Delta to offer five classes of seating beginning March 1

Delta Air Lines announced a five-class cabin configuration this week ranging from low-service basic to flat-bed seating luxury.

Basic economy class, available only on domestic routes, limits advance seat selection and allows no changes or refunds on tickets.

Amenities for the top-tier Delta One service on long-haul international flights and coast-to-coast domestic flights include Sky Club access, boarding priority, chef-curated meals, other first-class perks and Westin-style "Heavenly" bedding with the flat-bed seats.

"We're providing Delta customers with a thoughtful, well-defined spectrum of options as they make decisions about travel, Chief Revenue Officer Glen Hauenstein said.

The new system begins March 1. In addition to basic economy and Delta One, the tiers are called main cabin, Delta Comfort and first class. Not all classes are offered in all markets.

Airline analysts said Delta already offers most of the services touted in its five-class system. "Basic economy is really the only area where we've seen the biggest change," said Steve Loucks, a spokesman for Plymouth-based Travel Leaders Group.

Delta's main cabin seating is similar to standard coach class, while Delta Comfort is three-across seating with extra leg room, priority boarding and complimentary alcohol and premium snacks. First-class seating contains traditional first-class amenities.

"There's a lot of competition for those people in the front of the plane [in first class]," Loucks said. "Delta is basically rebranding the Business­Elite name to Delta One. But the change in that class is pretty dramatic from what it was just five years ago."