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Thread: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

  1. #1
    Moderator Matt Molnar's Avatar
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    Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Date: Friday, August 24
    Route: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)-Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS)
    Airline: Delta Air Lines
    Flight: 427
    Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-200
    Aircraft Registration: N685DA
    Scheduled Departure Time: 4:50pm
    Actual Departure Time: 7:50pm
    Scheduled Arrival Time: 7:46pm
    Actual Arrival Time: 8:50pm


    I was preparing for a 1:30 departure from my office to catch the 4:50 flight, when at around 12:30, Delta's computers frantically contacted me via every contact method I had ever given them...email, cell phone, and work phone. The flight would be delayed an hour and would now depart at 5:50. I appreciated that they told me before I left for the airport. I also wasn't surprised, since looking at FlightAware, this flight took off between an hour and 5 hours late literally every day.

    With no meal on board, we wanted to grab lunch before we took off anyway. I was supposed to meet the lady at her office where a Town Car was supposed to be waiting for us. He got a flat tire on the way and called to let us know, but since we were in no rush we would now be able to get lunch in the city and avoid the airport's overpriced grub. We had lunch at a coffee shop and caught a yellow cab around 3:45 pm.

    We figured it was still pretty early and traffic wouldn't be too terrible, but the Midtown Tunnel, LIE and Van Wyck disagreed. It took over an hour to get to the departures entrance at Terminal 3. We checked our bags at curbside and headed to security, where thankfully the line was under 5 minutes long. After a stop at Hudson News we got to the gate just as boarding was starting, which we hadn't heard announced thanks to the nearly inaudible PA system.


    Before pushback.

    I had a window seat on the right side, 36F. As expected, the plane had the Song-style seatback IFE with live TV, movies and games, and in fact this was an ex-Song aircraft. I began trying to play with it right away, but the system was not activated until later on.



    The flight filled up to capacity and at 6:00pm, now an hour and 10 minutes after our scheduled departure, we finally pushed back. It took a few back-and-forth maneuvers to move the plane away from the gate, which sits in a corner nestled by the terminal not far from the wingtip on the right and another occupied gate on the left, and finally we made it to the taxiway and turned right to enter the 13R takeoff queue.

    As we were turning, I saw the longest line I'd ever seen...at least 40 planes ahead of us, with more being allowed to cut in from Terminal 1 and beyond. Soon the captain, in a not-so-thrilled-tone, announced that we would indeed be facing a significant delay due to the long line, but that there was an hour of taxi time built into the schedule so we would not be late arriving at LAS. How this would be possible when we had already pushed back an hour late is beyond me.


    Uggh.

    About 10 minutes later after not having moved an inch, the captain spoke to us again with more ominous news: due to weather, they might be flipping the airport to a new runway configuration, in which case we would be facing a serious delay as all the planes in front of us would have to turn around and head to the other end of the airport, cutting in front of us even though we were closer to the new takeoff runway. Sure enough, a couple minutes later he confirmed this was happening, but he said that we might be able to cut a few planes since we were so close. We turned around and began rolling towards 22R. And then we found a resting spot and sat. And sat. And sat. We didn't cut any planes...all those heavies at the other end of the airport had to meander all the way from the southwest end to the northeast end of the airport in front of us. In the meantime the flight attendants ordered us to stay seated, but did hand out bottled water. I watched TV and played the IFE trivia game, which pits you against other passengers. Despite many of the questions clearly having been copied from a mid-90s British version of Trivial Pursuit, I kicked some arse.


    Terminal 1.


    Bored.

    We finally made it to the active at 7:50pm, a full 3 hours late. With the IFE and the the captain's honesty about how bad it was going to be, it wasn't unbearable. My friends on a later flight experienced a similar delay except their ex-Song bird's A/C was broken, causing extensive misery during their time sitting on the tarmac.

    The flight was smooth, but we did see extensive lightning to the north. We actually corrected course a few times to avoid storms associated with a massive nasty front that caused severe flooding in the Midwest and stretched from central Pennsylvania (which caused the JFK runway flip) through Nebraska. Speaking of Colorado, I was disappointed that because of the delay, the Rockies and all the other beautiful landscape out west — one of my favorite parts of flying out there — would be under darkness. Since I'd be flying the redeye back east, I knew I wouldn't see them at all. :(



    IFE was fun and I would say a deciding factor on what airline I choose. Unfortunately my headphone jack was loose and played stereo intermittently, and eventually didn't work at all unless I held it in a particular and uncomfortable position. The trivia game was fun and it was free. I sprung $5 to play poker (other games are included as well, but were mostly boring) but the poker game refused to load. I am still awaiting my refund.

    We touched down nicely on runway 25L and taxied to the gate. After trudging to the baggage claim area, which is literally about a mile away via foot and a shuttle train, we waited about 10 mins at our carousel before the digital screen changed to "Please pick up your bags at carou..." Yes, the end with the # was cut off. Awesome. Thankfully I saw the display on the next carousel had changed to our flight. We waited another 20 minutes before finally capturing our bags and headed to the 15 minute long taxi line and about 25 minutes later we were in our hotel room.



    Date: Monday, August 27
    Route: Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS)-John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
    Airline: Delta Air Lines
    Flight: 422
    Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-200
    Aircraft Registration: N634DL
    Scheduled Departure Time: 11:30pm
    Actual Departure Time: 11:45pm
    Scheduled Arrival Time: 7:18am
    Actual Arrival Time: 7:05am


    After handing over enough cash to the local casinos, it was time to head home. Actually not home yet, I would be going straight to work from JFK after landing. Yay! My sleep maximization plan for the shorter eastbound flight: two Excedrin PM's taken on the way to the airport, fall asleep as soon as you get to your seat, and wake up in New York with about 4 hours of sleep under your belt. Turned out this worked just about perfectly.

    We checked in at a nearly deserted Delta ticket counter, which made me After maneuvering through the airport, which included a walk through a non-operating TSA "puffer" machine, we got to the gate with about 20 mins before our boarding time. We ended up boarding about 10 minutes late, when the Excedrin PM was really starting to knock me out. As soon as they called Zone 4 I jetted, leaving my Zone 5 friends who were in other rows in the dust so I could get some Z's. This plane had no IFE, but I didn't care because my objective was sleeping. I sat in seat 40A and passed out. I woke up briefly as we throttled up to takeoff thrust, and then zonked out again, not to wake up again until the sun started to creep through the shade over eastern Pennsylvania.

    We landed a few minutes early but had to wait for a gate. The gate we were assigned was a tow-in gate, which meant an extra couple of minutes of waiting. But we did get off the plane just about on time. Delta's dark cramped JFK baggage claim isn't the most fun place to be at 7:30am, and after about 25 mins my bag was one of the last to come around on the carousel, which made me quite annoyed.


    Good morning, JFK!

    But the trip was over. Great success!
    Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem.
    All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them under control.
    I trust you are not in too much distress. —Captain Eric Moody, British Airways Flight 9

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    Senior Member AirtrafficController's Avatar
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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Another Great trip report. Continue the good work.
    Aspires to become an Air Traffic Controller at Kennedy Tower.
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    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Great report, man. Nice to hear the DL IFE is fun. I'm dying to play games against other pax!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Great Report!

    That is a MASSIVE delay indeed. But expected I guess of JFK and all.

    Good pictures man.

    I would love to try Delta out sometimes later.

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Good report Matt, Looks like you made up some time in flight. You didn't mention what that "Enjoy" Package was? Was that a buy on board meal? I still won't fly Delta though, allot of what we're seeing with them is window dressing. Under the new look is the same old crap carrier with the same problems they've had for years.

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    Moderator Matt Molnar's Avatar
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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Oops, forgot that part. Biz class got dinner, but we got the "Enjoy" package, a free snack box containing crackers, cheese spread (which was actually DELICIOUS), cookies, raisins. They didn't offer any buy-on-board options. :(

    I also had a $5 Mile-High Mojito which was quite good.
    Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem.
    All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them under control.
    I trust you are not in too much distress. —Captain Eric Moody, British Airways Flight 9

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Quote Originally Posted by GothamSpotter
    Oops, forgot that part. Biz class got dinner, but we got the "Enjoy" package, a free snack box containing crackers, cheese spread (which was actually DELICIOUS), cookies, raisins. They didn't offer any buy-on-board options. :(

    I also had a $5 Mile-High Mojito which was quite good.
    They didn't offer buy on board? That's strange they should have, I guess you were lucky to get the crackers.. Well its Delta so can't expect to much.

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    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    I'm sorry if this takes the thread off topic, but if "window dressing" is honest pilots, tv/video game IFE, and good snacks with drinks is just "window dressing" then I sure love window dressing.
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Glad you enjoyed your flight and thanks for the report. The "Enjoy" package is the snack packs Delta offers in coach. Delta is adopting buy-on-board food shortly. The Mile High Mojito is one of my favorites. The new Delta product is superb and speaks for itself.

    Feel free to fly Southwest, eat peanuts, and enjoy the wonders of XM radio in your 4,000 transcon. :borat:

    One problem Delta doesn't have is labor headaches, and she runs circles around carriers that do have them.

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    Senior Member hiss srq's Avatar
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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    The mile high mojito is indeed a lovely choice. They also have Fresca beleive it or not too! And Tommy, the Delta bashing you speak of is intresting becausde on WN the service is minimal with nop F/C or IFE. Delta to me is millions of miles ahead of WN and many other carriers.
    Southwest Airlines-"Once it pop's it's time to stop" Southwest Airlines-"Our Shamu's are almost real" Southwest Airlines -"We blow our top real easy" Southwest Airlines- "You can't top us..... really"

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    I will agree, I flew DL from DAB-ATL-YVR this past summer and got the same snack pack. That cheese spread is good.

    Was your aircraft on the JFK-LAS leg painted in Song colors, or just had the IFE, so you could obviously tell?
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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    To be a bit harsh...Ryan, Chris and Phil not one of you travel enough as revenue passenger to be in touch with the needs and wants of frequent flyers, Ryan based on what I've been reading from you lately you really have no clue. Delta's offerings are great for the family who's traveling once a year on their Disney Vacation but doesn't answer the needs of the high yield customer. Delta is still rated as one of the worst Domestic airlines for on-time performance, baggage handling, ground facilities, and premium services. IFE, good snacks and drinks don't mean squat to the traveler who steps on a plane every week for business.

    Delta also still has a long term fiscal problem to contend with as they need to renew their entire fleet, build new terminals around the country, and upgrade their current fleet. They've been putting the cart before the horse for the past year with their continued International expansion using old product. Delta's orders for new 777s pale in comparison with what their competitors have on order or all ready in service.

    Their rebranding was met with much negative reaction from people like Mike Boyd who ripped on Delta for not fixing their core problems before coming out with the "New Delta." If IFE was so important answer me this. Why are American, United, and Southwest the three largest airlines in the country? All three don't come close with their in-flight offerings. Why are they the biggest??Better customer service, newer equipment, newer more modern ground facilities, better Frequent Flyer Programs, and better alliances. You may think cute little snacks, trivia against passengers (when it works) and snazzy titles to drinks is the solution to a great airline but for the frequent flyer community it isn't. You can take a peice of **** and wrap it in fancy wrapping paper but once you unwrap it...its still ****.

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    New terminals around the country? Like where - JFK? An annoucement about the JFK terminal situation is imminent and it just as much Delta's problem as it is New York City's. I agree with you - the facility there is extremely dated and something needs to be done to modernize it and/or replace it. If we're comparing apples to apple's here, have you flown out of United's LAX facility recently, or IAD perhaps?!

    The ATL facility - in my opinion - looks great following the rennovations completed within the last years and I find it to be one of the best airports I've ever transited through or originated from. In fact, most of my travel over the years has been via Atlanta's runways. Construction for the new international terminal is already underway. CVG's facility is perfect for the current operation, SLC is kosher and LAX is one of my favorite Delta stations, as is MCO.

    Fleet renewal? American's average fleet age based on the latest data is 14.4 years, United's - 13.1, and Delta's - 13.5, so I'm not understanding your reasoning there. If you ask me, all of the major carriers have work to do in this department and will all do so very soon. The 787 hasn't been ordered by ANY of them and is the logical choice for 757/767 replacement.

    EVERYTHING relating to expansion at Delta depends on the China route announcement.

    And, what's so dated about the international product anyway?

    Wanna take this outside?! I'll see YOU on Thursday, buddy. :mrgreen:

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    Quote Originally Posted by FlyNavy
    New terminals around the country? Like where - JFK? An annoucement about the JFK terminal situation is imminent and it just as much Delta's problem as it is New York City's. I agree with you - the facility there is extremely dated and something needs to be done to modernize it and/or replace it. If we're comparing apples to apple's here, have you flown out of United's LAX facility recently, or IAD perhaps?!

    The ATL facility - in my opinion - looks great following the rennovations completed within the last years and I find it to be one of the best airports I've ever transited through or originated from. In fact, most of my travel over the years has been via Atlanta's runways. Construction for the new international terminal is already underway. CVG's facility is perfect for the current operation, SLC is kosher and LAX is one of my favorite Delta stations, as is MCO.

    Fleet renewal? American's average fleet age based on the latest data is 14.4 years, United's - 13.1, and Delta's - 13.5, so I'm not understanding your reasoning there. If you ask me, all of the major carriers have work to do in this department and will all do so very soon. The 787 hasn't been ordered by ANY of them and is the logical choice for 757/767 replacement.

    EVERYTHING relating to expansion at Delta depends on the China route announcement.

    And, what's so dated about the international product anyway?

    Wanna take this outside?! I'll see YOU on Thursday, buddy. :mrgreen:
    Chris the reality is AA’s DFW, JFK and ORD centers are far better facilities then DAL's Hub Terminals and IAD for UAL is a great terminal, its wide open, easy to navigate and hardly has any delays. As for UAL at DEN it speaks for itself, its prob the best hub in the country.. AA is far ahead of Delta in upgrading their domestic biz and first class product on the 767s and both AA and UAL have a far more modern long haul fleet comprised of 777s and 747's (UAL) As for Domestic, AA's MD-80s were all updated not that long ago and UAL's EcoPlus is a fantastic coach class option.

    DAL's 767s are rat traps that don't even include the new overhead bins or new 777 style cabins. UAL's PS service is head over heels the best product going on the Transcon market. DAL is playing catch up right now, as I said there's a reason why AA and UAL are the largest, you don't become the largest by offering you're customer poor options.

    Chris I'm speaking from a business traveler's point of view, I've racked up over 160,000 miles this year and experienced and tasted an entire variety of service (including DAL) and I've chosen One World and Star as my carriers of choice for a reason. I'm not saying ppl who chose DAL as their carrier of choice are wrong but you can't deny the numbers, more people choose to fly One World and Star over DAL and Skyteam, that's the fact. Now go play in you're simulator! hehe ;)

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    Re: Trip Report: JFK-LAS-JFK on Delta

    I didn't find any rats in my recent 767 flights. The 767-400ER is actually an awesome ride, especially with the new interior modifications.

    I did notice, though, that you refrained from commenting on United decrepid LAX terminal. How convenient. :-)

    Either way, this is a thread about Delta. No one cares about United or American here.

    Enjoy your peanuts on Southwest. I'll enjoy my Mile High Mojito. :P

    Now scram, Delta hater!

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