Fare class Z or is a revenue fare/booking class of service that is marketed as First Class / Delta One on Delta Air Lines. The fare class is considered a deeply discounted First Class / Delta One class that must be available to immediately clear into Delta One using a GUC or RUC.
Fare class Z is marketed as a deeply discounted First Class / Delta One fare class, which is strictly controlled by the revenue management department. Revenue management is known for limiting the number of Z fare class seats available on transcontinental and long-haul routes to control how many GUCs or RUCs or non-rev employee upgrades can clear. Tickets in this fare class will be least expensive Delta One tickets available to purchase. If you’re looking for a cheaper fare class, you can book Main Cabin or adjust your routing or dates.
If you don’t know, now you know…
In years past, searching for flights months out yielded Z-fare class inventory because there were no customers booked in Delta One. Sometime in 2021-2022’ish, Revenue management blocked Z-fare inventory for lowest fare sale until they explicitly released that inventory. This move effectively allows Delta is control how many seats and when the seats this fare class is available for sale. Additionally, it eliminates savvy flyings seeking Z fare class routes, instead making fare class I the lowest published fare class automatically shown.
Below is a human-readable description of this fare class and the expectations passengers should have when flying with a Z fare class.
Fare class Z booking information
Important information to know when booking Fare class Z on Delta Air Lines.
How to book Fare class Z
Important information on how to book Fare class Z on Delta Air Lines.
- Searching for Fare Class Z is nearly impossible through Delta.com and they have deprecated the advanced search feature which used to allow passengers to search by Fare Class.
- It is advised to call into reservations and get a knowledgeable ticketing agent to search your destination for Fare Class Z availability. Unfortunately, getting a knowledgeable ticket agent is very hard post-COVID as the newer agents have not been trained on DL Term or any other system than their point-and-click reservations system. You will have to hang up and call again (HUCA).
- Many frequent flyers are reporting no Z fare availability months in advance, which supports to theory of Revenue management controlling the release of these seats.
- People who manage to book Z fares have reported that the fare class came available a few weeks to month out. The theory behind this is that the Delta One seat sales were lagging behind the forecasted load and thus Revenue Management released a seat or two into the Z fare bucket for sale.
If you are a frequent flyer with additional insight or are with Delta seeking to clarify the information provided, please contact me.
Fare class Z upgrade eligibility
Important upgrade eligibility and upgrade order information with a Fare class Z ticket on Delta Air Lines.
Complimentary upgrades
If you’re booked into fare class Z, there are no higher cabins of service available.
SkyMiles Medallion frequent flyer earnings
Important Medallion earning information on a Fare class Z ticket on Delta Air Lines.