Delta 660: ATL-LAS

*Flight Information:
Airline and Flight Number: Delta Air Lines (DL) 660
Departure Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, GA
Arrival Airport: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, NV
Departure Airport Terminal, Gate: South Terminal, Gate B3
Arrival Airport Terminal, Gate: Terminal 1, Gate D41
Aircraft type, registration: Boeing 757-300, N581NW
Class of Service, Seat: Comfort+, 17A
Scheduled Departure Time/Actual Departure Time: 11:05AM (EST)/11:31AM (EST)
Scheduled Arrival Time/Actual Arrival Time: 12:09PM (PST)/12:03PM (PST)

*SPECIAL NOTES:
-First time connecting in ATL
-Second time in Georgia (The first time I was in Georgia was when I moved to Florida with my Mother at the end of 2016, when we stopped outside of Savannah at a Kroger to use the restroom and get a coffee during our drive from NY to FL.)
-Third time connecting on a flight on the same airline (The first time I did this was in 1994 when I flew with my parents from JFK to PBI via TPA on TWA (now defunct). The second time was in November 1998 when I flew from JFK to LAS via SLC on DL with my parents. I did not count when I flew from TLV-JFK and then JFK-FLL in July 2017, since I was connecting from LY to DL respectively.)
-Fourth time connecting overall (Counting when the first two times I connected on the same airline plus when I connected at JFK in July 2017 from LY to DL.)
-Seventh time visiting Las Vegas (I previously visited Vegas in June-July 1997, November 1998, June-July 1999, June-July 2000, October 2000, and June-July 2001)
-First time visiting Las Vegas as an adult.
-First time flying between ATL and LAS.
-First time flying on a Boeing 757-300 (I have flown on the related 757-200 many times but never a 757-300.)
-First time staying at the Conrad Resorts World (All of the other times I went to Vegas I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel (now defunct)).
-First time staying in the Resorts World complex.

a) At Airport:
After an excellent start to my travel day on Delta 2124 from West Palm Beach to Atlanta, I arrived ahead of scheduled and with plenty of time to make my connecting flight, Delta 660 from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas. It was scheduled to depart Atlanta at 11:05AM and would board at 10:25AM. With the time being 9:30AM, I did not want to waste too much time as I needed to get to my gate. As expected, ATL was very busy, as I made my way to the center of the D-Gates, where I would go downstairs to get the Plane Train to reach the B-Gates.

As I passed Gates D13 and D14, in addition to the terminal being clean and well maintained, I also found the signage to be clear and concise, as in no time flat, I found myself at the center of the D-Gates, where there are even more restaurants and shops as well as the escalators and elevators leading downstairs to the Plane Train and underground walkways connecting the various gates.

To get down to the lower level where the Plane Train and underground walkways are located, I descended a very lengthy escalator, which reminded of the escalators in some New York City subway stations, like the one at Lexington Ave/53rd St.

Once I got downstairs, I had narrowly missed the Plane Train. Luckily, a helpful fellow traveler told me that if I walked at a brisk pace, I would still be able to make it to the B-Gates. Having a lot of momentum and with time being on my side, I decided to hot foot it to the B-Gates. Just like the D-Gates, I found the underground walkway to be clean, well maintained, and have clear and concise signage, aiding with wayfinding. I even was able to take advantage of the moving walkways to speed things up.

While I was walking, I called my Mom to let her know I was in ATL. She was very happy and wanted to know how everything went as well as how I liked ATL? I told her that my flight was excellent and that as far as ATL, from what I was able to tell, was a very nice airport facility wise and was very efficient and easy to use all things considered. Mom was pleased and while I was waiting, told me to get a snack if I wanted while I was waiting for my flight to LAS. Mom said I could call her a little bit before boarding, as she wanted me to focus on finding my way, which was perfect, so I agreed to call her a little later before we ended the call, right as I had reached the C-Gates.

Solidifying ATL's status as one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and the world, there were many flights departing! Just look at the flight information boards!

Between the C-Gates and B-Gates, I then enjoyed taking a brief look at the historical displays along the walls, detailing the City of Atlanta's history. It made my walk even more interesting and if I had more time, I would love to look at it again, especially as a history buff. The segment of the exhibit I looked at showed Atlanta's role during the Civil Rights Movement, particularly with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph McGill, and anti-segregation journalist and editor who published at the "Atlanta Constitution" newspaper.

About ten minutes after I left the D-Gates, I found myself at the lower level of the B-Gates.

From there, I ascended another lengthy escalator, leading to Gates B1-B36. Once upstairs, I found that the center concourse looked as nice as the D-Gates, being very clean and well maintained. Just like the D-Gates, there were shiny brown and white tile floors. In addition, after I got up to the B-Gates, I saw a plethora of restaurants and shops, just like the D-Gates.

Since it was only a little past 9:40AM, leaving me 40-minutes until boarding, I still had plenty of time. Naturally, there was plenty of opportunity to plane spot. From the window nearest the escalator landing, I spotted a pair of Delta Airbus A320s across the way at the C-Gates, which from left to right included N356NW at Gate C40 that arrived from Green Bay, WI as Delta 961 and would be departing for Syracuse, NY as Delta 2292 along with N320US next door at Gate C36, which arrived from Syracuse, NY as Delta 2991 and would be departing for Providence, RI as Delta 2329.

I continued to check out the B-Gates, since I still had plenty of time until my departure. Before I made my way down the pier, a circular mosaic in the center of the floor, made up of small tiles caught my eye.

I was grateful to have completed the first part of my journey and excited to complete the second part of my journey.

I ventured to Gates B19-B36 and just down the pier at Gate B21, I spotted yet another Delta A320, N376NW, which had arrived from Rochester, NY as Delta 2363 and would be departing for New York-LaGuardia (one of my two former home airports) as Delta 468.


Beginning my walk down the concourse, I spotted the Delta "How Can We Help?" counter with a rather lengthy line.

I then spotted N324US, a Delta Airbus A320 taxiing for its departure to Washington, DC-Reagan National as Delta 910.

And N324US closer up.

After that, I then spotted N3733Z, a Delta Boeing 737-800 at Gate B22 that arrived from Charleston, SC as Delta 2674 and would be departing for Memphis as Delta 1346.

I then walked further down the concourse, where I spotted N336DX, a Delta Airbus A321 at Gate B27 departing for Buffalo, NY as Delta 1507.

Across the tarmac at the A-Gates, I spotted N371DN, a Delta Airbus A321 at Gate A31 that arrived from Houston-Intercontinental as Delta 2053 and would be departing for Tucson, AZ as Delta 1600.

At nearby Gate B24, I spotted N395DZ, another Delta Airbus A321 that arrived from Detroit as Delta 305 and would be departing for Denver as Delta 982.

Then, from Gate B26, I saw N347DN, yet another Delta Airbus A321 push back for its departure to Savannah, GA as Delta 2743 from Gate B28.

Here's another shot of N347DN making its way to the runway.

Near Gate B26, I then saw Bobby's Burger Palace, a chain of fast casual burger places started by Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay. When I used to live in New York, I went to the sadly now defunct location at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, where they had juicy and on the thicker side burgers, freshly cut fries, tender grilled chicken sandwiches, and for dessert, I would occasionally enjoy their thick and creamy shakes. Unfortunately, as a result of COVID-19, many of the Bobby's Burger Palace locations went out, save for the ones in ATL and at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. Even though I had brought a brown bag lunch, I was still intrigued, so I decided to check it out.

It was a smaller version of the one I used to frequent at Roosevelt Field, with a counter for ordering and then communal style tables off to the side. Just like the BBP I used to dine at, the atmosphere was funky and 70s like, with bright colors and globe lamps hanging above the tables. Curious and seeing that they had the lunch and dinner menu up, I waited since there was not too long of a line. The menu was similar to the one at Roosevelt Field, but a little smaller, with fewer of the burgers than that outpost.

The lady who assisted me was very sweet! Unfortunately, she confirmed that they don't start the lunch menu until 10:30AM, which would not work for me as I would be boarding my flight to Vegas. Kind of craving a potato to go with my brown bagged lunch of lox and goat cheese and gluten-free bread, I asked her about the Home Fries, also informing her of my allergies to all grains except for corn and rice as well as eggs. She was very kind and honest, informing me that since the griddle for the Home Fries was also used to cook eggs, there would be a high risk of cross contamination for allergens and said it would not be advisable to order them, as she did not want me to get sick and would not be able to clean the griddle in time. She said this was no to less of a problem with the lunch and dinner menu, since there were far less egg based dishes and they could get the grill cleaned in time. I then told her of how I used to go to the former Bobby's Burger Palace at the Roosevelt Field Mall in New York and she got a kick out of it, especially when I told her how delicious all the items were, to which she happily agreed. With the time being close to 10:00AM, I thanked the kind and honest lady at BBP and made my way back towards my gate, as I did not want to miss my flight! I then found myself back at the center of the B-Gates, where I could see how busy the Samuel Adams Atlanta Brewhouse was with passengers.

There was also a musician playing some tunes, which added to the atmosphere!

After passing through the center of the B-Gates, I made my way towards Gate B3, where my flight would depart from. Of course, I had to do some more plane spotting! At Gate B14, I saw N352NB, a Delta Airbus A319 that arrived from Chicago-O'Hare as Delta 2825 and would be departing for Key West, FL as Delta 2407.

Followed by N855DN, a Delta Boeing 737-900 at Gate B12 that arrived from Daytona Beach, FL as Delta 2764 and would be departing for Columbus as Delta 2336 along with N6715C in the background, a Delta Boeing 757-200 taxiing for its departure to Jacksonville, FL as Delta 2127.

Before I headed to my gate, I then used the nearby restroom. Although it was very crowded, I still did not have to wait and despite how busy ATL was, I noticed how clean and well kept it was. I also must give props to their custodial staff, who I saw constantly picking up any litter left on the floor and making sure all of the surfaces were as clean as possible. Excellent job guys! Once I was done using the restroom, I walked closer to my gate and at Gate B5, spotted N542US, a Delta Boeing 757-200 that arrived from Jacksonville, FL as Delta 2635 and would be departing for Seattle as Delta 2854.

In between Gates B6 and B10, I spotted a pair of Delta narrowbodies. From left to right they included: N357DN, a Delta Airbus A321 at Gate B6 and N910DU, a Delta Boeing 737-900 at Gate B10. N357DN arrived from Cleveland as Delta 2218 and would be departing for West Palm Beach, FL as Delta 970 while N910DU arrived from Fort Walton Beach, FL as Delta 1336 and would be departing for Boise, ID as Delta 1111.

Close up of N357DN:

And of N910DU:

I then caught a glimpse of N694DL, a Delta Boeing 757-200 in Delta's "Spirit of Freedom" livery taxiing to Gate A15 after arriving from Fort Myers, FL.

At 10:07AM, I then went to Gate B3, as it would be time to board in a little over 15-minutes. From what I could see, the gate was crowded!

I could not be more excited to be heading back to Vegas!

Across from my gate, I saw a Coca Cola vending area, which was definitely fitting since Coca Cola is based in Atlanta.

At my gate, I then saw the aircraft that would be operating Delta 660, my flight to Las Vegas. The aircraft was N581NW, a Delta Boeing 757-300. Unlike what I saw earlier before leaving home in that the aircraft operating my flight would be coming from Fort Lauderdale, they used a different Boeing 757-300 as this one arrived from Orlando as Delta 883.

Since I still had a little over fifteen minutes until boarding, I went to the end of the B-Gates, which was right near my gate and afforded excellent views of the tarmac and one of the runways. I first spotted N926AT, a Delta Boeing 717-200 preparing for its departure to Louisville, KY as Delta 1298.

Followed by HL7203, a Korean Air Boeing 777-300ER taxiing to Gate E28 after arriving from Seoul as Korean Air 35.

Looking from the other side of the end of the B-Gates, I spotted N294WN, a Southwest Boeing 737-700 taxiing from Gate C12 for its departure to Greenville/Spartanburg, SC as Southwest 1580.

On the tarmac, I spotted 4 aircraft waiting to take off, with two Delta jets leading the way along with Spirit and Frontier Airbii close behind.

Behind those aircraft, I then spotted N352NB, a Delta Airbus A319 I spotted earlier at Gate B14 preparing to take off for Key West, FL as Delta 2407.

At Gate B4, I got a nose shot of N821DX, a Delta Boeing 757-200 at Gate B4 that arrived from Tampa as Delta 1364 and would be departing for Raleigh/Durham as Delta 1574.

And next to us at Gate B1, I spotted N321US, a Delta Airbus A320 that arrived from Burlington, VT as Delta 1253 and would be departing for Newark as Delta 858.

I then got a last shot of the tarmac action, with N294WN, the Southwest Boeing 737-700 I spotted earlier joining the line of aircraft and preparing for its departure to Greenville/Spartanburg, SC as Southwest 1580.

After a plethora of plane spotting, I then heard the gate agents announce that boarding would begin for Delta 660 to Las Vegas, as the time was now 10:25AM. Since Comfort+ was not called yet, I called my Mom to let her know that I would be on the plane shortly. She was very happy for me and let her know how much she loved me. She was excited and we spoke for a few minutes, until boarding for Comfort+ was called five minutes later. Mom then let me go and in return, I agreed to call her once I landed. Since boarding for Comfort+ was called, I then made my way to the Gate Agents, who were polite and efficient. They wished me a good flight and I made my way to the jetway, in happy disbelief that in a few hours, I would be in Sin City!