DL149 LHR-JFK 17 FEB 11 (BUSINESS ELITE)
Posted: 08 Mar 2011, 01:12The Preliminaries
This was to be my usual February holiday and would also serve as pre end of contract holiday too.
I headed to the VS site first to check prices and was disheartened to note that Thursdays were not included in the sale days. I even checked if travelling on the Wednesday night VS17 to EWR would get me a sale fare but it was not to be (despite wanting to come back on a sale valid date).
So I headed off to Expedia to search for alternative options where I was pointed the way of DL/KL/AF so I then researched these further (not realising they were part of the same alliance). After looking for comments on Flyer Talk (not very helpful), some other general Google searches and asking on here I decided on the DL flight based on them offering direct flights from LHR rather than via AMS or CDG.
In search of bargains I also checked Opodo and Ebookers but dummy bookings indicated some heavy credit card fees that would not be recouped by any possible Quidco cash back. The irritating thing is you have to go almost to the end of the booking process before you find this out. Surely it is not beyond the wit of man (or woman, lets not assume all IT geeks are men!) to be able to show a price along with CC fees much earlier in the process or do they hope people won’t really notice?
So I almost went via Expedia until I realised that I should check the AMEX website which offered me the same flights but for £30 or so less so AMEX got my custom and I got double miles too,
So VS has lost my custom for my last two transatlantic trips and it was purely down to price. For this trip we are talking about a price different of £ 500 between the flight I took and what VS wanted.
The flight appeared almost instantaneously in my Flying Blue account (created earlier) which after a short while allowed me to select seats. It would be further updated with info re luggage allowances.
Check-in etc
24 hours out I could do OLCI and indeed got two e-mails – one each from DL and KLM but any chance of completing it were doomed because whilst I had remembered to take a note of my passport number with me to work I failed to make a note of its issue and expiry dates. So SEQ1 fail!
When I did do OLCI at home it appeared I was SEQ20 but it was not specifically identified on the boarding pass as ‘SEQ’. Anyway as SEQ gets no extra benefits I let it ride over me.
My taxi arrived promptly at 09:00 and soon Tonty Towers disappeared and I was on the way to LHR T4 - a new experience as the last time I was there was about 10 years ago and it had been updated since BA moved to T5. After a smooth drive we arrived just before 10:00. The terminal screens indicated that DL use Zone G so I pulled my case and looked for the Business check-in area but there was none! I saw a staff member who indicated it was in Zone H (why this wasn’t indicated I don’t know).
Anyway Zone H was just around the corner and I entered a secluded glass partitioned and carpeted enclosed area with the check-in desks but also a couple of comfy seats. I headed to the KLM desk but was redirected to the DL desk (as the actual operator) where DLs version of Hinge and Bracket did the security questions protocol. Quite why there were two of them I don’t know and they didn’t seam to work together (or indeed like each other!).
I reached the check-in desk where I received a warm but business like welcome and my BP handed over and told the gate number. However I was not automatically told where the lounge was, nor indeed fast track security, so I asked and was answered.
Although not the same as the Upper Class wing the Sky Team Business area it is far, far better than the downstairs UC desk area where there is not even any carpet!
Security was a breeze having been admitted to the (deserted) priority lanes (mind the ‘ordinary’ lanes were hardly buzzing with activity). The only hold up was the old woman in front of me who would simply not move the trays with his stuff down the belt until a gentle shove (by me) forced his trays down the rollers. He was still faffing about as I left the area!
The lounge was a few minutes walk to the right and whilst the shops were there they were not so ‘in your face’ as they are at T3.
All in all it was about 15 mins from arrival at T4 to the lounge but I guess I could have done it quicker if I’d known about Zone H and avoided Mr Old Woman.
The Lounge
I was welcomed to the lounge and informed that there were no announcements re flight departures but there was no ‘have you been to the lounge before sir?’ question so I headed into what was a reasonably busy lounge and found somewhere to sit.
I went for a quick explore and found a directory map which indicated an upstairs area so assuming (correctly) it would be quieter I headed up the anonymous looking stairs (to the right of the entry desk) to the upper level which was almost deserted. So I headed back down the stairs, collected my things and headed back up the stairs. It turned out this was the right thing to do.
The facilities down stairs were an area for newspapers and magazines, an IT area, a small bar area to the left and a larger bar/food service area on the other side and around the corner from that a ‘wine’ bar. All of these were self service and there seamed to be a reasonable selection but no champers and other than not having the wine bar section the upper level was essentially the same.
I found a set of seats next to the windows and released Tonty and Beary so they could partake in the lounge experience too and look at the planes on the apron.
There was a small (self service) bar area near to my seat with cans of beer and soft drinks in a well stocked fridge and a couple of bottles of wine but nothing stronger. There was also a coffee machine.
Following the same layout as downstairs, there was a larger bar area and a food area where breakfast items had been set out so I helped myself to a full(ish) English and a coffee and juice.
The items – the usual fayre - were hot but not hot (if you get my meaning) but were tasty and filled the hole that was my tummy.
I then went for a wander to duty free but did not buy anything. By this time it was 11:00 and back in the lounge the hard liquor had been put out on display - it is all self-service, the staff simply tidy up the area, put new food items out and clear tables. Though there was no champagne there was still a choice of wines – two each of red and white. It was the same at the mini bar near where I was sat.
I decided on a nice G&T which was refreshing and then wandered over to see if any new food had been put out. Breakfast had been cleared away and there was now a selection of cold meats, cheeses and salad items available.
Before partaking, I went to the very clean toilets (lowest ever urinals though! and no other products other than soap) and on leaving and returning to my seat I noticed a small children’s area.
I had a look through the window and it was a small room with a TV and a sofa with 3 rather forlorn looking dolls and teddy bears on the said sofa. It all looked like how I imagined social services had a room where they did their ‘now show us on the dolly ....’ sessions. They obviously don’t expect a lot of children.
As it was now noon they had started to bring a hot main course out (pasta) in addition to the meat/cheese/salad but I did not partake.
Another ‘feature’ of both lounges is one of those ‘wall gardens’. Also upstairs are a couple of showers and day rooms which would be useful on a longer lay-over.
After my snack and a final G&T (Bombay Sapphire, no T10) it was time to gather my things together and by the time I departed I was just about the only person left upstairs.
I took one last look at the downstairs and it was absolutely heaving with people looking for seats - a marked contrast with the deserted upstairs that I had enjoyed.
Overall I would rate the lounge as ‘very good’ but the desk staff need to ask if a pax has been before and explain there is an upstairs area.
Boarding and pre flight preliminaries
I took a slow walk down to the gate where priority boarding was clearly indicated and which was firmly but politely enforced. My BP and passport was checked and I was wished a good flight before I headed down the jet way to the front doors.
I was welcomed on board (not by name) and pointed in the right direction of my seat along with ‘just scoot through one of the empty rows’ as what on most planes would be used as a cross over was the Business Galley and curtained off.
Seats on the 767 are in 1-2-1 configuration and I had 5D with the light and table on the left hand side. MY foot well was beneath 4Ds consol area. There was plenty of room at the seat and all seats had their own full size overhead bin. The seats are staggered so that the odd numbered seats have the consol on the left and the even on the right (and reversed on the D side). It seamed that no one from Y dared to try and dump their stuff in the J cabin as I have seen on previous flights.
My coat was taken from me and drinks offered so I partook of a champers and OJ. The IFE was playing but was just generic adverts. Waiting on the seat were a large pillow, duvet and amenity kit (a red drum shape with a zip and the usual items and so more extensive than the VS one that seriously needs replacing) and shortly after the headphones handed out. The amenity kits from non occupied seats were collected in at this time too.
Boarding took a short while longer (maybe I should have delayed leaving the lounge) but regular drinks were offered and the purser came down with menus and other staff with newspapers which I declined as I had collected mine in the lounge.
Doors were closed and there was some congestion we were delayed leaving the gate. I looked around to do a head count and the cabin was getting on for 2/3rd full.
The purser did a rather formal welcome announcement ‘My name is MISTER L******** and I will be your purser onboard today’. Sprinkled amongst the usual announcements with several reminders for pax (well those in Y) to ‘RESPECT THE CURTAIN!’ and would pax please use the lavatories assigned to their cabins (always at the rear) and oh to ‘RESPECT THE CURTAIN!’.
There was a further apology for the delay and ‘we hope you enjoy our service’ and a final ‘RESPECT THE CURTAIN!’ concluded the announcements before the emergency film was shown.
Whilst we were waiting the CC were checking all was well and I overheard the end of a pax/CC conversation
‘I’m sorry madam but we can’t bring your friend forward into the Business Cabin but as it is not a full flight we are more than happy to accommodate you next to your friend in Economy if you wish to move’
You can guess what the preamble to this was, but I thought offering the pax a chance to join their friend in Y was a good one for diffusing what could be a difficult situation. Needless to say she remained firmly in her seat!
During the delay Mr Fuss Pot came and took the meal orders and to ask if we would like soup with our appetizers. It was always ‘Good Afternoon Mr/Mrs XXX, welcome aboard and what would you like for your main course? Soup with your appetizer?’ and where appropriate ‘And I see you are one of our super dooper million trillion diamond mega flyers and we thank you for your loyalty’.
I thought that mentioning someone’s status was a tad tacky though.
As someone with no status I was simply thanked for flying Delta!
Take off was smooth was as soon as we reached 10,000 feet the IFE was turned on. The screen was large but not as large as on VS but was touch screen but with a controller also in the consol. Touch Screen worked well and the layout was clear but unfortunately the choice of films and TV did not generally appeal to me (unfortunately it was the same selection both ways). So I watched an episode of ‘the Cleveland Show’, ‘Glee’, a David Attenborough documentary (that I essentially slept through) and the new Hawaii 5-0.
On the various screen menus the cost of the programme was displayed but on selecting there was always a ‘your selection is complimentary’ message. I think they are also free in Y on transatlantic flights too.
One irritant was that if you changed film etc the sound would reset to the lowest level. Another was that if there was a PA in Y then that stopped the IFE in Business.
Lunch!
There was a drinks round and then the meal was served (my choices indicated by **) (unfortunatly the batteries went on my camera so no pics of the food)
First
** Two appetizers a grilled rosemary shrimp and a goat cheese mouse
Roasted Yellow Pepper Soup
** Mixed Green Salad
You actually get all three (if you want) with the appetizer plate and soup served together and followed by the salad.
Main
Roast Chicken Breast – olives & tomato, couscous and sugar snaps
**Tender Filet of Beef – horseradish sauce, lyonnaise potatoes and spinach
Pasta with roasted vegetables
There was also the option of a plate of cold beef and smoked salmon with cold vegetables
Dessert
**Selection of Cheeses (3)
Ice Cream Sunday
Chocolate Cake
Wines
White
**Mer Soleil ‘Silver’ Chardonnay, California 2007/08
**Zalze ‘bush vine’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2010
Red
Chateau Beaumont, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux 2006/07
Meiomi by Belle Glos Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2008
Port
Calem 10 yr Old Tawny Porto, Portugal NV
Ferreira Dona Antonia Reserve Porto, Portugal NV
Champagne
**Jacquart Brut Mosaique, Reims, NV
Review
All the food was well presented and the cold items cold and the hot items (very) hot.
The two appetizers were very tasty in their own way and contrasted nicely and were beautifully presented.
The salad was as salady as a salad can be.
The beef was a good size and very well cooked, the sauce was tangy (but verging on my limit of my not liking it) and the potatoes well cooked. I left the spinach as I am not a fan.
There were regular drinks top ups and changes were not a problem so I had champers with the starter but switched to the chardonnay for the rest of the meal.
Post Lunch etc
I drifted off for a couple of house on the supposed flat seat but ended up sliding down. The seats are comfortable but when in ‘sleep’ position are still at a slight incline – or at least they are to me - despite being advertised as ‘flat’
I had my desert after my (2 hour) nap and there were 3 cheeses, grapes and some crackers. For my taste 2 out of 3 being blue was out of balance though to be fair I cut the vein out of one of them and that was a perfectly acceptable cheese. My ‘heart’ lounge pants were once again admired when I went to the galley to get my cheese - I felt the need to stretch my legs it was not a sign of staff being absent. I was offered a port but I settled on a cup of coffee.
A couple of hours before landing there was another drinks run (but no problem with using call bell or going to the galley for one in the meantime and the CC made regular patrols. The two on my side of the plane were excellent.
There was then a snack service (called ‘pre arrival meal’ on the menu)
Roasted Chicken Sandwich
** Cold Salad Plate – smoked salmon and potato cucumber salad (very tasty but a tad cold)
With the snack I had the Chenin Blanc – an acceptable number but not as nice as the chardonnay.
Landing and Arrival
We landed at JFK about 30 minutes early and there were the usual announcements about staying in our seats until we were at the gate, then silence then we all heard ‘Madam you MUST return your bag to the overhead, close it and you MUST sit down and fasten your seat belt.’
Then a few seconds later ‘No! The bag goes back in the overhead. NOW sit DOWN’.
It was probably the only jarring moment on the entire flight but I assume that the CC had to deal with this particular rule breaking pax firmly.
Anyway the chastised pax must have complied because there was no more said (or if there was they only broadcast it in Y).
As we taxied I noticed that there were a few of the mobile lounges they use at IAD looking rather forlorn in a storage area. Two had had a DL logo on them (though an old one).
Priority deplaning was firmly enforced with CC blocking both Y aisles as we left from the Number 2 door. It was a long walk to T3 immigration which got the legs pumping. I think I was about the 5th non US person to reach the empty hall and the INS officers must have been surprised as they were having a mothers meeting rather than waiting in their booths but they soon sprang into action.
I was asked three questions – how long was I staying for, how many times I’d been to the US and how much $$ I had. Fingerprints from right hand 4 fingers only and the obligatory picture taken and I was through.
Unfortunately bags would be arriving on the farthermost carousel (despite being the only flight due at that time) and it was a 10 minute wait. My case was in the first ten or so off and altogether the time from deplaning to leaving customs was less that 30 minutes (and probably closer to 25).
SUMMARY
I was seriously impressed with the whole DL experience. All the staff I came across were friendly yet professional and onboard were attentive but not oppressive – even the pax asking about brining their friend into an empty business seat was handled well. Apart from Mr Fuss Pot Purser they all appeared to be enjoying their work and serving us.
The onboard food was excellent – well presented, not too highly seasoned (other than the horseradish sauce) and good portions.
Yes the lounge is not the CH and whist at seat service and a menu to choose from is nice it is no hardship to make your own drinks and select your own food.
I did not miss having a treatment (then again there is no guarantee of getting one!) It was a shame (though not for me) that so few people used the upper level as they would have has a much nicer experience (I wonder how many complaints they get about a busy lounge?)
Would I fly DL again? Yes certainly and especially if the DL-VS price differential was as great as it was this time. I do value brand loyalty (not always recriprocated at times) but there is a point when the Bank of Tonty steps in and says ‘No’ and the ££ take precedence.
All in all I really enjoyed this flight.
