My Personal Quirk With Delta Airlines
Intro
If you have been following this blog, you might know that I rant and rave about American Airlines and United Airlines but not as much about Delta Airlines. I understand that there are different blogs run by different people, and everyone has their views, so if this isn’t something you are interested in, feel free to follow someone else blog. However, I wanted to share a few reasons why I am not the biggest fan of Delta Airlines.
Lounges
Possibly, the biggest reason for me not liking Delta Airlines is their lounge situation. While I am extremely impressed by their Delta One Lounge in JFK (and presumably,y the reports are the same about LA), it’s sad to see how long it took for these lounges to come to fruition. If we think about it, United and AA have both offered premium lounges for those flying long-haul in Business Class for quite a while. I will say that the D1 Lounge at JFK is exceptional, and if they were able to offer respectable champagne, it might be the best business-class lounge in the world (Wagyu Strip, yum)
Additionally, I am disappointed by the new policies limiting certain cardholders from entering the Skyclub. As recently announced, unless you are spending 75K+ on the Delta American Express Platinum, you will now be limited to 10 visits per year. I sort of get it since the DL sky clubs, which are very nice, have become overcrowded.
Their Long-Haul Business Class Hard Product
Okay, we all know it; unless you are on an A330-900neo or A350-900, the Delta 1 hard product sucks (yes, including the 767-400ER). I used to fly Delta quite a bit before blogging, and I had the opportunity to fly the 763 and 764 in DL 1, and I was very underwhelmed. Compared to United Airlines, passengers flying long-hauls know exactly what they are going to get when booking a long-haul business class flight. With American Airlines, most of their fleet features a reverse herringbone setup, but some of them do feature that weird Zodiac design. However, I would still take that weird design over the dated Delta 1 767-300…
Atlanta Hub
Over the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Delta Airlines in Los Angeles and New York. However, there has been one place that has just been horrible: Atlanta. Now, I am going to tell you a story that will probably be taken the wrong way, but I’ll tell it anyway.
I tend to enjoy my flights quite a lot, to the point where multiple flight attendants have called me “the life of the sky” (it’s a long story, but maybe for another post). In the past, flight attendants have really enjoyed having me onboard to the point where they come around at the end of the flight and give me bottles of champagne to go. However, with Delta, this was different. I was supposed to fly to Ecuador after a flight from JFK-ATL and was denied boarding for being “too drunk.” It is what it is, it happened, it just sucks because the gate agents had given away my seat in Delta One (I was boarding with 10 minutes until close, and saw my seat go out full so I am guessing not 100%). I was definitely tipsy, but I wasn’t drunk per se. Never once have I bothered other passengers on flights; it’s not my thing, and it has never been. However, I also understand that this is the policy when flying,g so I get it.
On the flip side, I have had friendliest gate agents, lounge bartenders, and flight attendants on United and American Airlines. I’m a people person, I love to chat to people no matter who they are or where they are from (the more remote the more interesting).
The experience just left a sour taste in my mouth with Delta. To be honest, something like this hasn’t happened with any other airline (having flown 150+ airlines now). Additionally, I was disappointed they didn’t re-book me for the next day (I don’t think they have to, but even AA, when I had a cold, offered to rebook me the next day free of charge). Judge all you want about me, but I think it’s important to be honest.
The Good Part Of Delta Airlines
There are some aspects where Delta Airlines does shine, and these also do need to be shared. I remember flying economy with them from Boston to London on a 767, and I have to say, their food in economy is miles better than AA and UA. Additionally, their business class food I would say takes the lead as well as their short rib is delightful. Lastly, if you are able to get a seat on their A350-900 (not the EX-LATAM; I know they are updating them soon) or an A330-900neo, it might be the best hard product business class in the USA.
I will say that everyone is different, and no one is technically right. I know plenty of people that love Delta Airlines and I am happy for them. I know plenty of people that don't like United: also okay. It just depends on what is the better fit for you.
Final Thoughts
So in no way am I saying that Delta Airlines is a bad airline, I just haven’t had the best experiences with them in comparison to United and American. I will still look to fly them once a year for the blog as I think it is important to keep up to date with all the airlines and what they offer. Sometimes, relationships don’t work out, and this is a prime example of it happening. Although, you know what they say, sometimes the relationship works out eventually 😉.
Take this for what it's worth; this is just my view, and I wanted to share it. 🙂
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