Comfort Basic is Rolling Out
 

https://news.delta.com/introducing-d...ience-unpacked

I suppose the one thing we can be thankful for is that it appears this still earns full MQDs. People may recall that in the survey that was done last year, one of the potential options was that Comfort Basic would only earn half the MQDs.

FWIW I found it being tested on the DCA-MIA route.

From what I can see, currently the fare difference between Basic and Classic on that route is the same for Main cabin and for Comfort ($35 on the date I checked).

I'm sure the general population will prove me wrong, but seriously who is paying a premium for a guaranteed C+ middle :confused:. Relative to Main Basic, it seems like the odds of getting a middle with gate assignment are vastly higher given the tiny C+ cabins and tendency to sell out.

Indeed, it even discloses in the display for the bundle that you are likely to end up in a middle seat.

Let's hope this test goes terribly for Delta and they re-evaluate.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c067923aad.png

What a joke. Note you also earn significantly fewer base miles.. only 2/$ even though you're paying more than normal economy. Why would somebody pay more for a middle seat even if you get a bit more legroom? Can't wait to see couples booking this and expecting to sit together and trying to ask other pax to move into a middle seat so the basic holders can be together.

The only thing I see this resulting in is higher fares for normal Comfort seats. Just like with main cabin... basic will become the previous normal price, and normal prices will go up. Pathetic and confusing.

Hmmmm.

Pay extra for a middle seat.

Yeah, I'm all over that.

David

Are there even booking channels that present "extra legroom" fares or similar? Part of the original premise with BE was to goose the search results and compete with ULCCs by showing unrealistically good sticker prices. Not even sure that applies to C+ unless cross-carrier searches have gotten better than I think.

I wonder what that 'partial e-credit' and 'changes for a fee' means also.

Hope corporate booking tools block/omit these like main basic fares.

It's good Delta is disclosing this will likely be a middle seat but I bet plenty of people will buy this product not realizing this and then be disappointed.

This also continues the long trend of reducing available seats for elite upgrades, especially for Silvers and Golds.

There are two bands of C+ fares corresponding to W and S fare classes (so upfare amount will vary based on W and S class availability on flights). For Comfort+ Classic, these are identified by 'C' and 'I' in second to last position of fare basis code. Comfort+ Basic fares will use '1' and '2' in the second to last position of fare basis codes and continue to book into W and S booking classes. C+ fares, like BE and domestic F fares, are dual-inventory fares. DL has updated it's fare basis code structure document for Comfort+ Basic fares.

https://pro.delta.com/content/agency...structure.html

It looks like they got the ordering reversed in the document. Note that 'C' = W class and 'I' = S class, while '1' = S class and '2' = W class. W class is the pricier fare band for C+ fares.


It's in the T&Cs (also in the Penalties section of the fare rules). Fees are the same as for Basic Economy (er, Main Basic).

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3660e40a99.png

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Clearly, one of the ultimate goals here is to bring back change fees to all classes of service.

I think that's exactly the point. Just like Main Basic fares, they exist for the 'price comparison' shoppers to click on, then when they realize the restrictions are unfriendly, they choose the upsell.

Old C+ prices will be Comfort Basic, and new C+ prices are higher.

They have little to lose by offering it going forward even if it doesn't sell well itself because for those who buy C+, many will pay more for the non-basic C+ to avoid the likely middle seat and other restrictions. Just by offering it and driving the buy-ups to "C+ Classic", the C+ Basic would be serving a beneficial function for DL's bottom line.

This is probably a stepping stone to First Basic and D1 Basic too. Will be curious to see what restrictions come with those if/when those rollout.

Not probably, but definitely, as DL has already indicated that unbundling of premium cabins is the next step. I believe they had already indicated at investor day last year that the unbundling would start with Comfort in Q4 of 2025, and we're right on track.

Sadly, unbundling of D1 probably makes sense for transatlantic flights (for DL) because with the JV, I believe VS and AF/KLM have been unable to unbundle their own North American transatlantic premium fares the way they do in other markets. Once DL gets on board, they'll all be able to align bundles.