The Delta Seat Selection Guide
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Figuring out how and when to choose your seat on a Delta Air Lines flight can be complicated. Delta operates a variety of cabin classes on its aircraft, including economy, Premium Select, first class and Delta One seats.
Like most airlines, Delta will allow you to select your seat when booking, though the cost to do so and any upcharges vary depending on the flight you’re taking. Delta does its best to seat families together, even after check-in.
» Learn more: Delta vs. United, which is best for you?
Delta seat selection fee
According to an analysis of airline fees by NerdWallet, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines charge the least for seat selection, while budget airlines Frontier and Spirit charge the most.
Delta sits in the middle, charging an average of $15-plus for each flight that you'd like to select a seat for. The cost will vary depending on the type of ticket you book with the airline, be it basic economy, main cabin, Comfort Plus, Premium Select (premium economy), first class or Delta One.
» Learn more: How to navigate costly airline seat selection fees
Ticket types and seat selection rules
Except for first class and Delta One — which always include seat selection as part of ticketing — most seat selection options are for tickets in the main cabin.
Main cabin
Main cabin seating, also known as regular economy, includes complimentary seat selection. As a main cabin customer, you also have the option to purchase an upgrade to preferred or Delta Comfort Plus seats while remaining an economy class passenger.
You can also book upgraded economy tickets with additional seat selection perks:
Main Cabin Preferred: Main Cabin Preferred seats are functionally the same as regular main cabin seats. The difference lies in the seat location; Main Cabin Preferred seats are typically window and aisle seats nearer to the front of the plane, plus exit rows. These are the least expensive upgrades from standard economy seating.
Comfort Plus: When available, a Delta Comfort Plus ticket can be purchased directly while booking and the price will include seat selection. The cost to upgrade is higher than for a preferred seat in main cabin. Comfort Plus features more legroom than main cabin and offers passengers dedicated overhead bins. In addition, Comfort Plus guests will receive complimentary beer and wine on all domestic and short-haul international flights.
Main cabin passengers can also choose to upgrade to a Comfort Plus seat either before or after purchasing their ticket.
Basic economy
Basic economy tickets have the most restrictions of any Delta ticket, and this extends to seat selection. Those who book basic economy tickets won't be able to select seats. Instead, a seat will be randomly assigned to each passenger after check-in. This includes families and groups who are traveling together — expect to be split up when booking a basic economy ticket.
If you reserve a basic economy ticket, it’s possible to purchase a specific seat starting seven days before departure. Pricing for this varies by trip and is priced by segment.
Premium Select
Premium Select is Delta’s version of premium economy, with larger seats and better recline, two free checked bags, earlier boarding and premium extras. Those who book Premium Select can choose any seat within the cabin for no additional fee.
Delta One and first class
Both first class and Delta One ticket holders can choose any seat within their cabin for free. These spacious seats come with two free checked bags, premium snacks and meals, priority boarding, and a dedicated flight attendant.
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To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
Delta Air Lines seats for elite members
Delta SkyMiles program members with Medallion elite status will receive seating benefits on their flights.
Main Cabin Preferred
When booking main cabin tickets, all four tiers of elite status members can select Preferred seats for no additional charge.
» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to earning Delta SkyMiles
Comfort Plus
Platinum and Diamond level elite members (the two highest tiers) can choose Comfort Plus seats shortly after ticketing for free. Midtier Gold members, meanwhile, will be able to select these seats starting 72 hours prior to departure, and low-level Silver members can pick from available Comfort Plus seats starting 24 hours before departure.
Delta elite members will also receive upgrades on select first class and Delta One flights depending on their elite status.
Delta plane seating chart
You can find Delta Air Lines seating without needing to book a flight. To do so, you’ll want to first search for your preferred route on Delta’s website. On the search results page, you’ll find a variety of flights from which to choose.
Each flight presents a seat map, which you can preview by selecting "Seats."
Once you’ve picked "Seats," you’ll be taken to a new page that shows a live preview of your aircraft’s seats.
You’ll also be able to view the seat map during the booking process. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll be taken to another page prompting you to pick a seat.
How to pick seats on Delta
You can choose your seat on Delta during or after booking.
During booking
The process for reserving a Delta seat is fairly simple. You’ll be able to pick seats when booking your flights on the website or Fly Delta app; an automatic prompt will ask you before checkout.
You may not be able to select seats on codeshare flights, which are operated by Delta’s partners. In this case, you’ll want to go directly to the other airlines’ webpage to manage your seat selection.
After booking
If you need to choose or alter your seat after you’ve booked your flight, go to "My Trips" on the Delta homepage.
If you’re logged in already, you’ll be able to view all the trips you have booked with Delta. You’ll find seat selection options by going down to the "Passenger Information" section.
» Learn more: 6 ways to save on Delta flights
Final thoughts on selecting a seat on Delta Air Lines
Delta has a variety of seating options available for every type of passenger. This includes the highly restrictive basic economy ticket as well as many other ticket choices for those who prefer certainty with their seats.
Upgrading to Main Cabin Preferred or Comfort Plus seats offers better benefits for those in economy. Delta SkyMiles elite members can also expect to receive complimentary access to these seats and potential upgrades to higher classes depending on their level of status.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.
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