Note: As of 2024, Delta Air Lines transitioned from MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) to a simplified MQD (Medallion Qualification Dollars) system. Under the legacy system, you absolutely earned more MQMs for flying in First Class, often receiving a "Class of Service" bonus of 50% to 100% on top of the actual miles flown. However, in the current MQD-based system, the "bonus" for flying First Class is built into the ticket price. Since you earn 1 MQD for every $1 spent on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, a First Class ticket (which is naturally more expensive than Economy) will yield significantly more MQDs toward your elite status. If you are flying on a partner airline (like Virgin Atlantic or Air France) and earning toward Delta status, the calculation is based on a percentage of the distance flown and the fare class; in these cases, a First or Business Class ticket still provides a much higher "multiplier" (often 1.5x to 3x) than an economy ticket. While the physical "MQM" unit no longer exists for Delta, the fundamental rule remains: the more premium the cabin you book, the faster you will ascend the tiers of Medallion status due to the higher spend or the higher partner earning percentages associated with those luxury seats.