My Delta Million Miler flight – The planning & start of the run to Japan
My Delta Million Miler flight – TSA at Chicago O’Hare ORD Airport
My Delta Million Miler flight – Delta 777 Delta One Business class review to Japan NRT Narita Airport
My Delta Million Miler flight – Delta Gogo International Satellite Speed Review
My Delta Million Miler flight – 2016 Delta One TUMI Amenity Kit Black and Gray Review
My Delta Million Miler flight – Narita NRT Airport outside observation Deck
My Delta Million Miler flight – IASS Priority Pass Lounge Review NRT Narita Airport
My Delta Million Miler flight – Korean Air Lounge Review NRT Narita Airport
My Delta Million Miler flight – Delta Sky Club NRT Narita Airport near Gate 21
My Delta Million Miler flight – Delta Sky Club NRT Narita Airport near Gate 15
My Delta Million Miler flight – Delta 747 Delta One Business Class review from Japan NRT Narita Airport
My Delta Million Miler flight – Delta Million Miler Gift Choices & My Selection
My Delta Million Miler flight – Final thoughts of reaching one million miles with Delta Air Lines
Boy does time fly by (not just up in the air). Let me apologize for taking SOOOO long to get back to finish up my MM flights from May. I have a few excuses why it took so long but let’s just dive right in again.
This had always been my plan but I really had no idea how I was going to get it done, that is, to be onboard a Delta 747 in Delta One when I broke that number and thanks to the Delta sale, and my Global Upgrade certs clearing I got it done. Was it all I expected? You could say that.
I was allowed to board early and said hello to the flight crew and, thanks to a Delta captain I know, the first officer had a surprise for me. He told me where to stand and to stick my head out the escape hatch of the jet and he would go outside and take a photo of it. I was giddy and followed his orders and even the reserve captain said he wanted a shot of himself doing the same thing when I was done.
You have to agree it is a really fun photo (there is even a quick video here if you think it was photo shopped in any way). After this I set about getting some seat shots before everyone came on-board but it was a little rushed I hate to say. Again, I was just a tiny bit jazzed at this point.
Just for fun I ran back to coach and took a shot of the C+ row. Nice leg room but I would think this close to the lav you could get a bunch of folks congregating in your space. I kinda like the window seat though especially if I was going to sleep. Lets move up front.
The seating is 1-2-1 like all Delta international birds (other than the 757s with 2-2). This herring bone design is just sweet and gives you a bunch of space and privacy as well. It pains me they are going away soon, that is, the 747s with these Delta One seats.
The real stars, if you are traveling as a couple, are the middle seats. You have a nice mix of space and yet are close enough to share. Again, just an impressive design. Next we head upstairs to my (and TexasYankee’s) seats on the upper deck in a 1-1 configuration.
My seat was 77A or the first one in the top photo so I had some extra storage in front of me but only during flight (clearly). With only 14 seats up top and two flight attendants (most of the time) you can guess how great the almost always great Delta service was.
I also love how simple and elegant the seat controls are on this jet. They are all right in front of you and simple to use and power is right nearby both standard and USB. Also the tray table is simple to use and out of the way when you don’t need it.
The only minor complaint, and it seems to be one that is just about universal on all Delta One jets is the lack of storage space. Delta seems to think the only thing you ever need is the overhead storage and has built all the seats with this in mind. Confusing to me.
The view, since you are WAY up in the air even on the ground was sweet. The only downside is you really have to stretch to get to the window with so much space in these seats. Yeah, real first world problems.
I look forward to spending time in Japan rather than mostly just flying over it, but this trip was all about the miles not the visit. That can come another day and looking at the amazing landscape below I can’t wait to return.
Time for the meal choice. Now I know what you are thinking. Surely (don’t call me Shirley, call me René) he went for the Japanese choice out of NRT. No, I didn’t and I know I should have but there was a reason for this (but if I had to do it over again I would have gone for that). So to start off we had some cold beef. It was nice and I really like cold beef so that worked.
The salad course was less exciting and the soup was, well, I had a little. Let’s move on.
The steak and rice was over done a bit and not as good as from the states (I know, I can hear you screaming at the screen that is why you choose the Japanese menu, stupid).
Dessert course I normally go for a cheese plate but this time did the sundae. I was beat and wanted to sleep ASAP. I ate what I thought would be quick so I could turn in, sleep a few hours, to make sure I was wide awake when I really crossed the 1 million mile mark (see I told you I had a reason for this meal choice).
And I was wide awake at the moment it happened. And I have to tell you it was memorable as Mr. TexasYankee himself had set it up to be a memorable event with help from the head purser and two FAs. I was speechless and must have blushed for an hour. Thank you all for the kindness.
So many times in life you build stuff up to be something in your mind and then when the event happens it is something less. This time it was something more than I ever could have imagined. I will now always be a million miler with Delta and, even though that does not help me get more upgrades or such, it is fun to have Delta folks recognize me as such.
What a perfect day! – René
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Oh but wait … was I supposed to post the parade video? 🙂
@TexasYankee – Really no, not ever 😉
Nice! Was looking forward to reading about this … 70K to go for me (probably won’t be until NEXT year) and HOPING to still get a 747 for the flight…..
Good times. Congratulations. Tell us more about the parade.
Congratulations. Lovely post!
Yeah, congratulations! Maybe in a few decades it is my turn to become a million miler 😉
One thing though, I don’t these reverse herringbone seats are perfect for couples when taking the middle ones. Okay, herringbone seats w/o the ‘reverse’ are even worse.
On Delta jets I consider the seats on the 767s far superior when it comes to flying as a couple. Why? Well, my +1 loves flying but is a bit nervous when we are taking off or landing. Sometimes she even starts to sweat when watching a plane flying over us when we are on the ground. So it is kinda crucial that we are able to hold hands during takeoff and landing.
Do that on these (reverse) herringbone seats and … well, it took her shoulder a couple of days to recover from the pain. I tried my best to make it comfortable for her, but the seating design makes it complicated.
On those 767s we never had that problem.
Other than that? Champagne is good on both types of seats 😉
I know you had something different on your flights but still …
Nice post. Thanks. Just as aside, I always get the ice cream sundae AND the cheese for dessert. They allow it.
cute pix from the hatch!!!
Out of curiosity, what ethnicity were the flight attendants up there? A few years ago when they were running DL 629/630 from DTW-NGO-MNL-NGO-DTW, from MNL, both flight attendants were pinoy, and from NGO-DTW both were American.
@James – Uh, all just American I think. Did not ask.
Wow! Interesting. Enjoy your trip to MNL… BTW, might want to rethink The Wings lounge choice and consider booking a room at the nearby resorts world..