Surprising: Delta Makes A 180, Cuts Delta 360 Pre-Boarding

Delta Air Lines will tweak its boarding process a bit as of late next week, with one change I wasn’t expecting to see.

Delta will start boarding Delta 360s with Zone 2

Delta 360 is Delta’s invitation only elite status. It’s even more exclusive than American Concierge Key or United Global Services, with a pretty small membership base. The status comes with several perks, including better soft treatment across the board.

In May 2024, Delta overhauled its boarding process, and as part of this, the airline introduced pre-boarding for its Delta 360 members, which wasn’t previously offered. Specifically, under the current system, pre-boarding is available for customers needing extra time and assistance, active military members, and Delta 360 members, and then boarding for premium cabin passengers starts.

However, it seems that this didn’t last for long, as the policy will be changing after roughly a year. Starting on May 16, 2025, Delta 360 members will board in Zone 2, with Diamond Medallion members, after first class. The airline hasn’t given any reason for this policy change, other than to say that pre-boarding is being reserved for those who need extra time, and active duty military.

I’m curious what prompted this policy change

Each airline takes a slightly different approach toward boarding, so it’s not like there’s a right or wrong system. Here in the United States, boarding has largely become not just about efficiency, but about monetizing the process, and recognizing elites and credit card holders.

So it’s interesting to contrast the policies of the other two “major” US airlines when it comes to elite boarding vs. premium cabin boarding:

• American boards Concierge Key members, and then premium cabin passengers
• United boards Global Services members, then Premier 1K members, then anyone with a pulse, and then premium cabin passengers (okay, I’m kidding slightly on the pulse part, but United has a lot of pre-boarding groups)

Delta will be alone in not pre-boarding its invitation only elite members. And it’s not even that Delta 360 members will board with first class, but they’ll even board after first class.

One certainly wonders what is prompting this policy change. Did it just cause more confusion than it was worth, with many people not knowing what Delta 360 is? Or what other possible explanation is there?

Personally, I think the best solution is probably somewhere in the middle. I’m not a fan of endless boarding groups, though at least boarding Delta 360 members with premium cabin passengers seems fair, no?

Bottom line

As of May 16, 2025, Delta will be downgrading boarding for its Delta 360 members. While they can currently pre-board ahead of first class passengers, they’ll soon only be allowed to board after first class, with Diamond Medallion members.

I don’t have a terribly strong opinion on whether certain elite members should board ahead of first class, though I am a bit surprised to see this cut after just a year, since this priority boarding benefit was only added in May 2024. It’s quite a contrast to what you see at United, in terms of priority.

What do you make of Delta downgrading boarding for Delta 360 members?