Reporter Flies Delta Basic Economy Cross-Country for $500, Finds No Need to Upgrade

I spent $500 on a cross-country red-eye flight in Delta's basic economy. I'm glad I didn't upgrade to a premium class.

Business Insider's reporter flew from San Francisco to NYC in Delta's basic economy. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I took a red-eye flight from San Francisco to New York in February 2026. I booked a basic economy ticket with Delta Air Lines for $500. My seat was comfortable enough to sleep in, and I'm glad I didn't splurge for an upgrade. I don't want to waste a whole day on air travel. So when I have to take a long flight or lose hours due to time zone changes, I prefer a red-eye. Whether ...