Delta Air Lines is one of the world’s largest carriers and a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, flying from its main base at Atlanta‘s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to hundreds of destinations worldwide.
Latest Delta Air Lines updates
Last updated: 12 August 2026.
Baggage, fees and what your fare actually includes
Delta’s economy is split into three Delta Main tiers: Basic, Classic and Extra.
Basic is the cheapest and most restrictive: no advance seat selection (assigned at check-in), no priority boarding, no changes after the 24-hour risk-free window, no upgrades, and no SkyMiles or MQD earning.
Every Main fare, Basic included, comes with a free carry-on and personal item. Classic and Extra add seat selection, no-fee changes (fare difference still applies), and standard SkyMiles/MQD earning on US/Canada-origin tickets.
As of July 2026, cancelling a Basic ticket after the risk-free window costs $99 to $500 depending on cabin and route, up from a flat $99. Main Basic sits at the low end; Basic fares in premium cabins cost well above it.
Cabins and onboard product
The cabin hierarchy runs Delta Main (Basic/Classic/Extra), Delta Comfort (extra legroom, enhanced drinks), Delta Premium Select (premium economy on widebodies), Delta First (most domestic routes), and Delta One at the top.
Delta One is the flat-bed, suite-style product on long-haul and select domestic routes. Premium cabins are now a real growth driver: Q2 2026 premium revenue ($6.92 billion) nearly matched main-cabin revenue ($6.85 billion).
Fleet and aircraft
Delta’s mainline fleet is close to 1,000 aircraft, split fairly evenly between Airbus (A220, A319, A320, A321, A321neo, A330, A350-900) and Boeing (717, 737-800/900ER, 757, 767).
Delta placed orders earlier in 2026 for Boeing 787-10s and more Airbus widebodies; these are not yet flying.
Regional flying under the Delta Connection brand is operated separately by carriers like SkyWest and Endeavor Air, using CRJ and Embraer E-series jets on routes too small for a mainline aircraft.
Hubs, bases and network
Atlanta is Delta’s largest hub by capacity share; Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City are its other core hubs.
Delta also runs major operations at New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Seattle and Boston, competing directly with the other US majors there.
As a SkyTeam founding member, Delta holds joint ventures with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic (transatlantic), Korean Air (transpacific), and LATAM and Aeromexico (Latin America).
The Aeromexico venture is the one to watch: the US Department of Transportation ordered it wound down from 1 January 2026, but a federal appeals court has stayed that order, so it remains active for now. Delta holds minority equity in Virgin Atlantic and Aeromexico; none of these carriers is a Delta subsidiary.
Delta’s newest long-haul route, Atlanta to Riyadh, launches 23 October 2026 as the first US-Riyadh nonstop by a US airline. It runs daily through 30 October, then three times weekly on the Airbus A350-900, with halal meals selectable at booking. Full details in our Atlanta-Riyadh Delta flight guide.
SkyMiles loyalty programme
SkyMiles is Delta’s frequent flyer programme. Miles don’t expire, and members earn them on Delta flights, 20+ partner airlines, and everyday spending via co-branded cards, hotels, car rental and retail partners.
Elite status has four Medallion tiers, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond, earned mainly through Medallion Qualification Dollars or co-branded card spending, with benefits scaling up to Diamond. Delta 360°, an invitation-only top tier, sits outside that structure and isn’t reached automatically via Diamond.
SkyMiles has no published award chart. Prices move with demand and route, so check the live redemption price for your date rather than a figure you saw elsewhere.
How to contact Delta, change or cancel a booking
Delta’s US reservations line is 1-800-221-1212 (24/7); international sales is 1-800-241-4141; SkyMiles account queries go through 1-800-323-2323.
For most changes, self-service through the Delta app or “My Trips” on delta.com is fastest, including the Delta Concierge assistant for cancellations, rebooking and refunds.
US-origin tickets bought direct from Delta carry a 24-hour risk-free cancellation window.
After that, Main Classic and Extra fares (US/Canada) can be changed with no change fee, though a fare difference may apply; Main Basic tickets can’t be changed, but can be cancelled for a $99 fee, refunded as a one-year eCredit. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, see our guide on what compensation you may be entitled to.
Frequently asked questions
Is it “Delta Airlines” or “Delta Air Lines”?
The airline’s legal and brand name is Delta Air Lines, written as two words. “Delta Airlines” is the common misspelling most people search for, but the company itself always uses “Air Lines.”
Where is Delta’s main hub?
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) is Delta’s largest hub by a wide margin, followed by Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Salt Lake City as its other core domestic hubs.
Does Delta Main Basic let me pick a seat?
No. Basic fares get an assigned seat at check-in with no advance selection, no upgrades, and no SkyMiles or Medallion Qualification Dollar earning.
Is Delta a safe airline to fly?
Delta has a strong safety record among the major US carriers. For the full comparative picture, see our safest airlines in the US breakdown.
Is Virgin Atlantic owned by Delta?
No. Delta holds a minority equity stake in Virgin Atlantic and the two run a joint transatlantic venture, but Virgin Atlantic operates independently and is not a Delta subsidiary.
How many miles does a SkyMiles award flight cost?
There is no fixed answer. SkyMiles has no published award chart, so redemption prices move with route, date and demand, much like cash fares.
Sources
- Delta News Hub (Delta Concierge expansion)
- Delta News Hub (TIME America’s Best Companies ranking)
- Delta News Hub (SkyPicks with DraftKings)
- Delta News Hub (Starbucks partnership)
- Delta News Hub (Atlanta to Riyadh launch)
- Delta News Hub (Seattle to Tokyo-Narita route)
- Delta News Hub (DOT order on the Aeromexico joint venture)
- Delta Investor Relations (June-quarter results and premium versus main cabin revenue)
- Delta Air Lines (baggage allowances and fees)
- Delta Air Lines (change and cancellation policy)
- Delta Air Lines (Delta Main Basic fare rules)
- Delta Air Lines (current travel advisories)
- Wego fare data, sampled 12 August 2026
The information in this article is accurate as of 12 August 2026. Airline schedules, fares, baggage rules and route plans change frequently, so confirm details with Delta Air Lines or on Wego before you book or travel.
