Delta Adds Premium Select Service to Flights Between LAX and JFK. But…

Delta Air Lines made an (inevitable) announcement on Monday that shouldn’t surprise anyone: it’s introducing Premium Select service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York-Kennedy (JFK).

But not all of Delta’s flights between the West and East Coast hubs will receive the VIP treatment. At least, not yet.

What’s Changing?

Right now, flights between LAX and JFK offer Delta One, Comfort+, Main Cabin, and Basic Economy.

Some of the trips are operated by retrofitted 767 planes with Delta Suites and Premium Select seats that are marketed as Comfort+.

I rode in one from LAX to JFK. I was a Comfort+ passenger, so I didn’t get the bells and whistles of Premium Select service. I didn’t mind, though. The seats are comfortable and the legroom is quite nice. I still enjoyed complimentary adult beverages and the Comfort+ snack basket.

Sure, I like onboard meals and a little extra attention. Most people do. But I don’t need them. It’s comfort that I value. That’s why I was so miffed when Delta pulled a Comfort+ to Premium Select switcharoo for a flight to Hawaii. (Many social media comments about that post really showed some special kind of ignorance.)

Starting September 10, four of Delta’s daily 11 flights between the two cities will feature Delta One, Premium Select, Comfort Plus, Main Cabin, and Basic Economy.

Premium Select includes hot meals, linen napkins and placemats, silverware, and glassware for your beverages. You also receive an amenity kit, as well as onboard use of “memory-foam pillow, noise-canceling headsets and plush blanket made from recycled materials, are designed to make the in-flight experience even more comfortable and relaxing.”

And you get Zone 2 boarding.

The other seven flights will be flown by non-retrofitted 767-300s.

The Comfort+ seats will be standard Comfort+ plus. No more Premium Select seats masquerading as Comfort+. No more Comfort+ seats being sold as Main Cabin.

Ah, well.

But will Premium Select be added to more Delta flights?

“Delta expects to expand to additional daily JFK-LAX frequencies later this year,” the airline said.

So, maybe?

What About Complimentary Upgrades?

Delta said Medallion members are eligible for complimentary upgrades to Premium Select and will be cleared by the same (available space-permitting) priority as First Class upgrades:

• Diamond: 120 hours (5 days) prior to departure with Priority over Platinums
• Platinum: 120 hours (5 days) prior to departure
• Gold: Begins 72 hours (3 days) prior to departure
• Silver Medallion: 24 hours (1 day) prior to departure

You can also use Regional Upgrade Certificates for a confirmed Premium Select upgrade.

Delta One complimentary upgrades will still be processed on the day of departure. (Good luck?)

Final Approach

Delta Air Lines will introduce Premium Select service on flights between LAX and JFK. But only four flights of the daily 11 hops are affected when the change takes place on September 10.

What do you think of this move?