This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
As I mentioned in the outbound TR, the choice of utilising ATL was predicated by the availability of G fares and based on this trip and the outbound, going via Atlanta will be a serious contender in the future.
Anyway, back to the TR. With a 12:30 departure, but with news reports saying there would added security at airports on the run up to Thanksgiving, we left out hotel in plenty of time and used the 417 to get to MCO. The new turn off (17A) is nearly complete and this will allow direct access onto the airport road, rather that going through two sets of lights and a single lane road as at present.
Arriving at a realtively quiet B side, bags were quickly unloaded and I returned the hire car before checking in with Delta. Unlike the experience at Heathrow, there was no problem with interlining the bags all the way to Heathrow, but as we were on separate PNRs, she could not check us in for the VS flight.
Our MCO - ATL leg on Delta was in First Class and we were pleasantly informed that we were TSA Prechecked, allowing us to go through the "Clear" Channel and keep our shoes on and leave laptops in the bags The TSA Security line at this time in the morning was an absolute dream compared to the evening rush with all the european flights and we were through in no time - allowing a breif respite in the Delta Sky Club (courtesy of our Amex Cards).
A very pleasnt flight up to Atlanta got us to Terminal A of the Airport and after dismbarking we made our way to the inter terminal train and were at the international Terminal F within 15 minutes of leaving the aircraft.
The real bonus here is this brings you to the post security side of the Terminal. This is where we made our mistake. Without a boarding card forthe VS portion of our journey, we could not make full use of the very extensive shopping opportunities available - far batter than MCO - of not only the usual Duty Free Shop, but also dedicated concession shops such as Coach, Michael Kors Tommy Hillfiger etc. For future reference, aticket desk does open airside about two hours before the flight, but in the absence of boarding cards, we went landside and formally checked in where our luggage tags from Orlando were linked to our booking.
Back airside, we discovered Jeckyll Island returant on the lower level to have a bite to eat (which of course included our tradition of a final US Hamburger). Whilst not as good as the Ouback Steakhouse, it was a good alternative and provided an opportunity to people watch
After visiting the Duty Free Shop, we took advantage of the Delta Sky Lounge - very busy at this time of the afternoon. What i did notice is there is now a "drinks menu" which allows you to pay for premuim drinks (such as Hendricks and T10 for thise of you who are lovers of gin) whilst the regualr drinks (such as JD and Bombay) remain complementary.
We went to Gate F5 before it was called in the Lounge and it seemed this was a good move as when we boarded the cabin was already quite full. Escounced in our usual seats of 8 & 9A, a drink was soon offered, but as I spied the prosecco being opened at the bar, I asked if I have a glass of that instead and they hapily obliged.
Maybe it was because it was a full flight, or it was a returning journey, but the crew was not as sparky as the outbound. Nevertheless, the crew was attentive and friendly and whilst there was not outward sign of status, it would sem that we got our drinks first once airborne.
I covered the Trial Menu that was offered on the flight here so i will not add to this further. After the meal I reclined the seat (which needed some manual assistance from me) and settled down to watch "Spy" before grabbing some shut eye. During my sleep, it would appear my pillow - which I had not used- disappeared
As I awoke, I was offdered breakfast and after hearing the choices, opted for the full english - which was surprising good.
During the flight the flight tracker was suggesting an early arrival, but the usal Heathrow delays put paid to this. To add insult to injury, once we had landed, it took up to 5 minutes for the navigation lights at the Gate to be switched on and if this was not enough, the air bridge was still not manned
The usual long walk to Immigration and when we arrived, the queue for the automatic gates was horrendous, so we opted for a human and were through in no time. As we reached the carousel, our priority tagged bags had made it all the way from Orlando and were off with other priority bags.
Met by the Tristar driver, we opted to get home rather than visit Revivals. Just over an hour later (which is good for that time of the morning) we were home to a veryu cold house. It was not just the temperature differnce between Florida and the UK - our boiler had broken down, so shivered for the rest of the day as the Gas Man came to call!!
Thanks for reading