In economy from Milan Malpensa to New York JFK with Delta: the review

What do I ask from an intercontinental flight in economy? A rate that is not exorbitant, punctuality, cleanliness, safety, and decent food enough.

I am a traveler of few demands, and I certainly do not expect to spend nine hours in total comfort on a trip from Malpensa to Jfk, nor do I expect to sleep as if I were at home. However, 561 euros for round trip (the return with a stopover in Amsterdam and then arrival in Linate) is not chump change and there is a standard level below which I don't like to go down.

I must say that every time I have found myself flying Delta -- this one included -- the experience has been pleasant and lived up to expectations.

The occasion: a four-way discussion

This trip to New York takes place as part of the one of Barbone's crazy ideas, stimulated actually by requests from those on TFC who would like more reviews of flights "by normal people."

So here we are: four of us at Malpensa, on four different flights to the Big Apple, all four in economy. I travel with Delta, while Andrea C. travels with American Airlines, Andrea B. travels with United, and Matteo, the only one not boarding on a star airline, travels with Neos.

The flight

Saturday, March 1. Taking off at 12 noon from T1 Malpensa. "Convenient" time, no early risers or stays in the Ferno area. Very quick check-ins and there is even time for a second breakfast in the lounge. Boarding opens at 11:05 a.m. Although the flight is full, operations proceed smoothly. Passengers comply with the call of their area, and at 12 o'clock sharp the 767-400 I am on (not exactly brand new) makes its entrance onto the runway. Arrival will also be right on time, at about 3:15 p.m. at T4 at JFK.

The chair, spacious but basic

My seat is 52A. On this 767, the Economy Class layout has two seats on the sides and three seats in the middle. Not a behemoth and not a late-model aircraft (there are still the air vents, the leather on the seats shows signs of aging as does the type of plastic used for hat racks and armrests) but with the comfort of having, in my case, only one passenger at my side and, all in all, decent space in both width and legroom.

Pity the lack of a footrest that could really make a difference. On the other hand, the headrest is adjustable.

Available to me is a storage pocket divided into two compartments and no hooks for bags or jackets. Patience. Included is a zero-to-zero cover and a pillow whose texture is almost intangible.

Fortunately, this is a daytime flight and I will not need to sleep. The earphones are basic, plastic earbuds, not particularly performing, in fact. I will be forced to have them changed mid-flight when they stop working permanently.

Infotainment, spoiled for choice

The infotainment is quality. Screen not huge and not optimal in bright cabin conditions, but the content offering is impressive. It is possible to select several languages, including Italian, as a base.

Films are many, some real recent releases. Present are some real-time news channels and a pretty good and comprehensive flight tracking map. There is no shortage of classic games, from Angry Birds to Trival Pursuit.

Wifi on board for free

The most welcome surprise on this Delta flight from Milan MPX to New York JFK is free wifi on board thanks to an agreement with T-mobile.

To get it, simply sign up for the Skymiles program.. The connection, except for a few minutes at the beginning of the flight, was excellent for all of about 9 hours with a speed of 24.2 mbps downloading and 1.17 i uploading. This means not only messaging and whatsapp but also the ability to surf the net, receive e-mail, send and receive photos via text. Not bad.

Food & company, you won't go hungry

Shortly after departure, the staff comes by with an initial drink, which can be hot or cold, alcoholic or nonalcoholic. The main meal arrives about an hour and a half after takeoff. I must admit that the food prepared on the Delta flights I have taken to date has never displeased me. Certainly not nouvelle cousine but always flavorful and with non-hospital textures.

Once again, I can't complain. The choice is between a vegetarian dish (gnocchi with sauce, spinach and cheese) and a meat dish (chicken with vegetables and a 'creamy polenta'). I choose the second one and finish it with pleasure. I do not even touch, however, the practically frozen rice salad. A couple of crackers and a non-trivial dessert complete the tray: salted caramel tiramisu.

I drink water or juice throughout the trip but alcohol and hard liquor are available for those who want it. There will then be a snack before landing-a calzone, hot, with Mediterranean flavors, and a chocolate cookie-but generally you can go to the galley where other snacks and beverages are constantly available, except during times of services.

The bell test

I performed the bell test mid-flight, when the cabin was in a kind of semi-darkness and in order to have a working pair of earphones.

I realized that there was something wrong with the button on my station. In fact, the light that should have called the staff's attention turned itself off after a few seconds. Result: the steward could not see my call. On the third attempt, after about 4 minutes, I managed to be spotted.

Arrival at JFK, Checks and Airtrain

The Delta flight from Milan Malpensa arrived at JFK at about 3 pm. On time. The arrival terminal is T4. I was traveling without baggage.

Despite the relatively small immigration queue, procedures have been rather slow. I had also downloaded the MPC app, which allows you to get a fast track, faster, if you have traveled once before with the same Esta but basically, even showing the app to security officers, I had no benefit. Apparently, the MPC works in hiccups.

After checking in, thanks to the Airtrain that runs a circular route between terminals I quickly arrived at the interchange for the line to Jamaica and from there I was able to move on the New York subway into Manhattan. If everything runs smoothly, as in my case, between the time you get off the plane to the time you reach your hotel (this time it was the Graduate Hilton on Roosevelt Island), you can calculate between 40 minutes and 50 minutes. By public transportation.

In conclusion (with an outstanding judgment)

Once again Delta does not disappoint me, as a flight experience and as punctuality. The direct connection from Malpensa to Jfk as an arrival and departure time is not bad if you are traveling for pleasure because it allows you to avoid early risers on departure but basically burns the day in New York on arrival.

I suspend judgment on the efficiency--of Delta but also of Klm, through whom the round-trip ticket was purchased--because to date I have not yet been able to get my flown miles credited on either Volare or Skymiles: through Delta's website it was impossible to do so prior to departure, as well as by addressing the ground staff at the gate.