Delta is Ditching Boarding Zones

Ah, boarding a flight. Is there anything more unnecessarily complicated and infuriating than getting onboard a plane? Well, Delta Air Lines thinks it has a solution that will make the boarding process simpler. Their solution? Delta is ditching boarding zones.

Yesterday, Delta Air announced they’d change the long-standing practice of boarding by zones. Instead, they’ll transition to what they’re calling branded boarding. What is branded boarding? Boarding by fare class.

The Current Boarding Process

Today, Delta Air Lines uses a traditional zoned boarding process. And, at the moment, that includes six different zones:

Premium – Delta One, Delta First, or Delta Premium Select and Diamond Medallion Members
Sky Priority – Platinum and Gold Medallion Members, Sky Team Elite Plus, Delta Comfort+ and other eligible loyalty program members not boarded with a higher seating priority
Zone 1 – Silver Medallion Members, Sky Team Elite, eligible Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Members, Corporate Travelers, and other loyalty program not boarded with a higher seating priority
Zones 2 and 3 – Main Cabin
Basic Economy Zone 4

Not really sure why Premium and Sky Priority aren’t Zones 1 and 2? But hey, I’ve seen weirder things.

Branded Boarding

On January 23, 2019, when Delta rolls out its new branded boarding system, boarding will work like this:

Delta One + Diamond Medallion if the aircraft has a Delta One cabin
Premium Select or First Class + Diamond Medallion if the aircraft does not have a Delta One cabin
Delta Comfort+
Sky Priority – Platinum and Gold Medallion Members, Sky Team Elite Plus, Delta Comfort+ and other eligible loyalty program members not boarded with a higher seating priority
Main Cabin 1, 2, and 3
Basic Economy

If you’re counting, yes, the new branded boarding has eight zones! That’s two more than the previous system. I do think it’s great that Delta is giving Comfort+ members, especially because the upgrade cost is so high compared to other airlines. Otherwise, I don’t see how the new boarding process is easier or better than the old process. And, where in the process does Silver Medallion Members, Sky Team Elite, and Delta SkyMiles Credit Card members process? Delta says they’ll continue to receive priority boarding, but doesn’t provide any further details. If I had to guess, those passengers are going to continue to board in Main Cabin 1.