The return flight:

Fairly easy check-in at SDF after the temperamental self-service machines finally recognised my passport. On-time departure and early arrival into ATL on a clean MD88 with friendly crew.

Transfer at ATL is so straightforward - such a well designed airport! As with the out-bound flight we were on a clean fairly newly refurbished 767. Another on-time departure and a much more pleasant crew - no problems with a second drink this time. Again, the meals were tiny but of good quality.

After early arrival into LHR the bags were already on the carousel by the time we were through customs. This has never happened with any other airline into LHR in my experience.

Unfortunately my bag didn't make the connection at ATL - my partner's bag (checked in at the same time) did make it :mad:. There was a uniformed Delta representative standing by the carousel (this never happens with BA) who was apologetic and took me to the luggage enquiries desk. Having completed the paperwork I went home. After a couple of courtesy phone-calls to let me know the bag was on it's way it finally arrived at 7pm the following day.

Unfortunately the bag has been badly scratched all over so I submitted a complaint on the Delta site. A polite email asking for more details arrived within a couple of hours - very speedy. We'll see what the outcome is.

Overall not a bad experience - mistakes do happen, but there is good (better than BA) customer service in place to help put things right.

It has nothing to do with that. They just don't want people actually consuming the advertised benefits, which costs $.