How I Scored Cheap Lie-Flat Seat on Delta

“My travel budget for this gig is terrific thanks to my generous employer and our strict no-freebies policy. But regular readers know that doesn't mean I fly in those fancy seats in the front of the plane. I flew business class exactly twice this year, for a story on American Airlines' new Flagship suites with sliding privacy doors and on an all business-class airline.

 

Until recently. I spent 3 1/2 luxurious hours in Delta One* on a flight from Phoenix to Atlanta for my column on the airport lounge where everybody knows your name. There's an asterisk there because it wasn't called Delta One on this flight. It was called first class.

 

I knew it was a Delta One layout, lie-flat seats and all, however, because the plane was one of Delta's widebody jets, an Airbus A330-300 typically reserved for flights to Europe. The airline puts them into service on popular domestic routes in the off-season.

 

So I checked the Delta app for upgrade prices after booking my pricey last-minute economy ticket. The price was right: $370.88 one-way. Someone buying a first-class seat last minute would have paid $1,280 one way. (There are 34 seats in the section.)

 

What did I get in roomy 2G? A lie-flat seat, marinara braised meatballs with polenta and ricotta, a cocktail, a big screen for that holiday movie and noise-canceling headphones. A few traditional Delta One touches aren't offered on these shorter domestic flights, including blankets, pillows, hot towels and appetizers.

 

I didn't care. It was a great way to sample the lie-flat life. So be on the lookout for similar offers if you suddenly find yourself on a widebody jet on a domestic flight. (This plane was off to Paris from Atlanta.)

 

Sadly, it was back to economy on the way home. Delta wanted $693 for an upgrade to first class on the flight on a nothing-special Airbus A321.

 

Snack attack

 

Travelers with a Delta SkyMiles American Express card get a free premium snack on select flights through Jan. 22. I gave mine to the high school senior who traded his aisle seat for my window seat last Friday. He chose Nerds.

 

World Cup goals

 

"The floodgates didn't open and all of a sudden we're sold out. We're not there yet."

 

-- Joe Imbrogno, general manager at the Reverb Downtown Atlanta, on the demand for rooms since World Cup groupings were announced this month. The hotel is across the street from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will host matches beginning June 15.

 

United adds to app

 

United Airlines added some new features to its mobile app. One promising one: detailed updates on which groups are boarding so you don't rush to the gate only to find boarding hasn't even started. We'll have to see how it works in practice. There are also new features on United Club availability and baggage tracking.

 

Restrictions

 

American Airlines added more restrictions to its no frills basic-economy fares. Passengers who buy the no-frills tickets will no longer earn frequent-flier points. Delta already does this.

 

Let's share

 

Fancy a free hotel or airline upgrade? This is the time of year when generous frequent fliers offer to share any expiring upgrades if you have a trip in the near future.

 

Where to look? Your friend group and social media. I've seen offers in Facebook groups for loyalty programs and from travel influencers. Last year, a friend posted about an expiring Hyatt upgrade on Facebook and I snagged it for a February trip to Paris. The travel dates are strict and they go quickly, so jump on it if you see one.” [1]

 

1. How I Scored Cheap Lie-Flat Seat on Delta. Gilbertson, Dawn.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 29 Dec 2025: A12.