This is long so if detail is not your thing, best to move on to the next thread now, lol!
FLIGHTS: I generally fly Delta as I like their safety record. I flew Spokane->Seattle->Paris and Amsterdam->Seattle->Spokane. I flew Delta One on the way over. First time I’d done that and enjoyed it. I felt much less “shop-worn” on arrival in Paris as you just don’t have people brushing by you for the whole trip. I thought I would be able to sleep on the lie-flat bed but alas the older lady seated in front of me TALKED the whole flipping night to her husband who was seated in the pod ahead of her. She also stood up as the plane was taxiing from the gate at Seattle (I could see the horror on the FA’s faces) and managed to drop her water bottle on her husband’s head. She lost her hearing aid during the night so the FA had to come search her pod and found it for her. Still and in spite of that I’d fly Delta One again just for the less crowded nature of the cabin. Masking was still required then so everyone (except “the lady”) wore masks appropriately for the flight. This flight was 100% full. I liked access to the Delta Lounge and yes, I liked the prosecco as a welcome aboard and I am not a big drinker on the plane.
I flew Delta Select on the way back. This was a new cabin class for me. I didn’t really like the seats. They were a bit wider but all have the tray tables in the arm so that’s a hassle. The guy in front of me reclined as soon as he could and even with the extra space it was tight trying to exit my seat. With the tray table being in the arm you can’t lift it out of the way. This flight was about 90% occupied with a few seats vacant in the economy cabin. Masking, which was no longer required, was minimal except me, lol.
Pre-flight from home I was able to load up my vax card into the Delta FlyReady app several weeks before departure. I actually got my 2nd booster after I’d uploaded the card but I didn’t want to mess anything up so just left it as is. Completed my France locator form online. I shockingly was able to check in online for my flights from Spokane to Paris AND able to print/download boarding passes for both flight segments (and had them show up in the Delta app so used the electronic form). I have NEVER been able to do that before. At Spokane I also did not have to take out my food, liquids or electronics (all of which I had to take out in October when I departed from here). I have Global Entry so have TSA pre-check.
Pre-flight from Amsterdam I was not able to check in online but was able to upload the negative Covid test (screenshot of the email attachment) and get a green checkmark in the FlyReady app. I got to Schiphol REALLLLLY early - went with one of the vans provided by Road Scholar at 530 for a 1030 flight. Van got from the hotel near Vondelpark to the airport in 13 minutes. I was checked in, thru Passport control and security by 6:16. I did not have to take out food, liquids or electronics going thru Security.
Arrival to Seattle: Arrived at S gates and came across to the new arrivals center in A. GE kiosks were not working. The same officers were doing Immigration and Customs. Mine was a complete jerk. Asked why a woman would travel on her own to Europe. Did I know anyone there. How much money did I have. What kind of gifts did I bring back. Where did I work. What did I do before I retired. Where did I work then. I was ready for the money question as he’d asked the Delta Pilot in front of me the same thing and the pilot looked shocked and said “I don’t know”. Honest to goodness I don’t know why he wasted his time. ALL his questions were on the screen in front of him from my GE. I’m fat, gray and old just like my passport and GE pictures. He can see when I’ve traveled. For once I wished I had been profiled as a little old lady. Good grief.