Remember when Delta used to fly L-1011’s, 777’s, and 767’s (both -300’s and -400’s) between ATL and MCO? I sure do. These days it’s pretty much all comparatively-boring narrow bodies doing these runs on a much more frequent basis, which I suppose is a good thing for the average traveller. Smaller airplanes take less time to load and unload, and who can argue with a greater frequency of flight options? I suppose I’m turning into a grumpy old #avgeek or something, because I don’t care about any of that nonsense. Bring back the heavy metal and make flying interesting again!
Despite the lack of wide body options for my flight down to MCO today, I had been looking forward to to this flight primarily due to the fact that at the time of booking, it was showing as an A321 – a brand new aircraft type to Delta’s already well-diverse fleet. But the scheduling gods had frowned upon me several days before departure, cruelly swapping that flight to a less-interesting 737-900 instead. Oh well. That’s just the way it goes sometimes. At least I got to keep the same seat I had reserved.
DL897
Atlanta, GA (ATL) – Orlando, FL (MCO)
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Aircraft: 737-932/ER
Registration: N837DN
Seat: 5C (first class)
It had been a while since the last time I flew through ATL, and if there’s one thing about that place that I like, it’s consistency. ATL has remained exactly the same (pretty much) as it was ever since I started flying in the late 90’s, so there’s never a need for me to worry or get stressed flying in and out of this airport. I know it like the back of my hand, so it it was good to get reunited with it once again, if only briefly.
The boarding process was about as uneventful as you could imagine for a short 737 flight such as this, and I only say that because it took me about two minutes of thinking of something interesting to write before I finally gave in and decided that it was ok to tell it like it was.
Hey – there’s nothing exciting about getting on a 737 in terminal A at ATL. First class or not, this is about as dull as flying gets!
My mood started picking up once I got onboard and started to have a look around. This was my first time on a Delta 737-900, and I’m not going to lie – as much as I prefer larger (wide body) aircraft, this one was…really nice. I mean, like, really nice!
Compared to the old Delta domestic first class seats on the 767-300, this 739 was bright, comfortable, and very modern. And to top it off, it even had the “new plane smell”.
The Boeing Sky Interior is something I’ve always been quite fond of (how can anyone not like colored LED mood lighting?), and combined with the large personal video screens, I quickly started to forget all about my disappointment over modern-day 737 dominance.
Speaking of the personal video screen, the overall experience of using Delta Studio was much better than what I had just experienced in the 767. The screen was large, very bright, and best of all – it responded immediately to my touch (sounds dirty, right?).
I didn’t realize how bad the 767 system was until I started using this one. It was as smooth and responsive as any latest-generation smartphone, which was very unexpected and so refreshing. I guess all those years of bad touchscreen displays on airplanes have taught me not to set my expectations so high, so this was a nice (and very unexpected) little perk.
We pushed off the gate right on time, and took a runway 27R takeoff to the west. The only thing worth noting about the takeoff was the fact that we pretty much used all of the runway on our way out. Hot air temperature plus a heavy aircraft will tend to make that sort of thing happen I suppose.
The flight time down to Orlando was about an hour, and it wasn’t all that interesting given the fact that the weather was clear most of the way there and the inflight service was short and abbreviated with only a quick beverage service and some snacks from the snack basket.
FYI, they do serve full meals on flights longer than 2.5 hours. To see what that is like, do be sure to read my review of Delta 737-800 first class.
Things did get a bit more interesting as we approached MCO, however. The closer we got, the worse the weather looked. There was a lot of twisting and turning as we made our way down, so much so that I was starting to get disorientated and unclear as to which direction we were actually pointed. There was a lot of nasty weather out there to dodge, so props to the pilots for weeding us through that mess.
Arriving in a full downpour was interesting (and a bit butt-clenching), but thankfully the taxi to the gate was short and I was off and into the main terminal within minutes. And speaking of the main terminal at MCO: wow! This was my first time in this airport and I guess I was surprised at how chaotic and busy it was inside. Yikes!
Josh Walton
Hey buddy! Another great review of Delta domestic first class! You have been doing great at keeping these short hauls, and I love that! Looking forward to the rest of this series!
SANspotter
Thanks Josh! As much as I hate to say it, these 739’s are pretty good up in first. I’ve yet to try one in economy class though so I’m actually curious to see how the different cabins compare. I’ve heard horror stories though, so I’m not super motivated to try. Haha. Anyway, A321 review up next!
SJCSpotter
SANSpotter, thanks for another classic report. I had my first -900 ride ATL-FLL last February and I am still withholding judgment on the aircraft. F class, where I was seated, seemed a bit herded together (the forward cabin narrows as you approach the galley), but the lighting was attractive. These are used on long routes as well, from the west coast to ATL, and according to the cabin staff, full meal service is difficult from a relatively small galley.
I also noted the long takeoff roll, and according to my seatmate, who was DL ground, the pilots are trained in a special takeoff that involves a low angle of rotation to avoid tail scrapes. So, it is not the peppiest twin out there. A special tail stand is now standard to avoid tipping while unloading.
I am eager to try the A321 as well. It seems odd that they are slated mostly for Florida runs, as the cabin is a bit wider and would be better suited to the transcons, vs the 737-900s.
SANspotter
So that’s why the takeoff roll was so long. Makes perfect sense! I didn’t find first class to be all that bad actually, but I’ve heard horror stories about the main (economy) cabin. It’s really too bad these 739’s will soon become one of the most dominant aircraft in Delta’s fleet. I miss the 757 already…
Definitely get a ride on the A321 if you can. I enjoyed my short flight on one from MCO to ATL last month, and I do hope we’ll be seeing them on the transcon routes once there are enough in the fleet.
Tim
Scott, this is a great review. I checked it out before my most recent trip and it’s spot on. Just flew home to MSP from ATL on the 739 this past weekend up in First. I loved it even more than the 757. The seats were incredibly comfortable and there seemed to be more leg room. I know the plane isn’t much to write home about, but the comfort level is off the charts. The Delta Studio screens are also huge, and as you said, as responsive as a latest-gen smartphone. I’m hoping my MSP-LAS trip in November gets changed from a A320 to a 739!
SANspotter
Glad you had a good first class experience on the 739 Tim! I’ve heard horror stories of what it’s like back in economy though, and I’m sure that’s why these planes aren’t very popular with most passengers. At least DL is upgrading the entire fleet to have this same interior – so there’s a chance that you’ll get nearly the same experience on the A320 for your LAS trip in November.
Anny
I’m always scared to fly in bad weather …
SANspotter
Me too! Especially in Florida in the summertime – some of those storms can get really bad and I actually try to avoid afternoon flying in and around Florida (in the summer) if I can avoid it. Scary stuff.