Everything you need to know about Delta flights
If you’re a new to a Delta Air Lines flight, you might be wondering what to expect. Traveling with a new carrier can feel unnerving, especially if you’re used to always flying the same airline. Thankfully Delta flights are often great experiences because this is an airline that puts a lot of resource into great customer care. But it never hurts to be informed :) In the following are some of the key things to know when you’re preparing to take a Delta flight.
Delta Air Lines has a long and rich history
Delta is a North American airline, and one of the largest in the USA. It can trace its history back to the 1920s when it started life flying crop dusters. But today, it’s a world away from those humble beginnings, with hubs stretching across the States and a fleet of over 870 airplanes.
You may remember the airline’s financial struggles from the early 2000s, when Delta filed for bankruptcy. It emerged from that process stronger and better equipped for the future, acquiring Northwest Airlines in 2008 and growing into a gigantic, international carrier.
What else is in this post?
- Delta Air Lines has a long and rich history
- Delta flights can take you around the world
- Delta flights work on a hub-and-spoke system
- Delta flights operate in various classes
- You can take extra bags on your Delta flight, for a fee
- You can check the status of your Delta flight on the day
Delta flights can take you around the world
Delta has nine hubs in the USA, the largest of which is Atlanta. It also has major operations at Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York JFK, LaGuardia, Salt Lake City and Seattle. Domestic operations function around these hubs, but Delta can take you a whole lot further than just around the United States.
On its own, Delta flies to more than 240 destinations across 52 countries on six continents, so your Delta flight can take you to explore much of the world. For those destinations that aren’t on the Delta flight map, it’s worth understanding about its membership of SkyTeam.
Delta was in fact a founding member of SkyTeam, one of the world’s largest airline alliances. There are currently 24 airlines in SkyTeam, ranging from WestJet in Canada to LATAM in South America, to Air France to China Eastern and many more. Booking a connecting Delta flight with any of these carriers means there is no hassle, bags are checked right through, and your flights are all sold on one booking and itinerary. With SkyTeam, Delta and its partners operate more than 15,000 flights every day, all over the world.
Find out more about SkyTeam on the website.
Delta flights work on a hub-and-spoke system
We mentioned Delta’s hubs earlier, but why are those important? Well, the reason is that when you book a long haul flight with Delta, you will inevitably connect to the widebody portion of your flight at one of these nine hubs. You may be able to start your journey from a smaller, more local airport, perhaps even a very small regional one, but will likely be dropped into one of these big hubs to connect onto your long haul flight.
Many of Delta’s regional services are operated by Delta Connection, a subsidiary brand of Delta which is flown by three other airlines. These are Endeavour Air, which flies a large fleet of 166 Canadair regional jets, Republic Airways with its 218 Embraer regional jets, and SkyWest which has 502 airplanes altogether.
Between them, Delta Connection services 211 destinations in the US, Canada, Cuba and the Bahamas. Some of these are also served by Delta’s mainline flights, but in many cases, if you’re flying in from a regional airport, you’ll be on a Delta Connection flight. Don’t worry, because all your rights, connection guarantees and passenger perks are protected as if that flight was a mainline Delta flight.
Delta flights operate in various classes
Depending on whether you’re flying a short domestic hop or a longer intercontinental trip, you will be offered some of several options for your cabin class. These start with Basic Economy, moving up to the flagship product Delta One. Here’s what you need to know:
- Basic Economy: No perks here, it’s the cheapest ticket and usually doesn’t come with a checked bag, seat selection or change and refund perks.
- Main cabin: This is a regular economy fare, which will give you free seat selection, a carry-on bag, and protection if you need to cancel or change your flight.
- Comfort: Comfort is still economy, but it’s the best economy. Seats have a little extra legroom, dedicated overhead bin space and more snacks and amenities than main cabin.
- Premium Select: This is an international premium economy class seat, which you won’t find on the shorter haul services with Delta. Seats are larger, IFE screens are bigger and there are various perks at the airport such as priority check in and boarding.
- Delta First: Despite its name, Delta First is not the airline’s best product. This is a domestic and regional premium product, which will give you more baggage allowance, bigger seats and priority boarding.
- Delta One: If you’re flying long haul, this is the king of all the cabins. Here, you get a private suite, lie flat seats and the very best food and drink. Plus, you get access to Delta Sky Clubs at the airport – it doesn’t come cheap, but you’re worth it!
Top tip: If you’re not sure what seats are on the aircraft you’re flying, check out SeatGuru for seat maps of all Delta’s in-service airplanes.
You can take extra bags on your Delta flight, for a fee
For travelers in Main Cabin who want to take more than just their carry-on bag, Delta offers a bunch of baggage upgrades that can be bought before flying. It’s worth noting that these fees are sometimes waived if you have the right sort of co-branded credit card or are in the military – check with Delta for more information.
Checked baggage costs $30 each way for one extra bag, but it must weigh under 50 lbs. You can take a second checked bag for $40 each way, with the same weight restriction. Alongside these, you get a free carry-on bag and a personal item as part of the ticket fee.
Carry-on bags must be less than 45 inches combined (length plus width plus height), and the individual sides must not exceed 22” x 14” x 9”. There is no weight restriction. Delta can also arrange for you to bring special items such buggies, wheelchairs, bulky items and sporting equipment, but you must make plans for this before arriving for your flight.
You can check the status of your Delta flight on the day
Want to know which gate you’re leaving from, which baggage carousel to use when you get to your destination, whether your flight is leaving on time and what sort of airplane you’re traveling on? All this and more information is available at the Delta flight status tracker.
Head to https://www.delta.com/flightstatus/search and enter your to and from locations, or your flight number if you know it, to retrieve all the information you need about your trip.