absolutely not. I can wait couple of hours in regular economy seat and then spend $80+ elsewhere.

Posted By D on May 11, 2011, 6:03 PM

I might pay $80 for a Detroit to Europe flight (I'm 6'3"), but not $150.

Posted By Kris Wisniewski on May 12, 2011, 9:40 AM

well they could keep the booze and kick back $20 to me or let my bags go free, then thats reasonable for long haul or even just cross country. heck a sandwich instead of booze would be better still! still nothing beats business class to australia or africa or europe. i save my miles and haunt the sales. viva the lay down bed!!

Posted By pat s on May 12, 2011, 10:08 AM

If it's a long trip I might think seriously about it...but definitely not on a short trek.

Posted By Ann Waananen on May 12, 2011, 3:02 PM

we flew klm (which is owned by delta to europe last year and paid $120 for the upgrade one way. it was terrible!! not worth it! they do not have a separate cabin. we got the seats in the last row of comfort economy and the people behind us were angry because we had double the recline as well and our heads were in their laps! they kept kicking our seatbacks and pulled on the seatbacks when they got up occasionally pulling our hair! never again unless its in a separate cabin!!

Posted By Louise Kaiser on May 12, 2011, 3:42 PM

I did an $80 first class upgrade on a 6 hour flight to Honduras and loved it (I have flown hundreds of times but never first class). However, being super cheap, I probably wouldn't do it very often. I did drink enough of that free booze to make up for the $80, however it came with one of the worst hangovers of my life.

Posted By Mike on May 12, 2011, 3:49 PM

I'm on board. The difference in cost between 1st class and economy is substantial - but $80 for extra room and entertainment is worth it to me (for long flights) I fly quite often so I will be keeping my eyes out for other airlines to follow suit. If they throw in an extra check in bag (instead of the booze) I am 100% in favor.

Posted By Jackie Butts on May 12, 2011, 4:57 PM

You betcha! Delta changed my long, long standing seat assignment and put me in the middle. For a chance to get an aisle seat with extra leg room I'd pay $80 for sure.. unfortunately my husband would rather walk to Munich than pay extra.. of course, he's sitting in a window seat..

Posted By Ellen on May 12, 2011, 5:11 PM

I have flown Economy Comfort (to Iceland) and it was quite nice. For long hauls, yes.

Posted By azlynn on May 12, 2011, 5:26 PM

If you stick with European (or other non-US) airlines for flights to Europe, most of the things that Delta charges for will come standard, and the flight attendants are generally much friendlier and more helpful.

Posted By CTgirl on May 12, 2011, 5:49 PM

always on flights over 4 hours

Posted By Duncan on May 12, 2011, 6:39 PM

Why buy a ticket hoping that you will latter be able to pay for what maybe free on a foreign carrier.
I buy tickets based on price and pitch. USA airlines are the worst.

Posted By TR on May 12, 2011, 7:14 PM

I might try it on long haul but if at all possible, as others have posted, I avoid Delta for the bad service and old, incompetent flight attendants. Other international carriers give the things Delta's selling at little to no cost and with new planes.

Posted By Lanny on May 12, 2011, 7:23 PM

If I had to fly and didn't have the miles for business class I'd have to pay it--I'm 6'2" and economy seating is no longer viable. I fly a tenth as much as I used to--I'm over 60 now and I just don't put up with the...unpleasantness (to be polite) that comes with flying these days. If I can't get there business class (on miles) or by car or train or cruise ship--I just don't go anymore, unless it's essential.

Posted By KM on May 12, 2011, 7:47 PM

And exactly how much free booze?

Posted By Shindig on May 12, 2011, 7:47 PM

I would have loved to pay an extra $80 to $160 for more room on my flight from Madrid to JFK on Monday on Delta. It wasn't offered though. I guess I came home too early. As someone who is tall and needs to drop more than a few pounds, any extra room would be appreciated.

Posted By Andrew Smith on May 12, 2011, 7:55 PM

Or give upgrade in my Miles package plan then Yes
or Business Travel plan, aside me paying for Upgrade.
FOR ALL AIRLINES IE global & domestic IE
JetBlue, United, American, Virgin America, Virgin Pacific, etc etc.
Compete on rates & benefits to Upgrade.
IE Include Rapid TSA Screening Lines TOO.

Posted By stephen russell on May 12, 2011, 8:27 PM

Yes. For a long haul, I would--but not more than $80. And, I'd rather be able check my bag without charge, or have food, than the booze.

Posted By Willa on May 12, 2011, 9:48 PM

I don't fly Delta. Their service and attitude towards customers is really bad. I fly European airlines to Europe and Jet Airways to Asia. They know how to give good service and food. I don't fly American anymore for the same reason. If Southwest cannot get me there, I will fly Jet Blue. If neither can get me there, I fly US Airways. The rest are horrible on baggage prices and loss and prices, too. I fly for frequent business trips, mainly across the country and sometimes overseas. There is no excuses for the way most airlines treat passengers.

Posted By Margalo on May 12, 2011, 10:03 PM

I haven't flown Delta in years. I don't think I would pay them 5 cents extra. I think my anger was based on being bumped on a flight to my Dad's funeral, but it was so long ago, I can't really remember.

On foreign trips, I generally choose foreign airlines. If the flight is really long and I can't afford business class or don't have enough miles to upgrade, I try to find a consolidator ticket or just don't go.

Please advise the woman who thinks that Delta owns KLM that she is mistaken. KLM is owned by Air France. Perhaps her confusion is based on the fact that KLM had a lot of codeshare flights with NW and NW is now Delta or maybe it is because KLM handles the check-ins at AMS. Delta has been rated among the worst carrier for passenger service for the last several years. I guess they are trying to improve what they offer to passengers because their poor service has finally affected their balance sheet. Until they get their act together, it is a real crap shot as to whether it is worth the money.

Posted By rooferbts on May 12, 2011, 10:41 PM

$80 Yes but anymore forget it! It is already to expensive to fly! My husband is 6'3 and I am also tall so any leg room would be a blessing! I say forget the booze and kick in a sandwich or fresh fruit/veggies.

Posted By Lisa from Folsom on May 13, 2011, 12:24 AM

I'd be all over it if the seat was WIDER. That's what makes the seat uncomfortable, not the legroom.

Posted By Francis on May 13, 2011, 12:27 AM

I would pay an extra $80 to $100 dollars each way for the upgrade from Alaska. I need the legroom and find it critical since I have a medical problem and doctor's say I should get up and walk every 30-45 minutes and walk a bit for some blood circulation. That is impossible to do in the narrow aisles, service carts, etc. challenging movement. As one who has suffered from the "spillover effect" from grossly overweight people, I would suggest they charge these people more. The seat width is too narrow for even normal size folks but leg room is just too short. Also, airlines should start enforcing luggage rules, especially what they allow to be carried on board. The rest of us pay for the sins of those brazen enough to ignore the rules.

Posted By Robert Williams on May 13, 2011, 1:48 AM

We are cheap, but we are paying $68/way on next week's United flights from Heathrow to Dulles. We've made the trip four times in the past ten months. At the end of last year, United gave us the seats free--and got us hooked. With the new year, we apparently didn't have enough frequent flyer miles to qualify. With United it is a separate cabin and that's why we went with it. We're both close to 6' so the extra space is nice. And the cabin is practically empty. On our return overnight flight, we both moved into a row of four empty middle seats and were able to stretch out and sleep. We're hoping to do the same on this flight.

Posted By Jacky Arnold on May 13, 2011, 6:59 AM

I have been very successful boycotting airlines...everything is too overpriced and expensive. You'll already be paying around $50 for luggage, plus every other fee airlines can get away with plus the privacy invasion through airport security. However, people really don't have a choice with regards to flying oversees. I wouldn't waste my money, just take a nap and save at least $160 round trip.

Posted By bree on May 13, 2011, 7:07 AM

Definitely, although I agree with the poster who suggested wider seats. And keep the free booze; give me something more worthwhile like free bag check and good food on board. I've never flown with Delta so I can't comment on them specifically but I recently paid $25 to book the exit row seat on Air Canada and there was quite a bit more leg room, but boy, the food is terrible.

I also am of the opinion that they shouldn't increase seat recline pitch unless there is more room between rows. I don't recline my seat'cause I don't think it's fair to the people behind me. It's crowded enough as it is and I have had bouts of claustrophobia when the seat in front of me has been fully reclined.

Posted By Susan on May 13, 2011, 11:39 AM

Don't care about the booze, free or otherwise, but would definitely pay extra for comfort and leg room. Only a long-legged person stuck in the middle of five across may understand my reasoning!

Posted By Daruth on May 13, 2011, 7:17 PM

$50 maybe, not $80. And the seats should be W-I-D-E-R, not just more space between the rows. Like others who have commented, I'm fed up with grossly oversized passengers who spill their girth and body odor into my paid space, along with constant shifting around for comfort... especially those who act like it is their right. There should be a weight (or height-weight proportionate) limit for coach/economy seats, but in this world of political correctness, the airlines would be accused of discrimination if this was enforced.

At any rate, carry-on baggage dimensions should be enforced at the gate. Any delays caused by this would only last for a month or two until the public got the message that they really have to follow rules.

Last but not least, the airlines as a rule made the worst mistake of all by starting to charge bag fees. Great money maker, it doesn't seem as if they assessed how much this would irk customers and increase bags and bag size going onboard for carry-on. This slows loading time, and overall, increases costs. (Actually, I'll bet the bean counters know this, but they are making more money on the bag fees so they put up with the schedule delays.)

Posted By Michael on May 14, 2011, 12:17 AM

How about seats with more elbow room? I'm tired of 6'2" muscle men who decide they should have all the arm rests and whose shoulder are practically in my ear.

$80 for more room going to Europe would be worth it. Even better, keep the booze and give me a better rate.

And to the jerk Michael (posted at 12:17). I've sat next to a lot of overweight people and very few of them smelled. The smelly ones tend to be young men and some older men or women with tons of perfume. Hating fat people is the last bastion of small minds. It is equivalent to the racism of the last century. Most overweight people have tried most of their lives to lose the weight. Be glad you were blessed with a good metabolism and a healthy thyroid. When I find people like you, I fervently hope that Karma exists. If so, you're gonna weight tons in your next life.

Posted By Marsha on May 14, 2011, 8:52 AM

I am a frequent flyer member with Delta but I don't have enough flown miles to qualify medallion status.
I never have the option to book a "premium" seat when I make a Delta reservation. I can only imagine the same scenario with the new upgrade system.
I would be happy to pay the extra money to have a better seat. I now try to book only with airlines that offer that option.
I flew AirTran last week and paid $49 extra for an upgrade to business class. The option was open to all passengers. Good bye and good riddance to Delta!

Posted By Angela on May 17, 2011, 10:28 AM

I am 6' with fairly long legs...and I haven't flown much. Heading to Germany (via Delta) on a 13 hr flight in july and debating the extra room...$80 on top of the $1400 paid doesn't seem that bad, I mean if I'm already paying an arm and a leg why not pay 6% more. Right?

Posted By Eternalist on May 26, 2011, 4:54 PM

Sorry I meant 8 1/2 hr flight. 13 for the whole thing.

Posted By Eternalist on May 26, 2011, 5:04 PM

I guess it would 11.5% increase if I opted for economy comfort both ways.

Posted By Eternalist on May 26, 2011, 5:14 PM

Just spent an additional $69 each way on Air Tran from Atlanta to Portland, ME and it was worth every penny. At 6'6" tall no flight is short enough for me to be comfortable in regular coach. Didn't really feel the need for all the available liquor but the couple in front of me used their share and mine. I think $100 would be my limit.

Posted By Lisa K on May 26, 2011, 6:01 PM

Delighted with the free booze, thrilled with the extra recline, love it. Will pay the extra every time I can get a seat.

Posted By Sharon on June 1, 2011, 11:04 PM

$80 seems really cheap. Even ddouble the amount is a bargain. Turkish air charges nearly double the cheapest economy fare to fly Comfort Class (Economy Plus, but with wider sears and 14 inches more leg room) from JFK to Istanbul. They also give a 50% mileage bonus.

Posted By lawthomas on June 2, 2011, 11:01 AM

I would pay more than $80 for a long haul ticket on a non-US airline where these features are standard and the planes are newer, so I would upgrade. But I would want the option when booking the ticket, not when checking in.

Posted By Audie on June 2, 2011, 2:14 PM

No, I wouldn't pay anything extra for the seats. We were given the economy plus seats on a flight from Paris to DC , and I did not think they were any great improvement, The flight was on Air France. The seats were given to us after the gate agent took away the first class seats we had been assigned when we left Croatia. I had a hard time not sliding out of the seat when it was reclined. We were in the first row of the section.

Posted By Nancy on June 4, 2011, 11:10 PM

I paid $120 for economy comfort from NY to Amsterdam this summer. My boyfriend is 6ft 6inches and he is always miserable also chose not to fly on US Air as it is a small plane and when we took one to Hawaii in the spring we were miserable so I hope it will be worth it. I know I am getting raped but what can you do no bridge to Europe. Maybe I'll have to drink a lot to get my monies worth as my boyfriend doesn't drink at all. If I am offered First Class for an extra $200 I'll take it. I also never used to take a carry on but bet your sweet booty I do now one suitcase for 3 weeks just not enough.

Posted By jennifer on June 5, 2011, 8:30 PM

I paid $120 for economy comfort from NY to Amsterdam this summer. My boyfriend is 6ft 6inches and he is always miserable also chose not to fly on US Air as it is a small plane and when we took one to Hawaii in the spring we were miserable so I hope it will be worth it. I know I am getting raped but what can you do no bridge to Europe. Maybe I'll have to drink a lot to get my monies worth as my boyfriend doesn't drink at all. If I am offered First Class for an extra $200 I'll take it. I also never used to take a carry on but bet your sweet booty I do now one suitcase for 3 weeks just not enough.

Posted By jennifer on June 5, 2011, 8:30 PM

No not for economy seating. You can fly Jet Blue and get that for the price of a ticket.

Posted By Barbara on August 22, 2011, 10:36 AM

JetBlue, Southwest, and Frontier have a 33" seat pitch which is comfortable for my 6'1" frame. I use them for my normal travel destinations and find no need to pay extra for more room. I probably would pay the extra fare for long flights to destinations not served by the 3 carriers mentioned.

Posted By Leon on September 1, 2011, 1:41 PM

I'm amazed at some of the responses. Obviously lots of people didn't read the article. Economy comfort is for long haul trips only. On these flights, bag checking is free, food is free. You're not getting free drinks instead of these but in addition to them. I've paid the $80 just for the extra room and the hope of being able to get some sleep. Boarding first is nice so is getting served first but the extra room is the real plus. Wouldn't dream of taking the last row in this section for reasons one poster listed. I always check the seats before choosing to be sure I'm not in either 1st or last row.

Posted By Toni on October 27, 2011, 10:36 AM

When we booked our trip to Ireland on Delta, there were no seats together and were in middle seats 2 rows apart. The only seats together were economy comfort and the flight was about 7 hrs so we payed the extra $80 pp. Worth it? Yes. The extra leg room and recline were good, not great. On the return trip we again were seperated, across the aisle from each other and middle seats. As there were no seats available on the internet, when checking in the young lady was able to upgrade us to bulk head seats at no cost. Now this was really comfortable.

Posted By Vincent on October 27, 2011, 10:58 AM

When we booked our trip to Ireland on Delta, there were no seats together and were in middle seats 2 rows apart. The only seats together were economy comfort and the flight was about 7 hrs so we payed the extra $80 pp. Worth it? Yes. The extra leg room and recline were good, not great. On the return trip we again were seperated, across the aisle from each other and middle seats. As there were no seats available on the internet, when checking in the young lady was able to upgrade us to bulk head seats at no cost. Now this was really comfortable. So it doesn't hurt to be nice and ask.

Posted By Vincent on October 27, 2011, 10:58 AM

We use Delta as it is the only airline with regional airports within 4 hours of our home. Just returned from European flights. Did not purchase Economy Comfort Plus on way over as we have ALWAYS gotten exit row seats for my 6'7" husband and myself with vascular issues by getting to airport very early. This time, however, we did NOT get exit rows on the way over and were miserable!!!! For the return we spent the $80.00 each only to be in a 2/3rds full plane with 6 empty exit row seats...UG! We did enjoy Comfort Plus and just to be safe would probably purchase again for the 4 extra inches of leg room. Would not need to do this if some exit row seats were set aside for tall travelers but now they go to Delta Elite members or are part of Comfort Plus. I cked and our flight over had 6 short people and 1 tall person in exit rows behind us. Exit rows in front of us were Comfort Plus.

Posted By KM on October 27, 2011, 12:00 PM

Elite status = free, or even upgrade to first class. If that was not available, then the $80 is absolutely worth it.

Posted By lawthomas on October 27, 2011, 2:07 PM

It's well worth the cost - even for a four hour flght......Two years ago I up-graded on US Airways for $150.00 from Boston to Puerto Rico and was so thrilled, that I did it on the return trip too.....Comfort is priceless...

Posted By Joanne Moceri-Taveira on November 9, 2011, 10:39 PM

1. If you are not flying longhaul international (or not flying at all) then don't comment go post about your pathetic existences elsewhere. Clue: Southwest and JetBlue dont fly to Europe.
2. If you do not like sitting next to larger passengers because they may touch you then YOU buy two seats or an entire or just stay at home in your bubble and do not fly losers.
3. If you are short (below 6'2) you do not need this product or to be in the exit row either. It is not a status symbol for your delicate little ego and that goes for you frequent flier Ryan Bingham wannabe shortys in first too. Get over yourselves no one cares.
4. If you are an alcoholic and are buying this product for the free drinks then get a life and then pay $7 per drink in economy. Do the math genius you can have 11 drinks on the plane for the cost of economy comfort and have $3 to spare. I would suggest using said $3 to telephone someone at Alcoholics Anonymous.
5. Your first checked bag is free on long haul international. That makes you ignorant of the current topic. If you than argue ignorantly you are defined as an idiot.
6. US carriers and European carriers standard econmomy seats are ALL generally (with very small deviations)the same width/pitch for the same aircraft type flown. The cabin of a 777-200 or 747-400 is the same width for Air France and KLM as it is for Delta and British Airways. From my experience I would say the A380 is best then would say 767's are a better flight experience longhaul than 777's A330's A340's MD-11's 747's and of course 757's. SO: DON'T COMPARE a SINGAPORE AIRWAYS A380's comfort level for a LA to Singapore via Tokyo 21 hour 20 odyssey to a much shorter Newark to Dublin flight on a United (formerly Continental) 757 that is 6 hours 47 minutes long.
7. Flying is a means to accomplich long distance transportation in a relatively short timeframe. Nothing more!!! You want a luxurious traveling experience, take a Cunard Oceanliner.

Posted By bob2times on January 17, 2012, 10:35 PM