Delta Air Lines

IATA:    DL
ICAO:   DAL 
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02-Jun-03 / 03-Jun-03
DL 22 - Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

Pre Flight Information

I was traveling with my boss and the group's director.  We were traveling to Paris for meetings with Air France.  It was going to be a quite trip; we would be in Paris less than thirty hours.

The department's administrative assistant printed our boarding cards, so we didn't have to bother with the check-in facilities in the south terminal of the airport.  We passed through security, which was relatively quiet, and proceeded to Concourse E, from which all international flights depart the airport.  My director had a pass to the Delta Crown Room, so we spent the time before departure in the lounge.

We boarded the aircraft - it was a full flight.  

Operational Information Aircraft tail number N7003D (B777-300)
Frequent-flyer distance 4394 miles
Times
Departure Arrival
Schedule 17:40 Schedule 08:15 (+1)
Board aircraft 17:23 Landing 07:48
Door close 17:45 Gate arrival 07:55
Gate departure 17:50 Door open 07:57
Takeoff 18:10 Disembark 07:58

Routing

Exit the US continent over Norfolk, VA and head up the eastern seaboard.  Enter the European continent near Lorient and head to Paris / Charles de Gaulle airport.
Service Information Since we had meetings the next afternoon, I was going to attempt to sleep during the flight.  Consequently, I requested the Express Classics™ option; this allowed me to enjoy the meal in one course, instead of the standard three courses.  I had the corn chower, followed by the chicken pot pie.  While the meal was good, the most upsetting aspect was that I did not get a dessert.  I missed out on the ice cream sundaes.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the meal.

I only slept about three hours.  I guess I was tired, but not tired enough to sleep well on the plane.  But three hours was enough to be productive the next day.

 

04-Jun-03
DL 21 - Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL)

Pre Flight Information

I was traveling on business with my boss and the group's director.  We had been attending meetings in Paris, which ended earlier in the day.  After some confusion about the appropriate check-in locations, we received our boarding cards from the Economy Class check-in locations.  

Clearing passport and customs control were simple.  CDG Terminal 2 is a nice facility with some shopping.  It is light and airy, which provides a welcome change to the drab of Atlanta Hartsfield.  Since we were in the BusinessElite cabin, an invitation to the L'Espace Affaires lounge was extended to us.  The lounge was located on the lower level, accessible by an escalator outside gate C83.  The lounge provides a nice respite from the hustle-and-bustle of the airport.  

Boarding was relatively simple.  There were some security formalities, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Operational Information Aircraft tail number N175DL (B767-300ER)
Frequent-flyer distance 4394 miles
Times
Departure Arrival
Schedule 13.55 Schedule 17.40
Board aircraft 13.14 Landing 17.33
Door close 14.00 Gate arrival 17.43
Gate departure 14.05 Door open 17.45
Takeoff 14.28 Disembark 14.46

Routing

Depart CDG to the west and proceed just east of Amiens.  Pass over London, just south of Manchester (UK) and Belfast to the North Atlantic.  The routing is about 300 miles south of Reykjavik.  Enter Canada about 300 miles east of Goose Bay, Newfoundland.  Travel down the Saint Lawrence Seaway to south of Sept-îles to Quebec City.
Service Information I was sitting at seat 6G in the BusinessElite cabin.  The service provided by the cabin crew was excellent, probably my best transatlantic experience in the past three weeks - I had flown two roundtrips over the Atlantic in a three week period.

There were two meal services - lunch and an afternoon snack.  The lunch service began about 45 minutes after departure and it was served in several courses.  

  • The first course included an appetizer and salad.  The appetizer was "poached shrimp with grilled artichoke, asparagus and a cherry tomato, complemented by a cocktail sauce".  I have a thing about not eating shellfish on the plane, so I did not taste this course.  The salad was "baby spinach leaves and Belgian endive with tomatoes and toasted almonds, offered with balsamic Dijon vinaigrette or creamy Parmesan peppercorn dressing".  I selected the balsamic Dijon vinaigrette, which was quite tasty.
  • There were four selections for the main course.  I selected the second option, which was quite tasty. 
    • Pan-roasted South American tenderloin of beef enhanced by chanterelle mushroom sauce, served with green beans, herb mashed potatoes and julienned carrots.
    • Herb-grilled breast of chicken with creamy Riesling wine sauce, accompanied by buttered noodles and a medley of red bell peppers, sautéed button mushrooms and blanched green beans.
    • Saffron risotto tossed with a tomato, zucchini and green bell pepper medley.  Grilled Atlantic salmon may be added to this entrée.
    • Shrimp bisque consisting of shrimp in a seafood broth blended with cream, sherry and pepper, garnished with scallions.
  • Cheeses and dessert were served from a trolley passing through cabin.  There were three cheese types, including Rocquefort and two other white cheeses.  Dessert was an ice cream sundae with choice of toppings - caramel, chocolate, strawberry, nuts and/or whipped cream.  Coffee and tea were also available.

The snack consisted of fresh fruit, a deep-dish pizza with red pepper tomato sauce and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and the same salad offered with lunch.  To finish, warm cookies were offered.  Yummy!

 

Salad and appetizer Lunch

Dessert Snack

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