Delta's New Seating Arrangement Somehow Makes Coach Even Worse

Delta Air Lines has a request for the traveling public: Please don't confuse the bespoke airfares available on our airplanes as anything like what our rivals have to offer.

Starting next year, Delta plans to segment its airplane cabins into five sections based on price and service, with three flavors of economy and two premium cabins. The marketing scheme announced on Monday is aimed at identifying certain products and services with particular fare classes, an attempt at creating brand recognition inside the airplane cabin. Coach is so generic, a bland catch-all commodity. Delta wants travelers to instead weigh the distinctions between Main Cabin and Basic Economy, while perhaps considering a splurge on Delta Comfort+, where you'll get extra legroom and a free alcoholic beverage.