First Overseas Flight!!
 

Delta ATL to Madrid - >Iberia to SVQ. Just wondering how the Delta 767 is in the sky. How is the in-flight entertainment in coach/economy class.

Thanks in advance!

You'll get quicker responses if you re-post your question with Delta in the title.

If you are not doing an upgrade to Bus/First: avoid, imho.
M

I haven't flown Delta to Madrid, but I am reasonably sure there will be movies.
My recommendations for a first overseas flights are: 1. It will be cold in the plane for 7-8 hours. Dress in layers so you will be warm enough. Blankets will be provided, but you will feel colder if you don't have a layer of clothing next to you. 2. Don't wear tight clothing. That amount of time sitting in a plane sometimes has people complaining about the "airline food" when the real problem is tight clothing (jeans, esp.)

We've flown Delta 767s from ATL to Europe lots of times, and survived--and actually had fun, since we frequently travel with several lively friends.

The seats are small and uncomfortable, as you probably expect, and there are no individual TV monitors.

The movies etc. are shown on the usual overhead screens and the quuality of your view will depend on your seat location.

See if can find a thread named "Travelhub.com/air India" from several months ago. After reading it, Delta will seem like Air Force One.

Don't let any of this scare you! You're going to Europe, for heaven's sake! It will take a lot more than an uncomfortable crowded seat to keep you from having a wonderful time!

Byrd


But

I have flown with Delta over and back to the States and a number of flights internally in the States and have had no problem.Most of the flights have been in the 767 which is one of my favourite planes. A small bit of advice sleep all you can on the flight and you will not feel jetlag as bad as you will be rested.Do not wear tight shoes.
I usually put on the earphones and listen to the soft relaxing music.

The 767 aircraft will not have the screen on the back of the seat in front of you nor will it offer the flight tracking advisor that is a feature of the 777. The screen will be above eye level like the ones you see on domestic flights where the flight attendants explain safety rules. You will have headphones provided for movies, music, etc. I have noticed in the past few years Delta seems to use the triple seven for flights to London and Paris but for trips to other European cities you get the 767. At least that has been my experience. Have a great trip!

slogdog....
a minor suggestion, but one worthy of consideration for a long flight. suggest you buy a pair of travel socks from the local chemist. they are well worth the extra money and can be kept for future flights. jay

..I think as a first time traveller you must realize that almost any airline's economy class is probably equivalent to the greyhound bus. However, it helps to realize that the airplane will get you from point A to point B just like the bus so don't expect anymore than this. Try to sleep..a warm sweater and socks as outlined above will help. An eye mask and earplugs are also useful. Although it is recomended not to drink alcohol, I usually have a glass of wine with dinner which puts me to sleep (yes, I am a cheap date). Again, if this is your first trip keep your first day light and if you are renting a car, please don't drive any distance (or drive at all) if you are sleep deprived. Have a great vacation.

Thanks for the replies! I am truly excited to go on my first trip to europre. My wife and mother in law are going and both sevillanos. I don't speak spanish, but I have built in tour guides.

Any advice on people with ear-pressure problems with such a long flight? I bought ear-planes do those work at all??

Thanks again for the replies.

Along with the suggestions above, I always take plenty of snacks (especially when flights are really long) with me because I don't care for the food they serve. Our layover in JFK didn't provide with many food options either so we were prepared and had food to eat while we waited for our next flight.

I also take my mp3 player, a book, and a crossword puzzle just in case I can't fall asleep.

I think aspirin (if it doesn't affect you medically) is also a good idea or just remember to get up/walk to the restroom and allow your blood to circulate. It's not highly common but you can get blood clots if you sit for very long periods of time.

Have a wonderful trip!

Don't know Delta but always fly coach from west coast US to Europe. Comfortable clothes, shoes you can easily slip off, a paperback book & a trashy magazine ... have a few drinks, watch the movies, use the headphones to listen to music to create "white noise" ... pack a few snacks of your own.

Slogdog,
When are you going? I too am going to Seville but not until the end of October. My connections are from San Francisco to London then on to Seville.

Angela

Angela,
Going from Oct. 22 to 29th yeah!!!

Have a great time!

<<I don't speak spanish...>>

But you still have over three weeks. You could learn 200 words in that time, and another 200 while you are there.

Por favor.

There you go. There are your first two!

You will be amazed at how it will add to your enjoyment of Spain.

Best wishes,

Rex

Slogdog,
Re the ear-pressure probs, suggest you have a chat with your Dr before you go. I find chewing (lollies/gum) helps - swallowing often clears "blocked" ears. I also take "chuppa chups" to give to parents for littlies crying - it's often the poor little things ears, but they don't know, so can't tell anyone.

I don't know if you will be checking your luggage, but after a couple of unexpected overnight layovers due to weather or mechanical problems, I always take enough in a carry-on to sustain me overnight in a hotel enroute. That means my medicines, a change of undies and sox, sleep mask and earplugs, a book, and phone and fax number for the first hotel I'll be staying at in Europe (in case I'm delayed, I'll want to contact the hotel asap in hopes I don't get "dinged" for the first night if I don't show up on time.)

I always take candy, nuts, cheesits, etc., not because I get hungry, but because I get bored.

Finally, you could also take a rosary, so you can noisily rattle your beads and terrorize your neighbors! Just kidding!

slogdog,
My mother too is from Sevilla so I am going to spend time with my family there. As a child we went back and forth all time and this time I am taking a friend with me and leaving the hubby and kids at home! You will LOVE Seville. There is soooo much to do and so pretty. The people there are wonderful too! Have a great time..I know I am going to.
Angela

WHAOOOO SLOGDOG!!!

www.seatguru.com to check out where you are sitting. I love kids and I never make a stink if a child is crying around you can tune it out if you are focused. ....but I avoid baby isle when given a choice.

Seat Guru will put warning on those seats.

2. see if you are on a 777 and you will have a tv monitor on the back of your seat.

3. I will say it again slogdog WHAWHOO FOR YOU!!!

Good reminder above!! Most important of all. Book your seat!!! Take no chances. Whether you prefer an aisle or a window... no one wants to get stuck in the middle.

In relation to language I have been in four european countries this year and I have brought a phrase book relative to the counry and I usually point out what I wanted and it really helped.

I've flown Delta Coach many times (once for a 2 day business meeting) and have developed a method that results in absolutely no jet lag. I get an Ambien from my doctor. I take half after I eat my dinner on the plane and sleep the whole way there. I stay up until 10 pm that night, and then I take the other half and get a good night's sleep.

On the flight, I wear comfortable clothes and a jacket or sweater, and put a pashmina and pair of socks in my purse. I have my own neck pillow and eye shades. Get a window seat so no one will bother you.

On the way home, I stay up the entire flight watching every movie and go to bed at my usual hour at home. I may take another half Ambien if I think I'll have trouble. The next day I'm back at work.

It's a sweatshop in Coach, but I've found that in every airline. British Airways is the worst I've experienced. American used to be great, but it's cramped now as well.

you are funny desert sue "sweatshop in coach".

i have only come back from vertually my first overseas trip. i suffered badly when landing from ear troubles., but in my last few trips i made sure i took a hayfever tablet every day for the three before i flew. no problems. also a good idea to have eucolyptus or lavendar to smell and clear your sinuses. they used to give out small sheets of nose clearing wipes on domestic flights here in aus. dont know if they do over there. westjet(canada ) and hawaii air did not. that is how i got trapped on way over. have fun. dont count on being able to hear see or enjoy the movies. i found i couldnt concentrate or hear them most times. perhaps the airline hires individual tvs. that happened for me. good bet adn time consumer.

my allergist recommends buying a generic over tne counter nasal decongestant. Skurt once in each nostril on the way up and again when the initial descent is announced. Works wonders. Travelling with tots---have them drink their bottle on way up and way down--it will equalize pressure. The tube from their ears to their noses is straight--really hurts.
Relaxing music does help. There will be many on board so very excited about their destinations--as well they shoud be. What waits in Europe is wonderful.

Slogdog - for your ears, what the last poster said is dead on. I have a tube in my ear and my doctor taught me to use Afrin (or any other nasal spray) 1/2 hour before landing. It dries out your nasal passages a bit, but is WONDERFUL for your ears, you will have no pressure. For my overseas flight in 11 days (:))I will take it when we take off, as Doc told me the pressure builds over time on a long flight.

Enjoy!! (and bring the spray with you, not worth paying $8 in the airport for it!)

Bring those $5 bills along because alcohol is $5 on all American carriers across the Atlantic Ocean. But at least they give 100% of the Frequent Flyer miles--unlike BA.

Delta uses a projection TV at the front of the coach cabin on all of their 767's. It should put you to sleep.

Just returned yesterday on Delta MAD-ATL. To reiterate, transatlantic coach on any airline is uncomfortable & Delta is on par with others. There was more legroom on the inter-city buses in Spain than on DL transatlantic. Food portions are small, bring snacks. Plane was painfully cold - take a sweater & socks. Also bring water as the pressurized cabin is very dry.

As for the entertainment, outbound is a movie & then a couple of hours of misc t.v. shows. Return is two movies & two hours of t.v. Shows are typically a news magazine, a sitcom rerun (ex. Frasier), a cartoon, & a home & garden type program.

Alcohol is 5 dollars or 5 euros, but headphones are still free.

Enjoy Sevilla!

Earplanes are great and I wouldn't fly with out them. Enjoy!

Schmear a little Vaseline in your nostrils! Our recent 4-days in London turned out to be just 1....AFTER I came down with a lousy, lousy cold that basically ruined the rest of our stay. Not the first time for me after a trans-atlantic flight.

All that in-flight dehydration dries out all the mucus, the purpose of which is to.....fight off infection!!

Also...any meds or anti-histamines you might be thinking of taking....buy before your leave the States. I relied on an OTC cold med in the UK - and damned near died from a reaction (throat totaled velcro-ed up; couldn't get a smidgen of air...).

I'm always "nickel-and-diming" when I pack and thinking..."oh for heaven sakes, I won't need THIS!" - to save, what? - two inches of space for a couple of American-brand pills? (Not cuz they're 'better,' lord knows...just that it's what our systems are used to.) Never again. I'm travelling with a mini-medicine selection of anything I can think of...