Airline review: Despite the service, this is a good extra legroom option

The Airline: Delta Air Lines

• Route Los Angeles to New York, flight DL562
• Frequency Varies by day, but there are always several non-stop flights from LAX to JFK
• Aircraft Boeing 767-300ER
• Class Comfort+; seat 17E
• Flight time 5 hours 40 minutes

Delta Boeing 767-300ER

Checking in

Delta has spent $US2.3 billion ($A3.39 billion) moving its LAX operations to Terminals 2 and 3, which are now accessed via a modern consolidated check-in area. I’ve already checked-in online using the Fly Delta app so just need to print a luggage tag at a self-service kiosk and drop off my bag. There’s a lengthy queue but a helpful staff member directs me upstairs to a smaller check-in area where there’s no line.

Baggage

All passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag. One benefit of Comfort+ is that there’s dedicated overhead bin space – a precious commodity on US domestic flights where many people travel with bulky carry-ons. Checked luggage must be paid for. The first bag costs $US35 (up to 23 kilograms); a second bag costs $US45.

Loyalty Scheme

Delta SkyMiles is free to join and points never expire. Points can also be earned and redeemed on 25 airline partners.

The seat

Comfort+ gives you 10 centimetres more legroom than standard economy class.

Arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, there are 32 Comfort+ seats in a separate cabin between business class and economy (passengers also get priority boarding). My aisle seat (17E) is the same width as an economy seat (18.1 inches; 46 centimetres) but it has 35 inches of legroom (89 centimetres, 10 more than standard economy). This doesn’t sound much but it’s significant on a flight of this length. I’m 178 centimetres tall and my knees are well clear of the seat in front and I can comfortably cross my legs. It also means my neighbour can get past without me having to perform some sort of hip-dislocating Cirque du Soleil contortion.

Entertainment + tech

Free Wi-Fi is available to members of Delta’s loyalty program, SkyMiles.

In five hours, you’re barely going to scratch the surface of the 1000-plus hours of free onboard entertainment, which includes new release movies, numerous TV box sets, Spotify playlists and games. The 23-centimetre touch-screen is adequate and in-ear headphones are complimentary. There’s also an international plug socket, a USB charging port and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the flight for SkyMiles members.

Service

A good cop/bad cop situation. One cabin crew member is smiley and helpful; the other is terse and accusatorial (“Why exactly are you taking photos of our snacks?“).

Food

Aside from some free nibbles (pretzels, crisps, nuts and biscuits), everything else must be purchased. Bad cop tells me that the menu is on the entertainment system, which it isn’t, but I eventually manage to order the chicken croissant sandwich for $US12 (the other option is a cheese plate), which is tasty and comes with some sliced fruit and a Ghirardelli chocolate. Another upgrade is that Comfort+ passengers get complimentary beer, spirits and canned wines.

Carbon emissions

0.44 tonnes. Delta Air Lines has committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

One more thing

The Fly Delta app provides a host of useful features including seat selection, mobile boarding passes and bag tracking.

The price

From $US676 ($A995) return for Comfort+.*

The verdict

The 5.5-hour slog from LA to New York can be hard work, particularly if you’ve just gotten off a 14-hour flight from Australia. If you’re looking for a bit more comfort and convenience but don’t want to splash out on business or premium economy (which isn’t always offered on this route), Comfort+ is well worth a look.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer travelled as a guest of Delta Air Lines (delta.com) and Los Angeles Tourism (discoverlosangeles.com).

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.