Delta halts seat change program

After a backlash from some of its elite fliers, Delta Air Lines Inc., the world’s biggest carrier, has halted a program on Delta-operated aircraft that allowed customers to buy better seat assignments on certain flights.

The Atlanta company in late October began offering coach customers the ability to move to a better seat location in their cabin for $5 to $25.

Jeff Robertson, vice president of loyalty programs for Delta, said that some Medallion members of the carrier’s frequent flier program were upset that their access to preferred seats without charge at the time of booking was restricted as a result of the new program.