Happy Friday from steamy Miami. I'm not here for the World Cup but am soaking in all the hoopla ahead of Saturday's quarterfinal match between England and Norway. There's even an aviation angle: Norwegian Air proposed a bet with British Airways on the outcome. The loser has to switch to the winner's logo on Instagram on Sunday. British Airways' response: "Don't make bets you can't win."
The big travel news this week: Delta is adding basic fares to its premium cabins . I'm not a fan. Much more on that below.
American Airlines opened a second grab-and-go Provisions by Admirals Club lounge, at JFK. The first one opened in Charlotte, N.C., last year.
And Flighty, my go-to flight-tracking app , added new features to help travelers better navigate flight connections. The additions, including gate predictions, are for paid subscribers. Note that Flighty isn't available for Android devices.
Delta's money grab
Delta Air Lines has been upfront about its plans to bring those restrictive basic fares to its cushier cabins.
What it hasn't been so upfront about: the reason it's doing it.
When the airline rolled out a new basic fare category for its priciest seats this week, it said, and I quote, "This expansion of the basic experience allows customers to access premium products at a lower price point, giving them more choice and the ability to tailor their travel based on what matters most."
Let's be clear: Delta isn't lowering the price to sit in premium select, first class or Delta One business class. It is stripping away benefits that until now were included anytime you bought one of these tickets. Then it has the gall to call it a win for us.
Things like advance-seat assignments and, in the case of business class, admittance to those out-of-this-world Delta One lounges. United already has basic fares in its premium cabins with similar restrictions (and reasoning!).
I don't know about you, but if I'm spending thousands of dollars for a plane ticket I expect all the frills. (Delta says you still get the same in-flight service, seat features and amenities even with basic tickets.)
Delta's hope is that the restrictions will prompt you to shell out even more for what's already a pricey ticket. It and other airlines have been unashamedly doing this with basic economy for years.
In premium select, a Delta category below business class on long-haul international and transcontinental flights, the new basic-fare category notes you'll likely end up in a middle seat. This is because your seat will be assigned at the last minute. And, in another move straight out of the basic-economy playbook, it makes you click a box that says you "accept the restrictions."
Delta hadn't loaded basic-business fares on several routes I checked on Wednesday, but they had for premium select.
Here are the price differences for a round-trip flight from JFK to Rome in early October:
-- Premium select basic: $2,783 -- Premium select classic: $3,003 -- Premium select extra: $3,563
The prices will vary wildly, of course. But they know they'll get plenty of people to spring for an extra $220 to get perks that until now were standard.
Are you one of those travelers who splurges on premium cabins? I want to hear your thoughts on this trend. And if you've never tried the front of the plane, do you see this as your "affordable" entree to the high life? Reach me at dawn.gilbertson@wsj.com or hit reply if you're reading this newsletter in your inbox.
This is an edition of the WSJ Travel newsletter, a weekly source of inspiration and advice for navigating your vacations and business trips, along with the latest travel news. If you're not subscribed, sign up here.
Notes From the Road
-- Forget Montana. Our writer traveled to the Catskills to learn to fly
fish.
-- Prefer to live it up while fly fishing? Check out these five luxury
hotels.
-- Like Aspen's Little Nell hotel? The company behind it is bringing the
concept to other cities.
One Good Tip 🎯
We're halfway through 2026. It's time to take stock of your loyalty status with airlines and hotels. The goal: Size up where you stand to maintain your current status or reach another level. If you're on track, keep sending business that airline or hotel chain's way to maintain those benefits. If not, maybe it's time to be a free agent.
Travel Math 🧮
The number of travelers screened at TSA checkpoints on Sunday, July 5, the busiest day of the holiday travel period. Thursday, July 2, was close behind.
And We Quote 💬
You Have Thoughts 🤔
...on cheesy souvenirs:
-- "We collect snow globes. But ONLY the classic half-dome plastic ones, no
fancy resin and glass. I'm not sure why or how the distinction was
settled on but there it is. We only collect from places we visit together,
no individual trips. We currently have almost 100. Unfortunately, the
domed plastic version is rapidly disappearing in favor of the resin
models. We're holding firm. I've become quite good at refilling them as
the fluid evaporates over time." -- Kelly Ryan, Minnesota
(Responses have been condensed and edited.)
Cheers and Jeers 🤷
Cheers to Costco Travel for great car rental rates. When I picked up my midsize SUV from Enterprise for a weekly rental last week, the employee marveled at the rate (under $300 including taxes and fees for a holiday week) and joked it was better than the employee rate. Costco also includes an additional driver for no fee.
And cheers to American Airlines and AT&T for making that video airlines and airports make us watch in exchange for free Wi-Fi at least entertaining. If you haven't seen it, it features characters from "The Office" on a business trip.
Jeers, though, for knocking me off Wi-Fi several times in the first hour of a flight due to "technical" issues.
About Us
Dawn Gilbertson writes WSJ's Carry On column covering all things travel. You can reach her at dawn.gilbertson@wsj.com or on X at @dawngilbertson. Sign up to get an alert every time Dawn publishes an article.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 10, 2026 08:25 ET (12:25 GMT)
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