Delta First Class Review: What a $166 Upgrade from Main Cabin Really Gets You
By Tessa Herron, Travel Advisor | North Country Travel Planners
If you've ever opened the Delta app before a flight and noticed an offer to upgrade to First Class, you've probably asked yourself the same question I did:
Is it really worth it?
Recently, my husband and I decided to find out.
We were originally booked in the Delta Main Cabin for our early-morning flight from Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport to San Antonio, Texas, aboard an Airbus A321. Just two days before departure, Delta offered us the opportunity to upgrade to First Class for $166 per person through the Delta mobile app.
We had never experienced first class before, and knowing that Delta is widely recognized for its premium domestic service, we decided this was the perfect opportunity to treat ourselves. Considering First Class fares—and even many upgrade offers—are often significantly more expensive, the price felt too good to pass up.
A quiet sunrise on the ramp at Syracuse Hancock International Airport marks the beginning of another day of connecting travelers with destinations across the country and around the world.
Photo courtesy of Terri P.
A Premium Experience From Takeoff to Touchdown
One of the first things I noticed was how much more relaxed the boarding process felt. While the larger seat is often the first thing people associate with First Class, the premium experience actually begins long before you step onboard. Along with Sky Priority check-in and boarding, our First Class tickets also included two complimentary checked bags (up to 70 pounds each). Considering that checked baggage in the Main Cabin typically comes with an additional fee, those included bags can offset a meaningful portion of the upgrade cost, especially for couples or travelers checking multiple bags.
With Sky Priority boarding, we were among the first passengers on the aircraft, giving us plenty of time to settle into our seats without feeling rushed or competing for overhead bin space.
Once seated, our flight attendant warmly welcomed us aboard and recommended trying a Poinsettia, a refreshing blend of cranberry juice and champagne. Since I'm not a huge fan of orange juice and it was still early in the morning, it sounded like the perfect choice, and it was!
Receiving a pre-departure beverage may seem like a small touch, but it immediately elevated the experience. After takeoff, beverages were served in glassware, another detail that reinforced the premium atmosphere throughout the cabin.
The Surprising Comfort
I expected the seats to be larger, but I didn't expect just how much more spacious and comfortable they would feel.
On Delta's Airbus A321, First Class seats measure 20.9 inches wide with 35 to 37 inches of seat pitch (legroom). By comparison, Main Cabin seats are 18 inches wide with 30 to 31 inches of pitch. While those numbers may not sound dramatic on paper, the difference was immediately noticeable once we settled into our seats.
The extra width, generous legroom, and additional personal space made me feel like I could truly stretch out and relax rather than feel confined. There was plenty of room for my book, tablet, drink, and other personal items without everything feeling cramped.
That extra comfort completely changed the flight.
From my First Class seat on an Airbus A321 (Seats 3C and 3D).
The extra width, generous legroom, and additional personal space made me feel like I could truly stretch out and relax instead of feeling confined. There was plenty of room for my book, tablet, drink, and other personal items without everything feeling cramped.
That extra comfort completely changed the flight.
Rather than counting down the miles until we arrived in San Antonio, we found ourselves genuinely enjoying the flight. The cabin felt calm, comfortable, and surprisingly relaxing.
Gourmet Dining at 35,000 Feet
Because our flight departed at 7:30 a.m., Delta offered a full breakfast service. Delta offers breakfast service in First Class on flights of 900 miles or longer that depart between 5:00 AM and 9:45 AM.
I selected the Potato & Bacon Frittata, while my husband chose the Dark Chocolate Pistachio Bread Pudding.
Potato & Bacon Frittata.
Both meals were absolutely delicious.
What impressed me almost as much as the food itself was how it was presented. Everything arrived on real china with cloth napkins and metal silverware, making breakfast feel much more like dining in a restaurant than eating on an airplane.
These small details really set the experience apart, especially on board a domestic flight.
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Bread Pudding.
Impeccable Service
If I had to choose what impressed me the most, it would probably be the service.
Our flight attendant was attentive, personable, and genuinely interested in making sure everyone in the cabin had an enjoyable flight.
From recommending beverages to checking on us throughout the journey, every interaction felt warm and authentic.
By the time we landed, I completely understood why so many travelers speak so highly of Delta's First Class experience.
Why NCTP Continues to Recommend Delta Air Lines
As travel advisors, we're often asked which airline we prefer. For us, the answer is clear.
Every flight begins long before the cabin door closes. From the aircraft itself to the crews who welcome passengers aboard, it's the countless details working together that shape the overall travel experience.
Photo courtesy of Terri P.
While every trip is different, Delta consistently stands out for its commitment to customer experience.
Beyond First Class, Delta has built a reputation for delivering a premium experience throughout much of its operation. Travelers appreciate the airline's dependable hub network, modern and well-maintained fleet, and continued investment in both comfort and technology. For example, while Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Delta’s largest hub, is the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic and aircraft movement, it has a grid-like layout, as well as The Plane Train, to connect you between terminals if you prefer not to walk, making connecting flights much easier than at some other airports. Delta also has a feature on thier mobile app that gives real-time directions between your connecting gate, just like using Maps on your phone while driving or walking.
One feature our clients regularly mention is Delta's outstanding inflight entertainment system. On most mainline aircraft (excluding the Boeing 717 and some 737-900 series aircraft), travelers enjoy individual seatback touchscreens featuring:
Live television
Hundreds of movies and television shows
Music and podcasts
On-demand games
Flight information
Multiple moving-map views that let you follow your journey in real time
Combined with friendly crews, comfortable cabins, and one of the industry's strongest operational reputations, it's easy to understand why Delta has earned such a loyal following among both leisure and business travelers.
Even Better for North Country Travelers
Another reason we're excited about Delta is its continued investment in Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
For travelers throughout Northern New York, Syracuse has become an increasingly convenient gateway to Delta's global network, offering easy connections through some of the airline's largest hubs.
Photo courtesy of Terri P.
Recent service enhancements have brought additional mainline flights to key Delta hubs, including Atlanta and Minneapolis, providing Central and Northern New York travelers with even more convenient access to Delta's extensive domestic and international network.
For many of our clients, Syracuse has become an increasingly attractive departure airport, offering the convenience of a regional airport while connecting seamlessly to destinations around the world.
Was It Worth It?
For us? Absolutely. Would I pay several hundred dollars extra on every trip? Probably not. But for $166 per person, I truly felt we received exceptional value.
The priority boarding, spacious seating, attentive service, delicious breakfast, premium beverages, and overall comfort transformed what would have been an ordinary flight into one of the most enjoyable parts of our vacation.
Final Thoughts
Before this trip, I wasn't convinced First Class would be worth the additional cost.
Now I understand why so many travelers choose it whenever the opportunity presents itself.
When the price is right, upgrading doesn't simply provide a larger seat—it changes the entire travel experience.
Whether you're flying in Main Cabin, Comfort+, First Class, or Delta One - Delta's premium cabin on international flights - Delta continues to set a high standard for customer experience, innovation, and reliability.
If you've been thinking about trying Delta First, don't automatically dismiss those upgrade offers in the Delta app.
You may discover, just as we did, that the journey becomes just as memorable as the destination.
Some vacations are remembered for the destination. Others begin the moment the aircraft pushes back from the gate.
Photo courtesy of Terri P.
Photo Credits: A very special ‘Thank You’ to Terri P., a Delta Air Lines ACS Red Coat, for graciously allowing North Country Travel Planners to feature her stunning aircraft photography in this article.
About the Author
Tessa Herron, Travel Advisor
Tessa Herron is a Travel Advisor with North Country Travel Planners, specializing in all-inclusive resorts, ocean cruises, Universal Orlando Resort, and family vacations. She enjoys helping travelers create unforgettable experiences while finding the best value for their vacation investment.
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