Delta Adding Zone 4 Boarding for Basic Economy

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When you look at airlines boarding processes, they range from a couple of letters (Southwest), to 9 different groups (American Airlines), to a few zones (Delta).

At Delta, they’re adding a new zone to their boarding process, as the airline continues to implement new boarding processes including pillars, and even self-boarding, according to a one gate agent.

The latest change is that they’re rolling out a Zone 4 for Basic Economy passengers. As a reminder, those who purchase Basic Economy on Delta, board in the last group, so we can assume that Zone 4 will be for Basic Economy passengers.

a group of people in an airport

As a reminder, Delta currently breaks down boarding by fare class for non-elite members, if you’ve noticed that, pay attention the next time you fly for you non-Medallions.

Here’s a look at Delta’s New Boarding Structure: 

  • Premium: Delta One, First Class, and Diamond Medallion members
  • Sky Priority: Delta Comfort+, Platinum and Gold Medallion members, Sky Team Elite Plus
  • Zone 1: Silver Medallions, American Express Gold, Platinum and Reserve Delta SkyMiles Credit Card members, Sky Team Elite members, Crossover Rewards SPG Platinum members, Bulkhead rows and Exit Row seats
  • Zone 2: Main Cabin Fares in the following fare classes: Y, B, M, H, Q, K
  • Zone 3: Main Cabin Fares in the following fare classes:T, X, and V
  • Zone 4: Basic Economy Passengers: E fare class

In many of their stations, they’ve also started implementing the new pillar boarding pictures above, so with this new change, expect to see a change to this as well.

What are your thoughts of Delta adding Zone 4 to their boarding process? Do we think more changes will be coming such as limiting carry-on bags for this zone? 

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or suggestions expressed on this site are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed.

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Comments

  1. So I flew BE awhile back; even with my Delta Gold AMEX, they relegated me to group 3; on the return I was group 1. So, it’s not consistent….

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