Delta Air Lines Is Ditching Basic Economy. Here’s Why
Delta Air Lines has a good reason for getting rid of this offering.
Delta Air Lines is one of the most popular airlines in the United States and, indeed, the world. Recently, however, the global airline announced that it is getting rid of one of its most popular offerings. Let’s take a look at what they’re getting rid of and why.
Delta Air Lines Is Getting Rid of Basic Economy
According to Time Out, starting Oct. 1, Delta Air Lines will discontinue its Basic Economy class — at least in name. The no-frills fare is not going away, but it will be given a new name as part of a rebranding of Delta’s fare classes.
According to the airline, the rebrand provides greater flexibility and customization, allowing passengers to select the desired experience.
“As we listen and learn about what our customers want when it comes to their travel, we know that clarity and choice are paramount,” SVP and Chief Digital Officer Eric Phillips said in a press release. “Our reimagined shopping experience gives customers more options and flexibility to pick the travel experience that works best for them, and a full picture of all the benefits of flying with Delta.”
So, what will take Basic Economy’s place?
The airline is combining Basic Economy with a new Delta Main category (previously Main Cabin), which now has three tiers: Basic, Classic, and Extra. Delta Main Basic is effectively the same stripped-down experience: no seat selection until check-in, and the final boarding location is in Zone 8. However. Delta hopes the new moniker will indicate a more expansive and adaptable ticketing system.
Other categories are also being renamed. Comfort+ will become Delta Comfort, and First Class will become Delta First, but the in-flight experience remains unchanged. Premium Select and Delta One maintain their current names.
New Routes, Including One to Aspen
Whatever you want to call these new fare rates, you can take Delta Air Lines to any of its three new routes, including one from the greater New York City area to Vail, Colorado, beginning in December 2025 and extending indefinitely thereafter.
As previously reported in Cirium schedules and confirmed by an airline spokesman, the Atlanta-based carrier will begin service between the following airports on Dec. 20:
- New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) — Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) near Vail, Colorado
- New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) — Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida
During the heaviest winter months, all new flights will operate once per week on Saturdays. Seats on these new flights are currently available for purchase through Delta Air Lines’ booking systems. As expected, these new flights do not provide saver awards; consequently, if you want to spend miles, you must pay Delta’s dynamic SkyMiles redemption rates.
An Airbus A319 will operate the next two flights, while Delta will use a Boeing 757-200 on the JFK to EGE route.
Flyers looking for a premium winter ski trip without a stopover can consider the 1,746-mile route from New York to Vail. On this route, Delta Air Lines will compete with American Airlines’ daily service. The flight from Salt Lake City to Fort Myers should appeal to individuals in Utah’s capital and other nearby areas looking to dodge the cold.
Finally, with service from New York to Bozeman, tourists will have a new route to visit Big Sky and other nearby ski resorts without flying through JFK or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). United Airlines flies there from EWR, while JetBlue flies from JFK.
