makes you feel more comfortable. 

Connecting flights

It is common for some airlines to have strict restrictions when it comes to allowing unaccompanied minors on connecting flights with different airlines. However, with Delta you are allowed to connect on Air France and KLM.

Travel is not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day and on redeye flights, which are flights between 9pm and 5am. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If the qualifying connecting flight is not available then the following flights will still be allowed:

  • International flights
  • Domestic short-haul flights which are flights two hours or less that are nonstop
  • Flights to and from Alaska and Hawaii
  • Markets with only one connection when it is the last flight of the day

Medication

  • If your child needs any type of medicine administered to him or her Delta is not able to give them that medication. 

Want more details? Check out the Ultimate Guide to Unaccompanied Minor Policies

How to book an unaccompanied minor (phone number) 

If you want to book a reservation for an unaccompanied minor you should contact unaccompanied minor reservations at the following phone number: 800-325-8847. This is a dedicated phone number for unaccompanied minors.

Tip: At the time of booking the adult reservation, you will provide a four digit pin number that will be required to make any changes to that itinerary so don’t lose it.

Documents needed for unaccompanied minor check-in

If an unaccompanied minor arrives at the check-in counter alone, a Delta agent will not be permitted to complete check-in. A parent or guardian must always be present at the time of check-in for the process to begin.

At the time of check-in the adult with the unaccompanied minor must provide the following documents:

  • Photo ID (License, passport etc.)
  • Address that matches the ID
  • Contact phone number
  • The name, address, and phone number of the adult meeting the unaccompanied minor at the destination

Once the agent has your information you will then be responsible for paying the unaccompanied minor fee. A Delta agent should also review the program rules with you. 

At the time of check in, you should receive a bracelet for your child to wear in-flight. This wristband will have a barcode that will be scanned at important points which will enable them to track where the minor is. In the future, this might be a more advanced feature that allows you to get more real-time data on where the child is.

You should also be issued an envelope for the child which will include all of the travel documents such as a boarding card, unaccompanied minor form, and additional travel documents like passports, baggage claims forms, etc.

When you arrive at the check-in gate you should check in with the gate agent for verification reasons. The parent or the designated company adult must remain at the gate until the flight has departed. And by departure they don’t mean simply leave the gate — they mean the airplane has physically taken off from the ground.

Connecting flights (Delta Sky Zones)

If the minor is connecting through another city, the minor will be assisted by a Delta or business partner employee.

If the child is connecting through certain cities, they might be able to take advantage of Delta Sky Zones. These offer special children only areas were they can use complimentary phones and take advantage of certain activities suited for kids like books, toys, and video games.

Here are the cities that offer Delta Sky Zones: 

  • Atlanta
  • Cincinnati
  • Detroit
  • New York (JFK)
  • Los Angeles
  • Memphis
  • Minneapolis
  • Salt Lake City
  • Seattle

Pick up

A valid ID must be presented with signature captured of the person meeting the child at the time of pickup. Delta will refuse to release the child to any person other than the individual named for pick up.

Delta asks that the parent or adult picking up the child to arrive to the destination airport two hours prior to the scheduled arrival in order to have enough time to get a gate pass. If for some reason the person changes who is designated to pick up the child, they should call Delta to provide new information. 

The parent or guardian picking up the child will also have to sign an acceptance of responsibility form. 

The flying process

When it is time for the aircraft to depart, a Delta Airlines employee should take your child on board before the general boarding begins.

This will help to give enough time to introduce the child to the flight attendants and crew and also for the child to take their seat and get familiar with the aircraft and some of its features such as where the lavatory is.

You will not be allowed to board the aircraft with your child and instead will have to say your goodbyes from the terminal area. And remember, you need to stay in the area until the plane takes off just in case the plane does end up returning back to the terminal gate.

Country specific regulations

A lot of foreign countries have specific rules about children under the age of 18 flying alone. You can read more about these requirements here but below is a breakdown of some of the more common restrictions that you might encounter:

Mexico

Any passenger under 18 traveling alone to/from Mexico must have a notarized letter with authorization from a parent and translated in Spanish, otherwise they will be refused entry. 

South Africa

Passengers traveling with minors will be required to present additional documentation in order to enter or depart South Africa.

Italy

Unaccompanied minors of Italian citizenship under the age of 14 that are traveling internationally will have to have additional documents.

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Unaccompanied minor flying tips

Here are some tips to take into consideration to help an unaccompanied minor have a great flight.

Baggage

Try to keep carry-on baggage at a minimum so that nothing gets lost. It is a good idea to attach ID and contact information on the outside or even the inside of their baggage. 

Food

Many flights will not offer a meal service and may only supply snacks so it’s a good idea to pack food for the flight. In other cases, you may want to give the child a sum of money to spend in case they get hungry, and some parents even give their child their credit card or debit card.

Entertainment

It is also a good idea to give your child some form of entertainment. Popular items include tablets, books, and other toys to keep them occupied.

Inform the child properly

Do whatever you can to get your child comfortable and knowledgeable about traveling alone. Let them know that they should only speak to Delta Airlines agents if they have any questions or need any help.

Also, make it clear that they should never leave the airport or even the gate area unless they are accompanied by a Delta Airlines employee with a badge.

Sitting in different cabins

If the child ages five through 14 is going to be sitting in a separate cabin from an adult aged 18 years or older, they must enroll in the unaccompanied minor program. 

Delta unaccompanied minor policy FAQ

What is the age requirement for Delta’s unaccompanied minor policy?

All children aged five through 14 will be subject to the unaccompanied minor policy.

Children four years or younger must be accompanied by an adult which is a passenger 18 years or older.

What are the unaccompanied minor fees?

The unaccompanied minor fees for Delta are $150 each way plus tax. This price is good for up to four children.

Note: If the flight is departing from Canada or Europe you will be charged in Canadian dollars or Euros.

How can I avoid the unaccompanied minor fees?

You can avoid the unaccompanied minor fees by using a travel credit card with an airline credit. A good option for this is to utilize the $200 airline credit on the Amex Platinum.

Can an unaccompanied minor fly on connecting flights?

An unaccompanied minor can only fly on connecting flights if they are eight years or older.

There may be some restrictions on the connecting routes as well so be sure to look into those.

Can Delta administer my child medication?

No, Delta is unable to administer medication to your child.

How can I book an unaccompanied minor?

To make an unaccompanied minor booking, simply call the dedicated phone number at: 800-325-8847.

What documents do I need to check in for an unaccompanied minor?

The parent or guardian must be present at check-in and will need to provide a government issued ID and contact information that matches the ID.

Do I need to arrive early at the airport for an unaccompanied minor drop off?

Yes, it is recommended that you arrive a little bit early to the airport when dropping off an unaccompanied minor.

Do unaccompanied minors get lounge access?

Unaccompanied minors may be able to take advantage of lounges on connecting flights. These are known as “Delta Sky Zones.”

You may find these in the following cities:

Atlanta
Cincinnati
Detroit
New York (JFK)
Los Angeles
Memphis
Minneapolis
Salt Lake City
Seattle

What documents do I need to pick up an unaccompanied minor?

A parent or guardian must bring a valid ID and must have been on the form as the person responsible for picking up the child.

Do I need to arrive early at the airport when picking up the unaccompanied minor?

Delta asks the adult picking up the child to arrive to the destination airport two hours before the scheduled arrival in order to have enough time to obtain a gate pass.

Can an unaccompanied minor fly on international flights?

Unaccompanied minors may travel on some international flights but there are often additional requirements that they must comply with.

For example, Mexico requires a notarized letter with authorization from the parent (that is also translated in Spanish).

Final word

The Delta unaccompanied minor policy is pretty straightforward compared to other airline programs. The key is to be aware of any possible restrictions with routing and connections and to also do your best to prepare the minor for the travel experience. They should be in good hands with Delta so there probably is nothing to worry about but it always pays to be prepared.

Delta Companion Certificate Rules and Guide [2022]

While Delta has some awesome flight attendants that go out of their way, Delta also provides a unique credit card benefit called the Delta companion certificate. Issued once a year, you can use the companion certificate to have someone fly with you for free. It’s basically your own BOGO flight deal.

In the article, I will explain how to get the Delta companion certificate and how to use the Delta companion certificate along with the limitations, rules, restrictions, and what all you can do with the certificate.

What is the Delta companion certificate?

The Delta companion certificate is a certificate that can be used to buy two roundtrip tickets for the price of one plus taxes and fees of the companion ticket. That means you essentially get an extra ticket for free when you buy one ticket, which can save you hundreds of dollars.

The Delta companion certificate is given as a benefit to cardholders that hold certain Delta co-branded American Express credit cards. It’s a similar concept to the Alaska Airlines companion pass that is given by their co-branded credit card.

Below I go into detail about the Delta companion certificate outlining everything you need to know.

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How to get the Delta companion certificate

The only way to get a Delta companion certificate is to hold one of the Delta co-branded American Express credit cards that offer the companion certificate as a benefit.

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card

  • 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • Priority boarding
  • First checked bag free
  • 20% off in-flight purchases
  • Annual fee $250 (not waived)
  • Annual 1 time main cabin companion certificate
  • Annual miles and MQMs after spend requirement

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card allows you to earn the companion certificate along with other benefits like annual MQMs and waiving the MQD requirement. These are all on top of standard benefits like a free first bag and priority boarding.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card

  • 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • Priority boarding
  • First checked bag free
  • 20% off in-flight purchases
  • Annual fee $250 (not waived)
  • Annual 1 time main cabin companion certificate
  • Annual miles and MQMs after spend requirement

The business version of the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card has the same benefits as the personal card. It is great if you don’t want to take a Chase 5/24 slot.

Delta Reserve Credit Card

  • 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • Priority boarding
  • First checked bag free
  • 20% off in-flight purchases
  • Annual fee $450 (not waived)
  • Annual 1 time first class, Comfort+ or main cabin companion certificate
  • Delta SkyClub access
  • Annual miles and MQMs after spend requirement

The Delta Reserve Credit Card gives you more unique benefits when flying Delta than other Delta co-branded cards like Delta SkyClub access, increased MQMs, and more flexible companion certificate as it allows you to redeem for first class, Comfort+, and main cabin.

Delta Skymiles Reserve Business American Express Card

  • 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • Priority boarding
  • First checked bag free
  • 20% off in-flight purchases
  • Annual fee $450 (not waived)
  • Annual 1 time first class, Comfort+ or main cabin companion certificate
  • Delta SkyClub access
  • Annual miles and MQMs after spend requirement

The business version of the Delta Reserve Credit Card is exactly the same as the personal version with all the same benefits. This card would be great if you don’t want to take a Chase 5/24 slot.

Related: How much are Delta SkyMiles worth?

When you get your Delta companion certificate

Each of these cards gives the Delta companion certificate as a benefit once you have the card for one year and it renews with the annual fee hitting your statement.

For example, if you apply for one of the cards above on July 30th, 2022, you will receive the annual companion certificate when your annual fee hits July 30th, 2023.

This means you have to pay two annual fees, one at sign-up (if it’s not waived the first year) and then again at your card application anniversary date.

Once you are eligible to receive the companion certificate, it will show under your account’s eCertificates and eCredits page or by typing in the certificate number manually.

Delta companion certificate ticket rules and restrictions

Rules for the Delta companion certificate are pretty strict and are as follows:

Destination and itinerary restrictions

  • The companion certificate can only be used within the contiguous 48 states, unless you’re a resident of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands then you can originate from your state or territory outside of the contiguous 48 US states.

The companion certificate can only be used within the contiguous 48 states.

That makes it rather limiting if you wanted a more expensive use to Hawaii or Alaska as getting one ticket for free to Hawaii or Alaska can save you hundreds. However, if you’re a resident of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands you can originate from your state or territory.

An example would be, if you live in Hawaii and want to go to New York, you can use the companion certificate originating from Hawaii, but cannot use it from New York to Hawaii.

  • Must be used for a roundtrip ticket.

Roundtrip tickets also make it rather limiting as you might just want one-way or multi-city, but cannot use the certificate for either of those.

Expiration and deadline

  • Valid for one year from the issuing date. Cannot be extended and must be used before the certificate expiration date.
  • Travel must be completed before the expiration date.

The biggest thing to remember is that these expire and cannot be rolled over to the next year.

Eligible fare classes

  • Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards can only use the companion certificate for fare classes L, U, T, X, and V (economy class, aka main cabin and not basic economy.)
  • Delta Reserve Credit Cards can only use the companion certificate for fare classes I and Z (first class) and W (Comfort+) and L, U, T, X, and V (economy class, aka main cabin and not basic economy.)

Rules like these limit the companion certificate when it comes to peak travel season to popular destinations, like Christmas or Thanksgiving, as only discounted fare classes work with the certificate.

Back when I wanted to use my companion certificate to get from Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles (LAX) I couldn’t use the certificate during Christmas 3 weeks in advance as the fare classes weren’t available. Luckily, other times of the year I have no trouble using the certificate on short notice.

Passenger requirements

  • The certificate must be redeemed from the account it was issued by, but travel doesn’t have to be completed by the certificate holder.

The one positive aspect about the companion certificate, besides saving you money, is the fact it can be used for anyone. The only thing you have to remember when using the certificate is the fact it must be used from the account that it is issued for.

For example, I can use the certificate that is issued for me for two of my friends and I don’t need to be flying with my friends.

Payment methods

  • You cannot use eCredit with the companion certificate.
  • You must use an American Express credit or charge card to pay for the flight.

Upgrades and mileage earnings

  • The companion doesn’t earn any miles, MQMs, MQSs, or MQDs only the primary ticket can earn miles, MQMs, MQSs, and MQDs.
  • Medallion complimentary upgrades and regional upgrade certificates can apply to companion certificates allowing you to get upgrades as a medallion elite.

Luckily you can receive your Medallion benefits when using the companion certificate, but you cannot use miles or pay for upgrades when using the companion certificate.

Taxes and fees

  • The companion only has to pay taxes and fees up to $75.

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Steps of how to use the Delta companion certificate

It’s fairly easy to use the Delta companion certificate if you’re following the rules stated above.

Step 1: Finding your Delta companion certificate

To use the Delta companion certificate go directly to eCertificates and eCredits and login at the bottom of the page. Yes, you can search for the certificate by the certificate number first, but Delta requires the certificate holder to login. So, it’s best to log in at the beginning.

If you want to find just your Delta companion certificate, you can find it in the email sent to you from Delta when your companion certificate is issued. This would also be around the same time as the credit card anniversary.

You can see your issued certificates and eCredits when you are logged in. It will show what fare classes you can use your certificate for, expiration date, and the conditions. Remember you cannot use other eCredits with your companion certificate.

Select the companion certificate you want to use and click continue.

Step 2: Searching for a Delta companion ticket

When the certificate is applied, the certificate should show at the top of the page after hitting continue. This will display all relevant information like the expiration date and certificate number.

Below that, enter in the departure and arrival airport information you desire with the dates you wish to travel. Once you’re finished, click “find flights”.

Notice the passenger count is already set to 2 passengers; that cannot be changed to more passengers.

When searching for the flights, the results shown is what you can use the certificate on. That means if the flight you are looking for is not showing, then there is no availability based on the fare classes not being available.

Notice I am using the companion pass issued by the Delta Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card. That means only main cabin economy tickets will be available for me. If I was using the Delta Reserve companion certificate, then it would be showing first class, Comfort+, and main cabin economy.

Step 3: Paying for the Delta companion ticket

After selecting your departing and returning flights, you will see the summary page. Only taxes and fees are charged for the companion.

Be aware, you can only use American Express credit or debit cards when the companion certificate is applied. You cannot use eCredit or gift cards when it’s applied.

However, you can use any American Express issued card, it doesn’t have to be one of the Delta co-branded American Express cards. I love to use my American Express Platinum Charge Card so I can earn 5X Membership Rewards points when purchasing tickets directly from airlines.

Delta companion certificate FAQ

Can I pay with miles while using my Delta companion certificate?

Unfortunately, no. You cannot pay with miles when you have your companion certificate applied. You can only pay with any American Express issued card.

I recommend paying with the American Express Platinum Charge Card as it gives you 5X Membership Rewards points for each dollar spent on airfare bought directly from an airline’s website.

Can I use the Delta companion certificate for international flights?

Nope. You must be traveling within the contiguous 48 US states. However, if you’re a resident of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands you can originate from your state or territory traveling to the contiguous 48 states.

Can I use my miles to upgrade from economy to first class when using a Delta companion certificate?

No, you cannot use miles to upgrade from economy to first class when it’s a companion certificate issued ticket. The only way to upgrade is Medallion complimentary upgrades or using regional upgrade certificates.

Are there any blackout dates when using the Delta companion certificate?

Nope, you can you use the Delta companion certificate any time of the year without blackout dates. However, it’s still based on the fare classes being available.

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards can only use the companion certificate for fare classes L, U, T, X, and V (economy class, aka main cabin and not basic economy.)
Delta Reserve Credit Cards can only use the companion certificate for fare classes I and Z (first class) and W (Comfort+) and L, U, T, X, and V (economy class, aka main cabin and not basic economy.)

If those fares aren’t available, you cannot use the companion certificate.

Can I buy a Delta companion certificate?

Terms and conditions state certificates and eCredit cannot be bought or sold. If found out, Delta has the right to terminate your account.

Yes, it’s highly unlikely for Delta to terminate your account for selling a companion certificate, but keep in mind you cannot transfer these tickets as they make the certificate holder login making it hard to sell.

Can I transfer a Delta companion certificate to someone else?

You cannot transfer the companion certificate to someone else, but it can be used by the certificate holder for others without the certificate holder flying.

If I cancel my Delta co-branded American Express credit card that issued the certificate to me, do I get to keep my companion certificate?

Yes, you can keep your companion certificate. Once the certificate is issued, you can keep your companion certificate until the expiration date.

That means you can cancel your Delta co-branded American Express card after the companion certificate is issued and still keep the certificate.

Can I hold multiple Delta co-branded American Express credit cards to get multiple companion certificates?

Yes, in fact, you can hold all 4 Delta co-branded American Express credit cards receiving 4 companion certificates.

Final word

The Delta companion certificate was one of my favorite credit card bonuses when I used to fly a lot in the USA. However, it’s rather limiting when it comes to restricting the travel to roundtrip only. Still, it can give you great value and savings when ticket prices are a little too high.

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.

Wow: Delta Sky Club LAX Terminal 3 Review

After being in the works for four years, The Delta Sky Club at LAX Terminal 3 recently opened in April 2022. It’s a beautiful and spacious lounge that is fully equipped with multiple bars, a Sky Deck, showers, and a lot more.

Check out what the experience is all about in the review below and if you ever go to visit let us know what you think!

Getting to the lounge

The Delta Sky Club at LAX Terminal 3 is located on the departures level between T2 and T3. Once you get close, you really can’t miss it.

The new lounge was part of an even larger project that involved re-doing Delta’s Terminal 3 in a substantial way.

Highlights of the new Terminal 3 include:

  • A centralized headhouse that consolidates check-in, security and baggage claim 
  • 32 self-serve kiosks and 46 check-in positions 
  • A 250-foot digital backwall featuring helpful info like Delta Sky Club volume 
  • Five baggage claim carousels
  • Seven new security lanes

If you’re coming from Terminal 3 you’ll be able to experience the new terminal but because we were on a connection going through Terminal 2 we didn’t really have that opportunity.

Note: When the Delta Sky Way at LAX project is complete in 2023, Terminals 2 and 3 will be a consolidated.

Tip: Use WalletFlo for all your credit card needs. It’s free and will help you optimize your rewards and savings!

Delta Sky Club LAX entrance

Access

We gained access to the lounge since we were flying Delta and we had Amex Platinum cards but there are various ways you can gain access to Delta Sky Clubs.

As soon as we entered the lounge I noticed there were five self-service kiosk stations with a few staff members attending them and it occurred to me that this would be an automated entry.

I absolutely hope other lounges head in this direction because it just makes things so much easier.

Delta Sky Club LAX kiosks

Because Brad and I were together they asked if we had separate entry which we did based on us each having a Platinum Card so we checked in separately.

All we had to do was scan our boarding pass and swipe our cards and then that was it.

Access granted.

I did see there was an option to add a guest so if that’s what you need to do it looks like that will be easy to accomplish on the kiosk.

After enjoying a little 21st-century kiosk automation, we made our way up the escalator in this stunning lobby, where fixtures designed to resemble waves rolling in the ocean hang from the ceiling and immediately impress.

Delta Sky Club LAX escalators

Exploring the lounge

As soon as we made our way past the wood-screened area, which marks the official entrance to the lounge, I could tell this was going to be one of the more memorable legacy carrier lounge visits I’ve had in recent memory.

Delta Sky Club LAX lobby

The swankiness is undeniable.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

The lounge was spacious and had a steady flow of traffic but did not ever feel overcrowded.

That’s no surprise considering that it’s over 30,000 square feet — one of the largest in the Delta network.

Delta Sky Club LAX food area

We took a right upon entering and made our way towards the corner of the lounge where we had some nice runway views while also being close to the food and drink area.

Before grubbing out, I made my rounds around the lounge to check everything out and was continuously impressed by the design and layout.

There’s a lot of seating options and no shortage of power outlets and USB ports making it extremely easy to get comfortable and charge your devices at the same time.

You’ll definitely have no excuse for your device going dead at any point.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

Floor to (nearly) ceiling windows line the lounge offering great runway views for many guests.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating with outside view of planes

If you’re unable to secure a view looking out, the views looking in to this swanky interior can also delight. It didn’t take long for this lounge to win me over.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

I liked the area with the little privacy pods for getting work done or talking on the phone.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating
Delta Sky Club LAX seating

These cozy little phone booths could be a great place to focus if the lounge gets a bit busy. Inside each one you can find a power outlet and USB port. Sensors will trigger the light when you open the door.

These are perfect for people like me who rely a lot on speech to text dictation. And hopefully this will attract some of those people that can’t help themselves to using speakerphone in the lounge…

Delta Sky Club LAX privacy booth

For those trying to get work done out in the open there’s a beautiful wooden work table for eight. Semi-private cushioned cubbies resembling a nice NFL locker room surround it.

A printer station can be found in the corner.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

This is right by where you’ll find the entrance to the bathroom (more on the amazing bathrooms below).

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

Just beyond the work table area, there is a bar area which once again has plenty of outlets built-in.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

There’s also a large media wall that was playing ESPN.

You’ll find comfortable seating options in front of it that give off a very fitting cinema vibe.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating with TV
Delta Sky Club LAX seating with TV

Near the media wall a flamboyant little nook with a mosaic mural featuring glass tiles imported from Italy, known as the “Coffee Grotto,” will certainly catch your eye.

Delta Sky Club LAX coffee grotto

It’s a nod to the golden age of Hollywood and it seemed to be popular because it stayed busy for almost the entire time. Eventually, after several passes, I got a shot with only a few people in it.

Delta Sky Club LAX coffee grotto

Also in this part of the lounge was another seating area partitioned off with some Hollywood Hills inspired design.

Delta Sky Club LAX seating

Just like the other side of the lounge you also have great runway views along with the backdrop of mountains. Catching LA on a pretty clear evening was a nice finishing touch to this trip.

Delta Sky Club LAX views of Delta planes

Later on during our visit, we made our way over to this side because our gate was located right next to it so we could watch our plane come in from where we were seated.

Delta Sky Club LAX view of jet bridge

Always love a lounge visit where you can keep an eye on your gate and it makes it that much sweeter that you only have a short walk to get there.

Delta Sky Club LAX view of Delta plane

One final thing I meant to mention was that you can find help desks near the entrance of the lounge along with kiosks.

Delta Sky Club LAX help desks

Dining

This Sky Club had some high-quality dining options.

To kick off the dining experience, first I made my way to the drink section where I found a lot of different options.

Delta Sky Club LAX beverage station

They had regular Starbucks brewed coffee along with decaf and a hot water dispenser.

Delta Sky Club LAX coffee station

Different types of Harney & Sons tea packets were available including green, mint, and earl grey.

If you want more flavors, head over to the drink station on the other side of the lounge and you can find different types like chamomile and several others.

That’s also where you can find the stations for making your own espressos and cappuccinos.

Delta Sky Club LAX tea station

They also had different types of infused water including some with fresh strawberries. Infused water always sounds so good and refreshing to me… until I drink it. I think it’s that watered-down taste that just makes me want to put down the glass.

Delta Sky Club LAX infused water station

Sparkling water is very different story, however.

For sparkling water enthusiasts like myself they had a Bevi machine, although you could also choose Aha from the Coke Freestyle machine right next to it.

Delta Sky Club LAX Bevi station
Delta Sky Club LAX Coke freestyle machine

Next to the drink station, you could find a variety of snacks and potato chips.

Delta Sky Club LAX snacks

After figuring out the drink situation, it was time to check out the real food.

The lounge features local chefs on a quarterly basis via the Local Flavor program so they are constantly mixing up something special.

I started by checking out the different types of sandwiches which included vegetarian options.

Delta Sky Club LAX sandwiches

The main attraction for myself and most people that I saw had to have been the juicy brisket.

As someone from Texas, I have high standards for such a dish and it did not disappoint at all. Not only was it tasty but it also was fresh and just kind of blew my mind how good it was. Definitely did not expect that.

Delta Sky Club LAX brisket

Other dining options included spicy tofu and a Thai vegan broth along with tomato basil soup.

For sides they had Ruby Rice, steamed broccoli, and a variety of vegetables and dishes like coleslaw. Bread rolls were also plentiful.

My measuring stick for judging the quality of food in an airport lounge is: can you get full only eating items you truly enjoy?

In this case, the lounge passed this test with flying colors.

Delta Sky Club LAX vegetables with ranch dip
Delta Sky Club LAX salad station

They also had a meat and cheese selection which looked pretty appetizing.

Delta Sky Club LAX meat and cheese station

For dessert, they provided an apple tart dish and multiple types of cookies which are the only things I didn’t truly care for.

But that also probably had to do with the fact that we just had an amazing chocolate chip cookie on board Delta First Class flying from Houston (IAH) to LAX.

So I think I was a little bit over the limit with sweets at that point.

The other side of the lounge also had a buffet center where you could put together your food items. I think it was a little bit smaller but it was also a lot less busy than the one we were sitting by.

Delta Sky Club LAX food station

At the end of this food area there is a hidden candy corner where you can find glass jars full of different types of candies like flavored Tootsie Rolls and other types of “classic” wrapped candies like taffy.

Delta Sky Club LAX candy bar

Bar

There are two main bars in the lounge: one indoors and one on the Sky Deck.

Delta Sky Club LAX bar

The bar inside is located right in the middle of the lounge and it’s pretty much on the opposite side from the one on the Sky Deck.

Delta Sky Club LAX bar

The servers at both bars were very good and I was really happy to have such great service.

The bar will serve you up complimentary drinks although you will need to pay if you want one of the signature cocktails or premium alcoholic beverages.

The complimentary beverages include:

Wine

  • Sparkling Brut
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Rose´
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Pinot Noir

Beers & Seltzer

  • Michelob Ultra Draft
  • Regional Craft
  • Michelob Ultra Cucumber Lime Seltzer
  • Samuel Adams Just the Haze IPA NA

Spirits & Liqueurs

  • New Amsterdam Vodka
  • Damrak Gin
  • Plantation 3 Stars Rum
  • Camarena Silver Tequila
  • Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon
  • Dewar’s Scotch
  • Kahlua
  • Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream

As for the signature cocktails, you’re gonna be spending around $9 to $12 for most drinks.

If you want premium spirits then they have a variety of those including vodkas, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, scotch, and cognac.

Prices are typically around $7 to $10 but can get much more expensive for some of the higher end products like Johnny Walker Blue Label.

Brad decided to try one of the signature cocktails called the Flower District Margarita. A tasty drink and the St-Germain elderflower liqueur put a nice twist on a margarita.

Delta Sky Club LAX flower district margarita

You can also take advantage of a pretty broad selection of champagne, wine, and beer.

You’ll have to shell out some cash (~$5) for premium craft or imported beers such as Blue Moon or Dos Equis.

Unfortunately, the bar is still without Dom Perignon so you can’t currently use your miles for a glass or bottle. I’m really hoping that that option comes back soon.

Later on, we spent some time out on the Sky Deck which was an awesome experience.

Because I have almost exclusively flown United, American, and Southwest I’ve only had one prior visit to a Delta Sky Club at PHX but it did not have a Sky Deck.

For the longest time I’ve been wanting to experience one and I don’t think there could be a better place to do so than the one in LAX considering how awesome it feels outside especially during the evenings.

It’s not a surprise that it remains open all year round.

Delta Sky Club LAX Sky Deck

On the Sky Deck, you could find different types of seating from bar seats to comfortable chairs.

Delta Sky Club LAX Sky Deck

A lot of the seats looking out towards the runway were taken outside which was no surprise given how great it felt. However, there were plenty of open seats along the bar.

(If you don’t see a bartender at the bar just approach the bar and one will probably come out to serve you from the inside.)

Delta Sky Club LAX Sky Deck bar

Bathroom

The bathrooms are to the left after you enter the lounge and you’ll find them in a beautiful hallway that also is home to the showers.

Delta Sky Club LAX bathrooms

The men’s bathroom was huge with quality and very private stalls.

Delta Sky Club LAX mens bathroom

It was also clean and smelled good so it was about as good as you will be able to get.

Delta Sky Club LAX mens bathroom

I didn’t get a chance to check out the showers but based on the status of the bathrooms and all of the photos I’ve seen, I’m sure those were top notch.

Final word

As a travel blogger, I’m constantly researching experiences before we ever give them a shot and so rarely am I ever surprised.

But on this occasion, this was our final connection after traveling for roughly 3 weeks and I did not do my homework before heading to the lounge.

That meant that the entire experience was a true surprise and I was unexpectedly blown away which is something that does not happen very often.

Our First Class flight with Delta was also an enjoyable flight and so I’m really becoming a pretty big Delta fan.

Delta First Class Review (PHX-MSP) A321-200

Flying domestic first class is convenient but not terribly exciting, especially after you have flown domestic first class quite a few times.

With that said, trying a new airline is always exciting on some level and in this case we got to try Delta First Class for the first time.

In this review, I’ll walk you through the experience flying Delta First Class (PHX-MSP) on the A321-200 and also on the 737-900. I’ll touch on some of the lounges that we visited like the Sky Club at PHX and give you a sense of what the cabins are like on the two aircraft.

Trip overview

This flight kicked off a super busy trip to the Northeast where over about 10 days we hit up basically every state and got a good taste of what the region had to offer.

Here are some of the trip highlights:

Hotels:

Booking

We’ve done a lot of first class domestic trips on United and American but had never flown first class on Delta until this trip.

After looking for some different flight options from Phoenix to Baltimore, I found that Delta was consistently offering the cheapest first class routes and so it made sense to go with them.

In fact, I’ve often seen Delta First Class as the cheapest option for a lot of routes and it has me wondering if they consistently offer cheaper first class options.

Could be a coincidence but I might need to look into that for a future article….

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Lounge at PHX

We decided to give a visit to the Delta Sky Club at Phoenix at Terminal 3.

Because we were both Platinum cardholders and flying Delta we were able to get in for free, which was really nice. Just remember that if only one person has the Platinum Card the guest does not get in for free to Delta Sky Clubs.

Overall, this was a very solid lounge experience.

I thought that the lounge was beautiful, clean, and not overcrowded. The breakfast was hearty and had some nice additional options like fresh berries. The Wi-Fi was fast and there were no issues with anything really. Just a great lounge visit.

Related: Delta Sky Club Guide: (Access & List of Locations)

Boarding

As a Delta First Class passenger, you get priority boarding so we were among the very first to board. The entire boarding process went very smoothly with no issues whatsoever.

The cabin

I was really surprised whenever we entered the cabin at how nice the first class cabin looked. The A321 has five rows in a 2–2 configuration for a total of 20 seats in first class.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200
Delta First Class cabin A321-200

Both United and American have pretty boring looking domestic first class cabins in my opinion with very ordinary black or charcoal gray seats.

But the seats in Delta First had a little bit of color and personality to them with red branded accents which I really liked.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200

We took our seat and then I was pleasantly surprised once again to see that we had a seatback TV considering that on the last few first class flights on both American and United we did not have seatback TVs. (Delta is one of the best airlines for seatback entertainment.)

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the necessity of seatback TVs but I’m in the crowd that believes airlines should be trending towards adding them rather than taking them away.

Related: What Airlines Have Seatback TV Screens?

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 seatback TV

They also issued mini water bottles with Delta branding on them.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 seatback TV

The seat back TV had a headphone jack and USB port and there were two power outlets and two USB ports in the back of the two seats in front of us.

Related: Can You Use Bluetooth on A Plane? (Headphones & Accessories)

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 seatback TV
Delta First Class cabin A321-200 power outlets

Just like any other first class domestic product, the seat offered plenty of legroom.

In fact, you’ll have 36 inches of legroom along with 21 inches of width. You can get a good amount of recline if you would like although I typically don’t recline on short flights (unless the person in front of me forces me to).

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 leg room

I enjoyed the in-flight entertainment selection, which gave a good selection of movies and series. The screens were responsive and quality which is all you can really ask for.

You can always get a heads up on what will be playing by checking out the entertainment page for Delta.

During takeoff, we had some amazing views of the desert landscape around Phoenix. I can never get enough of these takeoffs at sunrise!

Phoenix airport view

The tray table comes out from the armrest and it’s pretty easy to pull out. You can fold it over to only utilize half of it to hold a drink if you’d like.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 tray table

Or you can just pull out the whole thing to get some work done or for a meal.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 tray table

Since this was during the pandemic, we still had to wear a mask and the food was provided via a snack box.

To get things started, Brad ordered a bloody Mary but I don’t think it was one of the better ones he has had in first class.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 drink

It was essentially a charcuterie board with a variety of cheeses including smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, and alpine style. We also had some olives, fig spread, and almonds. Overall, I thought it was a pretty solid “snack meal” but will be interested in trying out a hot meal from Delta in the future.

Delta First Class cabin A321-200 snacks

During the meal, we were treated to some amazing views of the southern Rockies. I really struggled to take my eyes off the window view.

Related: Window Seat Etiquette: (Who Controls the Window Shade?)

View of Rocky Mountains
View of Rocky Mountains

We also got a nice glimpse of a full rainbow.

I connected to the Wi-Fi during this flight and was pretty happy with the connection speed which was 34 Mbps for downloads.

I actually had a good enough connection to participate in a Google Meet conference call although I did not talk during the call because that is annoying/rude and technically against the flying rules.

Related: Can You Make A Phone Call From A Plane?

wifi icon

Eventually, we would touch down at MSP.

It was here that we got to visit the MSP Escape Lounge, which was yet another perk of the Amex Platinum. The service was pretty solid in there and they had some decent offerings which made it a worthwhile visit on the layover.

Related: Escape Lounges Guide: (Cost and Locations)

MSP Escape Lounge

After the layover, it was time for our final leg to Baltimore which was also in first class but on a 737-900.

I really liked the mood lighting in the cabin.

737-900 first class cabin
737-900 first class cabin
737-900 first class cabin

Once again, I just thought Delta First Class was one of the sleeker domestic first class cabins, especially when compared to American and United.

737-900 first class cabin
737-900 first class cabin

I also liked being able to start the flight off with a new brand of sparkling water/club soda: Fever-Tree. Even though these are made for mixed drinks they mostly satisfy my sparkling water fix on flights.

If you don’t have headphones, you can get some issued to you.

Finally, we took off and made our way to Baltimore to kick off this crazy trip!

Final word

Domestic first class flights only get so exciting after you’ve done them a lot of times.

With that said, this was our first time flying Delta First Class so it was interesting to see how it would go.

I walked away pretty impressed by the cabin/experience and would probably say this is one of the best standard domestic first class products.

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