DL BE vs CO BF: A comparison
 

I flew atl-lhr last week on delta and flew lhr-iah on return. Interesting differences...

I had the new lie flat seats on the DL 764. Nice concept but doesn't work IMO. Forget laying down--the cavity where your feet are is far too narrow so your feet get all twisted. I found the seat thin as well. The power controls for adjust were nicely laid out and very functional. The AVOD was nice as well and provided me entertainment for my 8.30 flight over the pond. The food was well, awful. I chose the filet and it tasted like rubber. I think one could find a better cut at the Golden Corral :rolleyes: Service was spotty. After our dinner service the flight attendants pretty much were elusively hiding in the front. I wasn't overall impressed with DL's BE product. This is the first time I've flown them in J, and think it's pretty far down the list of carriers I'd not fly in the future in J (well, right next to Envoy that is).

I flew back to phx on 12/28 and as you could imagine lhr was chaos. On a little sidenote, T4 rocks. It is quite small and very easy to get around. I stopped into the sky team lounge and found it very nicely decorated with ample supplies of juice, coffee, omlettes, bacon sandwiches, fruit etc. I wonder how much longer CO will be allowing ST guests to come in there now that they are SA. (btw, this was a reward ticket I booked back in June, when CO was still a part of ST in case you were wondering). As I made my way to gate 3 every person was being individually searched at the gate check in. The inbound 772 from iah was late and pulled up 30 minutes before it was to turn around back to iah as CO 5. At any rate, to first sum up, CO to me is a much better business product, both hard and soft. The lead f/a (can't remember his title...service director??) immediately came up to me to introduce himself as I plopped into to 2A. The seats were the older, reclining type, but far more comfy than DL's pod. Oh, 10 minutes before everyone started to board, it was quite obvious that these 4 men that boarded first were FAM's. One sat next to me and didn't say a word the entire flight. Just ate his food and drank his juice. I was trying to spot his piece on his ankle holster but couldn't find it :confused: Anyway, sorry for the digression. Catering was great. I chose the lasagna ("pasta bites bowl") and it was very good. Starter was a mushroom soup (in a mini type expresso cup that offered the consumer only one sip worth lol), lamb kebob, and some shrimp. The salad was good--fresh with a choice of yogurt type dressing or balsamic vinegarette. Desert was a sundae and I loaded it up with everything. F/A's were always making rounds before and after lunch and throughout the flight checking to see if I needed anything. I was impressed as it was a vast contrast to the DL flight. Their IFE is by far one of the best I've seen. Hundreds of movies, new and old to choose from.

My nod goes to CO on this trip. I just did a plat match to CO from DL so I'm sorry my last flight on DL has to be marked with that experience. So long Delta!

I agree 100% with your assessment. I've flown with Continental and Delta in business class within the past year.

Back in the 90s, BusinessElite was awesome: very polished and warm service, edible food, and nice lounges in New York and Atlanta. It's kind of fallen apart since then. The service is spotty if not hostile, the food is hit-or-miss, and the seats are painfully cramped on the 767s. The BusinessElite lounges are gone, as are the concierges.

Continental has the amazing concierges, very good food, and usually more consistent service (not always). Continental's lounge in Newark is just okay, but I like the one in Houston. Newark has its faults, but it's still a lot nicer than JFK 2/3. And customs is a lot better in Newark.

Delta wins in terms of blankets and pillows (love those), and nicer dishes. They also have better entertainment in on the 767s. Everything else is better on Continental.

ONe additional point: Continental has unquestionably better domestic first class. So--if you're like me--there is a transcon plus a transatlantic segment. Continental has exceptionally good service on the domestic segments, which makes the trip nicer.

Having flown on the 764 to London a few weeks ago, I wholeheartedly agree about the seats and the lack of foot room.

As I have flown CO once, I am not going to be comparative in my observation.

However, minus the ground ammenities, I have always found the flight attendants to be very cordial and warm. Maybe I treat them with respect and a warm hello and I have never been disappointed.

As for the food, I have had some of the best airline meals up in the air crossing one pond or another on Delta. I have also have had some meidocre meals as well. But I can honestly say I have never had an "awful" meal.

I will agree with you on the T4 lounge. Beautiful, plentiful food. Did you happen to make it upstairs? Gives a great view of the takeoff roll off of 24L? Also much quieter because not many people know about it.

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