Delta Comfort+ gets you extra legroom, earlier boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and free drinks and better snacks than a standard Main Cabin seat. Offered by Delta Air Lines, it’s an upgraded economy seat, not a separate premium cabin like Delta Premium Select or a lie-flat Delta One suite. Think of it as the version of economy class where you actually have room to cross your legs and don’t have to fight for bin space.
If you’ve ever boarded a Delta flight and noticed the seats with red headrest covers a few rows behind first class, that’s Comfort+. You get a seat with more pitch, a spot toward the front of the economy cabin, and perks like complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on most flights. What you don’t get is wider seats, a separate check-in line, or lounge access.
Whether the upgrade makes sense depends on your flight length, your height, and how much you value not fighting for overhead bin space. A short hop across one state feels different from a 10-hour flight to Buenos Aires, and Comfort+ delivers differently on each.
**Delta employees looking to access their travel benefits can check out our DLnet login guide at travelonthefly.com/dlnet-login.
The Core Comfort+ Benefits
Comfort+ gives you more room to stretch out, a head start getting on and off the plane, and a guaranteed spot for your carry-on. These three things stay consistent across almost every Delta flight, regardless of aircraft or route, which is more than you can say for the food and drink perks covered later in this article.
How Much Extra Legroom Do You Get?
Delta Comfort Plus seats typically have a seat pitch of around 34 inches, compared to 31 to 32 inches in a standard Main Cabin seat. That works out to roughly 3 to 4 inches of additional legroom on most aircraft, though the exact gap varies by plane.
Seat width usually stays the same as Main Cabin, around 17 to 18 inches. You’re getting a longer seat, not a wider one. If you’re over 6 feet tall or just want comfortable seats without your knees pressed against the row ahead, that extra pitch is the main reason to book Comfort+ in the first place.
Earlier Boarding, Deplaning, and Overhead Bin Space
Comfort+ passengers board in Zone 3, ahead of Main Cabin passengers, and get a dedicated section of overhead bin space reserved just for their carry-on luggage. That means less scrambling to find a spot for your bag and a smoother start to the flight.
You also get a quicker exit at the gate. On international routes with a tight connection or a long immigration line, getting off the plane a few minutes earlier can save real time.
Where Comfort+ Seats Are Located
Comfort+ seats sit between the first-class or Premium Select cabin and the Main Cabin economy seats. On domestic flights, this seat location covers the first several rows of economy class. On long-haul international flights with Premium Select, Comfort+ sits between that cabin and standard economy seats.
Being seated near the front also means you’re often served meals or snacks before economy passengers further back, which matters more than it sounds on flights where the popular meal choice runs out.
Food, Drinks, and Entertainment Perks
Comfort+ passengers get free alcoholic drinks, better snacks, and the same in-flight entertainment system as everyone else, just with complimentary earbuds included. These perks depend heavily on flight distance, so a short regional hop looks a lot different from a long-haul international flight.
Which Drinks Are Complimentary?
On flights over 251 miles, Comfort+ passengers 21 and older get complimentary alcoholic beverages like beer and wine alongside Starbucks coffee. Free spirits are included too on flights longer than 500 miles.
Coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks are available on every flight regardless of cabin. The alcohol perk is one of the clearest differences between Comfort+ and Main Cabin, since Main Cabin passengers on domestic flights don’t get free alcoholic drinks at all.
When Do You Get Premium Snacks or a Meal?
Premium snacks show up on routes over 900 miles when meal service isn’t offered, providing upgraded snacks like protein bars, nuts, and premium sweets instead of basic pretzels. On longer international routes with full meal service, Comfort+ passengers receive standard Main Cabin dining rather than an enhanced meal service, though it is served earlier due to cabin placement.
Don’t expect a separate menu or multi-course dining. That’s a Premium Select and Delta One feature, not a Comfort+ one.
What In-Flight Entertainment Is Included?
Comfort+ includes free access to Delta Studio with over 1,000 hours of movies, TV shows, and music, plus complimentary earbuds. You’ll find current releases along with shows from HBO and other premium networks, all viewable on the seatback screen or your own device.
Power outlets are available at most seats for charging devices during longer flights. Wifi still costs extra unless you have a status or credit card perk that covers it.
What Changes on Domestic and International Flights?
The core Comfort+ perks stay the same everywhere, but the extras get noticeably better on long-haul flights. Domestic Comfort+ is a lighter version of the experience; international Comfort+ adds upgraded amenities you won’t see on a two-hour hop to Chicago.
Delta Comfort+ on Domestic Flights
On domestic routes, Comfort+ gets you the extra legroom, early boarding, and free drinks, but not much beyond that. There’s no amenity kit, no pillow, and no blanket on a flight from Atlanta to Denver.
Checked bag fees also stay the same as Main Cabin on domestic flights unless you have Medallion status, a Delta co-branded credit card, or active military status. That’s a common point of confusion, since some travelers assume Comfort+ includes a free checked bag the way it does internationally.
Extra Amenities on Long-Haul International Flights
International Comfort+ adds a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit with an eye mask, earplugs, and a travel toothbrush. These small comfort items make a real difference on an overnight flight to Europe or South America.
International tickets also include one free checked bag for Comfort+ and Main Cabin passengers alike, a benefit that doesn’t carry over to domestic itineraries.
Why the Aircraft Can Change the Experience
Newer planes like the Airbus A350 and A330-900neo offer larger entertainment screens and a more polished Comfort+ feel that edges closer to premium economy. Older aircraft, including some Boeing 737s used on domestic routes, offer a smaller step up from standard economy seats.
Checking your specific aircraft during booking gives you a better sense of what you’re actually getting before you pay for the upgrade.
How Comfort+ Compares and How to Get It
Comfort+ sits in a specific spot on Delta’s ladder of cabins, above Basic Economy and Main Cabin but well below Delta Premium Select, First Class, and Delta One. Knowing where the lines are drawn helps you decide whether to pay for the seat outright or wait for a complimentary upgrade.
Comfort+ vs. Basic Economy and Main Cabin
Basic Economy is Delta’s most restrictive fare: no seat selection, no upgrades, and no changes in most cases. Main Cabin adds seat selection and standard flexibility but keeps you in the back of the plane with 31 to 32 inches of pitch.
Comfort+ adds the extra legroom, early boarding, and free drinks discussed earlier. It is booked in W or S class, and Delta also breaks Comfort fares into Basic, Classic, and Extra tiers with different change and refund rules.
Comfort+ vs. Delta Premium Select and Delta One
Premium Select is a true premium economy cabin with wider seats, more recline, multi-course dining, and Sky Priority boarding and check-in. Delta One is the premier business class product on international routes, featuring lie-flat seats, closing doors on some aircraft, and dedicated cabin service.
| Feature | Comfort+ | Premium Select | Delta One |
| Seat pitch | ~34 in | ~38 in | Lie-flat |
| Seat width | Same as economy | Wider, more recline | Fully flat bed |
| Sky Priority | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dining | Standard meal, served early | Multi-course | Chef-curated |
| Amenity kit | Long-haul only | Yes | Premium kit |
| Typical cost vs. Main Cabin | +20% | Roughly double | Several times more |
Buying an Upgrade or Receiving a Complimentary Upgrade
You can purchase Delta Comfort+ tickets directly at booking, or buy a Comfort Plus upgrade later through Delta.com or the Delta app if seats remain available. Upgrade pricing swings widely, from around $9 on a short domestic hop to several hundred dollars on a popular international route.
Medallion members get complimentary upgrades based on status, with Diamond Medallion clearing first, often right at booking, followed by Platinum, Gold, and Silver. American Express Delta co-branded cards don’t grant free Comfort+ upgrades on their own, but they help you earn Delta SkyMiles faster toward future upgrades or award bookings.
When the Comfort+ Upgrade Makes Sense
Comfort+ earns its price tag on flights longer than about three hours, especially if you’re tall, traveling with a carry-on you don’t want to gate-check, or flying somewhere with a tight connection. The extra legroom and guaranteed bin space solve real problems on longer trips.
On a 45-minute regional flight, the upgrade matters less. You won’t get a meal, the drink service might not even come around before descent, and the legroom difference is easy to live without for such a short hop.
Every Delta Comfort Plus review worth reading points to the same pattern: value increases with flight distance. A cross-country or international itinerary in Comfort+ feels like a meaningfully better experience than the same route in Main Cabin, while a short commuter flight barely feels different.
Check your Medallion status and upgrade eligibility before paying cash. If you’re close to a complimentary upgrade clearing, it often makes sense to wait rather than pay $50 to $150 for something that might show up free a day before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delta Comfort+ worth it on a short flight?
Comfort+ is less valuable on flights under two hours, since you likely won’t get full drink or snack service and the legroom difference matters less over a short trip. It still gets you earlier boarding and guaranteed bin space, which some travelers find worth the price on its own.
Does Delta Comfort+ include free checked bags?
On domestic flights, Comfort+ passengers pay the same checked bag fees as Main Cabin unless they have Medallion status, a Delta credit card, or military status. On international flights, Comfort+ and Main Cabin passengers both receive one free checked bag.
Does Delta Comfort+ get lounge access?
Comfort+ does not include Sky Club lounge access on its own. Even Delta Medallion members with Gold status or higher can’t access Sky Clubs while flying in Main Cabin or Comfort+, though partner-operated and SkyTeam lounges may be an option depending on your status and itinerary.
Is alcohol free in Delta Comfort+?
Beer and wine are complimentary for passengers 21 and older on flights over 251 miles, and spirits are included on flights longer than 500 miles. Shorter flights under 251 miles don’t include free alcoholic drinks.
What is the difference between Delta Comfort and Comfort+?
Delta Comfort is the broader category name Delta uses for its extra-legroom Main Cabin experience, which includes tiers like Comfort Basic, Comfort Classic, and Comfort Extra. Comfort+ is the specific seat and fare product within that category that includes the extra legroom, early boarding, and drink perks described throughout this article.
Is Delta Comfort+ the same as Delta Premium Select?
Comfort+ and Premium Select are different products, and Premium Select costs significantly more. Premium Select offers wider seats, more recline, Sky Priority boarding, and elevated dining, while Comfort+ stays within the economy cabin with a longer seat and a handful of added perks.