Delta/JFK
 

The Delta International check-in at JFK on 30 Apr was the very worst aviation experience of our entire lives and Lady "L" has 45+ years experience in the industry at all (ex. CEO) levels.
Never again on Delta.
M

Please elaborate. I will be travelling from Dallas to Amsterdam on Delta, with a connection in JFK. Let us know what your problem was.

Arrrived three hours early (from our FF mile connection BJX-LGA).
The international hairpin check-in line was outside and around the terminal - probably 4000 folks and totally inadequate number of agents.
Took 1.5 hours to check in and we were escourted out of the "routine" line to the expedited as we are "older" and were well dressed.
Buen viaje.
M

I'm with ya mikemo. I flew delta from JFK to Germany two years ago and I have never seen such chaos at check in and security. I have not flown them since. I leave today for Germany on American from JFK. Just read they've moved the international flights to the new terminal so I'm expecting a very nice experience.

I am travelling from Dallas, where I will certainly check in and get boarding passes for both my flight from DFW to JFK and the flight from JFK to AMS. My bags should be checked directly through to AMS (actually Nairobi), thus no need to check bags in JFK.

With no need to check in again at JFK, won't I miss all of this Delta fun you are describing?

You'll already be within DL's concourses at JFK, so you will not have to deal with mikemo's experience as you'll be checking in and clearing security at DFW.

Wondering the same thing -- going from SFO to Venezia via JFK -- upgraded to business with FF miles and with carry on only. I can check through in SF and just get myself to the departure gate at JFK, right?

. . . but I thought all of those glorious computerized check-in kiosks which have popped up all over were supposed to prevent long lines, make check-in smoother, cure cancer, and solve world hunger?

Guess it's not always such a good thing to whack your staff & replace 'em with a bunch of machines . . .

Back from dealing with the horrendous Delta-JFK combo. Have to agree with the OP.

On Thursday, June 28th, 2007 my family arrived at JFK airport at 7:30 for a
10:19 flight to Indianapolis. I arrived this early to ensure that my
family of 4 (including a 16 month and 4 year old) would have plenty of
time to check our bags, get through security and get something to eat
before our flight.

Unfortunately, despite having a boarding pass, it took 3 HOURS to get
our luggage checked. I am an active business traveler. Never in my
travels has it ever taken 3 hours to check a bag. Despite multiple
customers missing flights Delta's employees were indifferent. In fact when we did get to the front of the line, after 20 minutes of attempting to get our luggage checked in (we had 3 bags for 4 ticketed passengers),
Delta told us that we were too late and should have gotten to
the airport earlier. When we stated we were on line for 3 HOURS!!! and
demanded to speak to a supervisor, we were told none was available and
we would have to use a phone. Only after refusing to leave until we saw
a supervisor (some workers were laughing while my two children were
crying) did they hold the flight for us. My 4 year old and I had to run
through the airport in our socks to catch a flight.

After I told other people this story, I was told that this situation is
common at JFK.

Even worse, one of our bags did not make it to our destination.

I am a frequent business traveler and have never experienced this total
lack of service and disregard for customers. This experience is
something I would expect from a third tier airline.

If you have to check bags, avoid Delta at all costs.

Weather was bad on the evening of June 27th. Most flights that evening were about 4-5 hours late departing, pushing into the early morning hours and other flights canceled.

I think that has something to do with the mess on the morning of the 28th and the baggage issues.

Not trying to give DL/JFK an excuse. Just stating what you experienced may be worse than usual.