Delta may add premium coach section

The concept of offering a few rows of premium coach seating -- with more legroom, early boarding or other perks -- has kicked around the industry for years. One carrier currently offering it is United Airlines, which just surpassed Delta as the world's largest carrier after its merger with Continental Airlines.

United has a section called Economy Plus, for domestic as well as overseas flights, that offers about five inches more legroom than regular economy class seats. United allows its elite frequent fliers to sit in the section at regular coach fares, while other passengers can pay anywhere from $9 to $159 to upgrade, depending on the flight.

United also sells packages, such as its premiere package, which starts at $47 and includes an Economy Plus upgrade along with two checked bags, use of a premiere check-in area and security line where available and early boarding. .

If Delta adds a premium economy section, ""It's a smart move, it really is," said Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst with Forrester Research. It "allows Delta to narrow the competitive gap."

Through its acquisition of Continental, United now has a massive hub in Newark that competes with Delta's Kennedy International hub for lucrative international passengers.

Premium economy seats would enable Delta to bring in more revenue and make customers more loyal, Harteveldt said. A number of international carriers also offer premium economy sections on long-haul flights, including Delta joint venture partners Air France and KLM.

"As Delta looks at the competitive landscape, they see United coming in," Harteveldt said. "They need to take this move as a way to defend their position," and as an offensive move to steal market share from other carriers such as American, he said.