TRIP REPORT REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND
Summer 2011
Part 1: DL 52 JFK-KEF
Part 2: Hotel 101, Reykjavik Iceland
Part 3: Hop on Hop off Tour Reykjavik
Part 4: Golden circle route - Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall
Part 5: Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa)
Part 6: DL 51 KEF-JFK
FINAL INSTALLMENT DL 51 KEF-JFK
DELTA AIRLINES 51
Aircraft: 757-200
Original seat: 19C
Actual seat: 3C (gate op-up)
Business Elite
Depart: Keflavik airport Iceland (KEF)
Arrive: JFK John F Kennedy airport (JFK)
Sched.Departure: 10:50am Actual Departure : 11:20am
Sched.Arrival: 1:05pm Actual arrival:12:45pm
The deafening screech of my alarm abruptly wakes me up at 6:45am for the last time in my plush king size bed at the 101 Hotel. Our Icelandic adventure was coming to end and it was time to head to KEF for our return trip to JFK.
The 101 hotel is quite small therefore we got to know the staff well in particular the hip and vibrant overnight desk agent Marcús an expat from the UK who is simply downright a cool guy, so being so early my companion and I had a chance to say goodbye (
his shift was long from around approx: 6pm- 8 or 9am) and have a brief chat while he checked us out before the Reykjavik Excursions mini bus picked us up for the very last time at 7:30am bound for the bus terminal. At 8am sharp we departed on a completely full bus for the 40min journey to KEF (Keflavik airport).
town of Keflavik
Entrance to KEF
Long line for Coach
I will miss the fresh clean scent of the air and cool temperatures and took one long last inhale before turning to enter the departures area.
As we walked past the coach check in, it seemed rather busy with a considerably long line, we headed to the open sky priority lane to checkin, I must for worn you
[this is where I begin my little rant about KEF Delta checkin line security] you can scroll down to continue at
[rant over]
We were met and questioned by a middle-aged security agent before speaking to a check in agent. Normally I don't mind and cheerfully ready to answer any brief security questions they may have, but this time it was clear the agent didn't have a clue on what he was doing or what he was asking. (note:
The Icelandic people are quite fluent in English , so language was not an issue)
He began by asking for our passports which I gladly obliged then asked us where we were going today and I said JFK, then he repeated the question once again, without a beat again I said JFK.. He looked puzzled then I said New York. I would understand if this was AMS with lots of different flights to different destinations but when Delta only flys to KEF once a day from (JFK). He should know JFK.
Then he asked for my itinerary which for once I actually was prepared and had printed it out, but I wonder if he would accept my iPhone delta app and would it show my flights without Wifi?hum. Anyway...
Nevertheless I had "our" itinerary and gladly showed it to him. A few minutes go by as he is studying my passport and the itinerary. Back and forth, back and forth. Waiting and waiting then he asks the usual did you pack your own bag etc. Next he looks at my companions passport same questions and asks did you pack it yourself etc and then, are you traveling with anyone!!!! Really! Then asks for his itinerary so I hand it to him again. Back and forth back and forth. Seriously now I'm getting annoyed, I could have baked a cake, eaten it, felt guilty and did P90X by time we actually got to check in. Argh.
[rant over]
Stepping forward, we were greeted by a smiling friendly checkin agent and she proceeded our checkin, tagging my companions bag etc. A moment later I noticed out of the corner of my eye, the number 3 and then again another boarding pass with the number 3. We had been upgraded again (Op-Up)on the return flight in BusinessElite. This time I was a little shocked as I had checked the flight the night before and it was half full with no one sitting next to us in Economy Comfort row 19. So when she handed me our boarding passes I had a grin from ear to ear.
As there isn't a lounge Delta BusinessElite customers use at KEF they hand you a hand written paper voucher for $18 to use at any of the restaurants in the departure lounge. Thanking her and saying good bye, she gave me a big smile when I said in Icelandic
Takk Fyrir, Bless Bless we walked away I turned to my companion and gave him his boarding pass, he didn't know we were upgraded and was over the moon thrilled, not for the service but the seat/pillow/comforter combination so he could get a comfortable long, long nap in. I was more interested in getting my champagne. Can you tell I love my Champagne? Now if it was Krug being served then I would be a truly happy man!
Through a quick and efficient security we headed to Duty free for a few purchases then to a restaurant to use our vouchers. I don't quite understand why they don't tell us what the equivalent is in ISK instead of writing $18 US dollars, no matter we were grateful for it and used all of the money, perhaps on food we didn't really want or need to eat aka 2 big chocolate bars to break even at $18.
post security Departure Hall
beautiful artwork right in the airport
As we finished up I glanced at the monitor and it was showing go to gate. We leisurely strolled to the International departure section walking past the schengen gates and through to departure immigration.
A word of advice, I would definitely stay in the main departure area as long as possible because once through immigration there is absolutely nothing to do or see and to top it off there is no where to sit. Three flights happened to be departing to the US at pretty much the same time, so it felt like waiting for a ride at Universal in the peak of summer.
long line for departure immigration, not too long of a wait, no questions just stamp and go
Gate area
Boarding commenced 10 minutes late and as I walked to climb the escalators to head to the air bridge, we were stopped again by the same security guard from check in and asked a few more questions. The NY'er in me was ready to get annoyed but the tourist in me who just experienced an amazing time in Iceland, said let it go...
As we arrived at the air bridge, there was a bit of a traffic jam. They weren't ready yet for passengers. Hum perhaps they are still working out kinks on the new service to Iceland.
As we entered we were immediately offered the choice of orange juice or champagne, of course I chose champagne, my companion chose a mimosa. On the 757-200 I prefer any of the seats in BusinessElite other than the bulkhead first row, so I was more than happy to get 3C. Boarding delayed us on an on time departure and indeed this flight was completely full, including BusinessElite.
Door 2L finally shut 20 mins behind schedule and we were ready for quick take off. Soon we are barreling down the runway heading back to New York and saying good bye to our amazing host, Iceland.
Menus where handed out, champagne (
Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique, France, NV) and not so warm nuts served. This time we also had white linen placed on tables which were missing on the flight over.
The first course was served and not being able to eat shellfish I asked for the cheese plate instead. I did though thoroughly enjoyed the roasted yellow pepper soup.
The main served which was delicious though not as warm as I would have liked, but served with my favorite Malbec made it better. Finally choice of ice-cream or a mousse cake which my companion had and to be honest it should have been a lot cooler because by the time it was served it looked a little like dog doodoo. I on the other hand enjoy the ice-cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Can't go wrong with that! I ordered the Port and this time served in a port glass, great way to finish off the meal.
WINE LIST;
Whites
Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River, California, 2010
LeCharme de Marjosse, Bordeaux, France, 2009
Reds
Bodegas Bordon Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain, 2001
Antu Ninquen Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, 2009
Champagne
Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique, France, NV
Dessert Wine/Port
Pacific Rim Riesling, Washington, 2007
Ferreira Dona Antonia Reserve Porto, Portugal, NV
As my companion passed out for the rest of the flight I enjoyed watching several movies and the attentativeness of the flight attendants who did several passes for refills and snack baskets. As they made another pass I asked for a Malbec refill and they had run out so I tried the Bodegas Bordon Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain, 2001 and that may become my new favorite Delta BusinessElite red wine. The Malbec is no longer on the menu but still served on board until they finish. I guess I finished DL52 stock ha
Menu
Beef
cookie and milk an hour before landing at JFK
Greenland
As we passed over a lush and green, Greenland and entered Canadian airspace, the scent of freshly baked cooked wafted through the cabin. Double chocolate cookies with a glass of icelandic cold milk. Delicious! Of course in the photo I have two, but gave one to my Companion who was still sleeping and placed it on the table between us. Boy was it hard not to just eat it lol Once we were about 100miles outside of Maine, the GoGo inflight wifi kicked in and I was able to plug back into the
Matrix. Ok last time I will refer to that!
We landed at JFK 20 mins before schedule and as we walked what seemed for ever through the ugly decaying Delta Terminal 3 to immigration and Customs, I was once again met by the Meet&Greet service, (
Meet&Greet is a trial service reserved for Diamond Medallion members arriving at JFK and ATL) This time Lauren greeted us and walked with us to border control. I had the pleasure of experiencing this a few months ago arriving back from NRT(
Tokyo) and escorted though by Alberto through a pretty empty Immigration area. This time the Meet&Greet serve was well worth making Diamond again for next year which I will make again, phew.
Three flights from Europe had arrived at the same time, with only 3-5 officers working 20 booths. Lauren escorted us through the chaos to the middle area that is sectioned off for vip/ eligible global entry passengers and escorted us to a line with 2 others in front of us rather than the 500-700 passengers. Lauren then met us on the other side and walked with us to pick up my companion's luggage and through customs to outside. This has to be the best service that I receive from Delta that I have raved about before. JFK Delta Terminal 3 can be a truly miserable nightmare and a horrible introduction to foreign guests to the United States. I can't wait till Delta terminal 4 is complete!
Home- back in the heat and humity, grime and dirt of New York City summer, I was already fondly missing Iceland. I will always remember this trip as truly one of the best I have taken, other than work related trips, this was something special. If you have ever had an inclining to perhaps visit Iceland one day, don't wait, I say just do it, it's approx:5 hr flight from JFK to another world where adventure await you and the people warm and inviting leaving a lasting impression on you. Þakka þú mjög mikill, Íslandi! (Thank you very much Iceland)
Check out my adventure to Hong Kong and Macau
here
Read from the beginning;
Part 1: DL 52 JFK-KEF
Part 2: Hotel 101, Reykjavik Iceland
Part 3: Hop on Hop off Tour Reykjavik
Part 4: Golden circle route - Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall
Part 5: Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa)
Part 6: DL 51 KEF-JFK