A premium economy section is to be introduced by Delta Air Lines on long haul international flights this summer.
“Economy Comfort” will include new seats with up to four additional inches of legroom and 50% more recline than the carrier’s standard international economy class seats.
It will be similar to upgraded economy services available on flights operated by Delta joint venture partner Air France-KLM.
The new seats will be installed in the first few rows of the economy cabin on more than 160 Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft.
Passengers who have purchased an international economy ticket will be able to upgrade to Economy Comfort seats for an additional fee of $80-$160 one-way.
Those opting for the service will have early boarding and free spirits throughout the flight. The benefits are in addition to standard international economy class amenities, including complimentary meals, beer, wine, entertainment, blankets and pillows.
In-seat power will be available on aircraft equipped with personal entertainment systems which come with free HBO programmes and other content.
The airline also plans to install 34 horizontal flat-bed BusinessElite seats with direct aisle access in each of its 32 Airbus A330s by 2013.
This will enable Delta to offer full flat-bed seating in BusinessElite on all international wide-body flights, representing more than 150 aircraft.
The new A330 seat will be 81.7 inches in length and 20.5 inches wide, similar to those offered on Delta’s Boeing 777 fleet.
It also will feature a 120-volt universal power outlet, USB port, personal LED reading lamp and a 15.4 inch personal video monitor with instant access to 250 films, premium programming from HBO and Showtime, other television programmes, video games and more than 4,000 digital music tracks.
The upgrades are the latest in a previously announced $2 billion investment over two years.