Delta Air Lines Sells a New Subscription That Indirectly Includes Overhead Bin Access
Photo Credit: Delta Air Lines is selling a new subscription that gives customers access to Group 1 boarding. Pictured is the economy cabin on the airline's A321 aircraft. Delta Air Lines
Skift Take
This priority boarding craze is getting out of hand. Almost no one wants to get on an airplane 45 minutes before it departs. People go nuts over boarding early because they have overhead bin anxiety. Can we just start charging for bin space? It's a precious resource for which demand outstrips supply.
No full-service airline wants to come out and charge for overhead bin space. The optics would be horrible, with passengers complaining about how an airline took from them what was once free.
But Delta Air Lines on Wednesday quietly came close to instituting a pay-for-space policy, even if the webpage touting the product said nothing of the sort.
Delta is calling its new platform, SkyMiles Select. Passengers who pay $59 annually will have access to Delta's Group 1 boarding, allowing them earlier crack at bin space. They'll also receive eight free drink vouchers — worth about $70 — along with a snazzy
