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Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages Surprise Delta SkyMiles Members with Free Vacation

Virgin voyages, alongside delta air lines, stuns more than 160 travelers with a free cruise to celebrate all-new itineraries and the brand’s growing presence in san juan..

MIAMI, FL - February 29, 2024 – Virgin Voyages, the multi award-winning travel brand that was voted No. 1 in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards, delighted customers on a recent Delta flight. Sir Richard Branson surprised them with a cruise vacation aboard his newest ship, Resilient Lady. The direct flight from Atlanta to San Juan was chosen in partnership with Delta Air Lines to celebrate the unveiling of Resilient Lady’s new homeport in San Juan later this year. Resilient Lady, named the “Best New Cruise Ship” in Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editors' Picks Awards, has several beautiful Caribbean itineraries taking flight this December and are now on sale.

Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, boarded the flight to personally gift all SkyMiles Members on the flight (18 and older) a free voyage to sail during the ship’s inaugural season in San Juan later this year.

Sir Richard Branson said, “The Caribbean has been my home for many years, and I’m very excited to welcome Resilient Lady as she sails from San Juan to visit the region’s most beautiful destinations. My excitement clearly couldn’t be contained, so we came up with a way to celebrate with a personal invitation and surprise for some unsuspecting guests on a Delta flight to San Juan. We’re grateful for our partners at Delta who joined in on the fun and have also been long-time venture partners of our airline, Virgin Atlantic. We look forward to showing everyone what it’s like to Set Sail the Virgin Way!”.

Prior to boarding, Virgin Voyages hosted a full departure gate takeover, bringing to life elements of the ship's on-board experience to passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Fliers were treated to original choreography from Virgin Voyages’ award-winning entertainment team along with Instagrammable photo moments and vignettes at the gate, specialty drinks and music to bring the vibe. In addition to the pre-flight entertainment, Sir Richard was joined by Delta’s SVP and Chief Communications Officer, Tim Mapes, for a generous game of roulette. Customers and passersby alike were invited to spin the wheel of prizes, which included Delta and Virgin Atlantic flights, Virgin Hotel stays, a Virgin Voyages cruise, Delta Vacation package, gift cards and high-end swag. 

“When two award-winning brands come together, they create magic for their customers. Delta is thrilled to have partnered with Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages for this special surprise-and-delight for our SkyMiles Members on the flight,” said Delta’s Tim Mapes . “This is one more way in which we’re adding value to the program and unlocking exclusive experiences for our Members. Stay tuned for more with Virgin Voyages.”

Richard Branson’s newest travel brand has an unstoppable fleet that’s been recognized on both Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List and Hot Lists and was also awarded best dining and best entertainment by Cruise Critic’s readers. This fall, after Resilient Lady completes her inaugural season abroad, the award-winning vessel will embark on a trans-continental journey to her new homeport in San Juan this fall. With this news, Virgin Voyages is now thrilled to unveil stunning new ports of call across the Caribbean and Latin America. On deck are fresh seven-, eight-, 10- and 11-night voyages visiting St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Colombia and Dominica. 

Delta has been serving Puerto Rico for more than 70 years, helping contribute to tourism development and enabling families to connect with their loved ones. The airline, in the past year, has grown total seats to the island by 11% and currently offers service between Puerto Rico and five Delta hubs, making it easy and convenient to access Virgin Voyages’ new Puerto Rico itineraries. 

To learn more about Virgin Voyages’ new routes from San Juan and how to score the brand’s best deal of the year, including special introductory rates, visit VirginVoyages.com . To join SkyMiles, visit delta.com/joinskymiles .

About Virgin Voyages

Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, and Athens, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 100 incredible ports of call.

On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar, and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. In 2023, Virgin Voyages won Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Award for the best mega-ship ocean cruise line and swept the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards - the first time a brand has won in all five categories.

Virgin Voyages Media Contact

Public relations team, michelle estevam.

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Overview of Delta

Founded in 1924 and originally known as Huff Daland Dusters, Delta Air Lines is one of the oldest airlines in the world. On top of an operating base in Atlanta, it has additional hubs in Detroit, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Salt Lake City and Boston. The largest number of flights are scheduled in and out of Atlanta, which is also the location of the carrier’s maintenance wing.

A combination of Airbus, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft are operated. Delta Air Lines has a preference for short-to-medium range jets with narrow bodies. Some of the most common models flown are the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737. A number of the fleet are reserved for NBA charted flights, so make sure you keep an eye out for the basketball stars in the airport.

In 2000 Delta Air Lines merged with Korean Air, Air France and Aeroméxico to form SkyTeam. The alliance has grown to be one of the largest in the world and reaches more than 175 countries. Customers are able to benefit from reduced prices and shorter travel times, with the ability to purchase round-the-world tickets. In addition to the SkyTeam alliance, the carrier has entered into several joint ventures with airlines, such as Virgin Australia, to deliver improved services – in this case, it offers nonstop flights between Australia and the United States. Joint ventures are also held with Virgin Atlantic, Alitalia and WestJet.

Passengers can choose between Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. Starbucks coffee is available for all fares, while the Premium Economy section includes improved dining options and increased leg room. Noise-cancelling headsets, skincare products and Westin Heavenly bedding is provided to Business Class customers.

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A Complete Guide to Delta Fare Classes — and How to Score an Upgrade

Here's what you need to know about Delta One, Premium Select, Comfort+, and Main Cabin.

Cabin Classes on Delta

How to choose a cabin class, fare class breakdown, how miles are earned, how to redeem miles for upgrades.

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Flying Delta? Before you book your flight, take a look through our guide to Delta's cabin classes, which range from Delta One to basic economy. Discover the benefits associated with each class — and find out how to get upgraded from one to another using miles.

Delta One and Delta One Suites

Delta One is Delta's business-class product with lie-flat seats. (Delta One Suites are the same class of service, but the seats have a half-height sliding door for additional privacy.) These are most frequently used on transcontinental domestic flights as well as long-haul international routes.

Seats: While all Delta One seats are lie-flat, the specific design varies per aircraft, and some seats are better than others — some are quite old, offer little privacy, or require you to climb over your neighbor to reach the aisle. When booking a flight, you can usually look up what type of aircraft you'll be flying, but that's always subject to change before departure. You're not guaranteed a specific aircraft, and you might end up with an inferior Delta One seat if there's an equipment swap.

Meals: Delta One passengers are served plated hot meals; alcoholic beverages are complimentary. 

Amenities: Delta One passengers receive an amenity kit with Grown Alchemist toiletries, noise-canceling headphones to use during the flight, and a mattress pad for the seat (on some flights).

Baggage Allowance: Delta One passengers can check two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each for free.

Other Perks: Delta One passengers are granted access to Delta's lounges, known as the Sky Club. They're also given Sky Priority check-in and early boarding.

Premium Select

Premium Select is Delta's premium economy product. This is the newest cabin class, and it falls in between Delta One and Comfort+. Only some of Delta's fleet has this cabin — it's most commonly found on long-haul international routes.

Seats: Seats are not lie-flat, but they're more spacious and have a deeper recline than economy. They also have footrests for additional comfort.

Meals: Premium Select meals are not plated like those in Delta One, but they're more elevated compared to economy dishes. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary.

Amenities: Premium Select passengers enjoy a scaled-back version of the Delta One amenity kit — Grown Alchemist lip balm, an eye mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste, ear plugs, and socks — as well noise-canceling headphones. Bedding includes a memory foam pillow and a blanket.

Baggage Allowance: Premium Select passengers can check two bags weighing up to 50 pounds each for free.

Other Perks: At check-in, Premium Select passengers can use the Sky Priority desk, and they're given earlier boarding.

First Class

Delta's first class is the top cabin class on most domestic and short-haul international flights. (Delta planes don't have both Delta One and first class; they'll have one or the other.)

Seats: Seats are more akin to spacious armchairs, not like economy's benches with armrests. They do not lie-flat, but they do have extra recline.

Meals: Meal service depends on the distance of your flight and time of day. Some flights enjoy hot meals, others have cold dishes, and a few have extensive snack baskets.

Amenities: First-class passengers are given either earbuds or noise-canceling headphones, depending on the plane and route.

Baggage Allowance: First-class passengers can check two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each for free.

Other Perks: First-class passengers are given Sky Priority check-in and can board the aircraft first. They are not granted Sky Club access.

Comfort+

Comfort+ is technically in the economy cabin, but it offers a higher class of service and more legroom than Main Cabin seats. It can be found on all Delta aircraft on all routes.

Seats: The seats are standard economy seats, but they have more legroom than those in Main Cabin. They're also located in the front of the plane.

Meals: Meal service depends on the distance of your flight and time of day. On long-haul flights, you'll be served a hot meal; otherwise, you'll just be offered snacks. Most notably, alcoholic beverages are free for Comfort+ passengers.

Amenities: On long-haul international flights, Comfort+ passengers are given an eye mask and earplugs. On all flights, Comfort+ passengers are offered earbuds.

Baggage Allowance: If you're in Comfort+, you'll have to pay to check a bag. You can take a carry-on and personal item on board for free.

Other Perks: Comfort+ boards before passengers in Main Cabin.

Main Cabin is the standard economy class, found on all Delta planes on all routes.

Seats: You know the drill — economy seats are fairly small with limited legroom. Main Cabin passengers can pay to sit in an exit row for more space.

Meals: As with Comfort+, meal service depends on the distance of your flight and time of day: you'll either get a hot meal or snacks. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

Amenities: Main Cabin passengers are given earbuds. On overnight flights, you may be offered a blanket and pillow.

Baggage Allowance: Main Cabin passengers are allowed one personal item and one carry-on bag; checked bags cost extra.

Basic Economy

Basic economy lies within the same area as Comfort+ and Main Cabin — that is, the economy cabin — but it's a heavily restricted and therefore discounted fare.

Seats: Basic economy seats are the same as those in Main Cabin.

Meals: Basic economy passengers are served the same meal as those in Main Cabin; alcoholic beverages can be purchased.

Baggage Allowance: You must pay for checked bags, but a carry-on and personal item are free.

Amenities: Basic economy passengers are given earbuds. On overnight flights, you may be offered a blanket and pillow.

Other Perks: There are no other perks given to basic economy passengers, unless you count the discounted fare.

Choosing a cabin class is largely a personal choice, factoring in budget and comfort. The one rule we tend to stand by, though, is skipping basic economy if you your budget allows. It's the most restrictive ticket, as you won't be able to pick your seat in advance, meaning you'll likely end up in the middle, nor will you be able to earn frequent flier miles.  

If you thought you were only picking a cabin class, think again. Fare classes are specific codes that ultimately indicate the price and terms (whether you can get an upgrade, refund, or more) of a specific ticket. Within each cabin, there are numerous fare classes: With Delta, there are around 20 standard fare classes overall, plus a handful of exceptions such as ones for award tickets (that is, those booked with miles) and upgraded fares. Full-fare tickets cost more than discounted fare tickets, but it's really difficult to pick your fare class.

Delta's website typically shows one to two fare classes per cabin when booking online: fully refundable and non-refundable. "If you're looking for full-fare tickets you can generally buy those online, but if you need to specify a particular fare class, you'll need to call and speak to an agent," says Gary Leff, travel expert at View From the Wing .

Now, why does fare class even matter? For most fliers, it probably won't, as it's more of a technical detail for the airlines to manage inventory. But fare class sometimes does make a difference to those chasing status — higher fare classes command higher prices and therefore more Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs), Delta's metric for earning elite status. So, if you're a status chaser, it might behoove you to book a higher fare class to earn more MQDs.

If you want to figure out your fare class, look for a letter in parentheses. "Once the search starts, Delta displays the actual fare code with a letter, say Z for discount business or D for more flexible business, typically at a higher price point," says Gilbert Ott, director of partnerships at Point.me . 

Delta's loyalty program is called SkyMiles , and it's fairly straightforward to earn miles through it. Once you sign up for a free SkyMiles account, you will earn a certain number of miles per dollar spent on flights, regardless of your cabin class. But the number of miles does increase for those with elite status. Here are the SkyMiles earning rates based on status tier.

Status: SkyMiles Member; Miles Earned: 5 SkyMiles per $1 spent

Status: Silver Medallion; Miles Earned: 7 SkyMiles per $1 spent

Status: Gold Medallion; Miles Earned: 8 SkyMiles per $1 spent

Status: Platinum Medallion; Miles Earned: 9 SkyMiles per $1 spent

Status: Diamond Medallion; Miles Earned: 1 SkyMiles per $1 spent

After booking your ticket, you may be offered a chance to upgrade to a higher cabin class using cash or SkyMiles via the app or website — but not always. And if you're offered a deal, the rate presented might differ from your travel companion.

"Delta is among the best in the world with data collection and partner data sharing. The airline has been able to glean brilliant insights by understanding how people spend in their daily lives thanks to their Amex partnership, Starbucks, and more," says Ott. "This allows them to personalize offers based on a variety of factors to incentivize behavior. Some airlines can discern that a person has more to spend and if they just try the better experience, they might love it and buy it outright."

But because of this, it's not reliable to hold out for an award upgrade, since there's no regularity. "Delta doesn't want to make it easy and predictable to get a good buy-up offer, or else you'll just wait for that — they'd be undercutting their own pricing," says Leff. "Their goal is to extract revenue they wouldn't otherwise receive when discounting." So, if you really want that higher cabin class, your best bet is to pay up at the get-go.

And even if you're offered an award upgrade, is it a good deal in the first place? Well, it's better for your wallet to spend miles rather than dollars, but Delta SkyMiles isn't necessarily the most valuable rewards program out there. 

"SkyMiles has done its best to reduce the value you're going to get for your points so that it's rare to get an outsized return. In my experience, Delta miles are worth less than those of most competitors," says Leff. "That's even frequently true when redeeming miles for partner business class awards, although the best value for SkyMiles awards is when your trip doesn't touch the United States — for example, Mexico to Europe rather than the U.S. to Europe."

There's no right or wrong way to spend your miles, so you'll have to weigh your specific situation before making any decisions. Ott says, "It really depends on the value being offered at the time, and how your cash finances relate to your Delta SkyMiles points balances."

Related Articles

Simple Flying

The different classes of travel offered by delta air lines.

The US legacy carrier offers a variety of different cabins across its fleet.

• Delta Air Lines offers different classes of travel, including Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, Domestic First Class, Premium Select, and Delta One.
• Basic Economy is the cheapest fare class with fewer amenities and seat selection restrictions. Main Cabin offers advanced seat selection and other benefits.
• Delta Comfort+ provides extra legroom, priority boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space. Domestic First Class offers spacious seats and additional amenities like fine dining and expedited baggage service.

Airline cabins have greatly expanded from the days of just economy and first class. Today, carriers have several different classes and different seats depending on the aircraft and travel distance. Delta Air Lines has adopted this over the years, with three classes on international flights and two on domestic or regional flights. Here's the breakdown.

Basic economy

Basic economy is technically a fare class, not a different cabin. Booking the cheapest ticket means no checked bags, one carry-on, no cancelations, and no free seat selection until check-in. Amenities vary by distance, so expect meals and snacks on long-haul routes, but just soft drinks on domestic services.

Your seat will vary significantly depending on where you're flying, but is the same as every other economy class passenger's seat. On regional CRJ-200/700/900, expect a tighter 2-2 layout, a standard 3-3 on the mainline narrowbodies like the 737, and 2-3-2 or 3-3-3 on widebodies like the A350 or A330neo.

Across the fleet, you can expect to get 30" to 32" of pitch on all planes, from the CRJ-900s to the A350-900s. It's certainly not the most, but it's in line with the competition as well.

Delta's Main Cabin experience is a step up from basic economy, as it allows you to choose where you sit in advance. You'll also get benefits like earlier boarding, free date changes, and advance seat assignments (except Preferred and Comfort+ seats).

For a small fee, passengers can also choose a Preferred Seat. These are typically located near the front of the plane, or in emergency exit rows, which offer more legroom.

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Delta Comfort+

Booking a Delta Comfort+ ticket is where the added extras really start to kick in . For example, this class of travel gets you priority boarding. Furthermore, once you're onboard the aircraft, you'll have a seat that reclines up to 50% further than standard Main Cabin seats and offers up to four inches more legroom. Comfort+ seats are located at the right of the front of the economy cabin on all of Delta's aircraft.

Comfort+ passengers are allocated dedicated overhead bin space to keep their belongings conveniently close. This is always a welcome relief on busy flights when such space is at a premium. Early boarding also means skipping the dreaded gate check, allowing you to take your carry-on all the way to the destination.

On long-haul international flights, in addition to a sleep kit, passengers are also given an amenity kit. This contains useful items such as eyeshades, earplugs, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.

Domestic First Class

On domestic aircraft, Delta offers two cabins: Main Cabin and First. Hard product-wise, the First cabin is laid out in a 2-2 configuration. Each seat features a leather recliner, and Delta's newest A321neos even have seat dividers and pod-style privacy guards.

You'll also benefit from accelerated check-in, security, and baggage handling. You'll have a spacious seat with up to eight inches of extra legroom, a pre-set pillow, an in-seat power port, and an entertainment screen of up to 13 inches. This is typically the best cabin on Delta's narrowbodies, although certain Boeing 757s are fitted with the luxurious Delta One product.

Complimentary drinks, snacks, and fine dining meal options are available on all flights, as well as more personalized service. On arrival at your destination, an expedited baggage service ensures that you get your luggage first. Particularly on longer hops, these various aspects can make first class worth the upgrade.

Read more: How to upgrade your next Delta flight

Delta Premium Select

Better known as premium economy, Premium Select is offered on Delta's widebodies, and got a perky upgrade in 2022 . The seats are fairly similar to the domestic first class seats, with leather recliners, 13" entertainment screens, and an adjustable legrest.

You might like: Which US airline has the best premium economy?

Fine dining meal options are served on premium flatware for an enhanced experience. You'll receive a complimentary Tumi amenity kit with Malin & Goetz travel essentials, socks, eyeshades, a hand cleansing towelette, and more. On long-haul flights, this can represent an excellent compromise for those who want more comfort than economy class without having to pay for lie-flat seats.

Sitting at the top of the hierarchy in terms of Delta's classes of travel, the top-tier service on international and select domestic long-haul flights is Delta One. The airline's flagship business class product has plenty of benefits on the ground, like access to Sky Clubs and priority access through check-in and security.

Onboard, you can stretch out on the 180-degree lie-flat seats, with a duvet and soft pillows, all enclosed in a pod with a door. The seat has been rated as one of the best in the US, and with solid service and meal selections out of its hubs, it has quickly become a fan favorite (assuming you can pick up the tab!).

Which Delta classes have you sampled? How do they compare to the carrier's competitors? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

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How to change or cancel a Delta Air Lines flight

Delta Air Lines is often seen as one of the best domestic U.S. airlines in the sky. At the 2019 TPG Awards , the airline took the award for the best U.S. airline loyalty program, and its top-tier Diamond Medallion status took home the honor for best elite status. However, how does Delta stack up when it's time to change or cancel a ticket?

This isn't something that most travelers think of until it's time to actually adjust a nonrefundable ticket. This may not happen often, but travel plans do change, especially when you're traveling during a natural disaster or another time of uncertainty — like the worldwide coronavirus outbreak that's having far-reaching impacts on the travel industry.

Stay up-to-date on the outbreak by visiting our hub page for coronavirus coverage and signing up for our daily newsletter .

Unfortunately, Delta has one of the most restrictive change and cancellation policies for both nonrefundable and award tickets, so in this article, we'll walk you through all there is to know about changing or canceling Delta tickets. We'll start by taking a look at Delta travel waivers related to the coronavirus (and other times when the airline may issue a travel waiver), and then dive into canceling both paid and award tickets.

Canceling or changing Delta tickets during a travel waiver

Delta frequently publishes travel waivers during bad weather, natural disasters and other times when the airline expects to cancel lots of flights. This lets the airline make changes before customers arrive at the airport, saving congestion at the gate and ticket counter. Sometimes these waivers let you change your tickets for free during a very specific period, and other times it offers broader change periods. The specifics of each travel waiver will vary based on the situation.

These travel waivers are usually listed at the top of Delta's website when in effect. Likewise, Delta may email you if you're traveling on a ticket that's eligible to be changed or canceled for free under a travel waiver.

One example of a broad waiver is the blanket travel waiver that — as of the time of writing this article — is in effect for flights booked during the coronavirus outbreak . This travel waiver covers all flights across Delta's network and it's been updated several times since the outbreak took over U.S. news headlines. You can view the full policy on Delta's website , but at the time of writing, the following waivers are in effect:

• All change fees are waived for U.S. domestic and international travel through May 31, 2020. Travel between June 1 and December 31, 2020, can be changed, but a fare difference will apply.
• Delta tickets can also be canceled in exchange for a travel credit equal to the amount of the ticket for free.
• Tickets purchased in March can be changed as many times as you'd like without a change fee. Other tickets can be changed once.

Again, make sure to review Delta's website for up-to-date info on the carrier's coronavirus travel waivers. These may be extended or adjusted depending upon how long the outbreak continues.

It's important to understand the full terms of the travel waiver you're using. For example, canceling a ticket under the coronavirus travel waiver won't entitle you to a full refund to your credit card. Instead, you'll be issued a Delta flight credit that you can use toward a future Delta ticket. If you cancel an award ticket , on the other hand, you'll receive a full refund of your SkyMiles to your Delta account. According to a Delta spokesperson, the carrier is waiving the standard fee for redepositing your miles — normally $150.

If you booked your trip using an Online Travel Agency (OTA) like Orbitz or Expedia, you won't be able to cancel your ticket through the Delta website. If your ticket is covered by the travel waiver, you have to call your OTA and request a change or cancellation. All fees should still be waived for eligible tickets.

One exception to this rule is tickets booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal or Amex Travel . Delta tickets booked through these credit card portals can be canceled or changed on the Delta website, so simply find your reservation on the Delta website and make the requested changes online.

Changing or canceling paid Delta tickets

Paid Delta tickets that aren't covered by a travel waiver can still be changed or canceled, but you'll typically be charged a hefty fee. The only types of Delta tickets that cannot be changed or canceled are basic economy tickets — unfortunately, these tickets can only be changed or canceled under very specific circumstances, which we'll cover later in this article.

If you're not eligible for a travel waiver or another special situation that lets you adjust a ticket for free, you'll be subject to one of the following fees if you need to cancel or change a Delta flight.

In the case of international flights, you'll pay a minimum of $200 to change your flight and a maximum of $500. The actual cost of the change or cancellation depends on the length of your flight. Delta does note, however, that all flights to Canada cost a flat rate of $200.

As noted previously, Delta will not issue a refund for nonrefundable fares. Instead, the change or cancellation fee will be subtracted from the cost of the ticket, and the remainder will be issued as a flight credit that you can use towards a future Delta flight. As an example, if you cancel a $600 flight from New York-JFK to Vancouver (YVR), you'll get a $400 flight credit that can be applied to any future Delta flight.

Refundable Delta fares can be canceled for free at any time before the flight departs for a full refund to the original form of payment. You can make changes to or cancel a ticket by pulling up your Delta itinerary on the Delta website.

Changing or canceling Delta award tickets

Canceling or changing a Delta award ticket booked with SkyMiles is more straightforward than paid flights. Like paid tickets, basic economy awards can't be changed or canceled. All other award tickets can be changed or canceled for a flat fee of $150, including both domestic and international flights.

When you cancel an award ticket and pay the $150 fee, your miles will be redeposited back into your Delta account. If, on the other hand, you opt to change a ticket instead, you'll be responsible for both the fee and any mileage difference between your current flight and the new flight you book. For example, if you're changing a trip that initially set you back 100,000 SkyMiles to a flight that now costs 120,000 SkyMiles, the extra 20,000 SkyMiles will be deducted from your account in addition to the $150 change fee.

This fee is waived for Diamond and Platinum Medallion members , though travelers with lower tiers of elite status still need to pay it.

One major downside to Delta award tickets is that they must be changed or canceled 72 hours before departure. Changes cannot be processed after this time, and you'll forfeit your miles if you cancel a ticket within 72 hours of travel.

You can change or cancel a Delta award ticket by pulling up your reservation on the Delta website and clicking the Modify Flight button at the top of the screen and following the on-screen prompts. The mileage refund may take a couple of hours to appear back in your Delta account but usually processes on the same day.

Changing or canceling tickets booked with credit card points

Delta tickets booked through credit card travel portals like the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal , Amex Travel or Citi ThankYou Travel Portal are subject to the same cancellation fees discussed earlier. As discussed earlier, this includes tickets covered by travel waivers.

The Chase travel portal and Amex Travel are both letting customers covered by the coronavirus travel waiver to change or cancel tickets directly on Delta's website. All of the same travel restrictions apply to tickets booked through these portals, so make sure you know the ins-and-outs before you cancel your ticket.

Check out our full guide to canceling tickets booked with credit card points for more information.

How do you change or cancel your Delta flight?

All Delta flights (that were purchased directly from Delta) can be quickly changed or canceled online. Just head to Delta.com and follow these steps:

• Log in to your Delta account.
• Click Manage My Trips and select the trip you'd like to change or cancel.
• Click the Modify Trip button at the center of the screen.
• Choose if you'd like to change or cancel your trip.
• Follow the on-screen prompts.

If you do cancel a paid ticket, Delta will email you an eCredit within 24 hours. Make sure to save this email and use the eCredit towards your next paid Delta booking.

If you're unable to access your reservation online — for example, if you booked with an OTA — you'll need to call your OTA of choice to cancel or book your ticket.

Do note that same-day changes are processed differently than standard flight changes for paid Delta flights. Same-day changes are cheaper at $75, but you can only move to flights on the same route that are departing on the same day that you're booked to travel. This fee is waived for Delta Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion customers. You can make this change at check-in or by pulling up your reservation and selecting the same-day confirmed option.

READ MORE: How to refund a nonrefundable airline ticket

How can you avoid change and cancellation fees on Delta?

Beyond travel waivers, there are a few ways to avoid paying change and cancellation fees on Delta flights. Here are some scenarios where you may be able to change or cancel your flight for free.

Within 24 hours of booking

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all airlines to give customers a 24-hour window to cancel flights after booking. Tickets booked directly through Delta can be canceled for free on Delta.com during this 24-hour grace period, and your refund will be processed to the original form of payment. Note that your flight must be departing at least 48 hours after booking to be eligible for this refund.

Schedule changes

If your Delta flight is subject to a schedule change of 90 minutes or more, you can cancel or change your flight for free. This usually happens when you book a flight far in advance, as Delta will generally finalize its flight schedules at the start of the season, meaning that flight schedules booked before this are determined by the airline's current and historic flight schedules.

Likewise, smaller changes that leave you with a too-short (or illegal) connection may also make you eligible for a free flight change. Delta will generally notify you about these changes as soon as they're made, but you should also review your existing trips regularly to identify these as soon as possible. When one happens, give the airline a call to assess your options and see if you're eligible for a complimentary change or cancellation.

Flight cancellations

Sometimes an airline may cancel your flights outright. This can happen when an airline anticipates decreased demand or makes a change to its route network after you've already booked a ticket. It can also happen at the last minute due to bad weather, mechanical problems or other unforeseen issues . If you're subject to a flight cancellation, Delta will often try and book you on an alternate flight free of charge. However, you should also be able to request a free cancellation and refund to your credit card.

Elite status

As noted earlier, Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion customers can change or cancel award tickets for free. Also, customers with Gold Medallion status or higher can make same-day changes for free online or by calling the airline. Finally, these higher-tier elite customers may be granted additional leniency when it comes to these fees. As we say here at TPG, it never hurts to ask .

Special circumstances

Some special situations could allow you to change or cancel a Delta flight for free. You're eligible for a full refund of your flights if you receive an unexpected military deployment or change in orders, or if you or one of your travel companions passes away before departure. In either of these cases, Delta will likely require that you send supporting documentation before it processes your refund.

Finally, even if your specific reason for changing or canceling a flight isn't covered by any of the above waivers, it's still worth calling to plea your case. Some phone representatives may be sympathetic to the reason you need to cancel your ticket and offer a one-time waiver of the change or cancellation fee. Just make sure to go into the call without expectation and be kind to the representative regardless of the outcome.

Bottom line

Canceling or changing an airline ticket is never fun, but the experience is a lot less stressful when you know what to expect. Delta charges up to $500 per ticket for changes or cancellations, so it's in your best interest to stay on the lookout for travel waivers, schedule changes and other circumstances that could make you eligible for fee waivers. This is especially true with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, so be sure you review all of Delta's policies so you aren't surprised when you need to adjust your next Delta itinerary.

Feature photo by Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Delta Air Lines bringing back Cleveland nonstop route to western hub city

• Updated: Jun. 24, 2024, 10:11 p.m. |
• Published: Jun. 24, 2024, 9:59 a.m.

Delta Air Lines is adding back Cleveland to Salt Lake City service in November. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) AP

• Susan Glaser, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – After a four-year hiatus, Delta Air Lines is relaunching nonstop service between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Salt Lake City.

The route was suspended in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, although the carrier briefly resumed the flight in early 2022 before canceling it again. Since then, Cleveland Hopkins officials have been eagerly advocating for its return.

The route will relaunch on Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run daily. Tickets are on sale now.

Flights from Cleveland will depart at 7:45 a.m., landing in the Utah capital at 10:18 a.m. Flights from SLC will depart at 5:20 p.m., landing in Cleveland at 10:57 p.m.

Salt Lake City is a hub for Delta, offering connections to dozens of cities throughout the Western United States, Mexico and Canada.

The carrier will fly a 160-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route.

Frontier Airlines also flies nonstop between Cleveland and Salt Lake City, one of a more than dozen new routes launched by the ultra-low-cost carrier from Hopkins earlier this year. Frontier’s service, however, is seasonal, and offered three times per week.

Delta also recently announced that it is returning nonstop service to Salt Lake City from Pittsburgh. The carrier relaunched its Columbus-to-Salt Lake City route earlier this month.

In 2023, Delta was the fourth largest carrier at Hopkins, carrying about 15% of all passengers. Delta also flies nonstop from Cleveland to Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Minneapolis and Detroit.

“We are thrilled our partner at Delta Air Lines will be resuming this service to one of our top underserved markets,” said Bryant L. Francis, Cleveland’s director of port control. “This addition not only offers Clevelanders nonstop service to Salt Lake City, but also provides dozens of additional connecting points beyond.”

More about Cleveland Hopkins Airport

• You can now reserve a parking spot at Cleveland Hopkins airport
• Spirit Airlines suspending Cleveland to Los Angeles route
• Below-70-degree June days in Cleveland are not unusual, but getting less frequent

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Delta Air Lines to resume non-stop Pittsburgh-Salt Lake City route after four years

A fter a four-year hiatus, Delta Air Lines is all set to resume its non-stop flights between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , and Salt Lake City, Utah , this winter.

The American airline giant announced on Friday that it would reinstate this particular route, beginning on November 23 and strategically placed to coincide with the Thanksgiving holidays.

But they pointed to the fact that the service would now be one of the few maintained fully and without the seasonal nature, suggesting that there would always be a continuing demand and a good prognosis for the route’s viability.

ALSO READ| Southwest Boeing 737 dives below 500ft over Oklahoma neighbourhood, triggers ‘low-altitude alert’

The route timing and more

Delta's flights will depart Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) at 17:40 and arrive at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) at 20:12 local time.

Flights from SLC will leave at 11:00 and reach PIT at 16:39 local time, aiming to provide convenient travel options for both business and leisure travellers.

Delta will operate the route using its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which offers 21% more seat capacity compared to the Airbus A319 previously used. The 737-800s are currently being upgraded to feature Delta's latest onboard products, including free Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment, aimed to “provide an enhanced premium travel experience.”

The route, which Delta last served in 2020, was suspended indefinitely due to the severe decline in air travel triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, travel demand has rebounded significantly, and Delta can't ignore reinstating the service.

ALSO READ| Boeing CEO brutally ripped over $32.8mn salary during Senate appearance: 'So it's working out great for you'

‘Another huge win for PIT’

Bryan Dietz, Senior Vice President of Air Service & Commercial Development at PIT, expressed, “We're excited Delta is resuming its nonstop service to Salt Lake City, a western market very popular with our business and leisure travelers.”

“This is another huge win for PIT's growing service portfolio to the Western United States market and an indicator of the region's strong post-pandemic recovery,” he added.

According to Delta, the direct route is expected to generate an estimated annual economic impact of $16 million, supporting 155 direct and indirect jobs.

“The airport of the future,” Pittsburgh International Airport has recently added new services to the western part of the United States. Last month, Breeze Airways, a low-cost airline, announced the commencement of operations in San Diego, California.

ALSO READ| Boeing Starliner’s return to earth from International Space Station delayed, here's why

Southwest Airlines also recently began a service to San Diego from PIT which began earlier this month.

At the moment, there are fifteen airlines that fly out of Pittsburgh International Airport with British Airway, Icelandair, and Air Canada being the international brands that offer 135 non-stop flights.

Read more news like this on HindustanTimes.com

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Is Delta a Good Airline?

A Los Angeles native, Jennifer is a freelance personal finance writer and editor whose goal is to help readers get excited about improving their financial health. She loves using credit card rewards points toward airfare, and recently took a round-trip flight to Southeast Asia entirely on points. Her work has been featured by Forbes, HuffPost, MSN Money and Business Insider.

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Finding the right airline that satisfies all of your travel preferences — from comfort to cost — can get your trip going on a great start. When choosing which airline to fly with for your next trip, there are many factors to consider. All of this may have you wondering: Is Delta a good airline?

Below is an overview of how Delta Air Lines ranks against other major carriers. You’ll also learn what it’s like to be a Delta passenger and what considerations to make when flying on this airline so you can confidently decide if Delta Airlines is a good option for you.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

NerdWallet's airline analysis

For starters, Delta SkyMiles falls near the bottom of NerdWallet’s recent analysis for the best airline rewards program . Based on categories like the airline's elite status program, rewards point value , COVID-19 response and additional fees, the airline tied with United Airlines and beat out budget carrier Frontier, but fell short of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.

NerdWallet ranked Delta a little higher when it came to the best airline rewards programs for frequent travelers. Out of nine airlines, Delta ranked fifth. See that breakdown here .

» Learn more: The smart money guide to Delta SkyMiles

What is Delta Air Lines like?

If you’re thinking about booking a flight on Delta Airlines for your next business trip, vacation or other travel, here’s what you can expect as a passenger.

Seat classes

The airline offers six seat classes to choose from. Its seat class options include:

Basic economy: A basic economy seat is located in the main cabin, but it’s nonrefundable and non-upgradable. Seats are assigned only after you’ve checked in.

Main cabin: Passengers with a Main Cabin boarding pass have more flexibility. You can select your preferred seat within the Main Cabin of the plane, have access to upgrades and can change your trip details without additional fees.

Comfort Plus: In addition to selecting your own seat, the Delta Comfort Plus seat class gives you up to 3 inches of additional legroom and provides your own assigned overhead bin. No more hunting for overhead storage for your carry-on luggage on a full flight.

Premium Select: If you have a long-haul route on a widebody aircraft, a Premium Select seat gives you greater comfort during your flight. This includes more recline, an adjustable footrest and a wider seat. Premium Select passengers also receive exclusive amenities and enhanced food and beverage options.

Delta One: Travelers who are looking for a luxury business class experience might enjoy the Delta One seat class. It’s available on certain long-haul domestic and long-haul international flights. Delta One passengers are assigned a dedicated in-cabin attendant for a duration of their flight, in addition to a 180-degree bed seat, curated meals and complimentary beverages, and luxury amenity kits.

First class: Delta offers first class passengers a dedicated in-flight attendant. You’ll also receive priority boarding and deplaning, up to 8 inches of additional legroom and additional reclining features.

Depending on the level of comfort and services you want, along with your budget, you’ll likely find a seat class that suits your needs.

Making reservations

Booking a flight with Delta Air Lines is straightforward with the Fly Delta app or on its website. You can also find Delta Air Lines on various third-party travel booking websites, potentially at different pricing. Members of the Delta SkyMiles Loyalty Program can also browse available flights using their award miles.

» Learn more: The guide to booking award flights on Delta Air Lines

You can check in up to 24 hours before your departure time. You have the option of checking in through:

The Fly Delta app.

The Delta website.

The curbside desk.

A check-in kiosk.

The Delta counter.

To check in in person, you’ll need your boarding pass and a government-issued identification.

The order in which passengers board Delta aircraft is based on seating class. Delta offers pre-boarding for active duty military and customers who need additional assistance or time to board, such as elderly passengers and families with young children. Delta 360 members also board with this group.

Delta One customers (if the aircraft offers Delta One seats) and first class passengers board next, followed by Diamond Medallion members and Premium Select (on certain aircraft).

Delta Comfort Plus customers are then welcomed onto the aircraft, and other SkyPriority members follow. Then, there are three separate boarding groups for main cabin passengers, followed by basic economy boarding as the last group.

Loyalty program

The Delta SkyMiles loyalty program is free to join and well worth it if you’re planning to become a regular Delta passenger. You can earn award miles for main cabin seats or higher, as well as on everyday purchases through a Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express. However, be aware that basic economy flights are not eligible for earning Delta SkyMiles awards.

» Learn more: The quick start guide to points and miles

Other things to consider

In addition to cost and the experience you can expect as a Delta passenger, there are other factors to examine before deciding whether Delta is a good travel option for you.

General cost

While not a total splurge, Delta is on the slightly more expensive side, ranking fourth-worst for fees among the nine airlines we tracked in our analysis. However, baggage costs can be offset using a Delta co-branded credit card that offers free checked bags.

» Learn more: Which airlines have the best (and worst) fees?

SkyMiles value

Nerdwallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents , but with some strategic redemptions , you can squeeze more value out of each mile. There are no blackout dates, and you won't lose miles due to account inactivity — they never expire so long as your account remains open.

Delta uses a dynamic pricing model for its award flights, so it's harder to know what an award fare will cost you prior to searching for a specific flight.

» Learn more: How much are points and miles worth this year?

Safety ratings

AirlineRatings.com assessed the safety of 435 airlines, based on factors like:

The airline’s crash and serious incident reports.

Aviation audits from the airline’s governing and industry bodies.

Safety initiatives and more.

Its latest report revealed that Delta was in its top 20 list of safest airlines, ranking 14th.

Reliability

One area that Delta particularly excels at is its on-time performance. According to OAG, a travel data provider, Delta ranks second on the North American regional list for flight punctuality. Delta outranks third place Alaska and falls just below first place Hawaiian.

Customer satisfaction

In a certified rating by Skytrax, Delta received a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. This rating is based on the quality of Delta’s airport and onboard product offerings, as well as the staff service its passengers receive. Other factors in the rankings include:

Food and beverage options.

In-flight entertainment .

Cleanliness.

If you're considering Delta

When deciding whether Delta is a good airline for your next trip, examine the type of travel you’re planning. This includes your budget, in-flight comfort preferences and whether your big-picture goal is finding a loyalty program to stick to.

For example, according to NerdWallet’s analysis, Delta ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to its basic economy ranking and fees. Budget travelers might find more affordability elsewhere. Also, budget travelers who want to earn status might be able to earn status faster through another airline program since Delta SkyMiles doesn’t offer award miles for basic economy seats.

Generally, Delta is a good airline for travelers who want a comfortable flight experience overall at a cost that’s in line with its service and offerings.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Trade snow for sunshine: Delta’s new flights from MSP to Aruba, St. Maarten and more

This winter, Delta is serving up new travel options from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to the tropical paradises of Aruba and St. Maarten. The airline is also enhancing its service from MSP to Grand Cayman and San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering customers more opportunities to escape the cold and enjoy a tropical getaway.    "As the leading carrier from MSP to Latin America and the Caribbean, we're looking forward to increasing our seats to these popular destinations, offering unmatched convenience and expanded choices for our customers," said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning. "With the addition of Aruba, St. Maarten and recently added Mazatlán, customers have three brand-new sunny destinations to look forward to this winter."

Delta's new flights to Aruba (AUA) will operate on Fridays and Sundays. Travelers can unwind on Eagle Beach, snorkel in the blue waters of Baby Beach, explore Arikok National Park and enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Oranjestad. 

St. Maarten

Delta flights to St. Maarten (SXM) will operate on Thursdays and Saturdays. Travelers can immerse themselves in the island's rich culture, visit the bustling Marigot Market, savor diverse cuisine at Grand Case, engage in water sports at Orient Bay and explore scenic hiking trails.

More sunny getaways for MSP travelers

Delta is also increasing its services to Grand Cayman (GCM) with an additional weekly flight, totaling three, and to San Juan (SJU) with two more weekly trips, totaling 10. And there's more to come this winter with the recently announced flights to Mazatlán, Mexico (MZT), another new destination, further expanding Delta's footprint in Latin America.    With these new and expanded routes, Delta will operate 126 weekly flights and offer more than 20,000 seats per week from MSP to 15 stunning destinations this winter, including other popular places like Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Liberia, Costa Rica; and Montego Bay, Jamaica. 

“The continued surge in international travel has been a key trend for MSP in recent years, and we are excited to see Delta add this new service,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP Airport. “With the addition of these new flights, Upper Midwest travelers now have their largest-ever range of options to Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s a great time to start planning that winter escape.” 

A premium winter travel experience throughout the journey

Delta Sky Club customers can look forward to a comfortable start to a tropical getaway at Delta’s Minneapolis hub. Earlier this year, the airline unveiled its third and largest Delta Sky Club at MSP , featuring seating for more than 450 guests, a first-of-its-kind Sky Deck and more. 

Delta’s St. Maarten and Aruba service will operate on the Boeing 757-200 (75D) seasonally this winter providing customers a choice of First Class, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin options. Travelers in First Class can enjoy a chef-curated meal experience as well as complimentary premium wine, beer and spirits. Delta Comfort+ passengers can also enjoy complimentary beverages and more room to relax. Passengers in all cabins will enjoy more than 1,000 hours of complimentary premium entertainment via Delta Studio, in-seat power and fast, free Wi-Fi for Delta SkyMiles members.    Additionally, SkyMiles Members traveling to their sunny destinations can also enjoy Delta’s new personalized seatback screen. Delta Sync seatback is a milestone update to the airline’s industry-leading seatback screens that make them feel more like smart TVs while offering a host of day-of-travel tools for SkyMiles members designed to streamline their travel journey. 

Customers looking to book their vacation to Latin America or the Caribbean can do so through Delta Vacations - with flights as well as expert-recommended hotels, rides and activities booked all in one place. Only with Delta Vacations, SkyMiles Members can earn toward Medallion Status on the flight, hotel, car rental, and activity components of their vacation; earn bonus miles in addition to flight miles; and use miles to pay for all or part of their trip, making their sunny escape even more rewarding. 

Detailed flight schedules are as follows:  

• Routes , Destinations , Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) , Caribbean , Latin America

Who are the Delta gays? How the airline became a haven for the LGBTQ community.

• Delta has become the favored airline in the circles of gay, male-identifying (and predominately upper-middle-class) urbanites.
• Delta’s reputation, seemingly, as the “it girl” gay male carrier is a relatively contemporary development.
• Delta’s multi-year partnership with American Express is not only lucrative for the airline but also reflects a certain high-end image.

When Ben Baxter listens to Viola Davis’ deep yet melodic voice – one that extols the benefits of seeing the world on Delta – he can’t help but be mesmerized. Davis, the iconic Academy Award-winning actress, has been a voice for Delta’s ads on and off since 2017. 

“Gay men have an acute sense of identifying and latching onto ‘star quality,’ and that is also so palpable once you set foot on a Delta plane,” Baxter told me. 

Then, there’s Ryan Scheb, a New York City-based teacher who popped the question to his now-fiance, Phil Tuzynski, inside the LaGuardia Delta Sky Club. 

“I've always loved Delta; my first flight was on the airline back in 1995, and I just kind of always found them to be a step above,” Scheb said. 

Baxter and Scheb belong to a group known as the “Delta gays,” as I call them. They are a fiercely loyal and very vocal contingent, especially on social media. For years while living in New York and now, Los Angeles, I observed – both in person and online – how Delta became the favored airline in the circles of gay, male-identifying (and predominately upper-middle-class) urbanites. 

What was Delta doing that other U.S. airlines weren’t? I set out on a mission to answer the question of how Delta has seemingly captured something so elusive in the gay male community: long-term loyalty. 

I ended up finding that, well, it’s a complicated “situationship.”  

How Delta became the 'it girl'

Delta’s reputation, seemingly, as the “it girl” gay male carrier is a relatively contemporary development. 

In the ’90s and early aughts, Delta didn’t market heavily to LGBTQ+ travelers. That crown belonged to American Airlines. 

After a controversial AIDS-phobic incident onboard a flight in 1993 and subsequent backlash from the community, American vowed to win back the LGBTQ+ audience. It did so by becoming an official sponsor of several U.S. Pride parades, the first for a major airline. 

“American stands out as the most dedicated and consistent of the carriers,” said Michael Wilke, the founder of AdRespect , a site that rates and catalogs LGBTQ+ advertising. 

American also became the earliest U.S. carrier to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits and to include gender identity in its workplace nondiscrimination policies. 

However, a major shift transpired in the late 2000s.

As Delta began the process of merging with Northwest Airlines, executives in Atlanta wanted to become a much larger carrier and a better carrier. To market those efforts, Delta brought on an ad agency powerhouse, Wieden + Kennedy, famous for its work with big culture labels like Nike and Coca-Cola. 

The agency introduced the “Keep Climbing” tagline , which is still used today. At that time, Delta started to position itself as a premium, more inclusive, and, yes, more progressive airline. And so it began.

Going ‘premium’

“From a marketing perspective, Delta evolved with the times better than other airlines, including American,” said Ed Salvato, an LGBTQ+ tourism expert and marketing professor at New York University. “They started doing the promotion to attract the LGBTQ+ audience, but more importantly, they invested in customer satisfaction.” 

That investment included major enhancements, like becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in business class on all widebody flights. Delta very much likes to toot its own horn as the “premium” airline, building a reputation over the years through operational reliability, service, and better-than-average airport lounges.

Salvato is convinced that Delta’s focus of “associating with luxury” is what drew the gays in. 

Delta’s multiyear partnership with American Express – which lasts at least through 2029 – is not only lucrative for the airline but also reflects a certain high-end image. It seems like heavy metal credit cards with lounge access will do that. 

And the proof is there: an internal Delta document from January 2024 shows that the airline’s LGBTQ+ customer base has doubled in the past decade, now 12% of total passenger volume. 

Delta executives declined my request for an interview to talk about their inclusivity efforts, but a spokesperson offered the following statement: “Delta is a proud, long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, and we want everyone to feel welcome when flying with us.” 

Two gingers and a rule of culture 

In recent years, a Delta ad depicting two ginger-haired men (who we can only assume to be a couple) was plastered all over jetbridges at Delta hubs nationwide. One is laying their head on the other’s shoulder as they both watch a video together. 

Peter Schlesinger, a Delta loyalist and an associate director of digital based in New York, has a unique social media tradition when boarding. 

“I started taking selfies with the guys (in the ad) when my boyfriend missed our flight, so it was a joke about finding new Delta friends instead. And then I just kept doing it,” he said.

In queer pop culture, Delta also has made the rounds. Take, for instance, “Las Culturistas,” a comedy podcast series hosted by “Saturday Night Live”’s Bowen Yang and actor-comedian Matt Rogers, both gay men. 

In each episode, Yang and Rogers declare, in perfect unison, certain statements to be "Rules of Culture." One of those rules, specifically rule number 43, asserts that “Delta is the queen of airlines.” 

A crack in the gay facade?

For what it’s worth, though, Delta’s actual product these days may not be quite matching its luxury image. 

“For premium travelers, the airline simply no longer has the edge,” said Ben Schlappig, a travel expert who runs the website One Mile at a Time . “Delta has less legroom in first class than competitors, an uncompetitive business class hard product on (select aircraft), and lines out the door to use many lounges.” 

Schlappig, who identifies as gay, believes that other major U.S. airlines have narrowed the gap on Delta in terms of operational reliability and service. 

Then, there’s this analogy. A friend and frequent flier once told me that “Delta is like Equinox,” explaining that like the high-end gym, the airline offers nearly the same products and services as others in a slightly more polished package, which gives the illusion of luxury and affluence. 

In other words, it may not matter if Delta’s experience isn’t quite as good as the marketing indicates. Over the past decade, flying Delta has become something of a status symbol. And for gays, status, exclusivity, and community are often enough.

Chris Dong is a freelance reporter focusing on timely travel trends, loyalty programs, hotels and aviation. When he’s not on the road, Chris calls Los Angeles home after nearly 10 years in New York City. You can follow him @thechrisflyer .

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .