If you’ve ever wondered what Delta 767-300 Comfort Plus (officially known as Comfort +) is like, this review is going to be an eye-opener.
Unlike other long-haul aircraft in the Delta Air Lines fleet, the 767-300 is not equipped the newest interior. Premium economy seats on these airplanes are basic economy seats with a few extra inches of legroom. That’s it.
Not only that, Delta has no plans to upgrade these seats (beyond maybe changing the seat materials). This is as good as it’s going to get until this aircraft type is retired.
Part of me wonders if it’s actually a social experiment just to see what customers are actually willing to put up with…
DL820
San Diego, CA (SAN) – Atlanta, GA (ATL)
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Aircraft: 767-332/ER
Registration: N195DN
Duration: 4 hours 2 minutes
Seat: 16A (Comfort +)
Delta Air Lines 767-300/ER side view illustration by Norebbo.comOur route from San Diego to Atlanta this morning as DL820
The video
Call me weird, but I really enjoy making videos about airline seats that don’t quite live up to my expectations. Delta Comfort Plus isn’t all that bad, but I was expecting something just a little bit better – especially with the 767-300 being an internationally configured aircraft and all.
A full review of Delta 767-300 Comfort Plus from San Diego to Atlanta
Right off the bat, this trip started with a challenge. I was traveling by myself with two very large (and heavy) suitcases today, so managing those along with trying to get pics and video for this review was a mother******.
My arrival at the airport
Despite already knowing that Delta 767-300 Premium Economy isn’t all that great, I arrived at the San Diego International airport at 4:25 AM feeling chipper and upbeat. Those suitcases though. Ugh.
Wait a sec. I’m here to fly Delta today, but…flying to Edmonton on Swoop sounds more fun!Swoop is going to have to wait I guess. Oh, and **** these suitcases (lol). As someone who normally travels the world with nothing but my little backpack, I’m totally out of my element here.The Delta check in counters here in Terminal 2 West. Since I’m traveling with luggage today……I need to check in at one of the kiosks along the back wall first. Comfort Plus passengers don’t get any special treatment (or shortcuts) during the check in process.Air travel isn’t always sexy and glamorous, folks. I’m actually shocked that I had the coordination required to get pics for this trip report as I was fumbling with the bag tags.Seriously. **** the both of you!Now that the luggage has been checked in and I’ve made it past the security checkpoint, the real fun begins.At 4:45am, ain’t nothin’ more fun than a steaming hot cup of oatmeal.Sad to think that I posted a pic of my oatmeal before the subject of this review, but…I guess my priorities have changed as I’ve gotten older. Anyway, this is my ride to Atlanta this morning (N195DN) – it’s a 24 year old 767-300/ER that has been with Delta it’s entire life. Pretty cool!By the way, it was extremely busy here in Terminal 2 West this morning. Not surprising considering that it was two days before Christmas. You can almost see the Covid particles in the air…
The boarding process for flight number 822 to Atlanta
Delta Air Lines runs a massive operation out of San Diego. There are five widebody flights a day to Atlanta alone, and every single one of them are usually packed to the gills. My flight this morning (DL822) was one of them, and if you’re wondering, no: Comfort Plus passengers on Delta do not get any special boarding perks.
FYI, Comfort Plus boarding passes aren’t any different than basic economy boarding passes. This has been an awfully basic experience so far. Why did I pay extra for premium economy again?Because I’m gullible, that’s why! Anyway, it looks like it’s going to be a completely full flight today. RIP to my immune system I guess.Here we go! Well, sort of. I’m holding back a bit as a way of giving my immune system a quiet moment to prepare for all the fighting it’s going to have to do for the next 4 hours or so. Comfort Plus passengers get to board after first class and before regular economy. The first indication of special treatment today!What do you suppose the odds are of being handed a glass of champagne as I step onboard?Unfortunately, all I got was a sanitary wipe and a forced smile from a very tired looking flight attendant. Don’t they know who I am??Making my way through the first class cabin on the way back to premium economy. Do be sure to read my Delta 767-300 first class review to learn more about these seats (assuming you can stomach another one of my stupid airline reviews, that is).
My first impressions of Delta 767-300 premium(ish) economy
You know that feeling when you already know what to expect, but you’re secretly hoping for a surprise? That’s exactly what I was feeling as I stepped onboard this aircraft and got my first look at the seats. I knew exactly what I was getting into, but that didn’t stop help me from feeling disappointed when I finally sat down.
Delta 767-300 Comfort Plus seats. Note that the center seats in the bulkhead row have solid dividers, between them……but all the other seats do not. Something to be aware of as you’re making a seat selection during the booking process.“Really? This is it?” (Pretty much what I assume that everyone who is looking around is probably thinking). By the way, these are much nicer than the old Comfort Plus seats that used to be on the 767-400. They are, however, nearly identical to the Comfort Plus seats that were on the MD-88 (RIP).One thing I will say about these seats: the few extra inches of legroom are much appreciated!The only indication that these seats are a step above regular economy?Oh wait. There’s another indication down by the power outlets.I know that I complained about this (a lot) in my review of Delta 757-300 Comfort Plus, but than the fancy stitching and extra legroom, there’s not much of a difference over basic economy.Maybe I spent too much on the upgrade? It looks like the guy behind me is having the same thoughts.Just a slight delay here as the Delta TechOps team sorts out a little issue with one of the overhead bins…Problem solved. Let’s go!Wait a sec. If duct tape is what they’re using to repair airplanes these days, maybe it’d be smart to have an quick look at the safety card.
How are Comfort Plus seats on the Delta 767-300 different than the regular economy seats?
Unfortunately, Comfort Plus seats on the Delta 767-300 aren’t physically different than regular economy seats. Yes, there are a few extra inches of legroom, but everything else is exactly the same.
You’ll get the same video screen, the same power ports, the same armrest, the same seat cushions, and the same seat materials. In other words, it’s all the same.
Oh! Something else worth noting is that row 16 on the Delta 767-300 has a misaligned window. Yet another thing I should have researched better before choosing this seat. It wasn’t as unfortunate as the completely missing window you saw in my Turkish Airlines 777-300 economy review, but still.
The departure out of San Diego
The problem with early morning departures out of San Diego this time of year is that it doesn’t start getting light until about 6:45 AM. We pushed off the gate at approximately 6:25 AM, so there wasn’t much to see until we reached the threshold of runway 27.
In one ear, and out the other. Sorry, but it’s too early to be fully engaged with the safety video.Pushing off the gate. And trying really hard to not think about how quickly they came to the determination that duct tape qualifies as an aerospace-grade repair solution.All joking aside, I’ve got full confidence in the Delta TechOps team. My biggest concern at the moment is staying awake long enough to get footage of the takeoff (which you can see in the embedded video below).Making the big left-hand turn towards the east (and hopefully Atlanta).
What is Comfort Plus in-flight entertainment like on the Delta 767-300?
Remember what I said about the video entertainment in my Delta 767-400 economy review? The exact same thing applies for the 767-300 as well. It’s the exact same video screen, with the exact same video entertainment system. Which is totally fine, because Delta Studio is one of the best in-flight entertainment products in the business.
Remember the video screens you saw in my Delta A220-300 economy review? These are pretty much like those.And just as you saw in my Delta 737-800 economy review, Delta Studio is really good (and very consistent from one aircraft to the next). By the way, yes, I’m just as intrigued about “Rap Caviar” as you are…Flight info screen first. Then Rap Caviar.
What kind of food does Delta serve in Comfort Plus on the 767-300?
The only kind of food that you’re going to get in Comfort Plus on a Delta 767-300 (or pretty much any other aircraft in their fleet) is a couple of bags of snacks and a complementary nonalcoholic drink. We weren’t even offered the option to purchase food off of an in-flight menu, which was slightly disappointing considering how badly I was in need of breakfast.
Waiting for the snack cart to appear (in the same way that I stare at a pot of water waiting for it to boil).That’s it?!Turns out there was Goldfish (and water) to go along with it. Not exactly the breakfast of champions, but it was slightly better than the breakfast you saw in my Breeze Airways Embraer 195 Extra Legroom review.
Are Delta Comfort Plus seats on the 767-300 worth it?
Honestly, I’m not sure that I would pay extra for Comfort Plus on the 767-300 again. The only real benefit that I truly appreciated was the few extra inches of legroom.
Boarding ahead of the regular economy passengers didn’t feel all that special. And since there was no extra food provided, it’s hard for me to justify the extra price over basic economy.
Checking in on our progress across the county while I contemplate whether or not this was worth it. And I’m willing to bet anything that my fellow passengers didn’t think it was worth it to open my window shade (and blind the cabin) to get this pic. I’m sorry!If you’re curious, this is what the leg room is like in Delta Comfort plus on the 767-300 when the person in front of you is being a selfish ***hole has their seat fully reclined.The view from the back of the Comfort Plus cabin. Why is nobody as interested in moving map screen as I am??
The arrival into Atlanta
The skies were completely clear as we made the descent into Atlanta, and visibility was pretty much unlimited. Well, I was at the mercy of what my aging eyes could actually see through my usually-filthy glasses, but it was fun to get a good look at northern Georgia again. It had been a while since my last visit.
Just a few quick pics of the lavatory before landing. This toilet has seem some action!I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have an identical twin. How ridiculous would it be to have two SANspotters running around instead of just one?Back at my seat just in time to enjoy the scenery on the descent.#enjoyingthesceneryApologies to everyone on the ground for momentarily blocking out the Sun as we pass overhead.Welcome to Atlanta! Ironic that it’s nicer here than it was back in San Diego.You mean there’s actually other airlines that serve ATL?Widget tails for as far as the eye can see here at the A concourse. That’s more like it.How long of a layover do you need in Atlanta? I had about 2 and a half hours to kill, but I almost wish I had more. This is an excellent airport for walking around and exploring!One final look at N195DN before I wander off into the AvGeek Abyss that is ATL. Thanks for the ride old gal!
Pros and cons of Delta 767-300 Comfort Plus
Wait! Before you spend your hard-earned money on Delta Comfort Plus, there are some very important things you need to know about what you’re actually going to get. It’s a decent product for sure, but if I’m being honest, I can’t say that I’d be all that tempted to do it again on the 767-300.
Pros
The few extra inches of legroom really do make a big difference on longer flights. Being able to stretch out (just a little bit more) was nice on this 4-hour flight from San Diego to Atlanta.
Delta Comfort Plus passengers get to board before any other economy class passenger. This is nice since the overhead bins on the 767-300 are slightly smaller than more modern aircraft, and you’ll have a much better chance of finding a place for your carry-on bag.
There are USB and full-size electrical outlets at every seat.
Cons
Technically, Comfort Plus is not premium economy. They do offer it on other aircraft types though (you can read my Delta A350-900 Premium Select review to find out what that experience is like).
The Comfort Plus seats on Delta 767-300 are normal economy seats. There are no physical differences in size.
The food you’ll get is exactly what you’d get in basic economy class. A bag (or two) of snacks along with a complementary drink will be served shortly after takeoff. If the flight is long enough, you’ll get another small snack and drink before landing. But that’s it.
The Comfort Plus seats on the 767-300 are not as nice-looking as the ones that are on other (newer) Delta Aircraft. Be sure to check out my Delta A321 Comfort Plus review to see what I mean…
There are no extra / priority perks for Comfort Plus passengers during the check in process. You’ll have to stand in the regular economy class line and patiently wait your turn. RIP to your sanity if it’s full flight.
