Delta airlines: really that bad? (trip report)

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 06 Jan 2007, 16:57

I have read bad comments about Delta Air Lines on this website and was against the idea of flying Delta to Corpus Christi. But is Delta really that bad? Let this report tell you my experience with the airline.

date:23/12/06
operator:Delta Air Lines inc.
aircraft:Boeing 767-300ER
flight no:DL125
Route:BRU-ATL
Brussels may be a convenient airport to transfer in, but it's really a pain to depart from during rush hour. We had to stay in line for the check in for at least 30 minutes (probably more) and then go trough customs and security which also took long. In fact, even tough we came to the airport 2 hours before the flight, boarding started just as we arrived at the gate. Some nice traffic was parked there: the weekly HBA flight, the an Ethiopian 763 and Delta's habitat for humanity aircraft. I was hoping we would fly that aircraft to Atlanta, but unfortunately we simply flew an aircraft in regular markings.
We where seated in row 21, which is the second row behind the movie screen. Seats where more comfortable then Continental's seats, but the aircraft was noticeably old (classic Boeing style interior) and the entertainment system needed to be renewed (beamer and a few overhead screens). Before takeoff, earphones, eyeshades, menus and earplugs where handed out. There was no delay in this flight and the aircraft quickly took off from runway 2. First, the flight attendants served a pack o peanuts with a drink. Delta has good peanuts. Shortly after that lunch was served. We had the choice between chicken and ravioli. I went for the ravioli. It wasn't bad, but not all that great either. The salad however was very fresh and the salad dressing was also good. A simple but nice addition was the crackers with cheddar cheese, which certainly hit the spot. Desert was a chocolate chip cookie. Simple but effective. I didn't eat my roll or water, but the roll felt soft and no words should be waisted on the water. After lunch some movies where displayed. First cam the illusionist. I didn't watch it but my mom liked it. Later came "Home alone", an interesting documentary about this basketball team and some stupid talkshow. An in flight snack was offered: Hagen-Dasz ice cream. It was good, not as hard as Continental's rock. At the end of the flight a tasty pizza was offered, which came with a cookie, a complimentary drink and some water. Pizza had lots of vegetables on it and a good layer of mozzarella cheese. After that, the aircraft made a fairly hard landing and used 100% braking power.

date:23/12/06
operator:Delta Connection operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines Inc.
aircraft:Bombardier CRJ-200
Route:ATL-CRP
This wasn't a fun flight. Not because of the airline, but because of the flying conditions. I was very tired and there was a screaming baby behind me. We had to wait 4h30 in the airport before our flight left. I spent the first 2 hours going trough security and spotting, but that got old quickly because you virtually only saw Delta and AirTran aircraft. The flight was uneventful, long and bumpy. Snack service was offered: peanuts and a drink.

date:5/1/07
operator:Continental Express operated by EspressJet airlines Inc.
aircraft:Embraer ERJ-145 Amazon
flight no:CO2149
Route:CRP-IAH
Corpus Christi is a nice airport to travel trough, but that is probably because there are only 6 gates of which hardly ever more then 3 have plane parked at them. No spotting over here, despite the huge windows in the ultra-modern terminal building. Our flight was fairly uneventful, except for a snack service. At least it was only 45 mins.

date:5/1/07
operator:Delta Air Lines inc.
aircraft:Boeing/McDonnell Douglas MD-88
flight no:DL1046
Route:IAH-ATL
We had to fly via IAH because the direct flight to Atlanta was delayed and then we wouldn't have enough time for the transfer. That also meant that we had to fly the MD88. Noisy? Only in the back. In fact, you barely hear the engines in row 15! Not what I expected. This was a good flight. Seats where very comfy and the snack service was excellent. We had a choice between several packaged snacks and I chose sun chips. Delicious! This flight was delayed because the weather was bad in Atlanta, and a second time after landing because the Delta E-170 in front of us had "a steering problem".

date:5/1/07
operator:Delta Air Lines inc.
aircraft:Boeing 767-300ER
flight no:DL124
Route:ATL-BRU
Atlanta isn't my favorite airport. It's very crowded and needs more windows. Also, our flight was delayed because the cleaning crew was still on board and later a second time because the cargo door didn't close. It sounded line they where hitting the plane with a big hammer. But finally after a long and annoying wait the flight took off. Climbout was bumpy. First, dinner was offered. service stopped just before serving us because of turbulence and continued later. Again, chicken or pasta was the menu. I want for pasta. Delicious! Very light and tasty, and came with salad, roll, water crackers, cheese and an Oreo-flavored brownie. Best meal ever. An inflight snack was offered, but I slept right trough it. Probably ice cream again. Movies included "The Queen" and a documentary about extreme sports. 90 mins. before landing breakfast was offered. Not very good, tough. A banana, a croissant, a granola bar, butter and jam. Approach was awkward and landing was a bit jerky, but not too bad.

Sparrow · Post by **Sparrow** » 06 Jan 2007, 17:20

Nice report fokker

I know some people who travel only with DL to America and the are always satisfied of their flight.

Have you some pictures?

But fokker, I think their is something wrong with your dates: 5/12/07

Kind regards
Bavo

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 06 Jan 2007, 17:59

Thanks for the comments, sparrow. I'll change the date.

I took some pics at the airport, I'll try to upload them as soon as possible, but they're huge and it are a lot of them.

YYZ727 · Post by **YYZ727** » 06 Jan 2007, 18:19

I never experienced major problems with Delta. I definitely prefer them over Northwest, United or American. I find them to be on par with CO, but i still prefer any European airline for the hop across the pond !

Comet · Post by **Comet** » 06 Jan 2007, 19:31

Good report Fokker. I don't think you can go wrong with pasta as an inflight snack - it's one of those things which tastes good hot or cold and usually reheats OK (by that I mean it tastes edible).

I have read mixed things about US carriers - DL and CO tend to get the best comments.

DALelite · Post by **DALelite** » 06 Jan 2007, 20:10

I did enjoy reading your report Fokker. I mostly fly DL to the US and IMO
they are top notch when it comes to inflight service.

cheers: DALelite

sab319 · Post by **sab319** » 06 Jan 2007, 20:42

nice report!

I believe Delta will be retrofitting it's fleet with ptv's and new leather seats, so than the ife issue should be solved...

C_J · Post by **C_J** » 06 Jan 2007, 23:12

Good report, short but powerful, containing all the essentials.

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 07 Jan 2007, 00:45

Thanks for the comments everyone!

>DALelite:
True! They have excellent meals and cabin crew is very friendly.

>sab319:
That would probably make Delta one of the best carriers for traveling to and from the US. The entertainment was probably the only drawback of Delta. The seats where more comfortable then CO because the seats aren't as rough.

A318 · Post by **A318** » 11 Jan 2007, 21:16

Travel a lot with Delta also and was always satisfied with their service.
Really nice is the flight ATL-LIM-ATL which let you fly the 764, it looks enormous and is very comfortable.

Erwin

Koenie666 · Post by **Koenie666** » 11 Jan 2007, 21:36

Thanks for the report.. I don't have time to read i know however I will do it this weekend as delta (together with united and AA) are offering some nice fares to latin america

MSS658 · Post by **MSS658** » 13 Jan 2007, 13:30

good report, i fly that route (BRU-ATL-BRU) quite often and agree on your comments about the IFE.

Where did you went spotting in ATL?

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 13 Jan 2007, 16:35

We spotted at the C concourse first, and in the return trip we spotted at the E concourse. I'd say that traffic at E was slightly more interesting, but that of course could simply be a coincidence.

MSS658 · Post by **MSS658** » 14 Jan 2007, 11:37

fokker_f27 wrote:We spotted at the C concourse first, and in the return trip we spotted at the E concourse. I'd say that traffic at E was slightly more interesting, but that of course could simply be a coincidence.

i see, at the C there are only DL RJ's and FL. E- at the time of day is at is most intresting (KL,LH,BA,AF,...). At around 13h00 there is a KE 744 leaving and due to the low height of the windows (making a 767 look big) it is breathtaking to see. D-concourse haves all other US carriers placed. UA and AA are at the T-concourse if you would like to see some variation.

Let me guess, your gate for DL 124 was way in the back of the E-concourse? E1? The only gate with no windows..

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 14 Jan 2007, 12:14

That's true! Even tough the gate itself doesn't have windows, the huge window close to the taxiway makes up for that.

MSS658 · Post by **MSS658** » 14 Jan 2007, 17:26

fokker_f27 wrote:That's true! Even tough the gate itself doesn't have windows, the huge window close to the taxiway makes up for that.

that's a good point!, and while boarding if you are seating on the A side, you have a nice spotplace.