Finally available today for your flight across the pond to JNB is Delta Economy Comfort. More Room for more bucks in Economy Comfort

I got a email from Delta that it was going to be ready for reservations last week, but apparently they screwed it up some and just made it available early this morning.

It cost a bit more (mine was $80 bucks since I'm Gold Medalian), but the seats are reported to recline 50% more than regular coach and have 4" more legroom.

Of course, you can book a new flight with using Comfort Economy, but also, if you have existing reservations, you can upgrade by calling 1-800-221-1212. I tried to do so on-line, but the system didn't work (yet?). A call to the reservations number was quick and painless (and I have a confirmation of the change by email).

It sure as heck isn't business class with beds, but avoiding the boarding hassles (you get priority), perhaps sleeping a bit more comfortably with more recline and having a power plug (expecially for us CPAP users and does anyone have a 16 hour battery for their laptop?) should be a real benefit and worth my few bucks. I certainly hope so!

I believe that KLM (Delta's partner) has had the service available for some time. Anyone use it?

JudgeG: Rebecca tried to upgrade our seats last night and was told by the Delta agent that the seats would not be available until June 1....you can bet she will be back on the phone with Delta this morning (if she isn't already). Thanks for posting this.

Im going over May 27 and returning June 9.
Was able to upgrade for the return for $160.00.
Thank you for the information.

There are only 27 of these seats available on each flight and they are going fast. We were able to "upgrade" this morning thanks to JudgeG letting us know they were booking the seats (after having been told by Delta last night that they were not available).

dang it...I am going next Monday and they told me the same...not available until June 1...

Upgraded this morning $120 each way after being told that it was not available yet an hour earlier. Keep calling. Pretty cheap for the long flight if it is as advertised.

Just talked to Delta again...these seats are row 31-35. If you can switch a seat to get there- they are in place but not "available" officially until June.Diamond and Platinum Medallion members get these free of charge, Gold is 50% discount. I just changed my flight coming home to row 32, so I should have one. Cattle care seat going over...

Are you on Flight DL200 and DL201. If so, I'd try again.

You just have to get the right representitive. I tried several times before I go one who could understand simple questions and punch the right buttons on her computer.

So... if first you don't succeed, try....

Judge...when are you going? I talked to the Platinum Medallion line twice, and they said not available until June 1. They guy told me the rows, so I switched for my return leg. Rows 32-35 are full on the outbound, but 7 bulkhead seats are available in row 31 going over, but those are reserved to be assigned day of flight at airport. He said I might be able to get one when I get to the airport but he couldn't assign it...let me know if you have more info I might use...

I also discovered something funky about the "economy comfort" purchase options.

It seems that the seats are never available if you check seats before buying on-line.... but, don't give up so fast 'cause they probably actually are available, but you have to first buy a ticket and then upgrade... so... you may be stuck with a non-refundable ticket and find out later that "comfort" was already sold out. Not so good!

The way around that is use Kathi or Steve or any of our professional agents. To my simple mind, they are always worth the little they charge (if any?) ... or if you insist on doing it yourself, call Delta and try to get the reservationist to confirm the seat before your credit card is debited. You gotta ask, maybe several times, but it would be worth it.

Yes...that is how I understood it as well, you buy a seat, then you have the option to upgrade as long as they are available. My flights have been bought for months, and I just talked to Delta again. Rows 32-35 are completely full, and 31 is reserved for handicapped folks if needed. They open up the day of flight from airport only...so I am hoping to snag one on Monday. For anyone booking a flight from here on out, just request rows 31-35 when you buy your seat, you may have to pay the small upgrade.

Judge,

Thank for posting this!

I wasn't aware of this new program, and as soon as I read your post I got on the phone with Delta and managed to secure Comfort Economy for both legs of our journey for my son and I.

Thanks again!

Mr. and Mrs. SL are upgraded.

The Boss lady and I are upgraded both ways!

A big thanks to the JUDGE!


.

Dang! Hopefully the "thanks" aren't premature, but I'm betting it's worth your money. I'm taking just as big a chance as ya'll that the extra few inches of seat recline and foot room are worth it! Can't wait for the first reports.

Judge, in that "Spam Can" anything just has to be better!


.

JudgeG....comfort is his middle name! :-)

Just upgraded my son and I for both ways. Pretty happy!!!!

Went to the Delta website to check this out and from what it said you basically have to buy an regular economy ticket and can then upgrade to one of these seats when your flight is within 90 days.

Thanks Judge for posting this. I sent it to my son[who is platinum]. He got us upgraded for our flights in July/August, yesterday.


Mad Dog

$80 each way for me as well, thanks for posting.

Mention was made of Row 31 in an earlier post on this subject, that row is reserved for handicapped flyers but are assigned at the time of flight if no handicapped flyers are present; however, the seats in that row DO NOT have the extra leg room (they are bulkhead seats) and DO NOT recline more any further than a normal economy seat. The seats went fast, we are on Delta 200 on 6/10/11 and yesterday when I posted that there were only 27 seats available only 6 had been taken, this morning there are only 2 seats left....hope it is a good deal.

Thanks Judge,
My son and I are upgraded for July both ways.

JudgeG--Thanks for the "heads-up." Called Steve at Travel With Guns as you suggested, and he had my son and me upgraded both ways in a matter of minutes.

Thanks again,

Bill E.

Wow this is cool... will remember it for my next trip across the pond! Thanks for the update Ernest!

Just did the upgrade on the Delta website for my flights in mid August,100 days out.....painless.
Great tip !!

Just got off the plane. The seats aren't great, but I guess every little bit helps. I changed back to my regular bulkhead window seat for the ride home. At least no one will be leaning back on me, and I have all the leg room I want. The comfort economy seats just don't lean back all that far...

I was hoping the first report would be a good report, like Tim, I usually ride in a bulkhead window seat (got long legs and bad knees), hope I'm won't be disappointed with the "comfort" seats...if they turn out to be too bad I can take advantage of the free spirits amenity.

I just upgraded my flights this morning for next month, both ways... and now Tim has really busted my bubble. I was hoping there would be a big difference in the seats. But hey, at 6'2" tall, I'll take any additional comfort I can get. I'm also with bigguy458 on the frre spirits program !

Tim: That was a BUZZ KILL!

Sorry all...they are still better than regular seats...and it isn't a lot of $, they just aren't lazy boy recliners.