After years of saving frequent flyer miles, I am confirmed fly to Frankfurt in Delta's business class in April. Assuming Delta is still in business, this will be my first non-domestic business class experience.

Can anyone comment on their experience in Delta business class? Please describe the seating, service, and amenities.

Thanks.

We are trying to fly Delta BC to Greece. It seems to be very difficult to get a reasonable date. How many FF miles did it cost? SkySaver or SkyChoice?

vegaslocal - I'll be taking my first non-domestic Delta flight in March so I will not be much help in describing the amenities. But enjoy your trip. I expect/hope they will still be in business for both of us!!

Jed - I've been trying to book a trip into London or Frankfurt and have had no luck with Delta FF miles. It is 50,000 business class for international I believe. Your best bet it to call Delta and have an agent assist with options (800-221-1212). Don't forget that Delta now is partnered with Continental in some way so Delta Skymiles can be used for Continental flights as well and vice versa. Good Luck! I'm actually off to the airport now to talk to a rep in person to see if I can get flights for my mother figured out!

SkySaver from the US to Europe is 90K BC RT. SkyChoice is 250K (would you believe it?)

I suspect that SkySaver is almost impossible to get. I have tried.

Continental does not go to Greece.

If you call Delta for FF reward tickets, ask for the "partner" desk. We went to Greece last year using Delta miles on Air France....even had a layover in Paris for a few days.

I've flown BC in both Delta and Continental. CO is marginally better (2-1-2 seating vs. DL 2-2-2). The lounges are similar as are inflight food and drinks. Having flown US to Italy thirteen times since '98 I can no longer tolerate the back of the plane. I now purchase EVERYTHING on AMEX.

I too will not fly steerage any more. Each trip to Europe has been Delta BC. The seats are very roomy and each one has its own video screen. However, the seats do not recline 180. It think the pitch is 170 which feels like you are falling down at times.

The FA are very attentive and the food is OK. Sometimes I don't even eat it because after a while you know what to expect and its nothing special. But the breads they serve are good, espcecially for breakfast.

Movies galore to choose from. They do provide a small amenities kit with toothpase, brush, socks, hand cream and lip balm.

I am used to the service now and while its not great, flying in BC for the first time will be wonderful. Like I said...no more steerage for me.

Have a wonderful trip.

Gail

Business class (seating, especially) on longer flights is NOT all created equal.

Worth your while to see what you are actually getting on www.seatguru.com

I'm not suggesting that you are in for any unpleasant surprises - - in fact, quite the contrary, we were very happy to see that we got confirmed on perhaps the best Delta has to offer on our upcoming flights to/from Maui (newly inaugurated nonstop service to/from Atlanta) - - their business class elite on the 767/300, featuring the 60.0" pitch 18.5" width (2/2/2) seats with electric lumbar support, leg/foot rests.

Not to brag... but we got these at the SkySaver rate of only 75,000 miles (each), with only about 90 days notice - - because the flight was just newly announced about a week before we sought the seats.

Hope you have a great trip.

Best wishes,

Rex

ttt

We also will not fly in the back anymore. Delta's Business Elite is a big step up from coach. The perks aren't only what you get while flying; we fly out of Atlanta and we appreciate the priority check-in and lounge.

We have not dealt with FF miles for a ticket; we just pay.

Hi vegaslocal,

Like others above, I've been lucky enough to fly Delta Business Elite, and rarely fly coach anymore. Here are my impressions --

The seats have loads of room. I'm 5'3", and when I'm sitting down I can't reach my bag under the seat in front of me. However, there isn't much width -- I can't sleep on my back, and it's tough to sleep on my side on the seats. The seats adjust many ways -- lumbar support, foot rest, and of course reclining.

The service is pretty good, I think. The attendants will take your coat (may have to wait just a minute or two, especially if you're a woman alone!), and you'll be sipping champagne or orange juice while waiting for the other passengers to board. You'll have a choice of entrees for dinner, and the attendants will give you a menu and take your order, also while waiting for the other passengers to board. You'll also get a selection of (free) wine and spirits.

The amenities are not so plush. You'll get a small bag with some l'Occitane products (chapstick, hand cream), an eye mask, slipper socks, and ear plugs. You'll have a choice of movies (usually those just released on DVD) or tv programs or games on your small screen.

Can't think of anything else. Sometimes, I think buying two cheap seats and bringing good food yourself would be a way to duplicate the experience at half the cost --

Hope this helps.

s

FYI - I just got a flight to Greece using USAir FF points (80K each) to get BC seats on Lufthansa.

The only downside is that Lufthansa has one stop, Delta is non-stop. For us, the stop would be in the middle of the night, so we will be more tired than going with Delta. But still very happy.

Our last four or five trips to Europe (most recently in March and November of 2005) have been in Delta business elite, and we love the service. (We've also flown in similar classes on Continental and British Airways, but did not find the service to be as friendly or the seats as comfortable.) Continental has a better amenities kit on the plane, but only marginally so.

Delta's selection of entertainment is so great that I have a hard time making myself go to sleep when it's time. The flight attendants have always been very cheerful and helpful, and the food is decent. They have ice cream sundaes for dessert, and you can choose your toppings. They have a good wine list (on our last trip from Milano in November, they had one of our favorites: an Italian white called Canlungo, which we've been unable to find in the US). I have to admit to looking for the lowest prices for Business class (when I don't have enough miles for an upgrade), but all other things being equal, I'd take Delta over other airlines. I think Delta has a higher ratio of flight attendants to passengers (counted 1 attendant to every 6 passengers on one flight). Also, their business class lounges at the airport are quite nice, especially if you are flying out of Atlanta -- great buffet, bar, comfortable seating, internet access, etc.