Delta to sell commuter seats by class

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Friday it would offer first and economy class aboard its shuttle flights beginning Dec. 1.

Delta spokeswoman Betsy Talton said prices will vary by route, but first-class seats will generally cost $100 to $250 more than economy.

Delta said it would offer 14 seats in first class and 128 in economy after reconfiguring its MD-88 jets used in shuttle service.

Open-seating - without assigned seats - will remain in each class, the Atlanta-based airline said.

Delta said elite "Medallion" members of its SkyMiles frequent-flier program would be eligible for free upgrades to first class.

To promote the service, Delta said new and current SkyMiles members can earn double miles on shuttle flights on or before Dec. 15 between New York's LaGuardia Airport and Boston or Washington.

The airline said it is keeping perks such as free beer, wine, snacks and newspapers on the shuttle service and would expand selections in first class, where the seats will be wider and cocktails will be complimentary.

By next spring, Delta said, the entire shuttle fleet of nine planes will be equipped with high-speed Internet access and texting services through vendor Aircell's Gogo system for $9.95 per flight.

Lee Macenczak, Delta's executive vice president of sales and marketing, said dividing shuttle flights into two classes would give customers more options.

Delta said customers may see two-class service on some shuttle planes in November as the company completes the reconfiguration of its planes.

Delta (DAL, Fortune 500) shares fell 10 cents to $7.96 in afternoon trading.