DL 349 Downgraded from 738 to A320

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Oct 8, 2014, 12:28 pm

#16

Yellowjj

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: Paradise

Posts: 1,618

I'm surprised to see the A320 used so far into the Caribbean. I don't believe that's happened before.

I can see both sides of the coin on IFE. While its not too important to me, I can see how some people might need it to keep their minds occupied. For instance I have a upcoming trans-con trip with my 91 year old grandmother.While she's usually quite contented on planes to just look ahead and people watch; I think a 6.5 hour flight might be too much without some sort of stimulation or at worst a mild sleeping aid after dinner. So I'm thankful for IFE here.

Oct 8, 2014, 12:31 pm

#17

Yellowjj

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: Paradise

Posts: 1,618

Quote:

Originally Posted by rynpilot

even on Caribbean flights? i didn't think the wifi works down there

The only Caribbean nation where gogo will work is the Bahamas.

Oct 8, 2014, 12:52 pm

#18

bgriff

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: Chicago

Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too

Posts: 5,063

Are we sure that Gogo's Delta Studio doesn't work over the water? I know it doesn't work for internet access, but Delta Studio content is stored on the server onboard the aircraft, not remotely (otherwise it would use up far too much bandwidth). I suppose the purchase engine still needs Internet access to work, but maybe if you "buy" (for free in F/EC) a movie while still over land you can then watch it once over water?

Oct 8, 2014, 1:51 pm

#19

PRWeezer

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: SAV

Programs: Atlanta's hometown airline. A bunch of hotel programs. PetSmart PetPerks.

Posts: 2,531

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

Don't people remember how to read newspapers, books, and magazines? You can also print reading material from the internet to bring on your flight for entertainment.

Or download movies and TV shows ahead of time onto your computer or other device if the flight won't have GoGo and hence Studio Delta available.

I keep a stack of Sunday NY Times Magazines for just this purpose. Small enough to fold & fit in a purse/backpack, short enough to be done on a flight and often learn about something completely random, and no worries that your battery will die or the IFE will be inoperable. But we're old school and still get newspapers delivered to our home.

MrWeezer downloads stuff on his tablet to watch or grabs a WSJ from the SkyClub if it's a short flight. I don't always want my face in a screen but also have plenty of books on my iPad to keep me occupied.

As a last resort, those flights are good people watching if you like to make up stories about your fellow pax...lots of folks getting married, honeymooning, baby-mooning, celebrating something significant, etc. We took a last-minute trip to St. Lucia because MrWeezer had five days off once. Wish I had a dollar for every time we were asked, 'so what are you celebrating?' Uh, five days off and a great deal on the hotel. ^

Oct 8, 2014, 2:49 pm

#20

ND76

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: West of CLE

Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence

Posts: 5,403

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowjj

I'm surprised to see the A320 used so far into the Caribbean. I don't believe that's happened before.

DL flies these A320s on BWI-SLC, for example, a trip of around 1,850 miles. Are there any Caribbean routes that are longer than this?

Oct 8, 2014, 3:03 pm

#21

Snidely Whiplash

Join Date: Sep 2008

Posts: 256

Quote:

Originally Posted by rynpilot

So my wife and I are booked for a flight from St. Lucia to Atlanta in December on #349. We are sitting up front and it was scheduled to be a 737-800 with the PTVs. Logged in yesterday and lo and behold they changed it to a A320. That's a 5 hour flight with no entertainment, what is Delta thinking? That's a major downgrade for a 5 hour flight. What are the chances that is going to be one of the upgraded A320's?

Unacceptable! Demand compensation! Should be worth at least 250 SkyPesos each.

Oct 8, 2014, 3:28 pm

#22

EZEDoesIt

Join Date: Jan 2014

Location: DUS

Programs: DL, HHonors, Bonvoy, Hyatt

Posts: 2,072

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRWeezer

'so what are you celebrating?' Uh, five days off and a great deal on the hotel. ^

+100

Oct 8, 2014, 6:58 pm

#23

Yellowjj

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: Paradise

Posts: 1,618

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND76

DL flies these A320s on BWI-SLC, for example, a trip of around 1,850 miles. Are there any Caribbean routes that are longer than this?

Yes there are a few. The original route in the post ATL-SLU is longer.

I was surprised because you don't normally see the A320 on long over-water routes with Delta. I always assumed they weren't over-water equipped which restricted their routing adding additional time and fuel.

Oct 8, 2014, 7:10 pm

#24

davetravels

In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2005

Location: PIT

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowjj

The original route in the post ATL-SLU is longer.

Yes, by 131 miles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellowjj

I always assumed they weren't over-water equipped which restricted their routing adding additional time and fuel.

Didn't NW fly some of 'em out of NRT at one time?

Found it: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/695676/

The longest route mentioned is NRT/KHH at 1509 miles.

Last edited by davetravels; Oct 8, 2014 at 7:17 pm

Oct 8, 2014, 7:23 pm

#25

Yellowjj

Join Date: Sep 2013

Location: Paradise

Posts: 1,618

Quote:

Originally Posted by davetravels

Yes, by 131 miles.

Didn't NW fly some of 'em out of NRT at one time?

Found it: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/695676/

The longest route mentioned is NRT/KHH at 1509 miles.

Yes they did. IIRC weren't they awarded landing slots for the shorter runway that they wanted to sit on?

I also think they reappeared during the 'SARS' era when demand fell off a cliff

Oct 8, 2014, 7:23 pm

#26

burbanite

Join Date: Jun 2014

Location: CA

Programs: DL DM, AA Gold

Posts: 223

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusTrav8yrs

Not if you use technology made after 2013.

Surface Tablet - No
Android Phone - No
64bit Laptop - No

If you are an apple lemming - Yes.

Add my cheapie Asus Android tablet to that list.

Oct 8, 2014, 7:39 pm

#27

CarmenOM

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: MSP

Programs: Delta PM, 1MM

Posts: 3,786

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

Don't people remember how to read newspapers, books, and magazines? You can also print reading material from the internet to bring on your flight for entertainment.

Or download movies and TV shows ahead of time onto your computer or other device if the flight won't have GoGo and hence Studio Delta available.

Oct 8, 2014, 7:59 pm

#28

squatch

Join Date: Nov 2007

Location: halfway between JFK and LGA

Posts: 976

attack the OP all you want, but a cr@p old A320 on a 5 hour flight is completely stupid. those plane are a huge disappointment by 2014 standards.

Oct 9, 2014, 1:22 am

#29

flyerCO

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Posts: 27,193

Quote:

Originally Posted by squatch

attack the OP all you want, but a cr@p old A320 on a 5 hour flight is completely stupid. those plane are a huge disappointment by 2014 standards.

People may want it, but they only get what they pay for. Right now Delta is profitable, there's no need to buy the latest greatest planes when they're already getting people to pay for what they have. PS Try UA were you never know till you get on a plane if your 737 will have IFE. Flew to POS on them (No DL service) and at 5 1/2 hours from either IAH or EWR it can suck. At least on DL you know for the most part if you're going to have IFE or not.