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The Delta boarding order is an important topic if you’re a frequent flyer. Boarding early not only helps secure overhead bin space but also lets you avoid the crowded gate area and settle in sooner.
Delta uses a numbered boarding zone system to organize the process. There are eight main boarding zones, not including pre-boarding passengers or those traveling with strollers and car seats. While some airlines use the term “boarding groups,” the concept is the same. Boarding zones are clearly listed on your ticket, and gate displays show which zone is currently boarding.
If you’re curious how many zones are ahead of you on your next flight — or want to learn how to board earlier (spoiler: Delta credit cards can help) — we break down everything you need to know below.
Page Contents
Delta Boarding Groups
While there are officially eight Delta boarding zones, one group boards before everyone else: pre-boarding. This group includes customers who need additional time or assistance, as well as active U.S. military members with ID.
If you do need extra time, you'll be in Zone 1, regardless of what your boarding pass says. Delta spells this out clearly on its website. There, the U.S. Passenger Bill of Rights reads:
“Airlines must allow a passenger with a disability who self-identifies at the gate as needing additional time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment or be seated, the opportunity to board before all other passengers.”
After those flyers, boarding continues by zone, which can be a bit confusing since additional passengers are included in Zone 1. You’ll also likely see plenty of people crowding the gate well before their zones are called. I like to politely ask those in front of me what zone they’re in before moving ahead of them.
| Zone Number | Qualifying SkyMiles Medallion Member | Qualifying Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | Delta One Customers Delta First Customers |
| 2 | Diamond Medallion Members | Delta 360 Members Delta Premium Select Customers |
| Early Access | N/A | Customers with strollers and car seats |
| 3 | N/A | Delta Comfort+ Customers |
| 4 | Platinum Medallion Members Gold Medallion Members | Flying Blue Platinum and Gold Members Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Members SkyTeam Elite Plus Members LATAM Pass Black Signature, Black and Platinum Elite WestJet Rewards Platinum and Gold Elite |
| 5 | Silver Medallion Members | Delta Corporate Travelers Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Members Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Members Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Members Flying Blue Silver Members Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver Members SkyTeam® Elite LATAM Pass Gold + Elite WestJet Rewards Silver Elite Delta Main Extra Customers |
| 6 | N/A | SkyMiles Members in Delta Main Classic |
| 7 | N/A | Non-SkyMiles Members in Delta Main Classic |
| 8 | N/A | Delta Main Basic |
Delta Sky Priority
After pre-boarding, Zone 1 continues with Delta One or First Class passengers. Delta One is the airline’s most premium product, typically found on long-haul international routes (plus select domestic routes), and includes a lie-flat seat and Delta Sky Club access. First Class operates on flights without lie-flat seating.
Travelers can access Delta One or First Class by purchasing a ticket or redeeming Delta SkyMiles for an award.
Delta reserves Zone 2 for Delta 360 members, Diamond Medallion status holders, and Delta Premium Select customers for airlines equipped with that cabin.
Early Access
After Zone 2 comes a group of passengers called “Early Access” — those with strollers and car seats. These passengers need to identify themselves to the gate agent; this allows them to board earlier than the zone on their boarding pass. Confusingly, Delta does not assign this group a zone number.
Status, Credit Card Members, and Main Cabin
Zone 3 is for Comfort+ customers, which is seating in the main cabin with extra legroom. There are also perks like premium snacks (for flights over 900 miles) and alcohol on flights over 251 miles.
Zone 4 is for Delta Platinum and Gold Medallion members, as well as elite status on these partner airlines:
- Flying Blue Platinum & Gold
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold
- SkyTeam Elite Plus
- LATAM Pass Black Signature, Black, Platinum Elite
- WestJet Rewards Platinum & Gold Elite
Zone 5 boarding is for Delta Silver Medallion members and Main Extra cabin customers, as well as these partner airlines and statuses:
- WestJet Silver
- Delta Corporate Travelers
- Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve
- Flying Blue Silver
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver
- SkyTeam Elite
- LATAM Pass Gold+ Elite
In addition, Delta Corporate travelers and Delta Amex co-branded Card Members will board with Zone 5. Cards that qualify include:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
$350Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 3X miles per dollar at hotels
- 2X miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
$650Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Zone 6 boarding is for SkyMiles members in Delta Main Classic.
Zone 7 boarding is for non-SkyMiles members in Delta Main Classic.
Finally, Zone 8 boarding is for customers who booked a Delta Main Basic (also known as basic economy) fare.
Final Thoughts
Delta is a business at the end of the day, and it wants to incentivize customers to engage with its brand. One way it does this is through boarding zones, letting you board earlier and feel prioritized.
Beyond pre-boarding, the easiest way to board early is by flying in a premium cabin, followed by earning elite status with Delta. Holding a Delta credit card can also move you ahead of passengers on cheaper fares. It’s one of the simplest ways to improve your boarding position, but it’ll only take you so far.
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you can earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Every mile you earn brings you closer to the places you want to go. Turn them into your next trip, use them for seat upgrades, and more.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
- Terms Apply.
- 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 2X miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets
- 2X miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X miles on all other eligible purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
