Delta Air Lines is set to scrap “Basic Economy” tickets, amid an overhaul of fare categories that is already affecting ticket purchases for flights departing on or after 1 October 2025. Intended to give flyers “greater choice and more customization” over their flight options, the restructured offer now features five different new classes of fare, with multiple offerings within each band amounting to 11 possible ticket options.
A press release revealed the range of new labels set to replace familiar fare classes. They will now be referred to as: Delta Main, Delta Comfort, Delta First, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One. What used to be known as “Basic Economy” now comes under the umbrella “Delta Main” category, which offers three different tiers of flight experience and service: Delta Main Basic, Delta Main Classic, and Delta Main Extra.
“Pick the travel experience that works”
Each tier gives passengers a slightly different experience on board. Travelling “Main Basic”, for example, means seats will be assigned after check-in and passengers will be given low “Zone 8” boarding priority. Meanwhile “Main Classic” ups the ante on boarding priority, and offers seat and same-day standby options. “Main Extra” comes with an even higher boarding priority.
Other revisions include a name shift from Delta Comfort + to just “Delta Comfort”. First class seats will now be rebaptised as Delta First. But the names of “Premium Select”, the airline’s premium economy service, and its “Delta One” business class will remain unchanged.
Delta’s Senior Vice President Eric Phillips said in a statement that the “reimagined shopping experience” shows the carrier has listened and learned about what customers want and knows that “clarity and choice are paramount.” The proliferation of “options” provides “flexibility to pick the travel experience that works best for them, and a full picture of all the benefits of flying with Delta,” Phillips went on.
Potential confusion for customers
But any complex rebrand is risky for a carrier that is ranked first in revenue and brand value among the world’s largest airlines. Commenters on social media platforms such as Reddit are already slamming the changes as “confusing” and pointing out “Their website … is already a hot mess for booking. Looks like it’s going to get even worse.”
The fare category changes introduce potential confusion over what flyers’ money will buy at the same time as the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduces its new Rule of Unfair or Deceptive Fees, banning so-called switch-and-bait tactics that advertise one price only to add junk fees and hidden charges in the hotel and events sectors.
