Is Delta A Good Airline? 14 Things To Know (Pros And Cons) (2024)

Is Delta A Good Airline? Pros

1. First-Class Perks

Flying can be stressful, and it’s even worse when you don’t have the right amenities.

The Delta First Class experience will make your next flight a relaxing one. You’ll board and depart the plane first and get to choose your seat ahead of time, so you can sit back and relax without stress or fuss.

And if that isn’t enough for you, they have more perks!

First-class flyers get two free bags checked per guest, an amenity kit including a pillow and blanket to use, headphones, complimentary wine & beer, and a fresh meal (First-class meal options depending on the length of your flight).

You also get priority boarding privileges, dedicated overhead bin storage space for carry-on luggage, plus extra personal space thanks to wider seats with more legroom.

2. Delta Flies To Many Destinations In The US & Internationally

With flights to 325 destinations and 52 countries, Delta is the second largest airline in the world! They partner with several international airlines to broaden their reach.

For comparison, Southwest Airlines offers just over 100 destinations.

Delta also offers more direct flights than most airlines. There are 9 U.S. hubs that make it easy for you to find reasonable tickets wherever your travels take you.

Some of the international destinations Delta flies to include Mexico, Canada, many locations in Europe, the Caribbean, India, Japan, and more.

3. Great In-Flight Entertainment

A long flight can feel like an eternity if you don’t have the right entertainment!

However, most people are reluctant to pay for in-flight entertainment because it’s expensive and they’re not sure what kind of content is available.

Delta has come up with a solution that makes traveling a whole lot more enjoyable – at no extra cost!

In fact, there are many perks to using this service which makes flying even better than driving or taking the train.

The free on-board Wi-Fi allows passengers to stream movies and shows from their favorite apps.

Passengers can also watch from the screens that are on the backs of seats in most planes. Here, you can choose from hundreds of titles including new releases, tv shows, and popular films.

4. Delta Sky Miles Program

Delta SkyMiles is a frequent flyer program operated by Delta and is a great way to help make your travel dreams come true.

Members collect miles when they fly with Delta and its partner airlines, spend with participating partners and stay at hotels, car rental agencies, and cruise lines worldwide.

Redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and more.

I use my American Express Delta Skymiles card and they’ve offered me upgrades such as 50,000 miles and credit into my account once I spend a certain amount of money on the card within a timeframe.

Here is a great in-depth article and overview of Delta Skymiles.

5. You Can Book Your Flight Through 3rd Party Website And Save

Now, I put this as a pro since it’s an option to book your Delta flight with a 3rd party rather than booking directly with the airline.

Some airlines don’t give you this option and you have to book directly through them (ie, Southwest Airlines).

But proceed with caution when booking with an online travel agency. These include Expedia, Hotels.com, etc.

You can potentially save money when using these options, especially if you book as a package.

Some of these 3rd parties have their own loyalty perks when you use them, but there can be some downfalls, too, especially when it comes to refunds.

Here’s a good article on the pros and cons of booking through a 3rd party site.

6. Easy, Assigned Seating

Some people worry about being seated separated from family and friends on a flight, but Delta generally takes away that worry with assigned seats.

With the exception of Basic Economy Seating, where you don’t get your seat assignment until check in, when you book your flight with Delta, you can book your seat.

There may be fees for booking your seat, depending on the class that you’re flying.

Most of the time your seating arrangement doesn’t change, but there are situations where this happens.

One incident I had recently was that I got bumped from Comfort Seating to the main cabin and seated away from my group of friends.

Booking your seat ahead of time and knowing where you’re going to sit can be ideal, especially if you have preferences. For example, I prefer window seating, so that’s what I book.

7. Ranked As One Of The Best Airlines

Delta is consistently ranked as one of the best airlines, not just domestically, but in the world.

CNBC ranked Delta the best airline in North America for 2021, according to customer surveys.

This is based on categories such as flight entertainment, seat comfort, booking, check-in, and service.

When you fly Delta, you can rest assured that you’re flying with one of the best.

8. Excellent Service

From land to the sky, Delta has always had courteous, helpful crews and service in my experience, especially in the past couple of years with Covid and all the anxieties and headaches related to that.

Their convenient mobile app also makes booking a flight right from your phone painless and easy.

Delta is also one of the best airlines in terms of the fewest canceled flights.

9. Delta Is A Safe Airline

As you can see in the screenshot from AirFleetRatings, safety is at the top of the pack, and shows that customers feel safe when flying with Delta.

And according to Safe Travel Barometer, Delta ranked the highest of the full-service carriers for safety.

Are you a nervous flyer? Check out these 12 tips to overcome your fear of flying!

10. Best In-Flight Food

Now, the food options depend on which class you fly and the distance of your flight, but Delta is consistently ranked as one of the best for in-flight food!

Delta offers breakfast, lunch, or dinner (depending on the time of your flight) for first-class passengers traveling over 900 miles.

For main cabin passengers, Delta offers snacks, juice, and sodas for flights over 250 miles.

Find more of their food and drink options here.

11. Confusing Fare Classes & Refund Policy

Delta has 6 different classes and each has its own amenities. Obviously, the higher up in class that you go, the more perks (and legroom) are offered.

The different classes include Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Comfort, First-Class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One. (Delta Premium Select and Delta One are mainly options for international flights).

Basic Economy is the lowest class- you don’t get to choose your own seat, you get less legroom, and no upgrades or ticket changes are allowed.

Main Cabin is the next step up- you can choose your seat and there are some upgrade options that you can purchase for better seats and legroom.

Comfort- With Comfort, you get Priority boarding, better seats, and more legroom.

First-Class- (See #1)

Delta Premium Select (For international flights) has wider seats and more reclining, fresh meals, and an amenity kit.

Delta One- (Mostly for international flights) Sky Club access, a flat-bed seat, fine dining, and amenities.

Each class has its own refund policy and there are often upgrades within the class which can add to the confusion.

For example, you can upgrade to a Main-cabin refundable ticket as opposed to a non-refundable one.

Depending on which class you book, certain tickets may be non-refundable, so be sure to read the fine print before you book.

12. Charges For Checked Bags

Unlike Southwest Airlines where you can check your first 2 bags for free, Delta charges for checking bags, unless you’re flying in Comfort Class or higher.

There are exceptions for those with a SkyMiles Credit Card, Medallion Status, or Active Military, but the charges for bags on US flights are $30 for the 1st bag and $40 for the 2nd.

13. Higher-Cost Carrier

Delta Airlines is known for its high-quality service and you typically pay more because of that.

The main category that Delta gets low marks on is affordability. But the positives such as reliability, safety, perks, and their large network of destinations generally outweigh this negative.

14. Seat Comfort & Leg Room

Another one of the lowest-ranking categories for Delta is seat comfort and legroom.

It depends on the plane that you’re flying in, but you can expect about 30 inches of legroom on a standard seat and around 4″ more on a seat in Comfort, and a couple more inches in first class.

If you want a wider seat than the standard, you’ll have to book First-Class, Premium Select, or Delta One.

The main takeaway here is that if you want extra comfort and legroom, you will have to pay more.