Booking a flight can take a sizable bite out of your wallet, especially when you’re venturing to a distant part of the globe. Often, the last thing passengers want to do is fork over even more money to take out flight insurance.

An airplane bound for Chicago O’Hare International Airport flies over Park Ridge on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

(CNN) — No advanced seat selection, no changes or refunds.

Sound like Spirit Airlines?

Nope. It’s Delta Air Line’s new “Basic Economy” fare, part of the airline’s new five-fare class of pricing starting March 1, 2015.

No longer content to just offer first-class and coach-cabin seating, Delta is splitting its aircraft into five different fare classes.

Travelers who want more than “Basic Economy” will pay more — Delta’s not saying yet how much more — although that’s already the reality for many travelers.

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Passengers who are willing to pay to change their flights and check their bags — so-called ancillary fees — helped 26 passenger U.S. airlines turn a net profit of $12.7 billion in 2013, up from a profit of $98 million in 2012.

Delta topped that list, collecting $1.67 billion last year: $840 million in reservation change/cancellation fees and $833 million in baggage fees. United Airlines came in second place, with $1.38 billion in fees: $756 million in reservation cancellation/change fees and nearly $625 million in baggage fees.

Delta hopes its new seating options will also be profitable. Note the options on the other end of the seating spectrum: The first class cabin will be split into “First Class” for domestic routes and “Delta One” for long-haul international and certain cross-country domestic flights.

The “First Class” fare includes “first to board” rights, pre-flight alcoholic drinks, snacks included on flights longer than 250 miles and meals on flights longer than 900 miles. The “Delta One” elite first class fare includes access to Delta Sky Clubs, full flat-bed seats on widebody aircraft, in-flight bedding, chef-curated menus, noise-reduction headsets and more.

In the main cabin, customers will have choice of the “Basic Economy” fare and two other fare classes.

The “Basic Economy” bare-bones coach fares will be available on domestic routes, and they’re already available in some areas where Delta competes with deep discounter Spirit Airlines.

The “Main Cabin” coach fares on domestic and long-haul international flights will allow seat selection at time of purchase and flexibility for flight changes. On long-haul international flights, the fare will include alcoholic drinks, meal service and a sleep kit.

The “Delta Comfort+” coach fare on all flights will include priority boarding and dedicated overhead bin space, alcoholic drinks, premium snacks, premium entertainment, up to four more inches of legroom and quilted seat covers.

Travel enthusiasts are already debating the impact on the flying public.

A three-way split in the coach question begs the question: “Will these new economy fares be lower than previously, because you’re getting less?” asks George Hobica, founder of AirWatchdog.com. “Or will you get less for the same fare?”

And who will guard that dedicated overhead bin space for “Delta Comfort+” travelers, Hobica asks. Already harried flight attendants trying to negotiate passengers in already crowded planes?

Aviation journalist Jason Rabinowitz argues that not much will actually change at Delta.

“The most interesting part of the (announcement) was a true definition of the new Basic Economy fare, which aims to directly compete with low-cost carrier Spirit,” says Rabinowitz, Routehappy.com’s data research manager. The routes the new fare is offered on are now clearly defined, but are still fairly limited.”

Travel blogger Christina Saull likes the simplified fare benefits chart but is troubled by that basic fare.

“The lowest fare class doesn’t allow advanced seat selection?” says Saull. “For some people that might not be a big deal, but for a frequent flier who studies seat maps to choose the best seat on the plane, that’s a deal breaker for me. That pricing structure seems Spirit-esque.”

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — In March, Delta Airlines will start offering five different levels of pricing, ranging from a bare-bones “basic economy” all the way to an elite first-class “Delta One” ticket.

It’s a far cry from the 1960s, when airlines used to print their prices weeks in advance.

So, how has airline travel changed?

“I just remember it being easier, like pleasant,” said Cindy Schwartz of Excelsior.

It’s easy to romanticize the good stuff, like the food, dressing up or feeling special that you were one on the select few able to travel in the air.

In 1965, about 20 percent of people had flown at least once. By 2000, about half of all Americans were averaging one round-trip a year.

There also used to be more free space on the planes. In 1968, 46 percent of the seats were filled. By 2012, it jumped to 83 percent.

“It’s probably more affordable, but it’s not as enjoyable,” said Bruce Kitt, executive director of the NWA History Centre.

According to Airlines for America, a ticket in 1941 from Boston to Los Angeles would cost $4,397 in today’s dollars. It took 15 hours with six stops.

By 1974, a cross-country trip was closer to $1,450. Now, it averages $500. Experts point to deregulation of the airline industry in the 1970s as a big factor driving down prices.

Seat size has changed as well.

“Some seats are really close and it’s more crowded than it was years ago,” said Sharon Danielson of Rice Lake. “But then there are some flights that are really comfy.”

An analysis by USA Today found the he distance between the seats, as well as seat width, has shrunk between 1-2 inches since the mid-1980s.

Delta Airlines is changing its seating options and American Airlines is spending on amenities to attract more passengers.

Starting next year, Delta will split the cabins into five sections based on price and in-flight services.

There will be three options for economy travel and two options for premium cabins.

Delta hopes the changes will attract passengers who pick flights based on price and travel time.

American Airlines says it will spend more than $2 billion to make its planes more pleasant for passengers, the latest salvo in a competition among carriers to attract high-paying frequent fliers.

American Airlines Group Inc. said Monday that it will invest in lie-flat seats, Wi-Fi service on international flights, more entertainment offerings and a refresh of its airport lounges around the world.

CEO Doug Parker says that with the expanded global network created by American’s merger with US Airways, it now plans to deliver a better product than competitors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Delta Airlines is changing its seating options and American Airlines is spending on amenities to attract more passengers.

Starting next year, Delta will split the cabins into five sections based on price and in-flight services.

There will be three options for economy travel and two options for premium cabins.

Delta hopes the changes will attract passengers who pick flights based on price and travel time.

American Airlines says it will spend more than $2 billion to make its planes more pleasant for passengers, the latest salvo in a competition among carriers to attract high-paying frequent fliers.

American Airlines Group Inc. said Monday that it will invest in lie-flat seats, Wi-Fi service on international flights, more entertainment offerings and a refresh of its airport lounges around the world.

CEO Doug Parker says that with the expanded global network created by American’s merger with US Airways, it now plans to deliver a better product than competitors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Delta Airlines is changing its seating options and American Airlines is spending on amenities to attract more passengers.

Starting next year, Delta will split the cabins into five sections based on price and in-flight services.

There will be three options for economy travel and two options for premium cabins.

Delta hopes the changes will attract passengers who pick flights based on price and travel time.

American Airlines says it will spend more than $2 billion to make its planes more pleasant for passengers, the latest salvo in a competition among carriers to attract high-paying frequent fliers.

American Airlines Group Inc. said Monday that it will invest in lie-flat seats, Wi-Fi service on international flights, more entertainment offerings and a refresh of its airport lounges around the world.

CEO Doug Parker says that with the expanded global network created by American’s merger with US Airways, it now plans to deliver a better product than competitors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

DETROIT (AP) – Delta airlines say a plane that took off from Detroit has made an emergency landing in Ohio on its way to Florida.

The airline says the crew decided to land in Toledo, Ohio, Thursday night due to a smoky odor in the flight deck after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It says the plane headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, landed without incident and taxied to the gate using its own power. Passengers are being transferred to another plane and no injuries were reported.

It’s unclear what caused the problem. Emergency crews surrounded the Delta 757 aircraft after landing.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

TOLEDO, Ohio –

A flight heading from Detroit to Fort Lauderdale made an emergency landing Thursday night.

The crew of Delta Airlines flight 312 elected to divert to Toledo, Ohio, due to a smoky odor in the flight deck, airport officials told Local 4 News.

Officials said the flight landed without incident and taxied to the gate under its own power.

“Customers are being reaccommodated on another aircraft,” airport officials said in a statement. “Safety is always Delta’s top priority.”

Emergency crews surrounded the plane after landing.

No injuries were reported.

Watch Local 4 News and stay with ClickOnDetroit.com for updates on this developing story.