Would you recommend Delta in Y with a family

[Sober Lark]

Hi,

Family flying DUB-ATL (DL177)-SJO (DL413). Just found out Delta only have overhead entertainment in Y class on these aircraft. For extra seating comfort they offer what they call 'Economy Comfort' priced at an extra €1,000 return.

Its been over 20 years since I've flown long haul with overhead entertainment and back then I didn't have children.

It is not too late for me to change which airline we fly with so any tips from anyone who has flown Delta with family would be appreciated. Is 'Economy comfort' worth paying extra for? From what I understand it is not premium economy like Virgin. If you all think Delta is a no no then the other option I would have is United (DUB-EWR(UA23)-SJO (UA1082)) but is that out of the frying pan and into the fire?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance / comments offered,

[Tableview]

Economy is economy and generally it's crap. Take a few books or a DVD player or whatever you think will keep your children quiet for the flights, and do something more worthwhile with the money you save. There are some wonderful places to see in Costa Rica, such as the coastal reserves, and your children will remember those for longer than they'll remember a better seat and video selection on the flights.

[Jarvy]

Economy comfort gives 4 inches of extra legroom, earlier boarding and free alcohol. Same seats as rest of economy so no wider.
Use Delta alot JFK to LHR and always had VOD so can't comment on overhead.
As far as airports go would go through Atlanta over Newark every time (I hate Newark!!!).

[airsmiles]

I used Delta to the USA numerous times last year in Comfort Economy. I thought it was a £50 upgrade each way per person, so for a few more inches legroom I was okay with it.

As for Atlanta, nothing would get me back there. Unless it's since changed, horrible immigration officers, apalling/no queue management, security checks/strip-down before you can leave the arrivals area and it takes an age to travel from the terminal to the main building on the noddy train. Atlanta is the worst airport I've used in the USA.

[206cc_jim]

I would never recommend an American carrier over a European carrier across the Atlantic, the IFE, Alcoholic drinks policy, food, service is usually inferior. If you can, swap to BA/Virgin/KLM all offer a better service to/from USA/Europe than their American counterparts.

[wowzz]

jim - agree 100%

[blind pew]

Used delta to new york last year. Wife's and my legs covered with flea bites.
Took photographs and complained - absolute waste of time.
Aircraft filthy.

[Heathrow Harry]

"As for Atlanta, nothing would get me back there. Unless it's since changed, horrible immigration officers, apalling/no queue management, security checks/strip-down before you can leave the arrivals area and it takes an age to travel from the terminal to the main building on the noddy train. Atlanta is the worst airport I've used in the USA."

last time I went through there the staff were charming and it took us 5 minutes to clear immigration & customs - even on bad day its better than Miami, LA & JFK

Delta - probably the best of the US airlines bu that's not saying a great deal these days

[Jarvy]

Its funny how we all have different experiences. Best food I've had trans atlantic was on Delta in business, most drinks without asking the same Delta.
Best service overall Delta JFK-Tokyo upstairs business 747.
Most number of upgrades Delta.
It hurts me to say this as I used to be BA all the way but not now. Planes old , tatty and the crew rude.

[blind pew]

Was a FO on the death ship into ATL in the 90s. The only crew member without a little red book wiv a white cross.
Had ten minutes convincing imigration that I wouldnt jump ship and become an illegal instead of flying the Bird back the following day!
Thick as S##t.

[Hartington]

airsmile; ATL has changed. They opened a nice new international building with direct street access. Still have to use the noddy train to get to domestics and what effect (if any) their new working environmanet has had on staff I don't know. But then I didn't have a problem with the staff, just the way things were organised.

[Dry wretched thunder]

Jim was bang on earlier, i flew Delta econemy last year, (i do fly BA all the time where possible), the plane was awful with rubbish still on the floor from its previous leg, the TV monitor had constant interference type lines across the middle of it and the seats were well worn and tatty, the second leg was ATL to MCO, the entertainment on that didnt work at all, the crew were so uninterested and the final straw was that we were told there may be turbulence so seatbelts would remain on and crew remain seated also, so....sorry no drinks or snacks on this flight (incidentally we never encountered a ripple, far less significant turbulence). If you've money to use get on a European carrier, i fly 100s of thousands of airmiles per year and Delta really let us down compared to most i have used.

[cavortingcheetah]

€1,000 for a comfort seat? That doesn't sound right. KLM and Delta are pool partners and a comfort seat on KLM costs in the order of €100 per leg.
Since you have to change airplanes anyway, why not book the whole trip through KLM and at least get as far as Atlanta that way. I've no experience with that airfield but Newark is quite difficult to work around.
As for entertainment, tell the kids to bring their own.

[jackieofalltrades]

The DUB-ATL with Delta is flown on their 767-300, which currently only have overhead tv entertainment in economy. Economy Comfort is the first 4-5 rows in economy, which, like other posters have commented, is essentially the same service and seats as 'standard' economy, but just have 4 inches more leg room and a little more recline. In my opinion they're not worth the extra money, but each to their own.

As for Delta. I've flown them many times, including these 767-300s. I had no problem, and had a book and iPad to keep me entertained.

I have read that Delta are in the process of upgrading their entire fleet to have AVOD in each seat in economy. I don't know the exact timescales, but it is possible they might have done it for your flight by the time you fly.

[blaggerman]

Delta is fine. Economy Comfort is not really worth the money unless your legs don't fit in a normal economy seat.

DUB-ATL has seatback entertainment in the summer months (A330), but in the winter season it's a lottery whether you get a refitted 767 or not.

Atlanta is easy to change plane - the comments above about immigration/security obviously don't apply to Dublin flights. You will have to do immigration/customs/security on the way back from SJO, but at least ATL supports through-checking of international bags (unlike many US airports), so you should not need to collect and recheck.

[BRUpax]

Although they are never my first choice, I can just about tolerate Delta in Business Class on longhaul but most definitely not in Economy. I can just about survive Economy on short haul domestic sectors if flight time doesn't exceed 2 hours. The same goes for all other US carriers as far as I'm concerned.

[Sober Lark]

Tableview, Mrs Sober Lark said exactly the same thing. Were you talking to her? Seriously, books and DVD player an excellent idea. Especially since Jack has confirmed they do indeed use overhead entertainment. In their short 15 years flying around this planet these little Sober Larks have never come across an over head system. I can't wait to see their faces! Remember the pneumatic earphones where the sound was piped down a clear tube? Please no one wind me up telling me Delta still use these?

Airsmiles if you were just 'ok' with it it doesn't sound like it is worth spending the extra on Economy Comfort and Cheetah sorry the Economy comfot is €200 each (DUB-ATL €50 and ATL-SJO €40 same back by 5 PAX).

Appreciate the point on through-checking and immigration / security blaggerman and for your comments on ATL Heathrow Harry.

Thanks for all your help and after reading it all I'd say I have a glass that is half full.

[cavortingcheetah]

Not to lark around too much but why should the little sober ones need a comfort seat at their tender ages? I still stick my lot in the back though I do end up taking their extra weight, in electronic toys, batteries, cables, plugs, high heeled boots and knives, in my checked in baggage.

[Sober Lark]

You mean parents in J and children in Y with the nanny? Only problem with that is I'm afraid if the little larks are spotted they'll sandwich them between one or two of those morbidly obese fellows that I've been hearing about.

[Espada III]

Last experience of a US carrier was Continental (now United) from MAN- EWR on a 757-200WL. Excellent VOD on the seatback in front, pleasant staff, comfortable seats with slightly more than adequate leg room and a generally good service.

[Hotel Tango]

When they were Continental they were considered the best of the bunch. Don't know what, if any, negative impact United has had. I'd like to think that maybe United raised their standards to Continental's level.

[oopspff7]

Flew Man to Atl return summer 2012.Economy class.Enough leg room,overhead screens,edible food and free drinks.5 small beers going and 3 large glasses of white wine coming home.As I only had carry-on getting through Atlanta was easy. Would use Delta again.

[cavortingcheetah]

Children as sandwich spread? What a lark! Then you must give them a copy of Roald Dahl's 'The Twits' to read aloud to each other on the flight.
Mind you though, a 767 is usually a 2/3/2 configuration so nanny in the middle sounds delicious.

[airsmiles]

Glad to hear ATL have opened a new international terminal. Long overhead, but at least they've done it.

As for Delta's Comfort Economy, a few more inches of legroom was worth £50 to me on a transatlantic flight.

[radeng]

Over about the last ten years, my admittedly limited experience of US based airlines is not good, and I am loathe to use them transatlantic. Or to use BA transatlantic codes share operated by American.

Delta allegedly stands for ' Don't Ever Let Through Atlanta'.

[Heathrow Harry]

new terminal is very swish indeed - its accessed landside from the other end of the airport to the main terminal (but the train links the two anyway)

Opened last May

[Newforest2]

Used Delta last week, no complaints about service or airport (ATL new terminal). The food, we always complain don't we? PHX to ATL, got asked to volunteer to give up cabin luggage, quite happy to do so on a full flight, no charge for additional luggage! Great result. Great service from STR to PHX. Transatlantic planes have been upgraded (a new plane according to the cabin crew!) with seatback entertainment, some services have to be paid for.

[heidelberg]

You will have no problem with Immigration/Customs on arrival at ATL because you will already have cleared before you board at DUB!!!!

[NightFreight]

Always use Delta, especially for trans-Atlantic flights because I find them so good (and usually the best price wise). Never seen overhead entertainment other than for a few regional flights I've made with them. I'm sure if you fly long enough you'll find issues with any carrier.