Going to Paris in Spring -- Virgin/Delta or SAS?

Do you mean Delta Premium Select or Delta One or Delta Comfort?

My experience with Premium Select on Delta wasn't great if traveling alone. The seat in front of you recline significantly to the point that it is hard to get in and out of the seat with the hard armrest. I haven't flown Virgin so can't comment on that.

I know some people dislike bulkhead seats but that has been my go-to on Delta Comfort if I can manage to get it, which gives me enough leg space. I'm fine keeping my backpack up for take-off and landing, and keep a small purse/bag with me during take-off and landing.
Now Delta One is a complete different story, if you can afford it, that's the way to travel.

My only experience with SAS is economy within Europe.

My question is which has the more direct routing to CDG? That's what I would take.

SAS Plus - "Dedicated mid-tier cabin with wider seats, a 38-inch pitch, enhanced three-course meals, priority airport services, and increased baggage allowances - Legroom & Pitch: Generous 38-inch (96.5 cm) pitch—providing about 6 extra inches over regular economy.Seat Dimensions: Width of 18.3 to 19 inches with deep recline and adjustable foot/leg rests.Layout: Arranged in a comfortable 2-3-2 configuration on Airbus A330s and 2-4-2 on A350s.

Priority check-in, fast-track security, priority boarding, and expedited baggage handling.Dining: Upgraded multi-course meals and complimentary beverages/snacks throughout the flight. upgraded blankets, pillows, and a shoe-bag style amenity kit. Two checked bags (up to 23 kg each) and two carry-on items included." Very clear there's no lounge access, hope that's helpful.

No experience on Delta.

Our one experience on Virgin Premier Economy was excellent (Spring 2026). Lots of room (husband is 6'4"), comfortable seats, surprisingly good food. We felt taken care of. We have reservations to London on Virgin in Premier Economy already for next Spring. It was a completely different experience than our Virgin Economy Delight flight which was fine but not excellent.

Have never flown Virgin Atlantic to Paris but fly VA’s Premium Economy nearly every year to London. Throughly worth the money.

I’m a Delta flyer. I usually buy Comfort economy but then check every single day to see what the cost is to upgrade to Delta One. And I mean I literally check every day. I leave a tab open on my computer and click in to My Delta at least once a day. I’ve been able to successfully upgrade my flights often, for a fairly reasonable price for the last few flights.

I have flown Premium Select only once. The tray table is in the armrest so the seat seems narrower and you can’t raise the arm to get out. I also agree with the seat in front of you coming back at you.

Are all of the flights direct from your home airport?

@Pam - I am a Delta flyer as well and I have never paid for Delta One, so it never gives me the option to upgrade.
I just flew SFO to JFK, and JFK to GRU and there were seats available until boarding when some folks got upgraded, and I checked my app daily and it never gave me opportunity to upgrade to either PS or Delta One.

My flight to Amsterdam in a month is the same. I bought it in early February and I keep checking daily and it still not showing options to upgrade. I think the upgrade depends on the flyer and type of airfare you have purchased in the past. I always buy Comfort+. The only time I flew PS is because Delta messed up my flight and that was the only seat available on a new flight.

But checking daily has its benefits, as I just scored my favorite seat on first row on 2 seats by window of bulkhead Comfort+ from SEA to AMS. I have yet to see a baby on that row, hoping my luck continues! And on the new A330-900neo which has great seats!

I’ve flown both Delta Premium Select and SAS Premium Economy, and for a long-haul flight I think either is a big improvement over regular economy. I’m not very tall, but I still notice the extra space and being able to stretch out a bit more makes a big difference after several hours.
I found SAS Premium Economy (SAS Plus) to be a nice experience, especially with the included lounge access at many airports and better food/service. Delta Premium Select has a more “premium cabin” feel with a wider seat and a more familiar experience if you’re used to Delta.

For me, part of it would depend on which airport I am using to depart for Europe, and how big a presence Virgin/Delta/SAS has there.

In my case, I am always thinking - if I don't make the flight I am on (due to a delay on my first flight or through some airline issue), what other options are going to be available to get me where I need to go

@Joy, sometimes when I go into the “my flight” info it gives the upgrade options after purchase. This last trip I booked just about 6 weeks out and it never gave me the option when I went into my flights so I had to go in each time, each leg to seat selection. Click on a Delta One seat and it will tell you how much it is to upgrade to that level both in dollars and miles. The prices vary wildly. Do not be discouraged if it shows something ridiculous like $6000 for the international leg. Check day after day. My threshold is about $1500 for that leg and under $100 for the Spokane to Seattle leg.

Hi Pam, I do the same but only see X (which I know it's not technically occupied) and the little body silhouette showing it's occupied. My husband has higher status on Delta and can usually see upgrade options. I will keep trying!

Since you mentioned Spokane, I hope you and friends are holding it up well with the fires. I live in NorCal so I know how debilitating smoke and fear of fire spread can be.

@Joy....I went thru several days of the "X's" both in Delta One and Select and then finally the seats were released. Honestly, I believe those X's are random. I have read that Delta updates their computers on Saturdays so I had always avoided checking then BUT for my trip last April I accidentally found great fares on a Saturday so I've started being sure to check early AM (Pacific time) and afternoon if I'm looking for upgrades. I am only Silver Medallion at present which I believe gets me nothing, hahaha!!

Thanks, also, for your concern. The fires, which they now have concluded were all human caused, are pretty terrible. Nothing as dire as last Saturday/Sunday but we are supposed to have wind this Friday and Saturday (not the 60mph like last week). One of our travel group had to evacuate (she got to go back home Sunday) and another of the group had a couple of friends evacuate to their home. We're just covered in smoke which I know many can identify with.

We flew premium economy on SAS in 2023. Service was good, meals were good. While seat comfort will vary by type of plane, if you are bulkhead or aisle seat, fine. If window seat and the passenger in front of you is fully reclined, it can be claustrophobic and difficult to get out. At the time, lounge access was included. I think that has changed. Priority check-in and generous carry-on is included. At the time, no fees to select seats and our connecting flights within Norway offered enhanced snacks/meals, drinks and priority boarding.

Connecting in Copenhagen was a piece of cake. Connecting in Stockholm on our return to the US was a zoo. Exit border control was a total madhouse. SAS had to hold the plane for about 40 of us.

I usually fly American Airlines premium economy. SAS definitely has better meals. But, AA allows me to select my favorite seat, bulkhead window, in advance for no fee.

Joy, thanks for your reply. I mean Delta Comfort

@ jeanm I've flown SAS economy and it was quite nice. My sister travels Virgin Atlantic between London and LAX because she loves the service, but because of Virgin's relationship with Delta, it seems so confusing, like their carryons limits are different, are you getting Virgin plane/service or Delta, etc.

I agree about the layover in Copenhagen -- not a problem. And now I see that you can extend your layover for no fee to stay a few days in Copenhagen.

I'm a relatively new international traveler and I have really bad jet lag. I stayed in Wake Up Copenhagen last time going from Paris to LAX and it was lovely: super clean, efficient and very affordable, which really helped. I'm thinking about doing the same on my way to Paris again in the spring. My sense about SAS is that it was so low hassle, on time, quiet, no drama. Maybe I just got lucky.

Thanks for the info on Stockholm.

@Joy I actually want to book on Virgin Atlantic, but every flight, even with the VS code, all the offers are for a "Delta" choice.

I'm talking about Delta Comfort vs. SAS Premium.

@ Katiecem -- when I try to book on Virgin, they only show the Delta categories -- no Virgin categories.

@Joy I actually want to book on Virgin Atlantic, but every flight, even with the VS code, all the offers are for a "Delta" choice. I'm talking about Delta Comfort vs. SAS Premium.

Very often, partner airlines have codeshare so a flight will have a DL and VS, but look at the "operated by" so you know which airline plane you get. I am a Delta person so I book through Delta website, which shows me which planes are not operated by Delta even if the flight might have DL on it.

I only buy Comfort+ and most of my flights are to South America but I do at least one trip a year to Europe with several connections. I always look at the type of plane and seat availability before purchasing a ticket. If traveling alone, I try to go for aisle on the 2 seats by window, and if I can score the first row in Comfort+ by bulkhead, even better.

If any of these airlines involves having to connect to another flight, don’t pick that airline. Choose from those that have direct flights to your destination.

I am familiar with Delta’s Comfort. I am flying that to Milan in October. You get about 3 inches more legroom, you board before the main cabin, & you are toward the front of the aircraft which makes deboarding quicker.

The seats are the exact same seats as the main cabin. Same recline too. The food is exactly the same as the main cabin. You’ll be using the same lavatories as the main cabin.

Delta has a product called Premium Select which has a little wider and more comfortable seats, better recline, more legroom, bigger TV screens, a separate menu, & is even closer to the front of the aircraft for quicker deboarding. You will also board before Delta Comfort and the main cabin.

The Premium Select seats do not have access to a separate lavatory. You’ll be using the same lavatory as the main cabin. Premium Select is Delta’s attempt at “premium economy” but it falls short to what premium economy is especially compared with some foreign airlines.

I leave a tab open on my computer and click in to My Delta at least once a day. I’ve been able to successfully upgrade my flights often, for a fairly reasonable price for the last few flights.

Hi Pam! I hope all is well with you! You’ve got me curious — on your flights to/from a European destination, what prices did you find for an upgrade to Delta One that you jumped at and bought? Thanks!

I'm a bit puzzled over the mention of Virgin Atlantic to Paris, as the only long-haul flights VA operates from the States to the continent are Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh. And the OP doesn't mention their originating airport. If I were looking for a flight to Paris on a SkyTeam partner it would be Air France non-stop or KLM via AMS - originating from LAX. The Delta nonstop would be a less desirable option, and I would avoid connecting through LHR.

Delta Comfort+ is similar to "extra legroom" economy on other carriers - "Economy Delight" on VA. These are completely different products from premium economy or premium select.

“Hi Pam! I hope all is well with you! You’ve got me curious — on your flights to/from a European destination, what prices did you find for an upgrade to Delta One that you jumped at and bought? Thanks”

@Continental- This last trip (Spokane-Edinburgh and return) I first picked up the inbound international leg which was about $1200. Several weeks later I found the outbound International leg for about $1100 and for that one I used SkyMiles. Last Spring I was able to upgrade for $790 outbound and $830 or so (don’t remember exactly) inbound for the International leg. For both trips I’d bought RT at the Comfort Plus level.