Delta Premium Select

Comfort+ walked so Premium Select could recline.

For my birthday trip to Tokyo, I decided to splurge on a Premium Select fare. One, because it’s my birthday, and another trip around the sun is always worth celebrating. Two, because my flight to Amsterdam in Comfort Plus was so uncomfortable… and I just can’t, lol.

I usually just book Main Cabin and hope for an upgrade, which almost always happens. But since I learned Delta will never upgrade your international fare past Comfort+, I knew I had to get my ducks, and my coins, in a row. Because I will NOT be smushed in a seat designed to maximize profit margin for 12 hours. I mean really, y’all couldn’t give a few more inches to the seat? Really?

I’ve been complaining for months, as a native Atlantan who exclusively flies Delta, that Delta has had way too much dip on their chip lately. Let me explain: plane tickets are astronomical right now, and they keep climbing with zero real enhancements to the product. To spend what’s required to fly Delta internationally and still be uncomfortable? Be for real.

But here’s my dilemma. I’m a bit of an experience and brand snob. I can’t see myself cheating on Delta just to end up with a worse experience on another airline. With Delta, I can go to the Sky Lounge. I know I’ll get my Biscoff cookies and a complimentary drink. I know how the planes look and what to expect, which is big for my travel anxiety.

So I told myself, “Let’s just spend a lil more and actually enjoy the flight this time.” The devil you know, right?

Right away, I was super impressed with the amenities waiting at my seat. There were over-ear headphones, a blanket, a pillow, slippers and a toiletry bag. They even included a bottle of water, which, at first, I thought someone had accidentally left behind. But after glancing around, I realized every seat had one. My only quip? It was Dasani, and I ain’t drinking no damn Dasani, but thanks for the thought anyway.

Remember when I mentioned knowing what to expect with Delta? Turns out, I still had my Comfort+ brain, because I brought my own headphones, my Loop earplugs, a blanket, and neck pillow, only to find all of that already provided. But let’s be real… I used my own stuff because why wouldn’t I? This is tried-and-true gear that I already know works for me.

Honestly, the only thing I saw myself actually using was the slippers. But even then, I always wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, and I’m the person who lets their compression socks hit the plane floor anyway. So the slippers? Thanks, but they’ll probably get more use at my hotel than on the plane.

You know how there’s that safety video in the beginning of every flight, the one showing you how to buckle your seatbelt, inflate your life vest, and find the nearest exit? Yeah… Delta needs to run a second one just for Premium Select. Because all those levers, compartments, and buttons to work this seat? The girl was confused. She’s in a tizzy!

Thankfully, the gentleman next to me came to the rescue. He walked me and the two ladies on the other side of me through all the levers and buttons.

Once I got everything situated, I realized the seat was undeniably an upgrade from Comfort+. It doesn’t fully lie flat, but I definitely had more space, a deeper recline, and the ability to stretch out without fighting for legroom.

Then came the next amenity, and let me tell you, it was divine. A hot towel, served at the perfect temperature to refresh the skin on my hands and face. And the eucalyptus scent? Loved it. A small touch, but one that instantly made the experience feel a little more elevated.

Another thing that really elevated the experience? Real glasses.

The flight attendants came around asking for drink orders, and when I asked for a Sprite, I fully expected to get the usual paper cup you get in Main Cabin. But instead, I received my sprite in a real glass, after the flight attendant had already laid white linens on my table.

With my drink, I was given a pack of cheddar and chive “biscuits”, but biscuits in the British sense, because these were more like mini savory shortbread cookies than anything else. I ate one, and while I liked the flavor, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was eating shortbread… and my brain just kept expecting it to be sweet. I ate a second one before deciding to return it to sender. 

Next up was the meal I had pre-ordered online: braised short rib, served with a spin on a caprese salad, a berry dessert, and a dinner roll with butter and a little salt and pepper packet on the side. 

My tray came with real flatware, silver, not plastic, wrapped in linen. I laid the linen across my lap like I would at any restaurant and started getting myself situated. I stuffed my blanket to the side, wrapped my neck pillow around my leg, because nothing was about to stand between me and this meal. It already looked way more appetizing than that chicken bake roll sandwich thing? I had in Comfort+ on my way to Amsterdam. I was ready to get it poppin’… classily, of course.

The short rib was so tender and good, but I had a hard time figuring out what exactly made it rib and not roast. It was served just like a traditional roast: with mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, and roasted onions. The short rib was marketed as being accompanied by “potato purée”, but girl, that’s mashed potatoes. Not mad at it, though, because I love roast. I just skipped the carrots, cooked carrots are a no-go for me. 

As a good Southern gal, you know I love a good dinner roll to go with my meal. This one was… cool, pun intended. It was okay, but it was also literally cool. Would it have been better warmed up? Absolutely. But… airplane. I get it. It was fine for what it was.

I tried the caprese salad next, after the short rib—because let’s be honest, I’m not a big caprese fan. Mozzarella isn’t my favorite cheese, and I’m not really into uncooked tomatoes either. Roast them thangs and I’ma get right with you, but I digress.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this caprese, though. It had some kind of green that I still haven’t identified, but it didn’t taste like the usual basil. Whatever it was, it was good, and I ate it up—uncooked tomatoes and all. I just left a little bit of that mozzarella ball behind.

I tasted the berry dessert, and it was actually good, kind of like a cheesecake with a graham cracker crust. But here’s the thing: I’m not the biggest cheesecake fan, and the berry seeds kept interrupting my eating experience. So after a few bites, just enough to tell you it was good, I was done with that too.

After the meal, I was out for the count, right back to sleep. 

I was the only one in my row who opened the vent for more air, because the girl be hot! But listen… that air? Different. I was freezing. Do you know what it takes for me to say “it’s freezing in here”? Hint: it’s gotta be VERY cold.

But I will not complain, because honestly? I love freezing when I’m trying to sleep. I can snuggle up, and that’s exactly what I did: laid out in my Premium Select seat, wrapped up in my travel blanket like a mummy. And before I knew it, I was out like a light.

I actually slept extremely well on this flight. I was stretched out in comfort instead of squoze up in economy seats. And get this, I didn’t even have a window seat, which I’ve always sworn is necessary for me to get any decent sleep, just so I have something to lean my head on. But with the seat recline and my neck pillow, I paid it no never mind. I was actually more comfortable than I’ve ever been in a window seat. I spent so much time downloading videos on my iPad, just to not even open it because I was in and out of sleep the whole flight.

I saw this meme once that said you can be dead asleep on a flight, but somehow you magically wake up anytime the flight attendants come around with drinks. That was me when they brought out a warm chocolate chip cookie. I sat up and asked for a sparkling water to go with it.

Before the cookie, there was a second meal service. This time, I chose the waffles, which came on top of a berry compote and cream. It was served with a yogurt and granola cup, also with a berry compote. By that point, my stomach was in knots with anxiety knowing we’d be landing soon, so I barely touched this meal. Just like the dessert, just enough to taste and confirm it was good, then I left it alone.

I’m actually embarrassed to say how much I paid for this flight. My whole thing is about affordable luxury, not blowing the budget just to say I did something “premium.” If you hop on delta.com and look it up for yourself, you’ll see: it was a pretty penny. And if you’re penny pinching, this is not for you.

But was it worth it?

For this trip, yes. It’s actually worth it for any long-haul trip where you care more about comfort than just getting there.

As someone who deals with rheumatoid arthritis, I know being squished in economy for 10+ hours hits me harder than it might for most people. I’m not just looking for a luxury moment—well, I am—but I’m also looking to get off the plane without feeling stiff, swollen, and in pain. That’s the real value for me.

If you can swing it, do it. Your back, your legs, your neck, and your sanity will thank you.