Good Morning,
At the end of March, my family and I are traveling from Portland to Budapeat (via Seattle and Amsterdam) and have booked our flight on Delta in their Main Cabin (Economy Class). Wondering if anyone can share their experiences flying Delta internationally in Economy?
Thanks!
I almost always fly Delta to and from Europe and generally have had good experiences. I sometimes fly Premium Select or Comfort on the way there in hopes of getting some sleep (which never works) but there is really not a large difference between Comfort and Economy. On the way back, I usually just fly Economy since I will be awake the whole time.
Do you know the seat configuration? Most of the flights I've taken recently are in the 2-4-2 configuration, which I like since I travel solo and only have to worry about one person next to me. :) But other vary.
Thanks for the response! It's an Airbus 330 with 2-4-2 seating configuration. We've booked back to back rows of 2 seats apiece.
This is our kids' first long haul flight, and I am a little concerned with a growing 13 and 10 year old "starving " for 10 hours 😆. How is the food service? We will definitely pack some snacks, but it's always nice to know we cam supplement as needed.
You shouldn't have any problems - as I said, Delta is a good and very safe airline (my brother is a pilot for Delta, and I know the precautions he takes before flying) and the flight attendants are capable and friendly.
Make sure to download the Delta app - you can use it to track status updates and check in when it's time. You can also track your bags on it (if you check any). It's very handy and I highly recommend that you use it.
How is the food service?
Definitely bring snacks but there will be plenty of food. They will bring out snacks, then dinner, then more snacks, then breakfast and so on. And I think there are snacks available for purchase if you want (not totally sure about that - it may just be US flights). But if so, just make sure you have a credit card handy as you cannot pay in cash.
This might be helpful: https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/food-and-beverage/overview
I flew Delta twice last year return to/from Europe in main cabin on the 330 planes and we enjoyed it. The 2-4-2 configuration made such a difference for us. One thing I don't think a lot of people realize is that at the back of the plane Delta usually has a basket or two of "anytime snacks" sitting out. Nuts, chips, crackers, cookies, etc. Last time they even had little sandwiches back there. I suppose they don't advertise it much to avoid it getting overcrowded.
From ATL they started the meal service within an hour of take off and served another meal about 1-2 hours before landing at AMS.
Yes, what roubrat said is true about snacks. And you don't have to walk back there looking for them either - just ask a flight attendant if your teens can have a few snacks and they will bring them up. Of course, your teens may want to go inspect the snacks for themselves. :)
Are you sure that all of these are Delta-operated and not codeshare flights?
I'm guessing the AMS>BUD is KLM.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, the AMS-BUD leg is KLM, but I was mostly curious about the long haul portion on Delta. I started a separate discussion because we are actually flying KLM from AMS-JFK on our return and have heard some not so great things about KLM.
This might be helpful: https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/food-and-beverage/overview
Those Kate's Real Food lemon coconut bars are really good!
We flew Delta economy from Seattle to Munich last month. It was fine, nothing bad, but nothing that stood out either. If you kids are going to get hungry, then definitely pack snacks/sandwiches though even if it is something just bought at the airport.
IMO, it is all about the same when it comes to economy class on major airlines -- marginal. The days of one being better than the other is over. Anyone over 5-10" will be tight with min leg room and space. They are all trying to save money without it looking like they are going cheap --- but they are. The food is OK but you are not taking the flight for the food. We tend to ignore all food service going to Europe and try our best to sleep. Return is different so we will partake.
Yeah as others have said, they keep snacks available all through the night . . . you just go back to the galley and get a drink and / or snack (both salty and sweet).
If you've got the last 2 rows then you will be right next to the snacks, hahaha! The kids can make friends with the FAs. (editing to add: I first read your reply that you've got the last 2 rows but that's not right is it? 2 sets of 2 seats one behind the other is good, though!)
I do recommend if you are on the 6PM flight from SEA to AMS that you get the kids a meal after you get to the airport. You'll want to be there 3 hours ahead of time and will start boarding at 5P. I usually pick up something at the Cafe Flora outlet, Floret - they have an excellent spicy hummus wrap and yes, I get their coconut cake to go...yum! If the plane leaves on time it will be an hour before they start dinner service. IF you are at the back of the plane you may be served last (sometimes they start at the back and move forward but I'm not adept enough to be able to figure out which flights they do that on!!). Definitely take Clif/Kind/etc bars as well.
Be sure to start checking the Delta website every week, Sunday or Monday to see if there are time changes. I booked the SEA-AMS flight last summer for April and it's undergone some big time changes. Right now I'm up to a 5+ hr layover from my flight from Spokane but I'd really just as soon have a long time than a short transit. As I understand it, Delta uploads any changes to their schedule on Saturday, so I make it a practice 3 months out to start checking on Sunday or Monday. Check the flight times and the seat assignments. I doubt they will change the kind of airplane but if they do then your seats may get changed...just best to check everything.
I'd also either bring empty water bottles or get each person a bottle of water at the airport. Have them drink a full bottle before boarding then refill at one of the water fill stations before you board.
What a fun time they will have! I would also sign everyone up for Delta's SkyMiles program!
I flew PDX-AMS direct on Delta and it was as others described. Check your actual flight's seats on SeatGuru - if it is a KLM flight it's possible the configuration is different than a Delta flight (or it might not be). If you're in the way, way back, sometimes the last row seats do not fully recline, and you're often right next to the bathrooms (depends on type of plane).
Agree that you should have a big meal before the SEA-AMS flight if you have time, hopefully you have a decent layover in SEA (side note - my past experience going PDX-SEA to catch an international flight was not so great - my international flight had been boarding for an hour by the time I made it to the gate in SEA). You can always have a big lunch at PDX, some decent options in the new Alaska terminal (though the airport is a total construction mess, prepare for that). My nephew is a bottomless pit and even he fared fine with the food selections and snacks on the long haul flight.
The only time to worry about starving on an airplane is when there is turbulence and the flight attendants must take their seats. Turbulence never lasts too long so you’re over thinking this.
When flying a long-haul flight, you’re fed first. Afterwards the lights are turned off so you can sleep after a heavy meal. Several hours later a high caloric snack is served. If your kids get hungry in between ask for a snack.
Delta is the USs number one carrier who take care of their passengers. Relax and enjoy your trip.
I hate the plane meals, so I always eat before in the terminal or pack something on. But the snacks -- cheese and such - I take advantage of during the night.
Depending on the size of the humans involved, you should really try to find a way to get into premium economy it makes such a difference. Even if the humans are regular sized.
Also realize these days your plane and seat arrangements are just a suggestion, subject to change with or without notice. My Delta flight back from Paris was changed for a slightly different version of the "same" plane with different seating and Delta just went and reassigned all the seats without telling us. There was mild pandemonium as they boarded the flight.
flew PDX-AMS direct on Delta and it was as others described. Check your actual flight's seats on SeatGuru -
There are some reports that Seatguru is a dormant site. I think Trip Advisor bought them. Travel blogger "View from the Wing" likes this site
https://viewfromthewing.com/a-better-site-than-seatguru-for-seat-maps-choosing-seats-on-planes/
While phred is a huge fan of DL Premium Economy the overall consensus I see on travel sites its "not really worth it" Now there are some well reviewed Premium Economy options this isn't one of them. Partially because due to "covid" they basically have been providing economy meals and services (that's supposed to be changing) but there are also a lot of complaints that when the passenger in front of you reclines you can't even get out of your seat.
However, while Delta will provide meals keep in mind that it's "edible" at best. That said if you "starve" on a plane I'd say the problem is not the flight (look up the definition of starving... I think it's impossible to "starve" because of one flight) I'd suggest buying something decent and taking it with you to make sure you have edible nutrition. I'd much rather have a sandwich made at the airport than day old reheated tv dinners :) I would even more strongly suggest that with teens or kids.
Check your actual flight's seats on SeatGuru.
As Mark said, don't use SeatGuru - Trip Advisor bought it and is no longer servicing it. It hasn't been updated in several years. Use the link above that Mark McG provided.
Also one other thing you might consider - Delta offers "special meals" that are usually tastier than the regular ones (depending on your taste) and are also served prior to the regular meals. Your teens might like to look at some of the options available, especially if they enjoy ethnic food. On my last flight, I had the Asian Vegetarian, which was very good and looked much better than the chicken meal served to others. Here is a link to the special meals and descriptions of each: https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/food-and-beverage/special-meals
You do have to order these ahead of time.
Those Kate's Real Food lemon coconut bars are really good!
Ha ha, they are! My favorite drink is the Bloody Mary mix - I always get that with ice (no vodka). I love it.
I'd much rather have a sandwich made at the airport than day old reheated tv dinners :)
Amen, Carol. I had a sandwich made at Boars Head in ATL when I came back in November, and it really hit the spot.
Ha ha, they are! My favorite drink is the Bloody Mary mix - I always get that with ice (no vodka). I love it.
Ice?! 😳 😋 https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/airplane-food
They gave me ice in my drink during my last flight and I didn't realize until I was done. I lived to tell the tale!
