Delta's premium product $ucks, says frequent flier

[410dude]

[font=ARIAL,]I've just returned from a quick trip to the UK flying DL from ATL to LGW. Both legs in BizE. Both legs on 767ER's

The condition of DL's 767ER's are embarrassing. On the way out my seat was broken (not being able to fully extend the leg rest), one of the lavs was non-functional, the other two in the premium cabin were showing tremendous signs of wear and tear, the cabin was full of dust and had a overall dingy and dirty appearance. The pillow waiting on my seat was stained. The blankets were worn and tattered.

When distributing newspapers before takeoff the FA offered me a USAToday. I asked her "is there was anything else" and she answered, "that's what I say when I look at my paycheck."

The meal service was fine but for the rest of the flight until breakfast not a single FA walked through the cabin to check if anyone needed anything else.

On the way back, my seat was again broken as the em-power didn't work. The condition of the cabin was even worse than the aircraft I took on the way over and the FA's were equally unconcerned.

In sharp contrast I took a BA flight from Gatwick to Manchester on Thursday and back to Heathrow on Friday. This is a one class service but you can purchase a business class fare (about 20 GBP more than a regular economy fare). For the 20 GBP you get access to the Terraces lounge at Gatwick, Manchester and Heathrow. A pre-assigned seat and a larger free baggage allowance.

It was the first time I was in a BA Terraces lounge. This lounge is one tier below BA's first class lounge. In every aspect the Terraces lounge beats DL's Crown Room or any BizE lounge it has.

The service on the short (30 - 35 minute) flights were impeccable. A snack box and two drink services were offered. The FA's were attentive and very polite.

Going forward, I think I'll fly BA's economy or premium class over rather than DL's BizE. There's just no comparison between the two carriers.


Hey General, how do you defend this?[/font]

 

[On Your Six]

Did he mention the super-old, crotchety stews? Ohhh yes, he did.... I flew BA a few months back and the stews were young, fresh and attentive... The Virgin stews are even better....

 

[Broke in CVG]

That's because we no longer carry passengers/customers.... we carry self-loading cargo!

 

[canyonblue]

The Virgin stews are even better....

I didn't know there were any.

 

[jws717]

Thats beacuse deltas biz e is just filled with a pile of non revs. But in all honesty it is not that bad, the equvalent is saying i stayed in the hilton and they suck because the ritz is better

 

[olympus593]

I got to agree I flew International carriers F, C and Y class (BA,AF,KLM,VS) there is no comparaison with US Airlines, They even give you free drink ( Including Champagne ) in coach!!!

 

[ivauir]

But in all honesty it is not that bad, the equvalent is saying i stayed in the hilton and they suck because the ritz is better

Delta used to be the Ritz

 

[jws717]

pan am used to be the ritz, and i got a free round on delta on the way to rome, in the cattle class. By the way i dont realy care for people who think they are to cool for biz e. You know how many people will work their entire life and never eaven be able to afford a trip to europe in any class. but this is to much of a chore in biz e for mr fancy pants. grow up sit down dont bitch and eat your f-n peanuts.

 

[Metro752]

I know I typed in flightinfo.com and not airliners.net

I think!

 

[General Lee]

410dude,


How much was the fare by the way? As far as our business E class, I think it is great. I am sure there are some planes that need some interior upgrades, and some of the ERs are getting them right now as we speak. It takes a while to do the outfitting, including new leather interiors, and new bathrooms that really do look nice (we have a few 757s in the new interior, and many MD88s). We can't really afford to take some of the 76ERs out of service even for a week during the busy Summer period. (We maybe could take a couple out at a time---not the whole fleet)

As far as the service from the stews, I do admit that sometimes the service is spotty. Some people really care about doing a great job, and some are burned out. We have a seniority based system, and the senior mamas like going to Europe so they can go shopping with other stews they have known for 30 plus years. What a great social life, eh? Firing them would amount to age discrimination. What can you do? Pay cuts. Offer large retirement packages (that hurt us financially even more). IF we could get rid of some, then we might be able to hire young, fun ones that actually care. (and are cheaper by the hour) But, it is tough to do any of that----except at a new LCC.

I think we are trying to get better overall, and our Song product was voted best LCC by Reader's Digest (not bad). We will probably add more of Song and subtract more of mainline to get the better product, but not on INTL routes. I am sure a complaint written by you to the right people would cause some sort of an investigation---and maybe some sort of change, or maybe spot inpections on service. Who knows? I would write somebody and tell them about your gripes.

As far as going BA or VS, I would say---DO IT. That leaves one more seat for that executive from Dothan, AL that doesn't have a choice and needs to go to Europe to sell Condoms. (Dothan has 2 or 3 Condom factories------heard that from an ASA pilot.....)


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Ty Webb]

Hey, General Lee, I was wondering where you were . . . figured you would ring in on this one. Seems like a pretty reasonable analysis to me.

Oddly enough, we're pulling for you guys over on "C". If you were to go Ch. 11 it would hurt us, too. A rising tide lifts all ships . . . . hope we all get to that point soon.

 

[Russ]

Way to go General, pi$$ing off a plane load of passengers, one at a time.

 

[General Lee]

Way to go General, pi$$ing off a plane load of passengers, one at a time.

Hey, I told him to tell somebody that could possibly remedy the situation. If I say something to the stews, they would tell me to shut up and then make sure I didn't get squat for food or beverages. (I usually just get my own anyway) He probably should have said something to someone. I drive the bus and always say goodbye after my perfect landings(some of the time anyway)...... Thank gawd you guys at SkyWest have never pi$$ed off a passenger, especially last Winter when you couldn't shoot Cat IIs at SLC.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Hey, General Lee, I was wondering where you were . . . figured you would ring in on this one. Seems like a pretty reasonable analysis to me.

Oddly enough, we're pulling for you guys over on "C". If you were to go Ch. 11 it would hurt us, too. A rising tide lifts all ships . . . . hope we all get to that point soon.

Ty,

I am still shooting for 5000 posts, almost there. As far as Chap 11, I don't know. The powers at be DO NOT tell me what will happen. I try to guess, but have been wrong before. IF there is a chance we might go into court after OCT 17th, I would rather us go before with the easier rules. I hope we don't have to, but who knows? My line at the bottom says they "aren't failing to plan, and they certainly aren't planning to fail......" I hope they are right.....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Vik]

i stopped flying US carriers about 3-4 yrs ago for that same reason. Its bad enough having to spend nearly 20hrs on a plane to get to where I need to be .. but having to pay top dollar and get bottom service, blows.

 

[Midnight Mike]

Been going back & forth from California to London for business and have been flying on United, flew 1st class, Business Class, & Coach Class (Economy Plus), got to say, United needs some improvement as well. The London based F/A's were not exactly the best, in fact, I think it would have been a little better if I am able to serve myself, and in case anybody is curious, the tickets were paid for, no freebie tickets.

 

[CLE145CA]

My father's experience on DL has not been the best lately either. On one recent three-hour flight to ATL connecting on to his destination, there was no service at all. When I mean no service it was just that. No juice, no coffee, no water---nothing! He had asked the FA when he boarded if they were going to serve coffee because the airport concessions were not yet open so he couldn't get some. (This was a 0600 departure to ATL.) She responded, "There is no service on this flight." He thought she was joking. Sure enough during the flight he said not one flight attendant passed through the aisle. He said at that point he did a count and there were 50 people on the 737-800. So on a three-hour flight these flight attedants couldn't even offer water?

My parents do a lot of traveling and they don't non-rev anywhere. I told my father to write the airline since, as a paying passenger, he has the right to "vent his frustration" over poor, unfriendly and uncaring service.

 

[410dude]

My father's experience on DL has not been the best lately either. On one recent three-hour flight to ATL connecting on to his destination, there was no service at all. When I mean no service it was just that. No juice, no coffee, no water---nothing! He had asked the FA when he boarded if they were going to serve coffee because the airport concessions were not yet open so he couldn't get some. (This was a 0600 departure to ATL.) She responded, "There is no service on this flight." He thought she was joking. Sure enough during the flight he said not one flight attendant passed through the aisle. He said at that point he did a count and there were 50 people on the 737-800. So on a three-hour flight these flight attedants couldn't even offer water?

My parents do a lot of traveling and they don't non-rev anywhere. I told my father to write the airline since, as a paying passenger, he has the right to "vent his frustration" over poor, unfriendly and uncaring service.

This is a classic example of why Delta and the other legacy carriers need to "go away".

 

[Ty Webb]

I have to say, it is very strange to get full service on a short AirTran flight, and get the "Fast Break" service on Delta or DCI, but that's what happens on the "one hour or less" flights from ATL.

 

[Rick James]

think we are trying to get better overall, and our Song product was voted best LCC by Reader's Digest (not bad)

WOW, thats one spectacular achievement. I think most travelers go to "Reader's Digest" for travel advice.

Thank gawd you guys at SkyWest have never pi$ed off a passenger, especially last Winter when you couldn't shoot Cat IIs at SLC.

People get pissed at EVERY airline Mr. Lee. Quit blaming an equipment problem on Skywest. Now get back to talking about great Song is, and how Delta is going to make a 180 and make billions.

 

[Buckaroo]

This is a classic example of why Delta and the other legacy carriers need to "go away".

They will all be going away very soon. The LCC's with Southwest in the lead will dominate the skies.

 

[aa73]

They will all be going away very soon. The LCC's with Southwest in the lead will dominate the skies.

What you fail to take into account is that AA, DL, UA, etc will eventually become one of those very LCCs you talk about. In fact, AA's costs are right about where SWA's are... 'cept we still have way more overhead.

 

[Buckaroo]

What you fail to take into account is that AA, DL, UA, etc will eventually become one of those very LCCs you talk about. In fact, AA's costs are right about where SWA's are... 'cept we still have way more overhead.

I seriously doubt if AMR will be around in another 3 years. Their cost structure just won't stand the test of time. Remember, this is a game of attrition, and the dinosaurs are going extinct..................soon.

 

[Birdstrike]

This is a classic example of why Delta and the other legacy carriers need to "go away".

I can't speak for anybody except myself and I don't want to see DAL just "go away." My wife and I recently flew DAL from IAD-ATL-HNL. The service was fine. The ticket price ($530) was great. The part I care most about, impression the flight crew made on me by the way they carried out their duties, was outstanding. I know that professional flight crews certainly aren't Delta's sole province but there is a market sector that takes an airline's heritage into the "all things considered" mix and it does affect the final choice with some of us. Given an LCC or DAL, my wife picks DAL every time. So does her folks and so did mine. Why is that? Must be something to it or it wouldn't be true.

 

[aa73]

I seriously doubt if AMR will be around in another 3 years. Their cost structure just won't stand the test of time. Remember, this is a game of attrition, and the dinosaurs are going extinct..................soon.

...and AA/CO are the two legacies that best stand the chance of surviving the attrition. AA's cost structure is right where it needs to be, now when fares come back up we'll be kicking booty. Sorry, dude, we'll still be around "knowing why you fly!"

 

[tuna pimp]

My father's experience on DL has not been the best lately either. On one recent three-hour flight to ATL connecting on to his destination, there was no service at all. When I mean no service it was just that. No juice, no coffee, no water---nothing! He had asked the FA when he boarded if they were going to serve coffee because the airport concessions were not yet open so he couldn't get some. (This was a 0600 departure to ATL.) She responded, "There is no service on this flight." He thought she was joking. Sure enough during the flight he said not one flight attendant passed through the aisle. He said at that point he did a count and there were 50 people on the 737-800. So on a three-hour flight these flight attedants couldn't even offer water?

My parents do a lot of traveling and they don't non-rev anywhere. I told my father to write the airline since, as a paying passenger, he has the right to "vent his frustration" over poor, unfriendly and uncaring service.

I'm gonna call BS on this. In 7 years at DL, nonrevving a few trips a month, I have ALWAYS gotten at least a beverage service on the plane. Even the short trips down to DAB or PNS or CHS.
Maybe an issue with catering that day??

 

[spanky2]

The latest Yankelvoch Partners 2005 National Business Travel Monitor has named Delta as the most preferred airlines for business travelers. Of the business travelers surveyed, 52% named Delta as one of their preferred three carriers, topping American (42%), Southwest (39%), United (29%) and Northwest (20%).

The report states that the "basics" are the most important part of a carrier's services and amenities for business travelers. Specifically, 92% of business travelers mention "excellent safety record," and "regularly departs on time." Another 91% mention "friendly and efficient service" and 88% cite "ample leg room" (up from 83% in 2004).


I have no flipping clue who these folks are but I give them the nod over 410dude and his one data point, flamebait post.

 

[Purpledog]

Remember, this is a game of attrition, and the dinosaurs are going extinct..................soon.

You sound happy about this? Are you happy with the direction the major airline pilot compensation is going. Last time I checked we were rooting for higher pay and benefits not flying for pennies and no retirement. Rooting against airlines that historically paid well doesn't make much sense for our profession. Gee wiz, I hope UPS IPA gives back money so our management feels compelled to make us do the same (sarcasm). Like someone said earlier, a rising tide floats all boats.....and paychecks.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Delta ( and DL Connection since they are the same in the passenger's mind ) do need to put more emphasis on getting the cabin staff to serve the passengers. The "fast break" and other time related service limitations have simply become a tool to justify laziness. These days even new hire flight attendants zip up to the flight deck with one question "how long is the flight?" The answer, if less than one hour, is always met with glee, along with a comment like, "I don't have to do nothin... yippee."

As a passenger who buys the last minute fares for my business travel, I can assure you that a cup of coffee on an early morning flight, or a bottle of water in a 100 degree passenger cabin is very welcome and expected.

Delta has made "rules" about service that are becoming excuses for not even trying. This is a management problem. If management sets such low standards you can be sure that the implementation is going to be even worse back in row 14.

On some flights ( while stuck at the gate for WX, MX, etc... I have made a point of handing out drinks and snacks to passengers who want them. It is not that I have any great love for this Company, but people should be treated the way we would want to be treated if we were in their shoes....

This is yet another reason why Delta should, and will, be going away.

~~~^~~~

 

[AAflyer]

This is a classic example of why Delta and the other legacy carriers need to "go away".

Hey Rhoid,

We staff our 80s with an extra FA on the short flights from ORD-STL, or DFW-AUS, so they can offer beverages, these flights have an air time of around 38 minutes... Some regionals with only 34 seats don't offer that..

AA