The Old First Class
Jun 24, 2010 | 7:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,339
I'm not clear with what you're saying. Are you describing the F experience from LAX-LAS or from JFK-LAX? Because you said during the stop-over at JFK...but you mentioned the first leg (BWI-JFK) being a Dash-8?
I'm confused.
I'm confused.
I never flew internationally on DL on a three class plane in F. However, I did get to sample their F service on a three class plane once.
I needed to go from BWI to LAS on relatively short notice (I think the year was 1992) where I was actually doing some work on a case, rather than attending a craps table; I was short on money at the time but long on DL miles, and I was able to walk up to the counter at BWI, pay $60 and cash in the required number of miles (50k possibly) to obtain a RT F ticket. My outbound routing was BWI-JFK-LAX-LAS. The first leg was a DASH-8 commuter plane (possibly Business Express, DL's commuter partner in the northeast at the time). The next leg was an ex-PA A310; I think the plane originated at TXL, flew nonstop to JFK, and then continued on to LAX. The final leg to LAS was on an ex-Western 727.
The plane was configured with 3 classes; F had 2-1-2 seating, J had 2-2-2 seating, and I think Y was 2-3-2 (possibly 2-4-2). I remember sitting in the single seat in the first row of F. F was full (I can't remember whether it was 10 or 15 seats total); J was close to empty; and Y was close to full.
My recollection of the flight was that they had a premium champagne up front (possibly Taittinger's) and drinkable reds and whites; they had a large selection of European beers in cans; dinner service with at least three entree choices and several courses taking a couple of hours to complete; and, after the ice cream sundaes were cleared away, chocolate covered strawberries and cappuccino were offered. The F seats were unremarkable--they were like the F seats on the domestic L-1011s (which were wide by today's standards and overall pretty good BTW).
One nice touch on the flight was, during the stopover at JFK, a VHS of that evening's ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings was delivered to the FAs who played it immediately after takeoff.
I remember telling one of the FAs how great the service was, and her rejoinder was--"It should be, you paid for it". If she only knew.
I remember that DL had tried to emulate the TATL service on the transcontinental portion of the flight.
Happy memories.
I needed to go from BWI to LAS on relatively short notice (I think the year was 1992) where I was actually doing some work on a case, rather than attending a craps table; I was short on money at the time but long on DL miles, and I was able to walk up to the counter at BWI, pay $60 and cash in the required number of miles (50k possibly) to obtain a RT F ticket. My outbound routing was BWI-JFK-LAX-LAS. The first leg was a DASH-8 commuter plane (possibly Business Express, DL's commuter partner in the northeast at the time). The next leg was an ex-PA A310; I think the plane originated at TXL, flew nonstop to JFK, and then continued on to LAX. The final leg to LAS was on an ex-Western 727.
The plane was configured with 3 classes; F had 2-1-2 seating, J had 2-2-2 seating, and I think Y was 2-3-2 (possibly 2-4-2). I remember sitting in the single seat in the first row of F. F was full (I can't remember whether it was 10 or 15 seats total); J was close to empty; and Y was close to full.
My recollection of the flight was that they had a premium champagne up front (possibly Taittinger's) and drinkable reds and whites; they had a large selection of European beers in cans; dinner service with at least three entree choices and several courses taking a couple of hours to complete; and, after the ice cream sundaes were cleared away, chocolate covered strawberries and cappuccino were offered. The F seats were unremarkable--they were like the F seats on the domestic L-1011s (which were wide by today's standards and overall pretty good BTW).
One nice touch on the flight was, during the stopover at JFK, a VHS of that evening's ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings was delivered to the FAs who played it immediately after takeoff.
I remember telling one of the FAs how great the service was, and her rejoinder was--"It should be, you paid for it". If she only knew.
I remember that DL had tried to emulate the TATL service on the transcontinental portion of the flight.
Happy memories.
Jun 24, 2010 | 7:49 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD/MDW/MKE
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 786
From what I understand, the Hard product is probably as good if not better, especially the new flat-bed BE. However, it appears that the service aspect/ soft product is drastically inferior to the old F. I know my Dad flew the MD-11's over to England to get the cabis re-configured for BE and he flew those between about '97-'00 so I would think somewhere in there.
Jun 24, 2010 | 9:34 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somewhere in the sky or a Marriott
Programs: 7mm DM, FC, Marriott PM (lifetime), HH Diamond
Posts: 749
Flew several times in the 90s, ATL/CDG, ATL/MUN, ATL/FRA, and ATL/GTW, ATL/DUB
Dom, Stoli on ice with segruva cavier, salad fixed to order, soup served from a tureen, sumptous dessert cart. Our daughter, who was 8 (and already well traveled) was asked to assist the flight attendants carrying ice and also spent a good bit of time in the cockpit (obviously pre 9-11) at the time flew with us ATL/CDG and the BRU/ATL. She was well entertained.
Yes you got to pick from a gift (even if you were flying free)and we have a set of Tiffany Brandy snifters, I think we have 6. They stopped doing the gifts prior to the end of fist class.
Not sure when demolished but NO definitely not as good.
Dom, Stoli on ice with segruva cavier, salad fixed to order, soup served from a tureen, sumptous dessert cart. Our daughter, who was 8 (and already well traveled) was asked to assist the flight attendants carrying ice and also spent a good bit of time in the cockpit (obviously pre 9-11) at the time flew with us ATL/CDG and the BRU/ATL. She was well entertained.
Not sure when demolished but NO definitely not as good.
Jun 24, 2010 | 9:39 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Oregon (DL and Marr Lifetime plat. etc.)
Posts: 1,273
2. Seating and electronics are probably about the same or even better, but food, beverages, and service are definitely not as great as the good old days. But still pretty good. DL is certainly not alone in this regard.
Jun 24, 2010 | 10:09 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles, MR, HH, ICH/PC, Avis Pref., Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,897
Now I remember. Everything served in courses. Soup. When they brought that out, I thought, "What were they thinking..." With only the slightest bit of turbulence, you would be wearing that course rether than eating it. I was actually nervous having it on my tray. Pomp over substance, IMO.
The old F compared to BE? Well, the seats and IFE are better in BE just because the technology is better. The food and service isn't as grand in BE, however. I will say this: Today's BE is tons better than the old J cabins.
The old F compared to BE? Well, the seats and IFE are better in BE just because the technology is better. The food and service isn't as grand in BE, however. I will say this: Today's BE is tons better than the old J cabins.
Jun 25, 2010 | 9:52 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Somewhere in the sky or a Marriott
Programs: 7mm DM, FC, Marriott PM (lifetime), HH Diamond
Posts: 749
The seats in the old Business Class didn't even have a real footrest.
Jun 25, 2010 | 11:39 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 641
I flew on a DL L1011-500 from ATL to HNL in 1987 in F on a bump voucher. The seats were the first generation "sleeper seats", with fold out footrests and significant recline. I don't recall anything else (IFE, service), after all, it was essentially a domestic flight on international metal. I do not know if there was a J/C cabin on the L15 at that time.
Jun 25, 2010 | 11:41 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL 4MM/DM, UA 1MM/Gold, AA Paper
Posts: 1,386
I was fortunate to fly many times TATL & TPAC in F Class on the DL 1011s and MD11s in 1990s. The service was outstanding, even if the seats were not as good as flat beds are now (although I have yet to experience them). I always remember the Ice Cold Vodka and Caviar, which was superb.
One time in the early 1990s my GF and I were flying from DUB to ATL in C Class, on separate reservations. At DUB they upgraded me as they were oversold in C, but not my GF. I mentioned that and no problem, even though my GF was on an award ticket, they upgraded her then as well. Got on the plane and the FA recognized me. We were the only ones in FC, and we had wonderful service to ATL.
These were the good old days to travel, when DL knew what customer service was and meant. I look back with fond memories on these times as they will never return.
One time in the early 1990s my GF and I were flying from DUB to ATL in C Class, on separate reservations. At DUB they upgraded me as they were oversold in C, but not my GF. I mentioned that and no problem, even though my GF was on an award ticket, they upgraded her then as well. Got on the plane and the FA recognized me. We were the only ones in FC, and we had wonderful service to ATL.
These were the good old days to travel, when DL knew what customer service was and meant. I look back with fond memories on these times as they will never return.
Jun 25, 2010 | 12:16 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,284
The BE hard product is considerably better than the old International First Class hard product. Some of that is simply because the technology didn't exist back then. I remember, when they were converting over, Royal Medallions (and Medallions) had "first dibs" on the old International First Class seats. I believe BusinessElite was launched in the early-mid 1990s
Oct 14, 2010 | 6:20 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 248
Here are a few pics of an L-1011 three class config in the boneyard. International First Class
Oct 14, 2010 | 7:33 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2006
Programs: DL Silver
Posts: 134
Sometime in the 90's we were flying Busomess Class from Shannon to Atlanta. While checking in the agent asked how we were and I said wonderful. The only thing better would be a First Class seat. She looked at me and said ok since Business was overbooked she moved us to
First. Service and food were wonderful and the free gifts were a great touch.
First. Service and food were wonderful and the free gifts were a great touch.
Oct 14, 2010 | 9:00 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
Here are a few pics of an L-1011 three class config in the boneyard. International First Class