To close out my trip to Montreal, I’m flying home with Delta Air Lines. Today it will be on the Boeing 717 in First Class. I’m connecting in ATL but my second leg of the trip is another Delta 737-800 trip and I’ve reviewed that plane lots of time so I’ll just stick to the Delta 717 first class review for this trip report.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve written about the Delta 717, but this is the first and only time I’ve ever flown internationally on the Delta 717. YUL to ATL is also long enough to get a meal in first class, I’m not expecting much, for Delta, Canada is treated just like a domestic flight.
As with all of my work travel, I didn’t pay for first class, I was upgraded. I’m perfectly content to sit in the rear of a Delta 717 on a flight that’s only about 2 hours. I obviously won’t turn down the opportunity to sit up front for free. Anyway, lets get into this Delta 717 First Class Review.
Bottom Line: The Delta 717 is a great ride in First Class. Being a longer flight, a lunch service was provided and I really enjoyed that. The seat was comfortable, clean, and quiet. 10/10 would fly again.
Montreal Airport US Pre-Clearance Departure
I arrived at the Montreal Airport about 2 hours before my departure to Atlanta. I returned my rental car in the garage and then walked into the terminal.
At the Montreal Trudeau Airport, US bound departures all leave from the C terminal. This is because before departing, passengers will clear US immigration so that arrival into the States is just like a domestic arrival.
After first passing through security, just like any other flight, I found myself in the US Preclearance facility here at YUL. Because I have Global Entry I walked all the way to the end to use the kiosks. The regular line was really short and probably less than a 5 minute wait.
I received my slip from the Global Entry machine, passed through after talking to the immigration officer, and then walked towards the gates.
Delta 717 Boarding Process
After passing security and immigration I headed to the gate. As I was washing my hands in the bathroom I heard my name being paged to the gate.
I walked down and they just wanted to check my passport. I was able to check in online using the FlyReady system. Never has that worked for me in the past, but this time it did for whatever reason.
At the gate the gate agent made a few good jokes, his best was “it’s a good Friday to fly” today is the Friday before Easter. Our Delta 717 was at the gate waiting to take us down to Atlanta.
I found a seat and stowed away my duty free item of choice. I like to buy a bottle of something that I cannot get at home. Today’s bottle is a Montreal distilled, barrel aged gin.
We soon boarded and I walked down the ramp to the Jetbridge.
Delta 717 First Class Seat Review
I found my first class seat in 1A on the Delta 717. I’m not a huge fan the bulk head in any plane. But this was the only window seat available when my upgrade cleared a few days ago.
This is why I’m not a huge fan of the bulkhead. There’s often no place to put your feet and you have to put all your luggage in the overhead. I like to keep my backpack with me as it has my headphones and power cord for my phone, but not today, it will have to ride overhead.
The Delta 717 doesn’t have in seat entertainment so I get to look at the boring bulk head for the next few hours. At least the seat is comfortable.
Delta 717 First Class YUL Departure
The flight attendants then did their safety presentation as we began our push back. The lights were dimmed as they came through and did the final safety checks and collection any trash.
We then headed for the runway. I got to check out some of the AirTransat planes hanging out.
The pilots told us we’d be number 2 for departure today out of YUL.
After take off we climbed through the clouds and it was a beautiful day to fly.
Delta 717 First Class Meal Service Review
The flight attendant then came around and offered a choice of meals.
The options were an Italian ham sandwich, a curry chicken salad, and a “messy bowl” it was described as like a salad but with lots of ingredients and less lettuce. I was tempted, but figured I’d be boring and get a sandwich and coke.
These sandwich boxes have been around for a while and on short flights, I quite like them. The sandwiches are not amazing but are good enough. This was no different. The ham sandwich was served on a croissant. I particularly liked the lemon blondie, but I’m a sucker for lemon deserts.
As we passed over the North East US, the clouds completely disappeared and the view outside was very good.
The flight attendant clear away the remnants of the meal service and offered a second round of drinks. I again, because I’m boring, just had a refill of coke.
Delta 717 Bathrooms
The seat belt sign was turned off and a few people got up to grab things from their bags or to use the bathroom including myself. The rear bathrooms on the Delta 717 are larger than the one in the First Class cabin. Plus I wanted to take a small walk so I headed to the rear.
The economy cabin of the Delta 717 is the standard 2-3 that’s been seen on all of the DC9 decedents.
Delta 717 First Class in Flight
Flying over NYC got a little rough and the seatbelt sign came back on. Nothing major, just a little bumpy. The flight attendant offered a refill on my coke and I settled into an episode of trailer park boys.
Sitting on the left side is always preferable at this time of day, no sun in my eyes while looking out the window.
We passed over 3 mile island at around the halfway point of our trip. The flight attendant came and collected the last of our trash from lunch.
I then settled into my Delta 717 first class seat for the remainder of the flight. The 717 is a smooth and quiet ride up front in first class. I just don’t much care for the bulk head. This flight is just over 2 hours and I do miss having some in seat entertainment. The Delta 717 is the last mainline aircraft to not have IFE in every seat.
As we passed over Greenville and the lakes to the east, we started to descend. It’s a bit of a shame to cross over home to just backtrack again. I hope that someday GSP will get some flights to Canada, but none so far.
Tons of boats out on lake Koewee on this sunny Friday afternoon.
Arrival Into Atlanta
We passed to the north of the Atlanta Airport, looks like we’ll be landing to the East today.
A few minutes later we’re on our approach to ATL.
And Finally on the ground here at ATL. My Delta 717 flight is over and I’m ready to make my connection to get home to Greenville.
Delta 717 First Class Final Thoughts
The Delta 717 is used on lots of short haul routes around North America. Canada might be it’s only international destination. This is the first and only time I’ve ever ridden on a Delta 717 for an international flight. I like having preclearance and it allows short connections once you land as there’s no immigration to contend with after arrival.
Delta’s short haul first class on the 717 offers a meal service, it’s not amazing but is perfectly acceptable for the 2 hour flight from Montreal to Atlanta. First Class on the Delta 717 is at least very quiet, like the DC9 and MD88 series aircraft, with the engines in the rear, the front of the plane is nice and quiet.
At the end of the day, I like the 717, I do wish it had in seat entertainment, but it’s still a good ride.
Trip To Montreal
1: Flight Review: United CRJ550 Economy Plus Review. What seat is best?
2: Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Montreal-Longueuil
3: Hotel Review: Embassy Suites Montreal
4: Flight Review: Delta Air Lines 717 First Class. Montreal to Atlanta Trip Report