(NEXSTAR) — Delta Air Lines announced that it’s updating its boarding system to be less confusing for passengers.
Instead of boarding by groups with names such as Diamond Medallions, Delta Premium Select and Sky Priority, passengers will board in groups numbered one through eight.
“When you have a number and you’re standing in line, we are all trained to know when it’s our turn,” CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview with the Associated Press.
The change, which rolls out on May 1, won’t alter the pecking order of when each type of customer gets to board. Those with the cheapest tickets, Basic Economy, will still board last.
“Delta will still offer pre-board opportunities for customers who need extra time or assistance, followed by active-duty military, then Delta 360 Members,” the company noted on its website.
Delta said that boarding lane signs will also be updated to show boarding zone numbers.
Here’s the full order in which passengers will board:
Zone 1: Delta One and first-class customers
Zone 2: Diamond Medallion members and Delta Premium Select Cabin passengers
Early access: Customers traveling with car seats and strollers
Zone 3: Delta Comfort+ passengers
Zone 4: Sky Priority customers
Zone 5: Main Cabin 1 passengers
Zone 6: Main Cabin 2 passengers
Zone 7: Main Cabin 3 passengers
Zone 8: Basic economy passengers
Delta isn’t the only airline that has updated its system in recent months. Back in October 2023, United overhauled its boarding process so that passengers sitting in window and middle seats could board before those in aisle seats.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
