Is Delta a Good Airline? - NerdWallet (2024)

Finding the right airline that satisfies all of your travel preferences — from comfort to cost — can get your trip going on a great start. When choosing which airline to fly with for your next trip, there are many factors to consider. All of this may have you wondering: Is Delta a good airline?

Below is an overview of how Delta Air Lines ranks against other major carriers. You’ll also learn what it’s like to be a Delta passenger and what considerations to make when flying on this airline so you can confidently decide if Delta Airlines is a good option for you.

NerdWallet's airline analysis

For starters, Delta SkyMiles falls near the bottom of NerdWallet’s recent analysis for the best airline rewards program. Based on categories like the airline's elite status program, rewards point value, COVID-19 response and additional fees, the airline tied with United Airlines and beat out budget carrier Frontier, but fell short of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.

NerdWallet ranked Delta a little higher when it came to the best airline rewards programs for frequent travelers. Out of nine airlines, Delta ranked fifth. See that breakdown here.

What is Delta Air Lines like?

If you’re thinking about booking a flight on Delta Airlines for your next business trip, vacation or other travel, here’s what you can expect as a passenger.

Seat classes

The airline offers six seat classes to choose from. Its seat class options include:

Depending on the level of comfort and services you want, along with your budget, you’ll likely find a seat class that suits your needs.

Making reservations

Booking a flight with Delta Air Lines is straightforward with the Fly Delta app or on its website. You can also find Delta Air Lines on various third-party travel booking websites, potentially at different pricing. Members of the Delta SkyMiles Loyalty Program can also browse available flights using their award miles.

Check-in

You can check in up to 24 hours before your departure time. You have the option of checking in through:

To check in in person, you’ll need your boarding pass and a government-issued identification.

Boarding

The order in which passengers board Delta aircraft is based on seating class. Delta offers pre-boarding for active duty military and customers who need additional assistance or time to board, such as elderly passengers and families with young children. Delta 360 members also board with this group.

Delta One customers (if the aircraft offers Delta One seats) and first class passengers board next, followed by Diamond Medallion members and Premium Select (on certain aircraft).

Delta Comfort Plus customers are then welcomed onto the aircraft, and other SkyPriority members follow. Then, there are three separate boarding groups for main cabin passengers, followed by basic economy boarding as the last group.

Loyalty program

The Delta SkyMiles loyalty program is free to join and well worth it if you’re planning to become a regular Delta passenger. You can earn award miles for main cabin seats or higher, as well as on everyday purchases through a Delta SkyMiles credit card from American Express. However, be aware that basic economy flights are not eligible for earning Delta SkyMiles awards.

Other things to consider

In addition to cost and the experience you can expect as a Delta passenger, there are other factors to examine before deciding whether Delta is a good travel option for you.

General cost

While not a total splurge, Delta is on the slightly more expensive side, ranking fourth-worst for fees among the nine airlines we tracked in our analysis. However, baggage costs can be offset using a Delta co-branded credit card that offers free checked bags.

SkyMiles value

Nerdwallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents, but with some strategic redemptions, you can squeeze more value out of each mile. There are no blackout dates, and you won't lose miles due to account inactivity — they never expire so long as your account remains open.

Delta uses a dynamic pricing model for its award flights, so it's harder to know what an award fare will cost you prior to searching for a specific flight.

Safety ratings

AirlineRatings.com assessed the safety of 435 airlines, based on factors like:

Its latest report revealed that Delta was in its top 20 list of safest airlines, ranking 14th.

Reliability

One area that Delta particularly excels at is its on-time performance. According to OAG, a travel data provider, Delta ranks second on the North American regional list for flight punctuality. Delta outranks third place Alaska and falls just below first place Hawaiian.

Customer satisfaction

In a certified rating by Skytrax, Delta received a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. This rating is based on the quality of Delta’s airport and onboard product offerings, as well as the staff service its passengers receive. Other factors in the rankings include:

If you're considering Delta

When deciding whether Delta is a good airline for your next trip, examine the type of travel you’re planning. This includes your budget, in-flight comfort preferences and whether your big-picture goal is finding a loyalty program to stick to.

For example, according to NerdWallet’s analysis, Delta ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to its basic economy ranking and fees. Budget travelers might find more affordability elsewhere. Also, budget travelers who want to earn status might be able to earn status faster through another airline program since Delta SkyMiles doesn’t offer award miles for basic economy seats.

Generally, Delta is a good airline for travelers who want a comfortable flight experience overall at a cost that’s in line with its service and offerings.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.