#894033 by horburyflyer
31 Jan 2015, 19:41
So those of you who saw my CH post will know that I was originally due to be on the VS007 but weather in MAN where a colleague was flying from had been delayed due to snow so decided to wait for him and VS moved us both to the DL35 without any fuss.

When he did finally arrive around 1130am and sorted out new boarding passes and were reassured about the luggage it was time to visit the CH - for me this was my second visit of the day :D

Welcomed warmly (again) and settled in where we could. The CH was packed with lots of American voices, however a couple of announcements for DL and VS flights changed things and we located to the dining area.

There I dined on the CH burger and maybe a couple of glasses (ok, three) of champagne. Service was friendly though a little slow, but it was still quite busy so no major issue.
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After a few more drinks and a delicious salted caramel sandwich, a couple of items from the tapas menu it was time to board and the call came at 210pm.

It was a straight forward walk to Gate 19 and the Delta red coat welcomed me warmly and after just a few minutes in the gate area, boarding began at 230pm. This was quite remarkable as the aircraft had only just arrived at the gate from JFK at 130pm so a very quick turnaround indeed.

Business Elite guests boarded first through L1 and the welcome was just ok - a nod and a hand signal to turn right.

First impressions of the seat were very good I was seated in 4A. The seat was wider than I expected and the table area to my left came in very handy to place items on during the flight, it also created a great deal more personal space compared to VS. I found the seat very comfortable and the only downside was when placed in fully flat bed mode, it did feel tight around the shoulder area. Each seat has aisle access and some are positioned closer to the window which I would have preferred (odd numbered seats) which prevents any bumps compared to those in the (even numbered) ones but actually I wasn't bumped once.
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I slept later in the flight for about three hours which is unheard of for me. The flight had a light load - 35 in J and 34 in Y+ and Y.

Pre-take off champagne, OJ or water were offered with a packet of almonds and nuts. The Purser came along and introduced himself, using my name throughout and apologised that menus had not been loaded for the flight. He then noted our main course choices.

The Tumi amenity kit was hand delivered and puts the VS UC one to absolute shame. Newspapers and magazines were offered just as we started to push back along with a bottle of water...one of seven individual bottles offered on the flight.

No time for refills as we were all secured and pushed back at 1457 departing at 1510. A flight time of 11hrs34mins was promised and the purser introduced his crew of 6 all LAX based - all had suntans and brilliant white teeth.... ): The flight deck had 4 members who took it in turns to use the crew rest seat in J.

Five crew actually ended up working in J..... y)

Hot towels were soon offered and then what surprised me was no pre-meal drinks service, well sort of...as on this flight drinks were served with an appetiser of grilled king prawns and smoked salmon..
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Drinks were regularly topped up and the CC looking after my side of the cabin was simply a delight - friendly, attentive and keen to have a joke or two..I never had to be asked what I was drinking as she remembered and addressed me by name throughout.

Next followed a salad with the most amazing Thai coconut soup, served with warm bread.
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Next followed the main course of Chicken in a creamy cheese and leek sauce when choosing this the purser remarked that it was delicious and my word it was (other choices were steak, four cheese ravioli or a chicken salad)...the photo doesn't do it justice.
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After a short break next followed the dessert cart and I had my arm twisted to try the Ice-cream sundae...this was served with chocolate and strawvberry sauces, whipped cream, nuts and topped off with a strawberry all prepared in front of me. I was also offered a cheese plate but passed up the offer as I was getting close to been totally stuffed....though I did try some dessert wine which was delicious and went on to request another glass..
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Nearly two hours since it began, the main meal service was concluded. It didn't feel rushed and service throughout was excellent.

I then converted the seat in bed mode and slept for three hours. My water bottle had been refreshed whilst asleep and I slept well with the Westin duvet and large pillow.

All flight long the crew were in the cabin offered bottles of water and snacks. I made one or two trips up to the galley for coffee and a large cart of crisps, cookies, fruit, sandwiches, chocolates, and yogurts were available. This was well used throughout the flight by the look of things.

One interesting observation was the slightly obsessive reaction every time someone needed to come in or out of the flightdeck, the CC would stand one facing the cabin and one facing flightdeck creating an effective barrier....it seemed over the top but clearly following FAA requirements.

Delta studio was good - I indulged in a Australian show called "please like me" and it was great been able to watch more than one episode. The touch screen worked fine and the noise cancelling headset was a dream compared to the VS one.

About 1.5hrs before landing the cabin lights were switched on and hot towels were offered which signalled the start of the pre-arrival service with choices of a grilled chicken and cheese sandwich or Shrimp Mediterranean salad. I went for the sandwich which the purser remarked "superb choice" - he wasn't wrong it was tasty, huge (whole breaded chicken breast) and very filling.

It came with a small salad and dressing, a pickle and was offered with drinks and chocolates.
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Finally with the cabin secure and headsets collected we touched down in a dark LAX at 1845. We were asked to remain seated when reaching the gate as the authorities needed to board the aircraft and a passengers name was announced and he was asked to come to the front. He did without any fuss and was escorted away.

A warm thank you from me and them as I departed signalled the end of my first Delta Business elite experience and I was really impressed. I would try them again without hesitation. I might have been lucky to have such an engaged crew who worked solidly as a team throughout, but it all came together so well. Well done Delta.

Immigration was quick and painless and my case was waiting on the belt when I reached it.

Superb.
Last edited by horburyflyer on 01 Feb 2015, 00:14, edited 7 times in total.
#894034 by hiljil
31 Jan 2015, 19:49
Thank you, I really enjoyed reading your TR and loved the photos .

Have a good stay on the West Coast.
#894036 by marshy11
31 Jan 2015, 20:08
Little bit too much cheese for me, but I find Americans like yellow food.

Glad you had a good flight, pics are brill.
#894046 by horburyflyer
31 Jan 2015, 22:47
marshy11 wrote:Little bit too much cheese for me, but I find Americans like yellow food.

Glad you had a good flight, pics are brill.


It was a very cheese based menu which was fine but I agree not to everyone's taste.

Jon
#894104 by horburyflyer
01 Feb 2015, 16:47
at240 wrote:Thanks for the interesting TR. How would you rate it in comparison to UC?


I really liked DL. I didn't miss the bar (and I thought I would...) the crew I found were very good indeed. Everything was seamless and it didn't feel like corners had been cut. The entertainment though ok was a weak area compared to VS.

The seat was far better than expected and I loved the greater personal space the seat offered compared to VS.

Overall, DL have a strong solid product that will encourage me back. I am flying back on VS so I will be able to say for sure.

VS score strongly for the CH experience so that is one thing not in question...but I think I found out that sometimes the grass can be greener ( well on this occasion....) :w

Jon
#894106 by NYLON
01 Feb 2015, 16:58
Excellent TR.

Having now done a few tatl DL Business Elite - or whatever it's called now - sectors, I rate it very highly. My overall feeling was: stick with UC if on holiday, or wanting to have a bit of fun, or if in a couple/group, with friends etc.

DL, I thought, is a better business product compared to UC: very quiet, comfortable, more private if in any of the window seats, less distracting, and better for working.

And the deal they have going with with Danny Meyer's Blue Smoke to provide BBQ in-flight ex-JFK is excellent. Generally the food ex-JFK on DL is better than ex-LHR on DL, and certainly better than ex-JFK on VS.

My take on the product very much echoed yours, horburyflyer: http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=21 ... =viewtopic

If not flying Y or PE, I've taken to flying ex-LHR on VS UC and ex-JFK on DL BE. It works for me, anyway. And I get to use the CH at both ends!
#894107 by tontybear
01 Feb 2015, 17:12
Echo's my DL flights from a few years ago on DL148/149 to JFK.

A very solid product and as you can now get the VS CH when flying DL they are a good option over VS.
#894113 by pjh
01 Feb 2015, 19:28
This sounds pretty fine, actually. What then is the difference between this and the less that stellar flight that Hull took recently?
#894119 by NYLON
01 Feb 2015, 19:47
pjh wrote:This sounds pretty fine, actually. What then is the difference between this and the less that stellar flight that Hull took recently?


Personal taste, I would think.

I can certainly see why some people used to VS UC would not like DL BE. The latter can feel very 'corporate' for example. If you were looking forward to the flight being part of a special occasion, I think you might well feel slightly underwhelmed on the DL product: just another business cabin.

Taste very much comes into it with the bed. I actually prefer the DL beds (I can see how some might find it claustrophobic), and especially the DL bedding, which seems to be newer, cleaner, and better designed to 'breathe'. I also prefer the DL seat when it's in seat mode.
#894120 by horburyflyer
01 Feb 2015, 20:00
NYLON wrote:
pjh wrote:This sounds pretty fine, actually. What then is the difference between this and the less that stellar flight that Hull took recently?


Personal taste, I would think.

I can certainly see why some people used to VS UC would not like DL BE. The latter can feel very 'corporate' for example. If you were looking forward to the flight being part of a special occasion, I think you might well feel slightly underwhelmed on the DL product: just another business cabin.

Taste very much comes into it with the bed. I actually prefer the DL beds (I can see how some might find it claustrophobic), and especially the DL bedding, which seems to be newer, cleaner, and better designed to 'breathe'. I also prefer the DL seat when it's in seat mode.


Indeed would agree with this. I remember Hull's less than impressive experience and was not really looking forward to my first DL BE experience. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The crew were fantastic, far better than some of my recent VS experiences, the seat was very comfortable I prefer it compared to the UC suite when in seat mode. The built massage option was great and the duvet and pillows were very good.

UC of course has a bar and I did think I would miss that experience, sitting and chatting with the crew. But this particular crew were very engaging and I didn't miss the UC bar one bit.

The food, drinks and attentive service were fantastic and completely exceeded my expectations.

Jon
#894122 by slinky09
01 Feb 2015, 20:07
Thanks for the TR, I to have been impressed by DL but for me the cabin ambience and the bar and the crew onVS still win. All the same, DL is very much improved
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