Since the VS/DL tie-up, I'd been looking for an opportunity to fly the new(ish) Delta Business Elite LHR-JFK flight.
And a genuine reason to be in Brussels allowed me to book a very reasonably priced ticket from BRU, changing in LHR, to JFK (£1,350 return). I bought this as one ticket direct from Virgin Atlantic, so that I could earn miles on my VS credit card. I flew with hand luggage only.
[The BRU-LHR leg on BA has its own Trip Report here: http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=21 ... =viewtopic]
Once arrived in LHR T5, I took the transfer bus to T3, and ten minutes later I was going through speedy Flight Connections at T3. Despite not having a boarding pass for the DL LHR-JFK leg, I was permitted to go through fast track because I'd just *come off* a BA flight in Club Europe class.
I was not able to check-in (nor, therefore, print my boarding pass) for the DL flight prior to boarding the BRU-LHR leg. This may have been a quirk because of the very recent change in security procedures for flying to the USA from London, that had come into effect a few days before.
Once through Flight Connections, I picked up my boarding pass from the DL/VS counter. I was given the seat I'd picked online, and made sure that my VS FC number was attached to this leg of the ticket. For the BRU-LHR le, my BA EC number was used.
Flying DL to the USA means being able to use the VS Clubhouse, which was splendid as ever (massage, cocktails etc)! Being FC AU means should someone else be "travelling with me" on the same DL flight but not in Business Elite, they too could use the CH.
The flight was called, and I was on board in no time. It's very clear when you get on board that Delta Business Elite is a "business" product: by that I mean, there isn't quite that sense of "fun" which VS UC provides.
All the DL staff were courteous and kind, but there was a certain distance which one is not used to with VS UC staff. I'm not sure how to put it exactly. They were absolutely fantastic, very helpful etc - but, I suppose it was "professional" with a capital "P". As if they'd gone on one too many training courses. Does that make sense!?
The cabin looked new, and my seat (5D) was in excellent condition. It was a Boeing 767-400ER All seats have aisle access, and a small desk next to the seat (very useful!)
Here's a seating chart: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/ ... 6d-fb.html
One really simple, useful thing: the pull-out table (for the meal) has a magnet on one side, so all the cutlery doesn't drop off of the table!
The amenity kit (made by Tumi) surpasses Virgin's. Lots of goodies inside from Malin + Goetz. The bedding is also better (Westin "Heavenly") which breathes a lot, so you don't overheat. I requested a hypoallergenic pillow and got one, others requested down pillows.
Upon finding my seat, I was immediately asked if I wanted my jacket taken away and stored on a hanger (I did), and if I wanted a cocktail or champagne (I picked the latter). Everything was cleared away, and off we went.
A soon as we were at cruising altitude, out came more drinks, followed by a starter of smoked salmon, grilled shrimp and/or soup, and/or salad.
Mains were beef fillet, pan seared chicken, ravioli or a charcuterie plate (and more booze). I picked the beef, which bore a remarkable similarity to the VS offering!
I can't remember the dessert choices (too much booze!), but I picked the cheese selection, along with a stunning, chilled Australian dessert wine. Plenty of different types of booze on offer.
The entertainment (nice big screen) is much stronger than on VS. This is particularly noticeable in the TV offerings, where full series from HBO, Showtime, AMC and most non-cable US TV shows are available. The film selection is huge, and the big difference with VS is that 50% are classics from the last 50 years or so.
They didn't mind me charging my phone(s) or laptop during the flight (one via a universal UK/USA/EU socket, one via a USB charger). I know some airlines get annoyed if you're charging (but not using) the device.
One aside, which also explains the difference in feel from VS, Although the DL3 leaves LHR at about 5.30 p.m. and arrives in JFK at 8.30 p.m., it is treated as an overnight flight, oddly.
By that I mean, all blinds are down at the start of the flight. They encourage you to keep them down throughout the flight, and they do not ask you to raise them for landing. Once the first meal service is provided they check whether you would like to be woken for the pre-arrival service, on the assumption that you will be asleep. The cabin lights are dimmed throughout, and completely off between the first and second meals (roughly 3.5 hours).
The seat very easily straightened out (with me in it) into a fully lie-flat bed. I asked one of the DL flight attendants to hang up my shirt with my jacket (which she did without hesitation), and off I went to sleep.
I'd asked not to be woken for the second meal (which was a hamburger, panini, or grilled shrimp salad - or all three). So I really appreciated the lie-in. I woke up about 30 minutes before landing.
They brought me my shirt and jacket, and while I was freshening up, they fixed me a Bloody Mary... and in no time we were at JFK, with a very speedy immigration (admittedly I use Global Entry).
Discounted Business on Delta on this route (I flew Z fare) earns the same mileage and Tier Points as discounted Upper Class (e.g. I/Z fares on VS): 150% of base flown miles.
My Flying Club Gold benefits (additional 100% of base flown miles) are carried across too. So in total, the return LHR-JFK-LHR legs will earn 17,324 miles and 10 Tier Points (exactly the same as VS UC). I'll confirm this when the first leg posts to my account.
With the VS Clubhouse access, this DL BE flight is a very competitive offering, I think. I'd say it's really good if you want to work, as the desk really does help. I slept much better with the DL bedding, than the VS UC bedding.
What was missing? The FUN!
So: if you want a sense of "occasion" stick with VS UC. If you want a truly great business product, limiting your fun to the LHR CH, I'd thoroughly recommend flying Delta Business Elite.
NYLON
And a genuine reason to be in Brussels allowed me to book a very reasonably priced ticket from BRU, changing in LHR, to JFK (£1,350 return). I bought this as one ticket direct from Virgin Atlantic, so that I could earn miles on my VS credit card. I flew with hand luggage only.
[The BRU-LHR leg on BA has its own Trip Report here: http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=21 ... =viewtopic]
Once arrived in LHR T5, I took the transfer bus to T3, and ten minutes later I was going through speedy Flight Connections at T3. Despite not having a boarding pass for the DL LHR-JFK leg, I was permitted to go through fast track because I'd just *come off* a BA flight in Club Europe class.
I was not able to check-in (nor, therefore, print my boarding pass) for the DL flight prior to boarding the BRU-LHR leg. This may have been a quirk because of the very recent change in security procedures for flying to the USA from London, that had come into effect a few days before.
Once through Flight Connections, I picked up my boarding pass from the DL/VS counter. I was given the seat I'd picked online, and made sure that my VS FC number was attached to this leg of the ticket. For the BRU-LHR le, my BA EC number was used.
Flying DL to the USA means being able to use the VS Clubhouse, which was splendid as ever (massage, cocktails etc)! Being FC AU means should someone else be "travelling with me" on the same DL flight but not in Business Elite, they too could use the CH.
The flight was called, and I was on board in no time. It's very clear when you get on board that Delta Business Elite is a "business" product: by that I mean, there isn't quite that sense of "fun" which VS UC provides.
All the DL staff were courteous and kind, but there was a certain distance which one is not used to with VS UC staff. I'm not sure how to put it exactly. They were absolutely fantastic, very helpful etc - but, I suppose it was "professional" with a capital "P". As if they'd gone on one too many training courses. Does that make sense!?
The cabin looked new, and my seat (5D) was in excellent condition. It was a Boeing 767-400ER All seats have aisle access, and a small desk next to the seat (very useful!)
Here's a seating chart: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/ ... 6d-fb.html
One really simple, useful thing: the pull-out table (for the meal) has a magnet on one side, so all the cutlery doesn't drop off of the table!
The amenity kit (made by Tumi) surpasses Virgin's. Lots of goodies inside from Malin + Goetz. The bedding is also better (Westin "Heavenly") which breathes a lot, so you don't overheat. I requested a hypoallergenic pillow and got one, others requested down pillows.
Upon finding my seat, I was immediately asked if I wanted my jacket taken away and stored on a hanger (I did), and if I wanted a cocktail or champagne (I picked the latter). Everything was cleared away, and off we went.
A soon as we were at cruising altitude, out came more drinks, followed by a starter of smoked salmon, grilled shrimp and/or soup, and/or salad.
Mains were beef fillet, pan seared chicken, ravioli or a charcuterie plate (and more booze). I picked the beef, which bore a remarkable similarity to the VS offering!
I can't remember the dessert choices (too much booze!), but I picked the cheese selection, along with a stunning, chilled Australian dessert wine. Plenty of different types of booze on offer.
The entertainment (nice big screen) is much stronger than on VS. This is particularly noticeable in the TV offerings, where full series from HBO, Showtime, AMC and most non-cable US TV shows are available. The film selection is huge, and the big difference with VS is that 50% are classics from the last 50 years or so.
They didn't mind me charging my phone(s) or laptop during the flight (one via a universal UK/USA/EU socket, one via a USB charger). I know some airlines get annoyed if you're charging (but not using) the device.
One aside, which also explains the difference in feel from VS, Although the DL3 leaves LHR at about 5.30 p.m. and arrives in JFK at 8.30 p.m., it is treated as an overnight flight, oddly.
By that I mean, all blinds are down at the start of the flight. They encourage you to keep them down throughout the flight, and they do not ask you to raise them for landing. Once the first meal service is provided they check whether you would like to be woken for the pre-arrival service, on the assumption that you will be asleep. The cabin lights are dimmed throughout, and completely off between the first and second meals (roughly 3.5 hours).
The seat very easily straightened out (with me in it) into a fully lie-flat bed. I asked one of the DL flight attendants to hang up my shirt with my jacket (which she did without hesitation), and off I went to sleep.
I'd asked not to be woken for the second meal (which was a hamburger, panini, or grilled shrimp salad - or all three). So I really appreciated the lie-in. I woke up about 30 minutes before landing.
They brought me my shirt and jacket, and while I was freshening up, they fixed me a Bloody Mary... and in no time we were at JFK, with a very speedy immigration (admittedly I use Global Entry).
Discounted Business on Delta on this route (I flew Z fare) earns the same mileage and Tier Points as discounted Upper Class (e.g. I/Z fares on VS): 150% of base flown miles.
My Flying Club Gold benefits (additional 100% of base flown miles) are carried across too. So in total, the return LHR-JFK-LHR legs will earn 17,324 miles and 10 Tier Points (exactly the same as VS UC). I'll confirm this when the first leg posts to my account.
With the VS Clubhouse access, this DL BE flight is a very competitive offering, I think. I'd say it's really good if you want to work, as the desk really does help. I slept much better with the DL bedding, than the VS UC bedding.
What was missing? The FUN!
So: if you want a sense of "occasion" stick with VS UC. If you want a truly great business product, limiting your fun to the LHR CH, I'd thoroughly recommend flying Delta Business Elite.
NYLON
Last edited by NYLON on 09 Jul 2014, 17:54, edited 1 time in total.