Cheryl

My husband and I will be flying from New Mexico to Rome later this year. We have never traveled out of the United States and decided to splurge and go First Class on Delta Airlines. <BR> <BR>Could someone please tell me what we might expect traveling first class? Can we use the First Class lounge at the Atlanta Airport? We will be leaving New Mexico early morning and landing about noon. Then a 5 1/2 hour lay over until flight to Rome leaves at 5:30. <BR> <BR>I use a wheelchair and will have limited ability to get about the airplane cabin. For this long a flight is that a problem? <BR> <BR>Any hints, help etc. is greatly appreciated.

Rex

This is a pretty specialized question. Most travelers here get the opportunity to splurge on business class rarely, if at all. First class is often another $2000 more expensive, but only you know what you want to do with your money. I think that one of the main differences is the ratio of staff to passengers in first class (approaches 1:1), and this may be helpful to you for your one (or more?) trip(s) to the "necessary facilities. <BR> <BR>The connection (from ABQ) on American Airlines is a much shorter layover (in Chicago O'Hare). I also wonder if you have considered a stopover on the East coast (or in London) to shorten your travel day (but add another day to your total transit time). <BR> <BR>Have you traveled in Europe before as a wheelchair user? There will be aspects of Rome that are not wheelchair-friendly, but the same can be said for many destinations in Europe and here in the US as well. <BR> <BR>A frequent visitor here is Ed (of "Travel with Ed And Julie") and their website at www.twenj.com has a lot of useful information for travel to and around Rome. He will likely answer your post for himself, but I think there is an e-mail address on their website, to allow you to write to hime directly. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Rex

I expanded the criteria for finding a flight ABQ-ROM, and I now see that there are TWO departures on Delta ABQ-ATL: 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. With the price you are paying, I think that you ought to avoid this terrible 5 1/2 hr layover and figure out how you can get the seats you want, on dates that will work for you - - with the later departure!

Caitlin

I have a few comments regarding the wheelchair issue (on the plane, not in Rome). Have you flown with your chair on shorter domestic flights? If so, you have an idea of the constraints, and only you can judge what your needs will be on a long flight. Changing flights in New York (with a long enough layover to guarantee you can make your connection, probably at least 2 1/2-3 hours to be safe), would shave a couple of hours off the flight to Rome. <BR> <BR>Your mobility within the cabin depends on several things. If you need a wheelchair to move about (i.e., no walking), and you anticipate the need to do so (for the lav), you'll need to plan carefully. Most of the time, the airline will check your chair at the gate, but wide-bodies planes are supposed to stow a folding chair in the cabin on a first-come, first-serve basis. Flying first class might get you priority on this; in practice, I don't think they stow chairs in-cabin much vs. checking at the gate. That said, I can only think of one specific situation in which you would be able to use your own chair on board, and it would depend on both your seating and the plane model you're flying. If you are on a plane where the jetway entrance is at the front, and everyone must troop through first and business classes, and you snag the front row (bulkhead) in first class, and there is a bathroom forward of that, then you could perhaps use your own chair, although the accessibility of the lavatory (door width) is another matter. Most likely, you'd be stuck with an aisle chair, those skinny little things they use to get you down the narrow plane aisle to your seat. I know that under certain circumstances (plane size, flight length) one is supposed to be kept on board for in-flight use, but I don't know how much it happens in practice. So you'd have to do plenty of investigating. The crew is required to help you transfer if need be, but nothing beyond that. My own experiences in business class, when I've been bumped up from coach, has been that the staff try to do what they can to please you (that's what you're paying for, in addition to bigger seats and better food). But there are no guarantees in air travel. <BR> <BR>I have two suggestions: first, check out some online resources. Try the air-travel tips on www.globalaccess.com. Also, go to www.newmobility.com, click on "Magazine," and search for air travel in the archives. There are some good articles there on people's experiences, on what your legal rights are, and on how to deal with flying. My second suggestion is to consider making your arrangements through one of the travel agencies that specialize in trips for people with diabilities. Both of these links have lists and contact information. They should be able to advise you on details and answer your questions. <BR> <BR>BTW, I haven't used Delta and I've never used one of these agencies, so I can't comment specifically on them. I most often fly American, because they've usually handled things well for me.

jo ann

Hi, Cheryl: We traveled to France last year (3 generations, 4 people) on Business First last year -- of my 6 trips over the "Atlantic" 4 have been in the "splurge" classes, 2 in coach. Also, I travel many segments each year, and since the business traveler gets gouged at full fare, we use first class all the time since it's so little extra money. So, I save all my frequent flyer miles and use them for longer hauls/more expensive tickets. (Hard dollar for each of our tickets last year was $6,700!) <BR>So: here are some thoughts and observations: We used USAir last year to Paris, which was "Business First" and not true first. According to my internet Delta info, you would also be in Business First. (Delta, as you may have already found, shows aircraft configuration on their web site, which I find very informative). Business class uses the 4 rows of 2/2/2 seating, so I would think that you and your husband might like the middle 2, so that you each are on an aisle. That way, if you have some limited ability as you indicate, there won't be anything in your way as you do try to move. <BR> <BR>We flew last year from Virginia to Philadelphia, then direct to Paris. You can indeed use the First Class lounge in Atlanta. I belong to several lounges for business travel -- I have to say that the Phila international lounge was way way above the normal lounges, so I would bet that the comfort level in Delta's would be super. Very comfortable, lovely snacks (cracked crab claw, for example). There's lunch, in a quiet, peaceful setting! <BR> <BR>For info, I am a "worst case planner" and had to rebuff USAir 3 times after making my reservations because I had chosen a 4 1/2 hr layover, instead of the typical (shorter) layover of about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. I have actually done this on a number of occasions. My reasoning was since there are only so many flights I wanted to leave a backup to make sure that I was in Phila in time for the plane. I feared missing my plane, and getting put in coach on a later flight, since first will no doubt be full on most flights. Given the time zones involved, I would think that ABQ planes to Atlanta share that problem, so I would vote to keep the layover as is. (I have rushed between terminals too many times on business travel not to be a real skeptic; you never know when weather and/or mechanical difficulties will arise, then you fret while on the first leg about making the 2nd leg....). Especially since you won't have to sit in a noisy, crowded, germy airport terminal, I have found it workable. <BR> <BR>Delta seems to be using 767's for the longer leg -- I am pretty sure that's what we were in last year to France. To be honest, it's not spectacular (yearly I cross the Pacific for business, and 2 airlines have seats that are my benchmark of redeye comfort) but it's well above coach comfort. (From the web site), you'll have an extra 1 1/2 inches in seat width, at least 8 more inches in "front to back", and (from experience) very nice maneuverability of lumbar support, foot rests, etc. Also, you should have individual tv screens to while away the time, with your choice of what to watch. USAir's food wasn't stellar but not bad (the menu read better than the food tasted), and I basically don't drink much since I'm fighting jetlag, but oh how nice to get a fresh bottle of water delivered whenever you want, to have a lower overall noise level, lumbar support & footrests to fight the aches, fewer lights to dim, etc. <BR> <BR>Hope some of this helped.

Tony

My wife has been a wheelchair traveller for over 20 years, believe me it is not easy at times, although we've found that First Class has definite plusses in this regard. <BR>You should check the plane and cabin layout well before travel, and select the seat you need for access when boarding and for the toilet. <BR>Toilet is by far the biggest headache,as it is often impossible to close the door, especially if you need your carer to transfer you and/or help undress you. The staff should assist by <BR>keeping the area private for you whilst you use the toilet. <BR>You might consider a drug to help stop you going during the flight, or even a temporary catheter for the journey, all of which we have done. <BR>There should be a narrow chair on board but you need patience to use them. <BR>In the lst.Class lounge at Atlanta they will probably want you to board first, which of course adds another half hour minimum to your trip. Insist you board last with the other lst.Class passengers. <BR>The bonus is usually on arrival when you will be escorted by staff through Immigration and Customs. <BR>I admire you courage, as Rome will not be easy - the Italians are less tolerant of disabilities than you Americans are I'm afraid. We've had some bad experiences with taxi drivers amongst other problems. U.K. Holland and Germany are much better. <BR>Anyway, go for it...

Cheryl

Thank you very much for the replies - we really appreciate the help and information.

Mike

Keep in mind that you can certainly use Delta's lounge... but for a fee. I think it's $40 per person. Flying biz/first class doesn't give you free entry to their lounge. This is not true for some other airlines though. <BR> <BR>

Tony

Mike.. <BR> <BR>Are you absolutely certain you have to pay $40 to use the First Class Lounge with Delta, when you have a First Class tickets. <BR>I've been travelling First for over 20 years, and have NEVER heard of having to pay to use the Lounge, and that includes the Delta lounge at Atlanta, where I was even given free phone calls to the the U.K. to change arrival plans when their plane was delayed.Admittedly about 10 years ago.

Mike

Actually, it's $50 per person. Delta doesn't even have first class anymore just BusinessElite.

Ton

Thanks Mike - you learn something every day don't you. I would'nt have believed they would have the gall to hit their customers with this.

Jim

What you can expect traveling first class is that the second class passengers will arrive at exactly the same time as you for $2,000 less.

lola

Not exactly Jim. They will get out later and so will their luggage. First class is one of life's absolute indulgences, and let's say on a 13-hour flight to Asia, a good night's sleep in a bed makes the first few days more clear. If you can use the FF miles esp. I say go for it.

Harper

For some reason this is often a very touchy subject (the 'value' or lack thereof of flying in upgraded cabins). <BR>I am continually amazed at people's egocentrism and tunnel vision. Not everyone thinks first or business classes are worth the extra $$. BUT: for ssome people it makes a genuine difference, makes the flight a minor pleasure rather than a test of one's patience, and for some the extra $$ or use of FF miles aren't life altering considerations. As for Jim's comment about "arriving at the same time", you can reconfigure that example many ways: a three day stay at the Four Seasons in Paris is no longer than a 3 day stay at the Days Inn, both travellers "leave town at the same time". Think the accommodations have any effect on one's overall perception/memory of their trip?

Ed

Certainly if money were no object I'd prefer First Class by far; even better, the Concorde. <BR> <BR>If money is at least some issue in your life consider business class. On most carriers today it's equal to the best first class service available 10-15 years ago, and &gt;significantly&lt; superior to economy. On many carriers it's the only service available above economy and you'll find it quite comfortable. In many cases about the only thing missing from FC will be caviar, pajamas, and square yards of space one really can't use. <BR> <BR>Ed

julie

I have traveled BA first class several times to London, and Copenhagen. Believe me, it IS worth it. One arrives feeling fresh and well treated, with gormet food, lots of good wine choices, clean toilets, nice pajamas, beds to recline in, selections of music, and room to walk about if needed. Of course, I can't afford this unless company pays, it is approx $9,000 from here to there. But business class ain't too bad either.

Brian in Atlanta

Cheryl, you can go to http://www.bizelite.com/prog_serv/bus_elite/main.html to see what Delta's BusinessElite is like. <BR> <BR>And I've got to question Mike's statement that First and BusinessElite customers are not granted free access to the Crown Rooms. I've flown Delta's first class a few times (domestic still offers first class) and have always been able to just walk into the Crown room. And the website says that all BusinessElite customers are "welcomed" in their Crown Rooms. I can't image that they'd make this statement and then hit people holding $5,000 tickets with $50 charge. <BR> <BR>Anybody have any first hand experience with Delta BusinessElite and Crown Rooms?

Rico

Here's what you get for the extra $2000 it costs to fly first class: <BR>Freshly baked cookies (fat) <BR>Free wine and booze (liquor/fat) <BR>Larger portions of airline food (fat). <BR>With all these "perks," it's no wonder the seats are bigger in first class---they'll have to be to fit your fat butt into them! <BR>

Larry

First Class? First class is a first class rip off! But, I must say, the flight attendants are much nicer, if not a little snooty. Save your money and spend it on a nice hotel at the destination you are visiting.

Leanne

Ed: Just so you know---the Concorde is notoriously a cramped space, and there is no first class. The idea is that the whole thing is first class, but if you have even the slightest case of claustraphobia, forget it. I'll take a "slow" 747 any day over the Concorde.