Here we go for only my second ever trip review, but the first written from the road. Basic details for those interested in these things.

Itinerary: IAD-AMS-STR, 01/29
STR-AMS-IAD, 02/07
All of this on NW/EW.


A quick note before I start, this same itinerary, also on NW back in November has become my worst ever transatlantic coach experience, so I was quite curious to see how NW would fare this time around. I should admit that I was prepared for the worse.

Speaking of which, things did not begin too well upon arrival at Dulles. There is a line the length of which I have rarely seen at the check-in counter. As a result, although I had expected to have time to spare between checking in and boarding, this was not to be. A 35 minute procession through this line ensures that I then have to run over to the gate. (All the more important as it turns out because the plane is full, but more on that later).

So, I head to the gate and make my way to seat 35J. Given that this is a full flight save for a seat or two, those few that did not board early are taught a quick lesson in the “overhead bins fill up quickly and completely” school, and there is much grumbling as folks are forced to hand over their bags. Nevertheless we manage to take off at 6:30pm (scheduled 6:05).

Once on our way, I quickly remember why I thought NW to be below other airlines in many little ways. Because I am essentially unable to sleep on planes, I have come to rely on the entertainment provided by the airline. Those who have flown NW in coach can probably already tell this is not going to be my day.

The first problem is that my section of this DC-10 has but one screen, and it is not exactly near row 35, more like somewhere around row 1 (or so it feels like, this obviously is not quite correct). Before dinner we are treated to a few minutes of news, but nothing else. On my last NW flights they had left the ever so entertaining flight information up there when there was nothing else on. On this flight however even this proves to be too much to ask, so the screen is blank most of the time.

The pasta dish offered for dinner is actually quite nice, though the service itself amounts to little more than someone walking up the aisle barking “chicken or pasta” at the passengers. Am I the only one whose food selection could be enhanced by a more meaningful description of the items available? After dinner, much like in November, there is a 30-45 minute wait for the movie because we must be subjected to “duty free” shopping, and before this can be done the FA’s must clean up in the back and get ready for said duty free. So, somewhere around 3 hour into our flight we are finally shown a movie (Runaway Bride).

Against all expectations and given the location of the screen, I manage to get some sleep. I would have slept for a while longer too except that as soon as the movie ends the lights go back on. Granted, they need to serve breakfast, but given how long this eventually took, I would say they could have spared us the wake up call for a good half hour. And what a breakfast this is: a muffin and yogurt, thrown together on the flimsiest cardboard plate. Yummy! There is cost saving and then there is nickel and diming. Oh well.

In any case, we land about 40 minutes early. A quick walk to the DC lounge brings much needed solace and coffee before the AMS-STR portion of my trip. That flight is uneventful. A few quick observations though: on an ATR-72, row 6 is directly next to the propellers. They are very loud. Do not sit in row 6 if you are ever given a choice. The seats have some kind of “faux leather” pattern which goes well with the “faux legroom” we have at our disposal. (Sleep deprived humor, in case anyone is wondering).

A quick summary of the first half of the trip. Much as I had feared, NW really does pale in comparison to other carriers I’ve flown to Europe in the last year. The least they could do is keep showing movies to distract us from this during the flight. Calling their breakfast a meal is an insult, to the word meal, or breakfast, or any other word really. The light snack we were offered on the AMS-STR was a hundred times better, on a 60-minute, commuter plane ride. A real shame for NW, imho.

Well, that is all for now. This is <b>so</b> long I think I will post the first half review as is, and save the return trip for later. And if anyone had read all the way down here, my sympathies and apologies.

Sebastien


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