Flying Delta

ace_irl

Looking for some opinions on flying with Delta, specifically from Dublin to New York (JFK) direct flight.

I used Aer Lingus last time to fly to New York and really had no complaints, but Delta are working out cheaper.

How have other people found them to fly with? I've had a few terrible flights to the States over the years so I'm a bit nervous trying someone different.

Does everyone get their own tv in the head rest? or is it a shared tv?

Caranica

Delta generally fly narrow bodied aircraft to and from Ireland so three seats on each side with a central aisle. That's not the most comfortable for transatlantic flights.

Should have personal entertainment but they still have some older aircraft with overhead screens so no guarantees.

Used to fly them a lot for airmiles purposes but try to avoid them these days

cactusgal

Caranica wrote: »

Delta generally fly narrow bodied aircraft to and from Ireland so three seats on each side with a central aisle. That's not the most comfortable for transatlantic flights.

Should have personal entertainment but they still have some older aircraft with overhead screens so no guarantees.

Used to fly them a lot for airmiles purposes but try to avoid them these days

I think it's a crapshoot regarding what type of plane you get with Delta. I flew them to NYC a few years ago and it was an old crappy plane with just one TV way up in the front of the cabin. Reminded me of transatlantic flights I took as a kid in the 80s! My brother flew them a couple of years back (to Atlanta, the Delta hub) and said the plane was really nice, new, big, etc. So ... Could go either way!

VG31

Delta use the Boeing 767-400 from DUB to JFK. These are wide-body aircraft with IFE at each seat.
https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Delta_Airlines/Delta_Airlines_Boeing_767-400ER_B_Version_2.php

DivingDuck

Flown with them to the States multiple times (not to JFK, though) and found them very pleasant.

Always had individual and well-stocked IFE as well USB and plug chargers for laptops and phones, and there's in-flight wifi available (if at prices that would make your eyes water). The app is great for updates and info, especially the bag tracking feature.

Beyond that: meals were actually edible, crew were pleasant, free drinks, decent seats, good overhead space, and I've always found the planes generally clean. Their customer service has been beyond super any time I've had an issue, too.

I'd recommend, but maybe others have had different experiences?

Caranica

cactusgal wrote: »

I think it's a crapshoot regarding what type of plane you get with Delta. I flew them to NYC a few years ago and it was an old crappy plane with just one TV way up in the front of the cabin. Reminded me of transatlantic flights I took as a kid in the 80s! My brother flew them a couple of years back (to Atlanta, the Delta hub) and said the plane was really nice, new, big, etc. So ... Could go either way!

Outside of peak months they tend to use the crappier planes in my experience. I generally fly to Atlanta rather than JFK though

AngryLips

drab and grey old planes but they come with seatback TV with a really good interface and the meals were more generous and much tastier than Aer Lingus

Yamanoto

DivingDuck wrote: »

Flown with them to the States multiple times (not to JFK, though) and found them very pleasant.

Always had individual and well-stocked IFE as well USB and plug chargers for laptops and phones, and there's in-flight wifi available (if at prices that would make your eyes water). The app is great for updates and info, especially the bag tracking feature.

Beyond that: meals were actually edible, crew were pleasant, free drinks, decent seats, good overhead space, and I've always found the planes generally clean. Their customer service has been beyond super any time I've had an issue, too.

I'd recommend, but maybe others have had different experiences?

My experience has very much mirrored yours with Delta.

They've raised their game significantly these past few years & their economy product eclipses that of EI by some considerable margin (the inverse being the case in the J cabin).

endofrainbow

not much to choose between carriers to the US and if the price was comparable, I'd choose Delta.

Only disadvantage is that they are not covered under EU261 (from the US) in the event of any cancellations/delays.

aaronm13

Flew with them a few weeks ago, outbound to Atlanta and home from JFK. The Atlanta A330 seemed very new with the best IFE and very large, crystal clear screens. The 767 home was definitely an older plane with the smaller screens but all worked perfectly. I find Delta to be streets ahead of EI and the other US carriers so if they're cheaper then definitely go with it.

ace_irl

Thanks for all the input guys!

I might go with them, I'll know more once we finalise the dates we're going on. We had a terrible experience years ago flying to Orlando with a different airline, ended up stranded in Montreal and on the plane for nearly 18 hours, so I'm a bit weary of picking an airline I've no experience with.

There's nearly a savings of €100 each flying with Delta so it might be worth the gamble.

aaronm13

ace_irl wrote: »

Thanks for all the input guys!

I might go with them, I'll know more once we finalise the dates we're going on. We had a terrible experience years ago flying to Orlando with a different airline, ended up stranded in Montreal and on the plane for nearly 18 hours, so I'm a bit weary of picking an airline I've no experience with.


There's nearly a savings of €100 each flying with Delta so it might be worth the gamble.

Trust me, it won't be a gamble. Delta are a great airline and to me their product is better than EI. Delays, diversions and cancelations can happen to any airline, it's just the luck of the draw.

ace_irl

That's brilliant, thank you. Now to just start saving!

cactusgal

ace_irl wrote: »

That's brilliant, thank you. Now to just start saving!

I would just check the type/size of aircraft they are using, if you can. I fly to the States several times a year and the Delta flight I took to NYC a few years ago was one of the oldest, crappiest planes I'd ever flown transatlantic.

ace_irl

That was my fear with flying with them, I had heard they can use older planes that aren't as great.

I will have a look on seat guru and see what info they have.