Delta med 5 klasser på store fly

Delta announces five-tiered seating plan

By Katia Hetter, CNN

December 9, 2014 -- Updated 1818 GMT (0218 HKT)

Delta Airlines is introducing five new fare classes starting March 1.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Delta's new fare structure will offer five in-flight experiences
• The bare-bones economy fare doesn't include advance seat selection or allow changes
• The fanciest first-class fare includes access to airline lounge and chef-curated menus
• The plan takes effect March 1

(CNN) -- No advanced seat selection, no changes or refunds.

Sound like Spirit Airlines?

Nope. It's Delta Air Lines' new "Basic Economy" fare, part of the airline's new five-fare class of pricing starting March 1.

No longer content to just offer first-class and coach-cabin seating, Delta is splitting its aircraft into five fare classes.

Travelers who want more than "Basic Economy" will pay more -- Delta's not saying yet how much more -- although that's already the reality for many travelers.

Passengers who are willing to pay to change their flights and check their bags -- so-called ancillary fees -- helped 26 passenger U.S. airlines turn a net profit of $12.7 billion in 2013, up from a profit of $98 million in 2012.

Delta topped that list, collecting $1.67 billion last year: $840 million in reservation change/cancellation fees and $833 million in baggage fees. United Airlines came in second place with $1.38 billion in fees: $756 million in reservation cancellation/change fees and nearly $625 million in baggage fees.

Delta hopes its new seating options will also be profitable. Note the options on the other end of the seating spectrum: The first-class cabin will be split into "First Class" for domestic routes and "Delta One" for long-haul international and certain cross-country domestic flights.