Prologue:
Hello and welcome to the return portion of my trip from ATL-SFO.Originally I was supposed to be flying via CLT but due to a delay that kept extending I was going to miss my connection to SFO and I had to be rebooked on alternate flights.
I arrive early at the airport and check in at one of the AA kiosks. Everything looks fine and I get ready to go through the TSA Pre-Check line.
On the way there I pass through this art exhibition presented by ATL employees.
Clearing through security was quick and I head to Terminal B to have some "soul" food at Paschal's.
Fried chicken fried okra and black eyed peas with corn muffins.
I make my way to Terminal D but in the meantime take some pics of the tarmac and as you can tell DL rules in ATL.
I settle by the gate and notice that the first delay is posted on the screen. I also receive an alert thru my email.
No big deal since my connecting flight to SFO leaves at around 6:17P. I have 47 min. in between flights which is a bit too tight for my comfort but doable. Worst case scenario would be that I miss the pre-boarding but I'm confirmed in F and on top of that I pre-ordered a Hindu meal and was looking forward to try it.
Moments later I notice another delay and this time i realize that I will not be able to connect to my flight. There was a long line at the counter with 1 agent so that was not an option. I thought about calling the reservation number but the prospect of being on hold was not appealing neither. Then I saw a self check-in kiosk and remembered reading something about being able to change flights through it so I tried it.
I pulled up my reservation through the machine and pressed the "change flights" button. A list of options were given and although my tkt was in Y some of the options confirmed me directly into a F seat. After exploring several options the ORD flight was the one that would get me the closest to my original arrival time in SFO within 2 hrs and confirmed in F all the way. In less than 5 min. I printed my boarding passes and a confirmation of the new flights.
I went to Terminal T and sat by one of the empty chairs in the hallway while I worked on my computer. Here is a view from the window.
My plane at the gate.
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Half an hour before departure boarding started.
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I was given an aisle seat but I ended up with the window. When I boarded I momentarily sat at the window and took a picture of the plane next to us. When my neighbor arrived she saw me at the window and sat on my aisle seat without any issues.
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F cabin.
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Picture of the neighboring plane de-icing. It was not even snowing!
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Seat control.
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Pre-dept. drink - water or anything you wanted.
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Leg room is a bit tight.
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Taxiing out.
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Take off - Bye ATL.
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The FA was very efficient and we were offered the snack basket on this flight. For a flight over 2 hrs I was expecting dinner or a light snack but this was it.
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First round of snacks.
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Our FA then replenished drinks and offered the basket a second time.
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Arriving into ORD with a view of downtown and Lake Michigan. I believe this is the Gold Coast area.
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Touch down.
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We arrived 30 min. earlier.
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During my stay in ATL I took the opportunity to visit the DL Museum which is located by DL HDQ not far from the airport. Admission was USD 15 and worth every penny of it. The staff was super friendly and very welcoming. Maybe that's part of Southern hospitality.
DL HDQ
HDQ Main entrance.
HDQ Lobby.
DL Museum.
DL Museum lobby.
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Exhibition room.
DL Theater.
Hallway with airplane models.
"Spirit of Delta" 767
Museum store for the die hard avgeek.
Getting out of the museum to go to the 747 Tour.
747 Tour.
Economy cabin.
Galley.
Business cabin lower deck.
Nice legroom.
Going to the upper deck.
========== Hartsfield Jackson Intl Arpt (ATL) - ==========
========== American Airlines - Airline ==========
========== O'Hare Intl Arpt (ORD) - ==========
Summary:
This segment of my trip was not planned but due to unforeseeable circumstances I had to change flights and thankfully I was able to use the check-in kiosk without any problems.Perhaps it was my elite status but I was surprised that on a Y ticket I was able to find alternative flights that would confirm me directly into F. In addition I was shocked that one of the options was a flight to SJC instead of SFO via DFW in F. It certainly paid off to use the kiosk and as I mentioned in the report it took less than 5 min.to be confirmed on my new flights without any human help. I felt sorry for those pax who stood in line waiting for the agent to accommodate them.
The flight was uneventful and thankfully arrived 30 min. earlier than scheduled. The only disappointment was the lack of a meal or at least a snack for a flight that is over 2 hrs.
16 Comments
ReplyThanks Adan, flights delay can be a pain ! Were you able to rebook because your flight was delayed or it's the same for all pax ? That's a good perk. The snack for a flight longer than 2h30 is a SHAME!
That's a good question and I believe that it should be the same for all pax. However I think that the "change flights" feature on the kiosk is only for same day changes. Here in the US anyone can standby for an earlier flight. If you don't have any elite status you pay $75. Elite members can standby for free and only Executive PLT and PLT Pro members can standby for earlier or later flights.
AA should offer something more substantial, especially for that dept. time.
ReplyWonderful bonus Adan. 15 bucks well spent! Thanks a lot for this review. AA is just pathetic on this leg.
Worth every penny of the admission price. Stay tune for AA CR Smith museum in DFW next month. ;)
ReplyExcellent report Panda, thanks for sharing. The bonus is huge and welcomed, did .not know. Should I comment on the snack ? lol
For avgeeks anything related to airlines is not big enough. ;) You are most welcome.
Silence is golden sometimes isn't it? :P
ReplyWoof ! JetSet !
Efficient rebooking at self check-in kiosk !
On board, nice business seats for this F flight. No entertainment ?
This basket service is a disgrace for this class.
Your bonus is wonderful, Adan;) This museum seems to be really well laid out.
Thanks for sharing, this ytr, Panda !
My entertainment was looking through the window :P
Great museum I must say, especially the chance to get inside the 747 and 767.
ReplyThanks for sharing this TR
The rerouting is nicely done through the machine and you're confirmed all the way in F
but you are loosing your dinner ;)
"Leg room is a bit tight."
Five stars First Class comfort ^^
Junk basket to fill your stomach;)
Great Delta Museum visit
See you soon for another report
Smooth rerouting at a cost of a special meal ;) but at least I was able to eat twice on the flight home.
"Junk basket to fill your stomach;):
- It had almonds so it can't be that bad. ;)
ReplyAgreed with all abt the museum. As for the flight itself it's better to eat before.
Thanks Adan for your report.
Casper
Good thing that I had something to eat before the flight. ;)
ReplyHey Panda by the way we have in France the same restaurant as Paschal his name is KFC
I'm just kidding you
awesome TR
thanks a lot for sharing the spotting is marvelous
see you
Not all fried chicken are created equal. :P
Glad you liked the TR.
ReplyHello Adan!
This delay was a chance, lol! Onboard the "meal" is really ridiculous for such a flight...
Your bonus is juste amazing and now i want to come to atlanta just to visit this museum!!!!
Thank you for sharing my friend.
See you soon.
You never know when a delay is going to surprise you. I say make the best out of every situation.
The museum is worth a visit for sure. Lots of interesting history and exhibitions. It's amazing to see how DL absorbed other companies through the years like Western and Northwest. Perfect excuse to do another TR. ;)
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