Delta is Introducing New Boarding Zones Starting on May 1st

Delta Air Lines is changing up its boarding process on May 1st with boarding by zone versus the current order by cabin (First Class, Comfort+®, Main Cabin, etc.). There will be eight boarding zones in the new process with hopes of speeding up the time it takes to get passengers on the plane.

News: @Delta is updating its boarding process on 5/1

The airline will debut new group numbers for boarding, replacing the existing "branded" experience.

Delta says this will make it easier for infrequent travelers and those with a language barrier. Let's see how it works IRL. pic.twitter.com/PX4uLdKq0z

— Zach Griff (@_ZachGriff) April 9, 2024

Zach Griff of The Points Guy broke the news on X. The table above shows both the current and new order. When Delta boards flights presently, it uses the following order:

• Pre-Boarding (passengers who need extra time or assistance and active military)
• First Class (Delta One® and Delta 360° customers are included)
• Diamond Medallion
• Delta Premium Select
• Early Access (those with car seats or strollers)
• Delta Comfort+®
• Sky Priority® (Delta Gold and Platinum Medallion members as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus and other elite members)
• Main Cabin 1 (other Delta members and SkyTeam partners with status traveling in Economy as well as credit card holders)
• Main Cabin 2
• Main Cabin 3
• Basic Economy

After May 1st, the order will change to:

• Pre-boarding (passengers who need extra time or assistance, active military, and Delta 360°)
• Zone 1: First Class (Delta One® is included)
• Zone 2: Diamond Medallion and Delta Premium Select
• Early Access (those with car seats or strollers)
• Zone 3: Delta Comfort+®
• Zone 4: Sky Priority® (Delta Gold and Platinum Medallion members as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus and other elite members)
• Zone 5: Main Cabin 1 (other Delta members and SkyTeam partners with status traveling in Economy as well as credit card holders)
• Zone 6: Main Cabin 2
• Zone 7: Main Cabin 3
• Zone 8: Basic Economy

Let’s see how this impacts boarding and if it does improve the flow.

Delta released the following statement on its new boarding process:

While a simple change, Delta believes the move to numbered zones will simplify the boarding process for both our customers and our employees, adding clarity of sequence and improving the overall gate experience.”

Anthony’s Take: I have found Delta to be one of the easier airlines to board. United is often a free-for-all push forward, but folks seem more civilized often when flying the Atlanta-based carrier.