Delta Premium Economy cabin flies

Delta Air Lines will add an upgraded premium-economy cabin to its long-haul international flights beginning in 2017.

Delta Air Lines has become one of the last airlines to add a premium-economy cabin to its normal mix of economy and Business Class on long haul flights.

It is clear from the new Delta Premium Economy seats that the new cabin goes beyond simply adding a few extra inches of legroom.

The new premium economy seats will be a distinctly different seat than the current economy seat, offering not only extra legroom but also additional recline and width and an adjustable footrest and leg rest. However the seats are very standard, offering 38 inches of seat pitch and are 19 inches wide.

Delta Premium Economy will also give a slightly larger screen with a 13.3-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment AVOD (AV on demand) IFE with noise-cancelling headphones during flight. There will be in-seat power with both USB and US style power sockets.

Customers flying on international premium economy will gain priority check-in and upgraded in-flight dining options.

The new Delta product will offer Alessi branded plated meals and complimentary alcoholic drinks. On night flights there is an in-flight blanket with pillow (provided by Westin Heavenly) and a TUMI amenity kit featuring Malin+Goetz Travel Essentials. The cabins have a dedicated crew.

There will be limited Sky Priority service, allowing faster check in, but no lounge access.

While normal amongst European and Asian airlines for the past couple of decades, carriers in the US have been slow to add premium economy. American Airlines is only belatedly starting to add Premium Economy.

The cabin will be introduced on Delta's Airbus A350s entering service late in 2017 with 48 Delta Premium seats. Delta Boeing 777s will be retrofitted with Delta Premium Economy late in 2018.