Delta is one of the most popular U.S. airlines which constantly provides excellent travel packages. The airline provides various zones for passengers to board in a ranked order, simplifying the boarding process for its customers.
In addition to these zones, passengers can opt for priority boarding by paying a fee through the Delta Airlines shortcut boarding option. This option is well worth the investment for those traveling in a group or with families and helps to avoid any last-minute hassle.
Delta Airlines Boarding Zones
Delta Airlines divides its boarding process into 8 different zones, just like other budget airlines. These zones facilitate smooth passenger boarding and guarantee a systematic approach to passenger seating, resulting in a well-organized and hassle-free process overall. Moreover, a passenger’s fare class, seat assignment, and any additional services they purchase all have a big impact on where they board in these different zones.
These are Delta Airlines 8 Zone entries:
- Zone 1: For Delta One Customers and First Class Customers
- Zone 2: For Diamond Medallion Members and Delta Premium Select Customers, Also, Early Access for customers traveling with car seats and strollers.
- Zone 3: For Delta Comfort+ Customers
- Zone 4: For Platinum Medalion Members, Gold Medalion Members, Flying Blue Platinum and Gold Members, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Members, Sky Team Elite Plus Members, LATAM Pass Black Signature, Black and Platinum Elite West Jet Reward, Platinum and Gold Elite.
- Zone 5: For Silver Medalion Members, Delta Corporate Travelers, Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve American Express Card Members, Flying Blue Silver Members, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver Members, Sky Team Elite LATAM Pass Gold+ Elite, WestJet Reward Silver Elite.
- Zone 6: For SkyMiles Members in Main Cabin
- Zone 7: For Non-SkyMiles Members in Main Cabin
- Zone 8: For Basic Economy Customers
Delta Airlines Boarding Order
Typically, passengers with the elite status board first on Delta, then those from their partner airlines, and finally those from their premium cabin, which consists of First Class, Delta One cabin, Premium Select, and Delta Comfort+.
It is significant to remember that Silver Medallion holders and American Express cardholders who have Delta SkyMiles, board in Zone 5. Additionally, they are not given the same priority as passengers with the highest status on Delta.
Also, Silver Medallion members are not eligible for Priority Boarding when leaving Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Priority Boarding With Delta Airlines?
There are various ways to get ahead in boarding from the rest of the crowd with Delta Airlines, as discussed below:
Having the Right Credit Card
Additionally, when their SkyMiles numbers are entered in the corresponding reservations, Delta Gold, Delta Platinum, and Delta Reserve cardholders as well as Delta Gold Business, Delta Platinum Business, and Delta Reserve Business cardholders will receive zone 5 priority boarding.
Additional authorized users on the card account are not eligible for this benefit; it is exclusively available to the primary cardholder. Zone 5 priority boarding will also be available for up to nine additional passengers who are traveling with the primary card member.
Elite Status Points
The greater your elite standing, the higher the probability of boarding ahead of schedule. For instance, Zone 4 is where Gold and Platinum Medallion members board, whereas elite Delta Diamond Medallion members board first.
Being a Delta credit card holder also helps one swiftly reach elite status.
Delta Premium Select
The deluxe economy cabin is found on very few aircraft, nearly all of which are used for international travel. Just ahead of most other travelers, Delta Premium Select Members board in Zone 2 and enjoy upgraded meals, a wider seat, better recline, and onboard amenities.
Delta Comfort+
These are the first primary cabin seats where there is more space for legs. Among the extras are more snack options and complimentary wine and beer.
One more benefit of Delta Comfort Plus is that it provides Zone 3 priority boarding.
Sky Priority
Under the premium access brand SkyPriority, SkyTeam Airlines passengers enjoy priority check-in and boarding. Zone 4 on Delta’s boarding order means that almost all elite status flyers below the Diamond Medallion tier will have to wait a little while longer.
This also applies to Platinum and Gold Medallion members, as well as top elite members from affiliated airlines. If you are not familiar with Delta’s boarding zones, you may find it surprising that you have to wait this long for boarding.
Low-Tier and Delta Cardholders
Passengers in Zone 5 board a bit later than Delta’s Silver Medallion elite members. This also applies to travelers with a co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit card and those with lower elite status on its partner airlines.
Possessing a credit card may be the easiest way to get to a higher boarding zone if you’re traveling in Main Cabin. These include premium offerings like the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, as well as no-annual-fee cards like the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card.
Main Cabin and Basic Economy
When traveling in the main cabin, SkyMiles members who do not yet have Medallion status have a small advantage over other travelers and board in Zone 6.
Non-SkyMiles members board in Zone 7 in the final order, while Basic Economy participants board in Zone 8.
Delta offers the least restrictive basic economy fares. It has a lower boarding tier, so there might not be room for overhead bags at that level. They also stop you from getting other benefits like seat assignments, upgrades, and mileage compensation.
How does Delta assign the Boarding Zones?
When a passenger travels in a premium cabin, has elite status, or has a credit card that is co-branded with Delta, the airline will automatically place them in the highest eligible zone. This implies that a Diamond Medallion holder buying a basic economy ticket still has the right to board with the Diamond Medallion priority boarding zone. Hence, he/she is not required to wait for the basic economy flyers to be called from the last zone.
Another scenario would be if you have a basic economy and have an American Express credit card that is co-branded with Delta. Now that Zone 5 has priority access to the aircraft, travelers can avoid waiting in queue with the regular economy passengers.
Furthermore, if you typically purchase basic economy, your chances of being approved for a Delta credit card may be just what you need to take the shortcut to board more quickly.
How to Boost Your Delta SkyMiles Balance?
You can use your newly acquired boarding skills on your upcoming award journey by earning Delta Air Lines SkyMiles in a variety of ways.
The most obvious way to earn SkyMiles, including Medallion Qualifying Miles is to fly on Delta and its partners for paid flights. However, co-branded American Express cards also offer significant earning potential.
There’s a probable Delta card out there that will work for you, depending on what you’re looking for in terms of benefits, how many Medallion Qualifying Miles you want to accrue, or how much annual fees you can afford.
Even co-branded business cards are available from American Express and Delta so you can earn SkyMiles for all of your purchases, whether they are made at home or at work.
Final Thoughts
No matter how people feel about Delta Air Lines, it’s not because of this slightly unclear boarding process that we’ve described. With our guide given above, this onboarding procedure with Delta will not be hard to comprehend.
Delta offers one of the best in-flight experiences among domestic U.S. air carriers, and this is why passengers adore the airline. Unfortunately, the SkyMiles loyalty program has developed a bad reputation in recent years. Setting a goal and then saving up for an award flight has become extremely difficult due to devaluations and the removal of award charts.
Most likely, you’ll be flying with Delta Air Lines as the SkyMiles program continues to change—ideally for the better. When it comes time to board, you can enter the aircraft with confidence and poise if you take the information we’ve provided here into consideration and give it some thought.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many boarding zones does Delta have?
Delta Airlines has eight boarding zones (numbered 1-8), used on all its flights.
Does Delta Airlines assign a seating zone?
Yes, seats are assigned on Delta Air Lines flights while purchasing eligible tickets or booking. Agents at the airport also assign or modify seats for passengers needing help.
On Delta, who can preboard?
Delta Airlines allows active duty U.S. military personnel (with identification) to preboard the flights, in addition to travelers needing special assistance or extra time to board.
On Delta, who are in boarding zone 1?
Zone 1 is where first class and Delta One passengers board.
What is Zone 2 on Delta?
Delta’s Beta Boarding Group 2 consists of: 1. Diamond Medallion Delta Premium members Choose a cabin on a specific aircraft. 2. Travelers with strollers and car seats after this boarding zone.
What is zone 5 boarding on Delta?
Zone 5 boarding includes passengers with Silver Medalion Members, Delta SkyMiles Gold members, etc.
How does Delta determine boarding zones?
Delta determines its boarding zones based on fare class, seat location, and frequent flyer status by prioritizing premium and extra-service passengers.
What zone is basic on Delta?
Zone 8 is the last boarding group on Delta Airlines and is known as the basic zone. Generally, it is for the basic economy passengers.
What are Delta Airlines’ seating zones?
Delta Airlines seating zones are as follows: Delta One, First Class, Delta Premium Select, Comfort Plus, Main Cabin, and Basic Economy. The airline designates passengers in various boarding groups according to these seating zones.
What is the Delta Silver Medallion Boarding Zone?
Delta Silver Medallion members are generally assigned to the 5th boarding zone.
What is Delta Gold Medallion Boarding Zone?
Delta Gold Medallion members generally board in Zone 4.
