Welcome back to the Greenville Spartanburg Airport. This is another non-normal trip. We’re traveling down to Orlando to visit family, but I’m also traveling early to spend 2 days at The Boarding School to do some wakeboarding.
This is a route I’ve flown probably more than any other. I did the GSP-ATL-MCO-ATL-GSP shuffle once a week for 4 months. That was several years ago, but it’s easy to slip back into that routine. Especially on the Orlando side. Not much has changed at that airport.
On This Trip
1 :GSP-ATL-MCO Delta 717 Economy and Delta 757-200 Economy. More Covid Flying
1.1: GSP Airport
1.2: Delta 717 Economy Exit Row
1.3: ATL Airport Transfer
1.4: Delta 757-200 Economy Exit Row
1.5: MCO Airport Rental Car Pickup
2: GSP-ATL-MCO Southwest 737-700. Slightly less boring flying during COVID-19
3: MCO Aiport Cell Phone Lot: How much more boring could this be
4: GNV-ATL-GSP Delta CRJ900 Comfort+ and Delta A321 Economy. Heading home from Florida.
GSP Airport
Well once again, here is the GSP airport.
Absolutely no one in line, Precheck or otherwise. Not really a surprise, midday Tuesday flight.
After security I had a few minutes to kill, I decided to go outside and wait. It was pleasant enough outside.
I like this little garden.
I got the boarding notification on my phone so I walked to the gate. Nice 717 to take me down to Atlanta.
Delta 717 Economy Exit Row
On board in seat 20D. This is a “middle seat” where there is no window seat due to the exit row.
Unfortunately there isn’t any extra leg room. But again, I’m not tall so I fit. Power in every seat on this plane is nice.
During Covid, Delta is blocking every other seat so you don’t have to sit next to anyone. It’s really a nice way to fly. These seats have the tray table in the arm rest, it’s a little more narrow but I fit fine.
Push back and ready to go.
Taking off to the North East. Unfortunately Atlanta is South West of Greenville, this actually adds a significant amount of flight time to this trip. But really, it’s a ~30 minute flight so it’s no big deal.
Little cloudy, but a nice smooth flight anyway.
The Delta snack bag is pretty great. Cheese-its, water, Biscoff, and Purell. More than good enough.
Like I said, really nice day to fly.
Soon we landed in ATL.
And to the Gate.
ATL Airport Transfer
Into a somewhat crowded D Concourse at ATL.
Onto the train, my next flight is out of the F Concourse. F is nice and has a good skyclub. It’s usually for international flights, but not always.
Up the escalator into the terminal.
On the upper level is a nice view back to the E Concourse. Sad to see that 777, they will be leaving the fleet soon.
Unfortunately I walked up to the gate just as they made a delay announcement. Our particular plane had not flown that day yet, it had also been sitting in the sun without the air-conditioning connected. They couldn’t board us until the temperature had come down.
Delta 757-200 Economy Exit Row
After our slight delay, we boarded. Unfortunately this gate doesn’t allow you to see the plane from the terminal. It also has a really long jetbridge.
Delta 757 exit row seat 27 D. This is a great seat. lot’s of room, power in each seat, 110v and USB, and full recline.
Entertainment in each seat.
We soon pushed back, and in a slight drizzle, taxied to the runway.
Mood lights on full display. These 757s feel like a brand new plane even though most are 20+ years old.
Had my traditional snack.
Watched a little bit of a movie and soon we landed. Unfortunately no great pictures of this as I was in the aisle seat. The joys of Basic Economy…
MCO Airport Rental Car Pickup
Off the plane and into a very empty terminal.
All the restaurants here are closed, so if you’re flying out, get something to eat before you get to the terminal.
And on to the train. My best advice is to always walk to the far end of the train. Then you’re at the front of the line when you depart.
Nice view of my ride down. The 757 is just the best looking plane that still flys.
Into the hotel atrium.
Down the worlds slowest escalator.
Ok, so here’s another bit of advice. Don’t follow the signs to the rental car facility. That will take you under the tunnel to the garage, then you have to again go up to the counter. Instead walk down the bus pickup area and past the taxi stand.
Once outside walk down to the cross walk.
Across the street.
Up the escalator and into the facility. Way easier.
Fuck, thanks for the warning. Now I get to walk all the way back to the A terminal. That’s super fun and easy here…