If you want a chance to score an upgrade to Delta first class (and possibly influence future decisions for bigger first class cabins), now is the time to fly.

Delta now selling a new Airbus A321neo layout that features 44 first class seats

Ever have a dream of sitting in first class with more than 40 other passengers on a narrowbody plane? Well, you’re in luck because Delta is introducing the plane for you.

All jokes aside, this is a very atypical cabin layout for a domestic flight within the US. This modified Airbus A321neo cabin features:

• 44 first class seats (38 inches of pitch), or 27% of the total seats
• 54 Comfort+ seats (34 inches of pitch). or 33% of the total seats
• 66 economy seats (31-32 inches of pitch), or 40% of the total seats

By contrast, the typical Delta A321neo cabin layout is significantly different, with the following features:

• 20 first class seats (37 inches of pitch), or 10% of the total seats
• 60 Comfort+ seats (33-34 inches of pitch), or 31% of the total seats
• 114 economy seats (31 inches of pitch), or 59% of the total seats

Somewhat surprisingly, if you measure comfort on a plane by how much pitch you get, everyone should be seeking out their new A321neo layout. (Pitch is the measured distance between seats from the same point on each chair.) You’ll get an extra inch in first class, all Comfort+ seats get the higher end of the range, and some economy seats get an extra inch.

Which routes feature the new plane layout?

Delta is introducing a total of 7 planes that have this configuration.

You’re not going to find this layout on short-distance flights. Instead, you’re going to find them based out of Atlanta on their longer routes within the US. Routes include ATL to LAX, SAN, SEA, and SFO. The ATL-LAX route is also served by flights marketed as Delta One, and those frequencies aren’t affected by this new A321neo layout. Elites on that particular route will have to determine what’s the better play to get upgraded: try for Delta One or stick to standard recliner seats? Upgrade odds are likely higher with the premium-heavy A321neo, if that matters to you more than getting a lie-flat seat.

On the rest of the routes, there is no tradeoff to worry about; the premium-heavy layout is better than the alternative.

Why does Delta even have this A321neo layout?

You might wonder why this plane exists at all. The simplest explanation is that Delta is intended to fly this aircraft on international trips, but it ran into issues with certifying the seats. Generally when airlines choose standard seats, the turnaround time is relatively quick for when the planes can start service. In this case, they want to put in custom seats, but they’ve encountered certification issues for quite some time. Rather than have the planes sit around with nothing to do, Delta put in their domestic first class product and decided they should at least earn some revenue while they wait.

The goal isn’t to have these planes in the fleet on a long-term basis. It’s really just a stopgap measure to earn revenue on planes that would otherwise be unused. Seems like a better use of resources, honestly.

Could this be a sign of what’s to come?

We’ve been hearing some noise from Delta for a while regarding the need to focus on more premium products. It was only half a year ago that we heard Delta talk about caring about upgrades for elites:

I think there is nothing in any of the forward bookings that would have us indicate that there is a diminishing demand for premium cabins or services. And so, as we continue to look … and put more and more premium, we are able to do two things. One is sell more of it, and two is accommodate more of our heaviest frequent flyers with upgrades, which is something we want to continue to do to provide additional value to them.

Ever since the strong pushback Delta received regarding the massive revamp it tried to do to its loyalty program, Delta has at least been publicly open to hearing what might improve its standing with loyal elite members. While the main reason to put these planes into service with a premium-heavy layout is for utilization and cash purposes, we think this is also a chance to understand their own membership base a bit better.

This A321neo with a modified layout can be viewed as a bit of proof of concept. How much do elites truly value the opportunity to get upgraded? Might we see Gold Medallion members also get upgraded on these routes, which are traditionally a hard task out of Atlanta? Will this spin positive social media engagement from customers?

Maybe this is a successful trial and encourages Delta to build out seating arrangements with a heavier premium focus. Or, maybe, it has the opposite effect and members just don’t care for it incrementally over the normal A321neo. If you’re on these flights and get a post-flight review request, you might want to be emphatic with your commentary if you want heavier premium configurations in the future. This might be your best chance to influence their decisions, and your upgrade ability.

What do you think about a premium-heavy plane? Will you fly it on the chances to get upgraded?

Suggested reading:

• Review: Delta Domestic A350 First Class LAX-ATL
• Review: Delta One Lounge JFK
• Making Memories on the Plane with Delta Trading Cards