Yahoo! Departure day finally arrived. We woke to a rainy 50F degrees. Left about noon to drive from Kalamazoo to Detroit Metropolitan Airport for our Delta flight. It sputtered, sprinkled, and deluged rain on various parts of our route down I-94. Caught a break in the weather at Airlines Parking as we transferred three bags from car to shuttle to terminal.
As we were traveling Business Class, we checked-in at the Sky Priority counter. No one in line except us. Zipped through check-in and security with our new “Trusted Traveler” cards and proceeded to the Sky Club Lounge.
The airport has changed so much since we both worked here over 35 years ago. Our old terminal buildings are still there but have other uses these days. Now there is one new extra long terminal with certain gates designated for international travel. This structure is so long that a monorail whisks folks from one end to the other.
The halls are filled with various stores including a Plum Market / Zingerman's Annex (favorite gourmet food stores of ours in Ann Arbor) and other high-end shopping and eateries.
The Delta lounge was a little under-whelming compared to what we experienced in the Icelandic Saga Lounge not long ago. Somewhat crowded with mostly uncomfortable chairs. There was a hot buffet (mac’n’cheese, meatballs, veggie fried rice) and cold buffet (mostly salad items, dips and crackers). A tray of chocolate chip cookies was the only sweet. Other areas offered a coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruit, wine, and basic do-it-yourself mixed drinks. A nice variety.
Art was displayed throughout, including a nice piece of Chihuly-esque glass. I don't think the real thing, but beautiful.
The airport has changed so much since we both worked here over 35 years ago. Our old terminal buildings are still there but have other uses these days. Now there is one new extra long terminal with certain gates designated for international travel. This structure is so long that a monorail whisks folks from one end to the other.
Art was displayed throughout, including a nice piece of Chihuly-esque glass. I don't think the real thing, but beautiful.
The lounge was on the second floor and a great feature was a glass wall overlooking the main terminal hall below. It offered entertaining people-watching. For an hour or so before boarding, we picked at the buffet and had a glass of wine (Deb) and beer (Mike). These were the most comfortable chairs in the house, but all filled when we returned with our refreshments.
Our aircraft today was an Airbus A350-900. We were excited to check it out, especially Mike...airline buff that he is.
At boarding time it was raining outside.The ride was a bit rough to start due to heavy winds, but smooth out after that.
At boarding time it was raining outside.The ride was a bit rough to start due to heavy winds, but smooth out after that.
Biz class was quite luxurious. Amenities kits were up-scale, Tumi brand "mini-suitcases" with lots of goodies. The seat configuration was 1-2-1. Because I like the window, Mike sat across the aisle from me rather than the two of us in the center section. Our traditional hand-holding on take-off was a bit awkward.
Our seats were VERY comfortable. It was the first time we experienced the “cocoon”-style Delta One suites. There were numerous seat position adjustments and you could actually lay completely horizontal in your own personal "pod." A comfy full-size pillow and blanket were provided. There were plenty of places to store personal items or set-up a computer work station. Mike got busy reading.
With a travel span of eight hours, there was plenty of time to browse movies and other video entertainment. I watched Second Act with Jennifer Lopez (cutsie) and On the Basis of Sex about Ruth Bader Ginsburg (highly recommend).
Food was excellent. For dinner we started with a shrimp cocktail appetizer, salad, warm roll, and tomato basil bisque.
For the entree I had the ricotta-filled ravioli with Parmesan fondue, blistered peppers, and sauteed spinach. Mike had the bourbon grilled cedar-planked salmon. He called it "cedar-veneered" because the plank was so thin, but it was delicious. This came along with rounds of champagne and wine. Dessert was ice cream or a raspberry macaroon (my choice) with a little heart-shaped spoon. So sweet in two ways.
Shortly before landing, breakfast was served. It was a fruit cup and tasty potato and asparagus frittata with Gruyere cheese sauce.
We watched a beautiful sunset over the Atlantic and delighted in a bright sunny morning. (Kathleen, thinking of you as we viewed the various cloud formations.)
The flight took us northeast over Canada and then across to the British Isles on the way to Amsterdam. Hoped maybe to see Iceland, but we flew near that snowy island at night.
Landed on time at 07:50 on May 20th at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. There is a six-hour time difference from Kalamazoo.
The flight took us northeast over Canada and then across to the British Isles on the way to Amsterdam. Hoped maybe to see Iceland, but we flew near that snowy island at night.
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