Better than I expected!
Written: Mar 14 '07 (Updated Mar 15 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Large network, many worldwide partners, acceptable service.
Cons: Some older aircraft with mediocre food and entertainment.
The Bottom Line: Recommended if you are not too picky, or do not have any special requirements.
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| iref123's Full Review: Delta Air Lines |
This review is based on flying International Economy from Bogota,Colombia (BOG) to Atlanta, and continuing in domestic coach to BWI.
It has been described multiple times previously that Delta (DL) is one of the major partners in the Skyteam Alliance. That gives the passenger quite a lot of flexibility not only in routing, but also where earning and using frequent flyer miles are concerned. DL's US-based partners are Northwest (NW) and Continental (CO). My trip involved flying on NW mileage to BOG on CO metal, and back on DL. If I had to pay, i probably would have bought a CO ticket, but one can't be too picky when redeeming mileage.
Boarding process in BOG: slightly cumbersome, due to extra layers of security on all US-bound flights in Colombia. However, there were enough DL employees to handle the volume. In spite of a long line, I had passed security screening, paid the exit tax, and gotten a boarding pass in 20 minutes. All Colombian employees of US-based airlines are very friendly and patient, although knowing Spanish speeds up the process.
Boarding: DL boards by zones, the higher the zone number, the further to the tail section of the aircraft. No problems here.
Interior and comfort: The aircraft in question was a clean, though somewhat shabby-looking 757-200. Slight irritant: no individual air nozzles. However, when the climate control system kicked in, it kept the temperature at a comfortable level.
The overhead bins were of a newer design, and could accept a standard 20- inch carry-on placed vertically; thus, there was enough space (see my UA review on what a nuisance the older bins are).
The seating was the standard 3-3 in economy, with seats bland but clean.
Food and entertainment:
Well, I got some food, but honestly, I have had much better on both CO and AA. We were presented with a choice of rather mediocre ham and eggs, or pancakes. I was not impressed, but then again was not expecting much.
If you have an Ipod, I strongly urge you to bring it on your flight, loaded with what you actually want to watch or listen to. No individual screens, just TV monitors placed every 4-5 rows. One movie per flight and some TV programming.
Baggage claim: One of the fastest I had experienced in a long time. No problems at all.
Remarkably, the ATL to BWI run was on a newer and much nicer 757. I think it may have been a Song aircraft earlier, with individual screens at every seat (for an extra charge). But do not count on being on one if you are flying what is called a "long, thin route", such as to Colombia. Options should be better on widebody international flights.
On top of their Skyteam partners, DL has a code-share agreement with Avianca, which is especially useful if you are planning flights within Colombia or other countries in South America; your AV flights will earn DL mileage.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
iref123
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Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 3 members
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