Are you a first-class traveler? You know -- only flying in the front of the plane regardless of the cost? Are you hooked on the better service, more legroom and free drinks afforded to those lucky few seated in rows one through four?
If so, you're likely to be upset at Delta's latest initiative to put first-class seats on sale. It means more "ordinary" people will be grabbing those comfy seats.
Oh -- it's not every seat on every flight. Between Anchorage and Seattle, the cheap "F" seats are available only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. But for those travelers who want to fly Delta, or if you've wanted an excuse to sample the rare air up in the Premium Cabin, this may be your chance.
Between Anchorage and Seattle, you can fly first class on Delta for as little as $184 each way. Alaska Airlines charges $499 each way. To get the best rate, you must purchase your ticket at least three weeks in advance.
Not all first-class cabins are the same. It's been several years since I flew first class on Delta. It was on a brand-new CRJ-900, the same type of regional jet Delta will fly into Sitka and Ketchikan this summer. The first-class cabins are set up in a one-by-two configuration, and I got 1A. It was a nice flight between Salt Lake City and Seattle. Even though the jets are smaller, there was plenty of legroom up front. In fact, the published "pitch" on the CRJ-900 first class seat is 37 inches, an inch more than on Alaska's 737s.
Between Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Seattle, Delta will operate 737s all summer. Like Alaska's newer 737s, the Delta planes have 16 first-class seats. But there's a little more room for each passenger: 38 inches. Alaska Airlines offers 36 inches between rows in first class.
Bart Parker is working on his second million-miler plaque with Delta. He's a Diamond-level SkyMiles member and gets upgraded to first class "about 95 percent of the time," he claims.
"There are several important differences between Delta and Alaska in first class," said Parker. "Delta still offers pillows and blankets, while Alaska does not. Of course you have a much better chance of actually getting one of each when you're seated in the front cabin," he said.
"I am a big fan of the 'PDB,' or pre-departure beverage," said Parker. "Delta knows it's important, but Alaska simply offers bottled water."
Also, "Delta offers the new seatback entertainment systems on the 737s," he said. "Alaska, meanwhile, has upgraded its free-standing tablets."
There's no need to fuss with luggage fees or lunch money when you're sitting up front. You still have to pay for Internet if you want to surf the Web at 37,000 feet.
From Fairbanks to Seattle, Delta is charging $257 for the outbound nonstop and $362 for the return. The rate is available on more days in addition to Tuesdays and Saturdays.
From Juneau to Seattle, Delta is charging $200 each way in first class on Tuesdays and Saturdays all summer long. Other days are available for $249 each way.
Between Sitka and Seattle, Delta is flying the route with a Skywest CRJ-900. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the one-way fare is $180-$186 each way. Other days are about $10 more. Keep in mind these rates are about twice the cost of Delta's coach fares, which Alaska Airlines has matched. Alaska has not matched the discounted first-class fares, though.
Delta's Ketchikan-Seattle flights are priced about $10 higher in first class than the Sitka-Seattle flights.
Delta is offering discounted first-class rates to other cities, but the best deals are between Alaska cities and Seattle.
Delta is rolling out all sorts of programs to win the hearts and minds of Alaska travelers. Right now, most of those programs are aimed directly at extracting travelers from Alaska Airlines -- but that's how the airline business works.
Delta has their own co-branded American Express card for extra miles. Of course, when you buy a first-class ticket, you automatically get double miles. Then there's the "fast track" program to elite status when you fly two round trips (get "gold" when you fly six round trips).
I hate to be a "Debbie Downer" when it comes to such a glorious benefit like first-class travel. But there is a little problem when you fly up front. You may find it very difficult to fly in coach again. That, of course, is what Delta is counting on.