Review of Delta Connection flight Washington → New York in Domestic First

Report No: 2023-101

Dear folks,

While I still have some not posted Flight-Reports from 2022, I decided to mix the order and share some of my 2023 experiences here at Flight-Report before some of those in 2022.

So this series had lots of first for me as I was going to try a new airline that I haven't flown before as well as try a premium cabin of an airline that I previously only flew Economy Class. The story began in April 2022 when Virgin Atlantic had a flash business class sale of $850 round-trip from New York to London round-trip which I had to cancel and get a voucher due to an event that I needed to attend in the USA which I was informed to me 2 days notice in advance.

That ticket was issued in Delta stock and the open ticket could only be used ex-Area 1 due to combinability so I looked out for a good fare where I could combine Economy and Business ( each on one direction ) and pay a small difference, which then I decided to book this ticket where I would reveal the routing part-by-part.

The first report of this series, would be my first ever Delta flight onboard the Delta Connection Embraer E-175 operated by Republic Airways from Washington Reagan to New York John F Kennedy which I took just before a long-haul flight thus I was able to access the Delta SkyClub in DCA as well, which I'll also cover in this report.

So here is the routing, which would be revealed part by part

The weather on the day of travel was beautiful and since I was done earlier afternoon with work related stuff, so I decided to walk to DCA which is totally doable within an hour with a steady pace from downtown Washington, DC

I have arrived at the airport about 1h30mins before my scheduled departure time and the weather was still beautiful. Despite this flight was in the winter, the weather that day felt that it was spring.

WASHINGTON RONALD REAGAN AIRPORT - DCA

Since I did not have any checked baggage, I immediately cleared security after I arrived at the airport.

That day, there was no wait and I was airside within a couple of minutes.

After clearing security, I made my way to the Delta SkyClub through walking at the National Hall.

Our aircraft for today N209JQ was already there at that time, waiting for us at gate B19.

FIDS for the day.

While walking to the lounge, it was pretty nice to see this sign as DCA doesn't have any premium lounge other than airline clubs at this stage.

DELTa SKYCLUB - WASHINGTON RONALD REAGAN AIRPORT

The Sky Club is located one level above the gate level and could be accessed by elevators or stairs.

After scanning my boarding pass, I was admitted in pretty fast and I asked the agent if she could verify my passport since I was connecting to an international flight but unfortunately, I was asked to do it at the gate or told that I could have done that before security at the check-in desks. While American Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc… offer this service at their lounges for ex-US flight, it was strange that Delta is not offering it.

Despite AMEX Platinum cardholders being able to use the lounge when flying Delta, the club was not at capacity and there was plenty of space to sit and spread out.

The first thing I would like to mention is that, the lounge had proper hot food and could be the best lounge in DCA in terms of offerings. The other 4 lounges ( 3 x Admirals Club + 1 x United Club ) have much inferior offerings to be honest.

Some sandwiches, cold cuts and cheese

Salad options

Water and ice tea station

An espresso machine is also available at the lounge

As well as Starbucks branded filtered coffee

There is also a bar at the SkyClub where some drinks are complimentary and some are for a fee similar to Admirals Club and United Club's. 

Here is the full menu available at DCA.

Here are my selections for the day

And to be honest, the pie was delicious and it's nice to have a proper dessert at a US domestic club opposed to marshmallows or frozen cookies.

There is also a printer and a device sanitizer at the lounge.

Also it surprised me that there was written press at the lounge despite many airlines eliminating this feature at their lounges.

Also here is my boarding pass for this flight

GATE AREA & BOARDING

I was at the gate 5 minutes before scheduled boarding time and I stopped by the podium for my passport verification which was completed in less than a minute.

Boarding then started on time with the respect of priorities.

DL 5666 WASHINGTON RONALD REAGAN AIRPORT TO NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT

After being welcomed by the crew, I took my seat 4D which is located in the last row of the Domestic First cabin. A sanitizing wipe was waiting for me at the mid-seat console.

As well as a bottle of water at the seat pocket

While this aircraft was 14 years old, there were power outlets and USB ports at each seat in the Domestic First cabin

Overhead panel

While boarding was going on, I entertained myself watching baggage being loaded. 

Most of the bag tags I saw was bags of passengers connecting to long-haul international flights including multiple bags tagged to Accra.

Once the baggage loading was completed, we started our pushback which was 5-10 minutes later than our scheduled departure time.

Also I got very lucky that the seat next to me remained empty throughout the flight, even after all upgrades have been cleared on the upgrade list. The occupancy for the Domestic First cabin was 11/12.

While taxiing, it was time for some planespotting starting with this JetBlue Embraer E-190

Followed by this United Express CRJ-550

Some oneworld carriers here at DCA

Another United Express CRJ-550, this time at a remote stand

A JetBlue Embraer E-190 at a remote stand

Southwest aircraft at Terminal 1

And after a short taxi, it was time to take-off

We departed from runway 4 that day

So we made a sharp right turn after takeoff.
A photo of the Audi Field and the Nationals Park ( football [ soccer ] and baseball venues for DC teams ) 

Gaining more altitude

Andrews Air Force Base

Shortly after take-off, I visited the mobile entertainment system which offers free movies and TV shows that could be streamable from personal devices

Wi-Fi was also available on this flight. While the full flight package was priced at $9.95, a 30 minute package was priced at $4.95

Delta also offers complimentary messaging for everyone as well as free Wi-Fi for T-Mobile USA line holders.

Shortly after takeoff, the cabin crew came to take drink orders and hand snacks.

I have opted for a cup of water for this short flight

The flight was uneventful and for most it, I enjoyed the sunset and messaged with friends to entertain myself. 

Passing through Atlantic City, NJ

After a while, we have started our descent in to JFK.

We were going to land towards the south of the airport from the side of the coast

We have landed 28 minutes ahead of schedule at JFK due to the high block time set up for this flight.

The first visible aircraft were these JetBlue birds at remote stands

Followed by this Emirates A380

And Virgin Atlantic A350-1000

Delta, LATAM and Aeromexico aircraft at the B concourse of Terminal 4

Another view of the VS A350-1000

There was also a Singapore Airlines A380 visible at a remote stand, which would have been pulled to a gate before it's flight to Frankfurt.

And the Emirates A380 from different angles

Since Terminal 2 was closed the previous day from this flight, it was guaranteed that we were going to park at Terminal 4

And we did park at one of the new gates at the end of the A concourse.

NEW YORK JOHN F KENNEDY AIRPORT - JFK

After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft and took this fuselage shot.

Due to the layout of this new extension, the walk to the gate area was a bit longer than usual

Which afterwards I found myself in the new regional gate area in JFK's Terminal 4

This report has now come to an end and the journey would continue at the next episode.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this Flight-Report.
Stay tuned with Flight-Report for the continuation of this journey.