Over time, we’ve seen the concept of “basic economy” become pretty widespread, whereby the cheapest economy fares include the fewest perks. The purpose of this is twofold — to expand a carrier’s potential customer base, and to get existing customers to “buy up” to a higher fare, in order to avoid punitive restrictions.
Internationally, we’ve also seen some airlines introduce basic business class. Up until now, it’s not really a concept we’ve seen at one of the “big three” US airlines. However, that’s almost certainly going to change in the near future.
For some time, Delta has been dropping some hints about introducing basic business class. While there still hasn’t been a formal announcement, executives at the airline once again (indirectly) confirmed these plans, during today’s Q2 2025 earnings call. This is only one of several interesting tidbits we learned, with others including Delta’s plans to increasingly use AI pricing, plus the possibility of introducing bigger first class cabins.
In this post:
Delta planning basic business class rollout
Over the past year or so, we’ve seen several hints that Delta may be planning an unbundled business class product.
What would that mean? Well, it would entail more options when booking a business class ticket — the most “basic” business class would probably just include a seat and some limited amenities, and then customers could pay extra for fare bundles that include more things, whether it’s seat assignments, lounge access, or flexibility.
Let me share some background on how commentary about this has evolved. Going back a year, during the Q2 2024 Delta earnings call, JP Morgan Analyst Jamie Baker asked the following question:
“This concept of unbundling the front cabin is one that I’ve been thinking about in part because unbundling and segmenting the rear cabin has been such a success for Delta and a few others. I want to be careful about asking about future pricing and all that, but I’m curious what the pros and cons are in terms of possibly going down this path, or is one price for all how we should continue to think about the D1 cabin?”
Delta President Glen Hauenstein responded with the following:
“We’ve talked conceptually about that. I think we’ll be giving you more details as we go, but we’re not ready to talk about the details of those plans moving forward.”
Today, during the Q2 2025 earnings call, Leslie Josephs from CNBC asked the following question:
“Just curious on the segmentation at the front of the plane. Is that something that you plan to roll out in 2025 or 2026? And would it look something more like a basic business where you the customer doesn’t have a seat assignment or something like that?”
“Or do you plan to have kind of a fancier or more desirable seat within Delta One or one of the other first class cabins?”
Delta President Glen Hauenstein responded with the following:
“I think we’re gonna reserve comments on that until we roll it out. I think we’re testing it with customers today, and we’re doing a lot of surveys. And we haven’t rolled it out yet, not because we don’t have the technological capability, but we wanna make sure that customers understand what we’re putting in market and that they find value in it.”
Jospephs followed that up by asking the following:
“Could you tell us what, you’re testing exactly currently?”
To which Hauenstein responded as follows:
“No. No. We can’t. But thank you for the question.”
Lol…
So at this point, unbundling premium cabins is clearly a question of “when,” and not “if.” During Delta’s 2024 Investor Day presentation, the company emphasized the importance of “empowering customers with choice,” specifically in the context of cabin segmentation.
Then in May 2025, we saw Delta update its fare merchandising, clearly in preparation for bigger changes with premium unbundling.
Outside the United States, there are quite a few airlines that have unbundled business class, ranging from Emirates, to Finnair, to Qatar Airways. In general, I would expect that “basic” business class could include some of the following restrictions, based on the precedent we’ve seen at other airlines:
- Fees on seat assignments
- Fees to change tickets
- No lounge access or restricted lounge access
- Restrictions on priority check-in, priority security, and priority boarding
My take on Delta unbundling business class
Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve seen strong leisure demand for premium cabin travel, while business travel hasn’t fully recovered. This combination is a double-edged sword — it’s easier to fill premium cabins, but airlines aren’t seeing as many of the super expensive premium fares as they saw before the pandemic.
I would think that Delta’s primary goal with unbundling business class would be to get people to buy up to more expensive premium fares to avoid certain restrictions. I know airlines try to market unbundling as intending to offer a better value option to more travelers, though in reality, I suspect the cheapest current fares would simply become the new “basic” fares, where fewer perks are included than now. So consumers likely wouldn’t come out ahead.
Personally, I think the most logical implementation of an unbundled premium cabin would be in domestic first class, at least to start. I hate to say it, but this could be a way for Delta to reimpose change fees on tickets, by making these tickets not changeable or cancelable without paying a fee. Maybe the airline wouldn’t include seat assignments in advance for non-elite members, or something, but I wouldn’t expect it to be too draconian beyond that.
Unbundling business class on long haul flights is a bit trickier, as it’s a coordinated effort. That’s because so many long haul markets are dominated by joint ventures, which coordinate fares, schedules, and restrictions. Delta has a joint venture with Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic across the Atlantic, and with Korean Air across the Pacific, so we’d likely see this implemented on a wider scale.
In addition to the potential above restrictions, I wonder if we could maybe see the airline offer Sky Club access on basic business class tickets, while restricting Delta One Lounge access to non-basic business class tickets.
Keep in mind that Air France-KLM have already added seat assignment fees in business class in many markets, and in some ways, perhaps that’s one form of unbundling business class. I mean, I guess by that criteria, British Airways’ business class has been unbundled for a very long time.
Bottom line
While nothing is official, Delta clearly has plans to unbundle business class in the near future, and likely before the end of 2025. We’ve seen the concept of basic business class at some foreign carriers, and you can expect that this will include restrictions related to change fees, seat assignments, priority services, etc.
I think Delta is most likely to use this as a way to reimpose change fees on many premium tickets, in order to get people to book more expensive fares. I also think it’s safe to say that if Delta does go this direction, American and United will almost certainly follow.
So for now we’ll mark this as “developing,” but it’s something to keep an eye out for…
What do you make of the prospect of Delta unbundling business class?
FFS. Let's nickel and dime everyone forever.
I wonder how this works when they fly a codeshare for AF/KL/...
I find this intriguing. I almost always pay cash for F/J on DL. I do not need lounge access. I am retired so I am unconcerned about change fees. And if I am in front of the curtain I don't care if it's a window or aisle. And I never check bags.
This might be great for folks like me !
Among the problems is that you have to think about which services you want, which increases hassle and annoyance. I pay for business precisely because I want a comfortable experience without undue annoyance (beyond the normal issues with flying these days). I don't want to have to focus on how important a seat assignment or lounge access is to me; I'd just like a nice smooth experience.
As long as status access protects it like it does with finnair it’s worth it.
Cheaper price and I basically lost nothing
Currently DL lead the U.S. pack of domestic airlines. All U.S. airlines are falling behind the world’s best airlines and the gap is getting wider year on year. DL is only competing with the other U.S. therefore, whatever it charges it will not impact upon its downward trajectory.
Has any airline that introduced any type of bundling ever reversed track on that? It seems enough people just accept and go along with it anyway for the airlines to keep doing it.
Anyone seen any results with LH FC and Biz on Allegris?
Delta have hopped on the train to join the race to the bottom for business class now then.
Its a dumb idea but that CEO won't see it that way. The more the Airlines can screw you the happier losers like Deltas CEO are. They would charge you to breath if they could. Delta employees suck, leadership sucks, planes suck. Nothing but a cattle car in the sky. Thing about turds when you wrap them and put a bow tie on it you still got a turd. You can never not have a turd no matter how you spin it.
So they are following AF-KLM. Light/Basic fares without lounge or baggage (well AF-KLM allow 1 instead of 2 check in luggage so not totally bad)
This will be a non-issue with premium customers with money to burn.
This will be an issue with poor 50k a year OPM flyers who only fly upfront because their corporate overlord pays for it. Will they spend more of their own money to fly for work?
To many OPM it just becomes an aphrodisiac they must have. That's how it always works in many businesses.
Need vs. want.
Exactly. OPM flyers are addicted to status (otherwise their flying would be even more miserable), so they ll spend extra to pad their "spend" to keep the wheel spinning.
Its why status is spend based, airline know OPM flyers will spend differently (more) since its not their money
Premium customers are not like economy customers. The point of buying a business or first class ticket is to avoid the hassle of having to make these nickel-and-diming choices in the first place. It is nice to just pay one price upfront (albeit a high one) and then just enjoy the trip. This is especially the case on an award flight redemption. If Delta or other US airlines force premium customers to rationalize the value...
Premium customers are not like economy customers. The point of buying a business or first class ticket is to avoid the hassle of having to make these nickel-and-diming choices in the first place. It is nice to just pay one price upfront (albeit a high one) and then just enjoy the trip. This is especially the case on an award flight redemption. If Delta or other US airlines force premium customers to rationalize the value of each and every component of the flight experience through unbundling they may come to regret the result. Premium customers will keep the low margin components of the experience and shed the high margin ones, a disaster for long-term profitability. I have personally been a Delta loyalist on domestic flghts for 15 years, but I will consider switching my loyalty if it continues to pursue this path.
It's interesting that everyone seems to be focusing on seat assignments (and in a cabin with all seat direct aisle access those shouldn't really make any difference) but neither the article nor the comments mention baggage fees. DL already sell expensive, non-basic, Y fares which don't include any checked in luggage. In that context, the surprising thing isn't that they're looking at unbundling but that they continue to include it with all premium cabin fares.
Delta One Basic:
No Delta One lounge access (they might allow skyclub).
No miles.
No MQDs,
No changes.
No way! Out of here!
I also think that they will make GUC space available only in D1 Basic!
I don’t see them going no miles but probably a severely reduced earn rate.
they say they're "premium" but everything they do suggests otherwise. real premium products offer one price point and everything included.
e.g. how are you going to claim you're "premium" and launch a new fare class called "Basic Economy" to compete with...ULCC's? if you're "premium" then you wouldn't give a rat's @ss about another market segment that you're not trying to attract??? right? right??
that's the issue with Delta. they want to give a 50% satisfactory...
they say they're "premium" but everything they do suggests otherwise. real premium products offer one price point and everything included.
e.g. how are you going to claim you're "premium" and launch a new fare class called "Basic Economy" to compete with...ULCC's? if you're "premium" then you wouldn't give a rat's @ss about another market segment that you're not trying to attract??? right? right??
that's the issue with Delta. they want to give a 50% satisfactory experience to 100% of the population rather than a 100% satisfactory experience to just 50% of the population. i'm all for Delta charging high prices IF AND ONLY IF they could theoretically actually go full in on that segment and just drop the rest of the consumers who can't afford it.
Occasionally I will pay for a first class ticket to avoid the hassles of a nickel and diming travel experience. If my splurge ends up feeling like swatting away mosquitos during an Alaskan summer day, I will stick with Delta Comfort or switch my business towards United. Their airfares have been rather competitive lately.
It's Delta, so the penny will get pinched. I hate it, it's the same BS as paying $1k a night at a luxury brand hotel and still getting charged for the minibar. I could MAYBE see the point first domestic first, but for long haul D1? Get out.
"but we wanna make sure that customers understand what we’re putting in market and that they find value in it"
I'm not sure that giving people less for the same money - c'mon, we all know Delta isn't actually going to charge less, that's just not how they're wired, so it's just a way to screw customers - in any way creates value for those getting screwed. On the other hand Delta leads in both...
"but we wanna make sure that customers understand what we’re putting in market and that they find value in it"
I'm not sure that giving people less for the same money - c'mon, we all know Delta isn't actually going to charge less, that's just not how they're wired, so it's just a way to screw customers - in any way creates value for those getting screwed. On the other hand Delta leads in both innovation and practice at hosing customers. I'd prefer they try to entice customers by offering a better product at a similar price with a better loyalty program but Delta doesn't work that way, as illustrated by the statements above.
I don't disagree with you...and also, it is working for them. Just flew several flights - including their SEA-TPE in J - and every single flight in every single cabin was full. Was D1 like flying J on EVA or Starlux or even CI? No. But it was certainly better than anything AA offers (haven't flown UA in years since the old Continental): very comfortable seat with nice mattress pad and two pillows; great food;...
I don't disagree with you...and also, it is working for them. Just flew several flights - including their SEA-TPE in J - and every single flight in every single cabin was full. Was D1 like flying J on EVA or Starlux or even CI? No. But it was certainly better than anything AA offers (haven't flown UA in years since the old Continental): very comfortable seat with nice mattress pad and two pillows; great food; and above average service. Got to TPE on-time and safely despite the typhoon and also enjoyed amazing views of Mt. Rainier from the new D1 lounge. All-in-all, not too bad for $2000 one-way.
All I need is the seat , bedding , and 2 bottles of water. Nothing more. I’d pay $600 to upgrade a main cabin ticket (not basic economy) to business long haul one way at Checkin. Bare bones. I can eat before and after the flight. I don’t care if I am last to board. No alcohol. Last row center seat no service needed from the FAs.
I suspect there is also a loyalty play here. I think airlines have historically struggled to give reason for premium passengers to care about loyalty when either they (or their firm) consistently pay for business. It's not fun to lower the standard for everyone (and the truly wealthy will just continue to pay up when flying commercial) but there is some segment that will likely take a bit more note of their status when it starts to matter in the forward cabin
I fly Delta a lot and like the airline, management team, etc. I must say I am not sure this idea will work. Who is the market, and what is the motivation? Are enough business class seats going unsold to motivate Delta to find a way to discount them? Are they actually trying to cut costs in the lounge? Are enough customers saying I don’t want lounge access?
But this is NOT a discount in the traditional sense. I'm sure the existing all inclusive business class fares will be the new 'unbundled' Delta Basic business fare and then ya just pay MORE for all the previous 'amenties' that were originally included in the previous fare.
This is the airline version of shrinkflation. Delta ( and all the others ) are not benevolent social welfare operations. If UA and/or AA are smart they'll...
But this is NOT a discount in the traditional sense. I'm sure the existing all inclusive business class fares will be the new 'unbundled' Delta Basic business fare and then ya just pay MORE for all the previous 'amenties' that were originally included in the previous fare.
This is the airline version of shrinkflation. Delta ( and all the others ) are not benevolent social welfare operations. If UA and/or AA are smart they'll wait & see the public's reaction to this screw job and adjust their fares accordingly to offer a truly competitive & valued business class experience.
port is right,
this is about lowering the fare in competitive markets where AA and UA aggressively upgrade passengers and DL is much less inclined to do so.
AA and UA are both putting in larger business class cabins which they intend to use to cut fares in competitive markets.
DL's answer is to offer a smorgasbord of choices, one of which is to find a price point that is enough to...
port is right,
this is about lowering the fare in competitive markets where AA and UA aggressively upgrade passengers and DL is much less inclined to do so.
AA and UA are both putting in larger business class cabins which they intend to use to cut fares in competitive markets.
DL's answer is to offer a smorgasbord of choices, one of which is to find a price point that is enough to at least keep AA and UA from raiding competitive markets and perhaps doing the same in some of their major markets.
Tim, don’t be ridiculous - when basic economy was introduced across the big 3, those “new, lower” fares matched what the original Y fare was and standard economy tickets became more expensive. This was well-documented at the time. There is no way fares will go down; the inclusive fares will simply go up. DL knows their loyal passengers will grit their teeth and pay extra for the inclusive fare, and they might get some new...
Tim, don’t be ridiculous - when basic economy was introduced across the big 3, those “new, lower” fares matched what the original Y fare was and standard economy tickets became more expensive. This was well-documented at the time. There is no way fares will go down; the inclusive fares will simply go up. DL knows their loyal passengers will grit their teeth and pay extra for the inclusive fare, and they might get some new passengers that think they’re getting a good deal that book the unbundled fare.
I understand the pricing structure - but that is not what I said. unbundled fares are a means by which airlines can "raid" other carrier strength markets w/ alterations of rules but based on the price point.
Makes sense they’re being tight nipped, because they run the risk of making the same mistake AA made when trying to push corporate travel agencies off legacy platforms - it could have worked if the competition followed, but they did not and instead AA lost share.
Delta One today is already usually slightly more expensive than AA and UA in the NYC region. If they use this to get even higher prices, IDK. The only...
Makes sense they’re being tight nipped, because they run the risk of making the same mistake AA made when trying to push corporate travel agencies off legacy platforms - it could have worked if the competition followed, but they did not and instead AA lost share.
Delta One today is already usually slightly more expensive than AA and UA in the NYC region. If they use this to get even higher prices, IDK. The only part of Delta One that I find consistently differentiated today is the Delta One lounge. The in-air experience is basically your luck, plane type, and route but overall is roughly equivalent between the US3. You can see similar sentiment all over Flyertalk and Reddit. Now that all the US3 are upgrading and launching their new products, idk how that changes. Nickel and dime too much and hike prices then their product just really isn’t worth the premium.
My issue with unbundling or "basic" is it doesn't give you an opportunity to pay cheaper. It makes you pay more for the same as what you're already paying.
@Eskimo:
Exactly. That's what will happen.
This really pisses me off. Will we eventually have to live on some kind of savage reservation to exempt ourselves from these algorithmic deer ticks sucking the maximum life force out of us until we're hollow husks? Is there no thought to providing value? Only maximum exploitation?
The only way to stop this is to stop flying them.
The whole idea of buying a business class ticket is to get a premium experience, not a basic economy coach experience. I hope this doesn't catch on but it probably will.
Looks to me that direction. Making this business class new "economy" with more fares and after 1-2 years remove economy.
Delta. 63 years old and have not and never have flown them. I’m so happy.
They didn't used to be horrible a decade back. Unfortunately the "Let's find new ways to screw over our customers" mentality has taken root and Delta seems to have an unshakeable grip on management. Add in some JV's where Delta basically dictates policy to partners, some fortress hubs that are effectively impenetrable, and Delta's death grip on Amex's throat (after Costco dumped Amex) and you have an airline in a nearly unassailable financial position despite...
They didn't used to be horrible a decade back. Unfortunately the "Let's find new ways to screw over our customers" mentality has taken root and Delta seems to have an unshakeable grip on management. Add in some JV's where Delta basically dictates policy to partners, some fortress hubs that are effectively impenetrable, and Delta's death grip on Amex's throat (after Costco dumped Amex) and you have an airline in a nearly unassailable financial position despite treating loyal passengers like dirt. If you had flown them, a decade or two back would have been the time. Now, I would - and do - steer clear.
I would pay up on domestic first and D1 to be able to have drinkable wine
You know you could buy a lot more high quality wine with that money, while not on an airplane right?
I don't book J on airlines that do this unless I have a status that gives me those perks anyway. The whole principle of showing me one price but then asking me for more money just to get essential features such as lounge access pisses me off and I move on even if the price is right. I recently chose not to book LHG J to BKK because they wanted extra 300€ to let me...
I don't book J on airlines that do this unless I have a status that gives me those perks anyway. The whole principle of showing me one price but then asking me for more money just to get essential features such as lounge access pisses me off and I move on even if the price is right. I recently chose not to book LHG J to BKK because they wanted extra 300€ to let me choose a decent seat (still worse than the current industry standard), with EY to TPE because they just increased the originally advertised price by 150€ for lounge access and seat selection and many times with AFKL because of their 200€ surcharge for lounge access (now I have FB Gold so I'm back to flying with them. In all those cases I went for something more expensive but fair.
You can treat me like a fool and insult me with these games when I'm buying a 150€ ticket. Not when I'm buying a 3000€ ticket. That's enough money for me to care who I give them to.
Appreciate your spirit. I hope more of us will do like this. Paying for seats, meals, lounges will make this J new Y.
As someone who often needs to buy flights within a week or two of departure, I'd welcome these potential changes so I can have a selection rather than just being stuck with whatever seat is left. I don't care as much on domestic flights but I'm constantly stuck with a middle seat on the A350 (no bins so no air vents), which I greatly value to sleep comfortably.
Perhaps elites get selection 96h before departure,...
As someone who often needs to buy flights within a week or two of departure, I'd welcome these potential changes so I can have a selection rather than just being stuck with whatever seat is left. I don't care as much on domestic flights but I'm constantly stuck with a middle seat on the A350 (no bins so no air vents), which I greatly value to sleep comfortably.
Perhaps elites get selection 96h before departure, potentially staggered by elite tier, then all others at check in.
Yes they are doing a study with “customers”! Sample size or selection of that customer pool will be in a way to affirm the direction they already decided on!
Simple, will fly other airlines when they force me to pay for lounge access or seat assignment while paying thousands for delta one.
I love Air France but I don’t book when concur offers me basic biz, I just go somewhere and will do the same with Delta.
While still Diamond, I’m also Elite (Gold) with Star Alliance and 1World.
You’re not paying for Delta One (and all the associated perks) if you go for Basic. You’re just buying the big front seat.
@UnleRonnie
For $20 less like they did with economy basic?
It is freakin unbelievable that they charge you $5,000 for a ticket and still have the gall to expect you to pay additional for services that were already costed and priced in the $5,000. I for one will not be doing it. And when all carriers do this, that will be the end of my flying days except for family emergencies.
I fear this will be the new trend and as we all know in the perverted gaslighted corporate world the other airlines will copy this crap 'to be competitive'... If the others wanted to be truly competitive they'd keep the status quo and price it so that it obviously shows Delta's deceptive fare structure.
Ahhh... the SPIRITualization of the "Big Front Seat" contagion is invasively spreading to DL and most likely the other 'monkey sees, monkey doos' !!
Nothing like that " customer choice and/or feedback " while peeing on my leg and telling me it's raining !
Charging an extra fee for seat assignment, after you've just dropped 4 figures or more per person, is an incredible slap in the face. Always have avoided long-haul on airlines who do that, and will continue to do so.
I has this issue flying QR FCO-DOH-TRV (out)/CMB (return). The airline wanted roughly €70 per person per flight for seat selection. As there's no middle seat issue and my partner and I aren't worried about being separated for a few hours, I decided not to throw an extra €560 at them! Also, the lounge at DOH was priced at €65 per person, so we happily forwent the opportunity.
Whole family have been Diamond for over a dime. We're status matching, likely with United. Got no time for this foolishness.
They'll be charging for food and drinks.
Hopefully they'll offer economizing, 'super sized' food & drink bundles for purchase up front in the pointy end !
Terrible idea. Insane nickel and diming. Seem like a good way to piss off your best customers.
I purchased 2 British Airways business class tickets a number of years ago. At the end, I discovered that I would have to pay for a seat assignment after paying thousands of dollars. I thought it was a mistake. I called British Airways. They told me it was true. I cancelled the tickets (less than 30 minutes after buying them) and purchased tickets on United if I remember correctly. I haven’t considered buying BA tickets for any class since then.
@JohnB
This is exactly the reason why I stopped flying BA years ago. I only do so now if I purchased the ticket via AA as a last resort and BA happens to be the operating carrier.
Most premium unbundling ever!
PREMIUM™
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Charging for seats that cost thousands of dollars is infuriating. The ultimate example of nickel and dime BS, especially when all of the seats are the same.
always leading the pack in putting a Premium on contempt for loyal/high value passengers! :'D