Experience Flying Basic Economy with Delta and Alaska Airlines: A Comparative Review

From countless hours spent in the skies on economy flights, I've learned that 'bare-bones' doesn't necessarily mean identical experiences across the board. The level of comfort you encounter in basic economy, where amenities are stripped to the essentials, can significantly differ between airlines.

Delta Flight from Salt Lake City to New York

In January 2025, my journey began with a 4.5-hour Delta flight from Salt Lake City to New York City, setting me back $175. The ticket included one carry-on but neither accrued travel miles nor allowed pre-selection of seats, leaving my seat assignment to be finalized at the gate.

A noteworthy point during this trip was a fortunate last-minute switch. The flight I was originally on was fully booked, prompting the airline to request volunteers willing to take a less crowded flight, departing just ten minutes later. This alternative landed me at John F. Kennedy International Airport, conveniently close to home.

Alaska Airlines Journey from Seattle to New York

In May 2025, I chose Alaska Airlines for a 5.5-hour ride from Seattle to New York, costing $240 under their 'saver fare' category. This fare allows loyal customers to earn reduced mileage points compared to standard economy.

Like with Delta, a carry-on was included, but alas, no seat assignment pre-check-in. Unfortunately, this flight was at full capacity. Being in the last boarding group meant all overhead bins were already full, necessitating the checking of my carry-on at the gate.

Space on the Delta Airbus A321neo

Delta's Airbus A321neo added a pleasant surprise to my flight as many seats remained unoccupied, offering extra space. This aircraft has the capacity for 194 passengers.

Alaska's Packed Boeing 737-900

Boarding my Alaska Airlines flight, I found myself squeezed into the middle seat at the rear of a fully loaded Boeing 737-900, built to accommodate 178 passengers. Despite having phased out their Airbus models in 2023, this Boeing series remains part of their fleet, paralleling Delta’s similar offerings permitting between 173 and 180 travelers.

Comfort Comparison: Seats

My Delta seat was noticeably roomier and more comfortable compared to Alaska's offering. The Delta Airbus A321neo comes equipped with seats measuring 18 inches in width and offering a seat pitch of 31 inches.

Conversely, Alaska’s seats are only 17 inches wide with a seat pitch varying from 31 to 32 inches. Meanwhile, Delta's Boeing 737-900 variants offer seats 17.3 inches broad with comparable pitch dimensions.

In-flight Entertainment: A Comparative Look

A significant distinction on these flights came with the entertainment options. My Delta flight featured an interactive seat-back screen filled with a rich selection of movies and TV series, which I appreciated for its size and convenience over my personal device.

In contrast, Alaska Airlines offered access to content via personal devices, devoid of seat-back screens, necessitating me to use my phone and presenting a less immersive experience. To note, both planes had power outlets available, with some of Delta’s other Boeing models featuring the preferred seat-back screens too.

Assessing the Lavatory Facilities

The lavatories on both flights were by and large the same—clean enough but predictably cramped given economy standards.

Final Take: A Preference for Delta

Simply put, the Delta flight was the more enjoyable experience, largely thanks to the fortune of having extra space due to fewer passengers. Even had this not been the case, I might still have leaned towards Delta for the flight, particularly given their more spacious seating and superior in-flight entertainment system.

Representatives from both Delta and Alaska Airlines were unavailable for comment regarding this comparison.