Greetings Flight Report community and thanks for stopping by. I am sharing a short 2 segment trip in this installment of reports. The genesis of this trip was my fondness for the Delta 747 and the nostalgia for all the safe and comfortable trips she has delivered me on. Her days of Narita operations were waning and, for me, the Delta 747-400 and Narita are forever linked. So the goal was set, get to Tokyo and blast out of Narita one last time aboard this majestic machine.
A few details had to be sorted out to get this trip in motion. First, how to get to Tokyo? I started exploring my NRSA(Non Revenue Space Available) options and there were several. In doing my due diligence I also explored points redemption as well. I located the ORD-HND space in ANA F on and decided to jump on it. I booked using 120,000 Virgin Atlantic miles and setup the outbound for this trip and the return for a trip in January. The second detail was a backup plan in case the NRSA trip on NRT-DTW 747 fell apart. I also booked a HND-PVG ticket with UA miles as insurance to try for the PVG-DTW 747 if NRT seemed out of the question. The final detail was buying a ticket to ORD which I accomplished via UA.
Carrier, route, equipment, class, lounge, and procurement method:
United Airlines - LAX-ORD - 757-300 - First - No Lounge - Cash (No Report) All Nippon Airlines - ORD-HND - 777-300ER - First - Polaris Lounge - Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Delta Air Lines - NRT-DTW - 747-400 - Delta One - Korean Air Lounge - NRSA (This Report) Delta Air Lines - DTW-DEN - MD-90 - Economy - No Lounge - NRSA (No Report) American Airlines - DEN-PHX - A319 - Economy - No Lounge - Cash (No Report) American Airlines - PHX-SNA - 737-800 - Economy - No Lounge - Cash (No Report)
Narita Spotting and KAL Lounge
I arrive early, as always, to enjoy the observation deck. As today would be my personal "goodbye" to the DL 747 it was even more special.
Check in lobby, North Wing, T1. Most Sly Team members can be found here.
It turns out I wasn't the only one that was appreciating this aviation milestone. How very cool! I just happened to come across this poster when heading upstairs to the observation deck(which was closed as the high winds from the prior evening's typhoon were still in effect).
NAA has setup an art installation commemorating the end of Delta 747 ops. A beautiful website has been created too: https://747.deltaskyinfo.jp/
Explanation of exhibit.
Later I would learn that these postcards are being distributed to all of the passengers boarding the final Delta 747 flights. Yeah!
A look at the exhibit. I was thrilled to browse the photos and enjoy the feeling that this was an event for more than just me.
As there was no spotting on the deck to be had I decided to go air side.
The KAL lounge is very poor in terms of crowding, food and beverage, cleanliness and temperature. The only redeeming qualities I can find are the beer machine and the view.
I was able to grab a seat by the window when I pounced after seeing someone leave. It was sweltering hot in the lounge in general and much worse by the window.
SU pushing to SVO.
Delta pushing to remote parking waiting for next flight.
KE arrival.
My ride to DTW arriving, warts and all.
Time to head to the gate and sweat out the seat assignment NRSA lottery. I'm able to follow the flight closely so I am almost certain I will have a seat in Delta One but this being my last ride on this special airplane I would be overjoyed with a window seat.
My wishes are granted and I am assigned 11A, a beautiful Delta One seat with a great view of the wing and engines.
As boarding begins the gate agent makes a lovely speech about the pending retirement of the 747-400 and upcoming A350 era at Delta. He also informs us that we will receive a small gift to commemorate this milestone. Of course I am excited and touched by the recognition.
DL 276 NRT-DTW
I make my way on board via L1 and get settled into 11A.
The seat is pre-set with two pillows, a blanket, amenity kit, Evian water, and headphones.
The load would be strangely light in this cabin with several seats going out empty.
Here's a closer look at the commemorative goodies each passenger received.
Beverages were passed from a tray including sparkling wine, orange juice, or Suntory beer.
Alas I would not be enjoying the upper deck for my last Delta 747 flight…
Menus were distributed by the Purser.
Cover Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Wines
A look at the wing and power plants form the R2 and L2 doors.
View from 11A.
Traditional send off from the push team.
Traffic on taxi.
Turning onto 34L
As majestic and powerful as her fist flight. I will sorely miss these views.
Getting started on the TPAC.
Headphones
Some have complained about the quality however I didn't notice the same deficiencies.
Slippers on.
Oshibori is distributed.
I appreciate the IFE has some information about the aircraft performing the crossing today.
Beautiful twilight view as the meal service starts.
The service cart makes it to me where I request the Delta Sky cocktail and San Pellegrino water. Warm mixed nuts accompany.
The flight attendant serving my side is fun and chatty and we share our fondness for the outgoing equipment. She is on her penultimate 747 trip as she will be working the final 747 DTW-NRT trip returning on the A350.
The appetizer, salad, and soup tray is next. I switch to a Spanish white from Rueda featuring the Verdejo grape. It's fine.
The appetizer is plated quite beautifully and has a nice range of flavors and textures. The salad is unremarkable, I do appreciate the crisp apple. The soup is not the one listed on the menu rather a corn based soup. It's very good as usual. The cheese croutons are a nice touch. Pretzel roll! The main course is served by hand. I opted for the halibut and I am rewarded with a really lovely, moist, flaky fish. Dessert is an event with the passing of the well stocked cart. I opt for a the ice cream and some cheese. I pair these with a class of the Muscat. Some cheese. Sundae. Muscat. A nice finish to a really solid meal.
At this point I put my chair back and enjoy a film. I am soon overcome with the urge to sleep so I set the bed flat and have a nap.
I wake after a few hours and am greeted ratehr quickly by teh flight attendant on duty at the time. I am offered a drink and choice of snacks. I'm not hungry by any stretch but I am curious about the offering so I choose the Croque-Monsieur and the San Pellegrino water. It's a worth while attempt and is nicely warmed but comes off too soft after sitting.
About 90 minutes before arrival the lights are brought up and the pre-arrival meal service begins. Wary of the egg dishes on board I opt for the stir fried beef. It's simple but good and the beef is very tender.
Soon, far too soon, my 67th 747 flight comes to a close as we gracefully slide into Detroit's Wayne County Metropolitan Airport. She will be missed.
Finally I'll leave with my favorite Delta 747 picture that I took. The 3 747-400s in various stages of operation taken from the Narita observation deck. Those were the days…
See more
Verdict
Delta Air Lines
8.1/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Meal/catering8.0
Korean Airlines KAL Lounge
5.0/10
Comfort5.0
Meal/catering5.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Services5.0
Tokyo - NRT
9.0/10
Efficiency9.0
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0
Detroit - DTW
8.0/10
Efficiency9.0
Access7.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0
Conclusion
The Ground Service: No such thing for the NRSA of course.
The Lounge: It's quite bad, even for a Priority Pass lounge. Great views though. I will also add that there is a perk to not having any edible food in the lounge as you board hungry and can better enjoy the in flight meal!
The Cabin: While the finishes on the seats are rather budget the layout is spacious and the seat itself is spacious. It's comfortable in bed mode and the combination of two pillows and plush duvet make for good sleep.
The Crew: It was a great crew that took pride in their work. Service was constant and always delivered in a warm and friendly manner.
The Food and Beverage: I was pleased with everything that I sampled. While the menu lacks a celebrity chef endorsement I find a good range of quality dishes.
Overall: This flight was very special to me and will long be remembered. I was quite tickled that Delta and NIAA also appreciated the significance of the changing of the guard.
Thank you for reading and happy flying.
14 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Greetings, Socalnow, and thank you very much for this monumental FR. I was aboard the Concorde's last flight from JFK to LHR 14 years ago. I still get the same nostalgic tingles from the very thought of it. One heck of a birthday present, if you ask me. The KAL lounge looks rather horrendous. Why did you go there instead of the Delta SkyClub? "SV pushing to SVO." -Pardon me, but I'm pretty sure SV jets are supposed to go to Saudi Arabia..? :P "View from 11A." -I wouldn't trade those views for an upper deck seat. Also, great catch on the SkyTeam 777. KL? CZ? The silver bullet has to be a personal favourite in terms of alliance liveries. If only they design their lounges as well as their liveries, eh? "She is on her penultimate 747 trip as she will be working the final 747 DTW-NRT trip returning on the A350." -That's definitely a story for the family. Not many people will have the pleasure to say "my mother/grandma worked on one of the last Delta 747s". I take it some of the crew will just be deadheading on the A359 on the way back, probably. "The main course is served by hand. I opted for the halibut and I am rewarded with a really lovely, moist, flaky fish." -Presentation could do with a serious dose of improvement. Everything on the plate looks great, but it's like barely any effort was put in to make it look nice. Oh well, bites over barks? " The 3 747-400s in various stages of operation taken from the Narita observation deck. Those were the days…" -One for the history books! My last flight on a 744 was just over a week ago, so won't be rushing to get myself on one anytime soon.
Greetings Razza_Pr and thank you for the thoughtful comments.
"I was aboard the Concorde's last flight from JFK to LHR 14 years ago. I still get the same nostalgic tingles from the very thought of it. One heck of a birthday present, if you ask me." -There can hardly be a more substantial commercial aviation milestone (however unfortunate) that the last flight of Concorde. I'm confident subsequent birthdays have failed to live up to it. ;) "Pardon me, but I'm pretty sure SV jets are supposed to go to Saudi Arabia..? :P" -Oh, you didn't hear about the new service? I have corrected the error, thank you for catching it. "I wouldn't trade those views for an upper deck seat. Also, great catch on the SkyTeam 777. KL? CZ? The silver bullet has to be a personal favourite in terms of alliance liveries. If only they design their lounges as well as their liveries, eh?" -The upper deck just feels so exclusive... Ha, I didn't notice the SkyTeam 777 until you pointed it out so i can't say with any authority who is operating it. Good eye! " I take it some of the crew will just be deadheading on the A359 on the way back, probably." -I hadn't considered the difference in staffing requirements. If there are enough jump seats perhaps they will all work if only to smooth out the service hiccups that are bound to happen on a new type? She had yet to see a DL A350 in person at the time of our flight... "Presentation could do with a serious dose of improvement. Everything on the plate looks great, but it's like barely any effort was put in to make it look nice. Oh well, bites over barks? -It didn't strike me as poorly plated. The plate seems too small, as is the case with much of the service. Perhaps they think it will look more generous that way... "One for the history books! My last flight on a 744 was just over a week ago, so won't be rushing to get myself on one anytime soon." -Yes, yes, nostalgia only carries you so far. What operator and route?
Oh dear, that was extremely bad phrasing on my part. I was aboard one of the flights on the last day of operations was what I had meant. I wasn't aboard the one carrying 100 important people! I blame the lack of sleep for 27 hours (and counting). I'll try to include pictures of it on my next FR.. whenever that may be.
"Yes, yes, nostalgia only carries you so far. What operator and route?" -All I can say is that it was a far, far cry from Emirates (for better or worse). And no matter how much I want to, I cannot make a FR out of it.
Thank you for your report. Your flight on B747-400 seems to be fine. Delta B747 was one of the most memorable and ubiquitous aircraft in NRT. It was not a rare sight that many B747s were on the Tarmac in Narita in the past. I'm so missing iconic Delta B747, though her successor, A350 would provide better delta one seat
Greetings Cheapflyer.JP and thank you for leaving a comment.
"Delta B747 was one of the most memorable and ubiquitous aircraft in NRT. It was not a rare sight that many B747s were on the Tarmac in Narita in the past." -Indeed with several routes to the mainland US, a couple trips to HNL, and a spare it was not uncommon to see half the fleet there at one time.
"I'm so missing iconic Delta B747, though her successor, A350 would provide better delta one seat" -I hope you are correct!
That last picture is everything! Ah, yes, those were the days! So sad to see the Queen go. Thanks for this lovely homage to the DL 747. The cabins are only a few years old and the Delta One seats were just recently upholstered; it's a shame they didn't keep them around for just a little longer. Oh well, what can you do. I'm guessing we'll see a few reports from you on the D1 A350 Suites in the future ^^
"That last picture is everything! Ah, yes, those were the days! " -There were 6 747 on the ground at once most days. 1x BKK 1x MNL 1x HKG 2x HNL and 1 Spare. More if there were any delays on LAX, DTW, or JFK.
"I'm guessing we'll see a few reports from you on the D1 A350 Suites in the future ^^" -That's going to be a tough nut to crack on NRSA. But i will be trying.
Flight-Report is a free website hosting more than 500 000 pictures and 17 000 reviews, without ads, this website can't exist. We understand that ads can be annoying, this is why we only display a maximum of 2 non-invasive ads per page.
To continue using Flight-Report, we invite you to add Flight-Report to your blocker's "white list".
#28 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings.
832 reviews
11 Comments
I was aboard the Concorde's last flight from JFK to LHR 14 years ago. I still get the same nostalgic tingles from the very thought of it. One heck of a birthday present, if you ask me.
The KAL lounge looks rather horrendous. Why did you go there instead of the Delta SkyClub?
"SV pushing to SVO."
-Pardon me, but I'm pretty sure SV jets are supposed to go to Saudi Arabia..? :P
"View from 11A."
-I wouldn't trade those views for an upper deck seat. Also, great catch on the SkyTeam 777. KL? CZ? The silver bullet has to be a personal favourite in terms of alliance liveries. If only they design their lounges as well as their liveries, eh?
"She is on her penultimate 747 trip as she will be working the final 747 DTW-NRT trip returning on the A350."
-That's definitely a story for the family. Not many people will have the pleasure to say "my mother/grandma worked on one of the last Delta 747s". I take it some of the crew will just be deadheading on the A359 on the way back, probably.
"The main course is served by hand. I opted for the halibut and I am rewarded with a really lovely, moist, flaky fish."
-Presentation could do with a serious dose of improvement. Everything on the plate looks great, but it's like barely any effort was put in to make it look nice. Oh well, bites over barks?
" The 3 747-400s in various stages of operation taken from the Narita observation deck. Those were the days…"
-One for the history books! My last flight on a 744 was just over a week ago, so won't be rushing to get myself on one anytime soon.
Thanks again for this FR. Cheers!
"I was aboard the Concorde's last flight from JFK to LHR 14 years ago. I still get the same nostalgic tingles from the very thought of it. One heck of a birthday present, if you ask me."
-There can hardly be a more substantial commercial aviation milestone (however unfortunate) that the last flight of Concorde. I'm confident subsequent birthdays have failed to live up to it. ;)
"Pardon me, but I'm pretty sure SV jets are supposed to go to Saudi Arabia..? :P"
-Oh, you didn't hear about the new service? I have corrected the error, thank you for catching it.
"I wouldn't trade those views for an upper deck seat. Also, great catch on the SkyTeam 777. KL? CZ? The silver bullet has to be a personal favourite in terms of alliance liveries. If only they design their lounges as well as their liveries, eh?"
-The upper deck just feels so exclusive... Ha, I didn't notice the SkyTeam 777 until you pointed it out so i can't say with any authority who is operating it. Good eye!
" I take it some of the crew will just be deadheading on the A359 on the way back, probably."
-I hadn't considered the difference in staffing requirements. If there are enough jump seats perhaps they will all work if only to smooth out the service hiccups that are bound to happen on a new type? She had yet to see a DL A350 in person at the time of our flight...
"Presentation could do with a serious dose of improvement. Everything on the plate looks great, but it's like barely any effort was put in to make it look nice. Oh well, bites over barks?
-It didn't strike me as poorly plated. The plate seems too small, as is the case with much of the service. Perhaps they think it will look more generous that way...
"One for the history books! My last flight on a 744 was just over a week ago, so won't be rushing to get myself on one anytime soon."
-Yes, yes, nostalgia only carries you so far. What operator and route?
Thanks again Razza_Pr and happy flying.
"Yes, yes, nostalgia only carries you so far. What operator and route?"
-All I can say is that it was a far, far cry from Emirates (for better or worse). And no matter how much I want to, I cannot make a FR out of it.
Happy flying!
"I'll try to include pictures of it on my next FR.. "
-I would very much enjoy that!"
Happy flying.
Your flight on B747-400 seems to be fine.
Delta B747 was one of the most memorable and ubiquitous aircraft in NRT. It was not a rare sight that many B747s were on the Tarmac in Narita in the past. I'm so missing iconic Delta B747, though her successor, A350 would provide better delta one seat
"Delta B747 was one of the most memorable and ubiquitous aircraft in NRT. It was not a rare sight that many B747s were on the Tarmac in Narita in the past."
-Indeed with several routes to the mainland US, a couple trips to HNL, and a spare it was not uncommon to see half the fleet there at one time.
"I'm so missing iconic Delta B747, though her successor, A350 would provide better delta one seat"
-I hope you are correct!
Thank you again and happy flying.
A wonderful report as always!
"That last picture is everything! Ah, yes, those were the days! "
-There were 6 747 on the ground at once most days. 1x BKK 1x MNL 1x HKG 2x HNL and 1 Spare. More if there were any delays on LAX, DTW, or JFK.
"I'm guessing we'll see a few reports from you on the D1 A350 Suites in the future ^^"
-That's going to be a tough nut to crack on NRSA. But i will be trying.
Thanks again and happy flying.
Login to post a comment.