Delta Air Lines is preparing a major change to how it sells business- and first-class tickets, which could result in more affordable premium fares for travelers willing to accept fewer perks. The airline plans to extend its existing three-tier fare structure, which currently applies to economy and Comfort seats, to include business and first class in 2026. Under this model, passengers can select from the Basic, Classic, or Extra tiers when booking a premium seat. The Basic option will cost less due to fewer service options, such as cancellation flexibility, seat selection, or loyalty point earnings.
Delta executives discussed these plans during an earnings call on January 13, noting that the airline wants to “have three categories for every product, which is Basic, Main and Extra,” a strategy that will “continue to evolve” this year. By unbundling benefits from the seat itself, Delta aims to give customers a choice between fare levels and potentially lower the starting price of premium travel.
What Delta Is Changing In Premium Fare Structures
Delta’s proposed fare overhaul will allow travelers to purchase business- and first-class seats at a lower base price by selecting the Basic tier. The Basic premium fare will remove benefits that traditional premium tickets include, such as advanced seat assignments or more flexible cancellation terms. The New York Post noted that under the Basic option, customers would see add-on fees for services previously included in the premium price.
Travelers will be prompted to choose between Basic, Classic, and Extra benefit tiers after selecting a seat tier, with Basic offering fewer perks than the more expensive Classic and Extra options. Delta has already tested the concept in its Comfort seats, first introducing a Comfort Basic fare in November 2025 that offered extra legroom but restricted seat selection and fewer loyalty miles in exchange for a lower price.
Industry observers pointed out that this structure is similar to basic economy, where passengers pay less for fewer benefits, but Delta’s move would apply it to the front of the plane. The Points Guy reported that the Basic fare concept mirrors what the airline already does in coach: a Basic ticket includes restrictions such as no seat selection and limited or no mileage accrual in exchange for a lower fare. By formalizing this option in premium cabins, Delta aims to attract travelers who want a premium seat but are price-sensitive.
What Travelers Should Watch For Next
The shift will not happen all at once. Delta executives have said the expansion of the tiered fare structure into business and first class will roll out gradually through 2026, with continued testing before it appears consistently across routes. That means travelers are unlikely to see an immediate drop in premium fares across the board, but may begin to see new pricing options on select flights as the airline refines its model.
For passengers, the change will be most noticeable during the booking process, where premium cabins may no longer present a single headline price. Instead, travelers will need to weigh how much flexibility, loyalty earning, and included services matter to them before choosing a fare. Delta has framed the approach as a way to align price more closely with individual travel needs, rather than redefining the premium experience itself.
