Every so often, airlines “update” their rules. If the change can be spun as a win for passengers—even marginally—they’ll trumpet it like it’s the invention of flight itself.
Southwest provided a masterclass in this last year when they proudly announced refreshed cabins on their 737 MAX 7 and MAX 8, along with the 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft. The headline? Shiny new “Premium” seats up front. The footnote? Those seats come with a Premium price (funny how that part didn’t make the press release). Also not front and center: thinner economy seats across all those cabins and, on the 737-800s, about an inch less legroom for everyone else who doesn’t get one of those “Premium” seats. Details, details.
And when an airline makes a change they know won’t be popular—especially one that only affects certain passengers—they tend to do the opposite: quietly tweak the rules, update a webpage, and hope nobody notices until it’s too late.
Which brings us to Delta and its newly clarified stance on comfort.
Over the years, airlines have steadily perfected the art of making flying less comfortable. In the name of fitting as many humans as possible into a metal tube, seats have narrowed, legroom has shrunk, and amenities have quietly disappeared. Some airlines offer no in-flight entertainment at all, tray tables on ultra-low-cost carriers are roughly the size of a smartphone, and it’s no longer unusual to book a “window seat” that…doesn’t actually have a window.
Naturally, passengers adapted. Entrepreneurs stepped in. Gadgets were invented.
And, proving once again that optimism dies hard, I have absolutely fallen for more than one of them.
I bought the thing that supposedly increases the size of your armrest.
I may or may not own two Trtl neck supports (one adult size, one kid size – hey, they were on sale!).
And yes, I also tried the “increased seat-storage” contraption that promised to change my life at 35,000 feet.
Delta Air Lines: Anti-Comfort, Pro-Safety™
But Delta, it turns out, would really prefer that we stop trying to be comfortable and focus on being safe. So while most of us weren’t looking, they quietly updated their website to clarify a list of twelve “Comfort Items and Personal Devices” that are no longer allowed for use on board.
The reasoning is broadly summarized as: anything that might possibly annoy, inconvenience, obstruct, or mildly alarm someone else—or the airline—has to go.
What Delta Says You Can’t Use
According to Delta, prohibited items include anything that could:
- Block aisles or footwells
- Create trip hazards
- Attach to seats or windows
- Invade another passenger’s personal space
- Interfere with safety equipment
- Or otherwise offend Delta’s interpretation of safety
Specifically banned? The hits keep coming:
- Inflatable wedges, cubes, and seat beds
- Knee defenders and seat recline blockers
- Foot hammocks and slings
- Window and tray table organizers
- Seat pods and privacy tents
- Full-head helmets
So…What’s Still Allowed?
To be fair, it’s not all doom and gloom. Delta notes that comfort items are still allowed—as long as they fit within carry-on limits, collapse quickly, and can be stashed under your seat without inconveniencing anyone.
So yes. Comfort is still permitted.
Just…not that much comfort.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
List seems pretty logical. People are idiots, you have a seat and whatever clothes you have on. You are not in an ICU, just sit therefor a few hours.