To make a summary: Avoid this flight. On the paper it's seems a good option: Direct flight during the night, so you could imagine with a business class seat that you will arrive relax in NYC avoiding the rush hour in NY as YVR propose the pre check TSA pre check service (you can pass the US custom at the departure airport - it's a huge win of time). In fact it's all the opposite who will happen.
Good point (only 1): - It's a direct flight
Bad points: - The plane leave after TSA closure (8pm) -> you have to pass the customs at JFK - This red eyes flight doesn't have a full flat configuration in business and the seats (economy also) don't have the possibility to retract the headrest. It's very difficult to sleep. - Delta didn't offer a lounge service in YVR. - Delta only served snacks on board (even in Business).
You will arrive exhausted, hungry (and angry) in New York.
———
The report:
We arrived at YVR around 7pm, in advance to pass the TSA and giving us some time to relax in the lounge.
Checking made in the National/US departure airport section was long due to IT.
First bad news: The Delta agent informed us that the TSA will be closed for this specific flight. We will have to pass the custom in JFK. The person also confirmed us that the plane didn't offer flat bed configuration and no dinner will be served during the flight. She was emphatic and helpful as much as she can.
We checked 2 luggages and then other inconvenient (perhaps also due to the departure time), the luggage drop off is not made at the checking gates but in the international airport section (located in the opposite side). So you walk and then make a second queue to drop off your luggage.
Arriving at the drop off we asked about the lounge location. The agent told us that Delta no offer a lounge service for their passengers in YVR.
After passing the security (quite quick) I noticed the Air France logo in front of the plaza premium lounge so I decided to ask the possibility to access with my AF platinum card. As mentioned by the checking agent, Delta didn't pass an agreement with the lounge (at the opposite of AF and KLM) so as our boarding pass is Delta the access was refused. I tried my chance by calling the AF Platinum line. An Air France agent (located in Paris), very professional and service oriented succeed to obtain us the lounge access. I profite to mentioned that the platinum phone line is really a plus for customers.
The lounge experience was pleasant. There is a dedicated place for AF/KLM customers, with a nice food variety. Chinese food was good.
Arriving to the boarding gate it was the mess.
As the boarding started late people didn't respected the boarding sequences and Delta supervisor was not good to handle the situation.
Plane stickers, what a difference with the true client experience
In the plane we asked for a glass of champagne and obtained a bad sparkling wine dressed in a plastic glass. it was the only drink served during the flight.
Dinner or "enjoying a premium food and drink offerings" as it's written on Delta website is translated to snacks (chips and banana) in passengers' reality.
Seats can only incline it of few degrees, the headset can not be retracted.
Pillow and cover are little as usual in domestic Delta flight (but it's an international one…)
Pitch is bad for a business class seat
The screen is small and the movies offer is limited.
The 5 hours flight without sleeping were long.
During the flight the light in front of the cabin stayed light up all night, Apparently it was possible to turn it off. I asked for a mask without success, same regarding my request of an extra pillow.
Arriving at JFK no breakfast or beverage were served.
After the custom passed (long time…) it was the rush hours and we made 3 hours from the plane exit to arrived in Manhattan.
This plane is definitely to avoid especially if you expect a business class experience.
Instead of it do not hesitated to stop by LAX or SEA, as you are in an international flight you will have access to the lounge during the stop, the TSA will be open in YVR and you will have full flat bed between the stop and JFK
See more
Verdict
Delta Air Lines
1.8/10
Cabin0.0
Cabin crew5.0
Entertainment/wifi2.0
Meal/catering0.0
Plaza Premium Lounge Management Limited Plaza Premium Lounge (International Departures)
6.6/10
Comfort7.5
Meal/catering7.5
Entertainment/wifi4.0
Services7.5
Vancouver - YVR
7.0/10
Efficiency8.0
Access7.0
Services4.0
Cleanliness9.0
New York - JFK
4.9/10
Efficiency2.0
Access3.5
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0
Conclusion
As mentioned this plane, in this configuration, at this time, with the services offered by Delta is really bad.
A similar direct flight operated by Cathay Pacific provide, if my information are correct, the full flat bed. You should definitely prefer Cathay or a transit via LAX or SEA to obtain a correct service.
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Thank you for sharing your report with us, and I'm sorry to hear about your experience.
Most red-eye flights though that are of this length, don't offer a full meal service to my knowledge, except for possibly Cathay Pacific. That being said, it would have been nice if at least something was served prior to arrival, such as a muffin or something more substantial.
Agreed, a customer experience can be improved with few things. Like you mentioned, a cookies or a muffin with a cup of coffee.
Delta should informed in advance the passager of the flight real condition. At the best during the booking process so we can decided if we take or not this flight.
The agent at the check in as the hostess in flight were plenty aware of these problems and compassionate. Other customer of the business class were not happy at all to not have a lounge access, especially for a flight departure at 10pm with no dinner served.
When you think that if you take a similar flights from LA or Seattle you have all the advantages and they are day flights (so a full flat seat is not necessary) and for a night flight you have noting. This is the contradiction which made me think that Delta is not customer oriented and prefer advantage the profitable lines.
Conclusion of this experience, I canceled my return on Europe booked on Delta to take an Air France flight (AF0009). It cost me an extra charge but I preferred give to Air France which was helpful than to Delta.
Delta does not offer a lounge because they usually depart on the Transborder side (means passing TSA in YVR). Though with the AF Plat = SkyTeam Elite Plus, you are entitled to lounge access on an international itinerary with SkyTeam airlines (both of which applies in your case).
The other direct flight between YVR and NYC is on Air Canada (which should be as bad as Delta) or Cathay Pacific (full flat seats with supper served even on Y/Y+).
Hello Quirrow, I was thinking exactly like you regarding the possibility to access to the lounge with the Elite plus card.
Unfortunately both Delta agent and the lounge employees refused us the access. As Delta is not paying for it (contrary of AF/KLM) it is not a sky team lounge. So if your boarding pass is Delta and even if your ticket is AF or KLM, the lounge access is refused whatever your FB card level.
I recognize that it's very limit in term of policy (especially with a business class ticket) so I insisted and called the AF platinum line which solved the question: in fact I think that AF paid for our entrance as normally it should have been done by Delta).
All this flight gave me a feeling of "cheap" (to not said cheapskate) of Delta service client.
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5 Comments
Most red-eye flights though that are of this length, don't offer a full meal service to my knowledge, except for possibly Cathay Pacific. That being said, it would have been nice if at least something was served prior to arrival, such as a muffin or something more substantial.
Like you mentioned, a cookies or a muffin with a cup of coffee.
Delta should informed in advance the passager of the flight real condition. At the best during the booking process so we can decided if we take or not this flight.
The agent at the check in as the hostess in flight were plenty aware of these problems and compassionate.
Other customer of the business class were not happy at all to not have a lounge access, especially for a flight departure at 10pm with no dinner served.
When you think that if you take a similar flights from LA or Seattle you have all the advantages and they are day flights (so a full flat seat is not necessary) and for a night flight you have noting. This is the contradiction which made me think that Delta is not customer oriented and prefer advantage the profitable lines.
Conclusion of this experience, I canceled my return on Europe booked on Delta to take an Air France flight (AF0009). It cost me an extra charge but I preferred give to Air France which was helpful than to Delta.
The other direct flight between YVR and NYC is on Air Canada (which should be as bad as Delta) or Cathay Pacific (full flat seats with supper served even on Y/Y+).
Unfortunately both Delta agent and the lounge employees refused us the access. As Delta is not paying for it (contrary of AF/KLM) it is not a sky team lounge.
So if your boarding pass is Delta and even if your ticket is AF or KLM, the lounge access is refused whatever your FB card level.
I recognize that it's very limit in term of policy (especially with a business class ticket) so I insisted and called the AF platinum line which solved the question: in fact I think that AF paid for our entrance as normally it should have been done by Delta).
All this flight gave me a feeling of "cheap" (to not said cheapskate) of Delta service client.
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