From Miami to Amsterdam, it's always a jackpot with Delta: the review

Traveling in pandemic times, as is well known, is not exactly the easiest. Even less so is flying on intercontinental routes at a time in history when most borders tend toward closing, rather than opening, to foreign travelers. Nevertheless, armed with all the necessary visas, clearances and, most importantly, negative test results, one can still fly. And it is best, if possible, to do so comfortably.

Delta Sky Club Miami

Miami Airport, once a congested crossroads linking North, South America and the rest of the world, is still quite busy, despite numerous travel restrictions.

Fortunately, lounges remain available and are open (unlike at some Old World airports) for travelers and, in our case, the Delta Sky Club, easily accessible once past security. The lounge is accessible only to those with a business ticket, elite status in the Delta loyalty program or one of the companies in theSkyTeam alliance and finally to the owners of American Express Platinum.

Spacious and welcoming, it features numerous tables and chairs that allow for social spacing, with a large window overlooking part of the Florida airport.

The buffet features a wide selection of products (strictly packaged, to ward off risks of infection) and snacks, as well as the ever-present American coffee. There is also a bar service with the possibility of ordering all kinds of drinks, from courtesy glasses to more premium selections and bottles (for a fee).

In the side areas we find smaller rooms, televisions and magazines. Next to the elegant toilets, also the "shower suite," for those who needed to use the shower between stopovers.

The ideal break before a short domestic trip (on Delta planes) between Miami and Atlanta.

Delta Sky Club Atlanta

There is also another Delta Sky Club in the Georgia city airport for those waiting for a long flight to Europe, located near the international boardings. This lounge is even larger and busier than the one in Miami, plus tables and seats (equipped with electrical outlets for charging smartphones, tablets, and PCs) and an even more extensive bar.

 

The product supply, unfortunately, is similar to what we have seen before: snacks, snacks, a few "healthy" and "vegan" selections, very little that is really tasty.

A few good wines are worth sipping from the free selection for travelers.

The booth

Prior to this flight, on American Delta's planes I have had an alternating experience between moments of great comfort and others less memorable, depending on the aircraft. In this case, the flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam is aboard Delta One, comfortable and cozy cabins, smaller monitors than other airlines in the same class.

The cabin is set up with a 1-2-1 configuration, this means that all passengers have direct access to the aisle, the middle rows are oriented inward with the monitor coming off the back of the seat in front. The cabin configuration gives a fair amount of privacy in case you do not know the passenger sitting next to you. The seat setup is also operated from the hand control on the seatback in front of the passenger, a decidedly uncomfortable solution when lying down.

Unfortunately, the route was operated by Delta's old version of the business cabin, which now instead on much of its fleet offers the Delta One Suite, an experience 10 steps ahead of my flight. The selection of movies and TV series is extensive but not as plentiful as on other airlines. Good in-flight wi-fi, which includes several pay-as-you-go options, but also the ability to use it for free only for messages (Whatsapp, Messenger) without attachments.

To welcome business travelers, in addition to the usual pillow-blanket-headphone trio, a complimentary Tumi-branded beauty case containing face cream, eye mask, socks, earplugs, a pen, toothbrush, Crest toothpaste, mouthwash and hand sanitizer.

Food & Beverage

The approximately 9-hour overnight ride - mask on at all times, duly reminded - is preceded by a dinner where the best highlight, aside from tomato soup, is Ben & Jerry's ice cream. The service is in hybrid mode because of Covid. As you can see the entire meal is provided on a single tray and not with plate after plate service as would be logical to expect from a business class.

Near arrival, the friendly and helpful flight attendants serve a breakfast of fresh fruit, croissants, coffee, and a cereal and fruit soup.

The flight is smooth, and the ability to adjust the seats by remote control also allows you to try to get through the long crossing while sleeping; the alternative is a marathon of Rick & Morty or some other TV series.

In conclusion

With U.S. airlines it is almost always a hit or miss, although the fleet modernization process begun in recent years should lead to an overall improvement in onboard experiences. In this case, the "old" business class and reduced service due to Covid heavily influenced the final judgment on the trip. In contrast, the ground experience in the lounges is more than adequate.

• sky club