Welcome back to GSP! Today we’re traveling down to Florida (gross) to visit family. This review of the Delta Connection CRJ900 will have both first class and Comfort Plus. Our first flight down to Atlanta will be in the CRJ900 first class. The second flight to GNV will be in Comfort Plus again on a Delta CRJ900.
This is a route we’ve flown before, but not in a while. The schedule and price was good for this trip. While this is just on the edge of driving distance, flying is faster and easier.
Anyway, let’s get into this Delta CRJ900 trip report.
In This Trip
1 :Flight Review: Delta CRJ900 First Class vs Comfort Plus. GSP-ATL-GNV
1.1: GSP Airport Check-in and Outdoor Viewing Area
1.2: Delta CRJ900 First Class Boarding and Seat Review
1.3: Delta CRJ900 First Class Flight Review
1.4: Delta CRJ900 First Class Snack Service
1.5: Delta CRJ900 First Class Landing
1.6: Atlanta Airport Layover
1.7: Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Seat Review
1.8: Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Flight Review
1.9: GNV Airport Arrival
1.10: Delta CRJ900 First Class vs Comfort Plus Final Thoughts
GSP Airport Check-in and Outdoor Viewing Area
Today is the one time a year we check a bag, mostly empty actually, to bring back gifts. We’ve checked boxes and all sorts of stuff home before, now we just bring an empty suitcase. We got to the airport just over an hour early as to not have issues with check in timing.
We checked our bag at the counter and headed to security. So this is one of those weird flights where I bringing odd food. I pretty much cleaned out the fridge of perishables and put them in my backpack. The TSA was a little surprised to see a full bunch of celery, dill, a head of lettuce, some onions, and limes on the X-Ray. Needless to say, my bag was searched.
Anyway, the weather is absolutely beautiful so we decided to sit outside and wait for our flight. Straight ahead from security is the GSP outdoor viewing area. It’s one of only a hand full of airside outdoor viewing areas in the US.
Outside there are benches and tables with chairs to sit at. We didn’t go to the excellent GSP Escape Lounge today, we didn’t have very long and even though it’s December, the weather is perfect for sitting outside.
Outside there are several fountains to sit alongside. It’s just such a pleasant place to wait for a flight. If there was a bar outside I’d never leave.
Outside is such a great place to do some plane watching. Here’s an A340 cargo plane that just came in from Asia. It was soon boarding time and we walked to the gate just as pre-boarding was called.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Boarding and Seat Review
The walk from outside to the gate is only a minute or two. The benefits of using a small airport.
Our ride down to ATL this evening. We boarded with Comfort Plus, as that was our original seating, however the agent recognized our name and said “I’ve been paging you, I have upgraded seats for you!” Perfect, great way to kick off the trip.
We found our seats here in first class on the Delta CRJ900 and put our pelicans in the overheads.
There’s plenty of leg room here in First Class, but there are a few supports and boxes under the seats that take up some baggage space. Not a big deal for us tonight.
No in seat entertainment on the Delta CRJ900. The seats are arranged in a 1-2 configuration. When alone, the single seat side is great. When traveling with a companion, the 2 seat side is perfect.
The flight attendants we’re extremely friendly and asked if we wanted a beverage once we are airborne, there was water already in the seat so we both just wanted that. It’s a really short flight.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Flight Review
The sun is setting as they closed the door, gave the safety briefing, and as we pushed back. The pilots also gave their welcome, should be a smooth flight, great weather, and about 30 minutes in flight.
The lights were dimmed and I settled into an episode of Cartalk. We headed for the runway and the flight attendants took one final walk through the cabin. Looks like we’ll be taking off to the North East. The pilot told us we have a takeoff time of 26 minutes after the hour so we’ll have to wait just a few minutes before take off.
About a minute early we hit the runway and took off into the beautiful clear sky. The weather really is beautiful for flying tonight.
There’s not to much to talk about on a CRJ900. The first class is plenty comfortable, there’s power in each seat, but beyond that, it’s not exactly feature rich, and that’s ok, this flight is short.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Snack Service
The flight attendant then passed out the previously ordered drinks. Nothing for the rear cabin, it’s a 30 minute flight. Even here in first, service is hit and miss. We got a pass at the snack basket and Val and I both got some cookies.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Landing
The flight attendants did another quick pass with the garbage bag as the sunset was glowing and the pilots announced that we had begun our decent. The fasten seat belt sign never went off, like I said, short flight.
As we descended into Atlanta the sunset was absolutely beautiful. The pilots have told us we’ll be arriving into the C concourse. Our next flight is scheduled for the D concourse but we have about two hours to kill so we’ll be just fine.
We landed right on time, maybe even a few minutes early. Time to head to the next gate.
Atlanta Airport Layover
We arrived into the C terminal and our next flight is departing from the D concourse.
Quick single stop on the train. C to D is also a short walk. But the train was in the station so why not just jump on.
The D terminal was busier that the other parts of the airport. Probably just because it’s a smaller terminal.
Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Seat Review
We were called up to the podium again, unfortunately they only had one seat in first class, we declined. This flight is short and we’d rather just sit next to each other in Comfort Plus.
Quick boarding process tonight, it does appear to be a completely full flight.
We appear to be ready to go about 20 minutes early, I’m pretty sure we’re waiting on some people and won’t be pushing back early.
The leg room here on the Delta CRJ900 in comfort plus is good, nearly as good as in First Class. Plenty of room to store our bags. There’s also power available in every row. I used it to top off my phone.
Just like up front, no in seat entertainment. But again, this is a CRJ900, the longest flights on these are less than 2 hours.
Right on time the door was shut and the flight attendants gave their safety briefing on the CRJ900.
Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Flight Review
They passed through the aisle one more time and then dimmed the lights and we pushed back.
No wait tonight to takeoff. ATL airport looks great under the lights.
The flight attendants soon came into the aisle for a snack and beverage service. In Comfort Plus we were offered regular drinks along with beer and wine. We passed, it’s late and just don’t really feel like it.
About 15 minutes later the pilot came on and told use we’d started to descend. We be landed in about 15 more minutes, would be on time and the weather is very pleasant in Gainesville.
GNV Airport Arrival
We landed in Gainesville a few minutes early. GNV has added 3 new gates since the last time we visited. It’s no longer just one big room with 3 gates. I’ll oddly miss the old GNV airport even though this new expansion is very nice.
Out to baggage claim and to meet our ride.
After landing we have to wait for a checked bag. I probably check a bag twice a year, I’m very impatient and always ready to just get moving. This is the biggest reason I hate checking a bag, I hate waiting around.
Delta CRJ900 First Class vs Comfort Plus Final Thoughts
Delta uses the CRJ900 to mostly service smaller airports from hubs. They are much better to ride on than the CRJ200 or ERJ145. The fact that these planes have First Class and Comfort Plus is a huge benefit. They also have overhead bins large enough to hold a legal carry on bag.
First Class on the CRJ900 is a good product. I like it just as well as on any other narrow body aircraft. You’ll never end up on a CRJ900 for more than 2 hours, Delta just doesn’t use them on those kinds of routes. The service is identical to what you’d find on any other short Delta flight In first class. Full drink service and a snack basket pass are included. Even on a short flight Delta tries to get at least a drink service to First Class passengers. There are power ports in each seat to keep devices charged. The seats are comfortable and if you’re solo, the seats on the left side of the plane are perfect.
Comfort Plus on the CRJ900 is also a good product, just not quite as much width as in First Class. Service is provided on all but the shortest flights. Beer and Wine is included in the beverage service along with a snack. The leg room is nearly as good as first class and I wouldn’t at all be bothered with missing an upgraded to First Class. Because the CRJ900 doesn’t have middle seats, it’s hard to find a bad Delta Comfort Plus seat. I’m not a huge fan of 5B as it’s right where the aisle shifts from first class to Comfort Plus.
All in, I like the Delta CRJ900, I’d be glad to ride in First Class or Comfort Plus.