In a continuation of our trip to Fairbanks Alaska, our final leg of flying is on the 737-900 in Delta Comfort Plus. Here’s a Review of the Delta 717 in Comfort Plus that took us CLT-MSP. This is another product that I’ve reviewed before but it’s been a while and this is a longer trip so will be very representative of what the Delta Comfort Plus product is like on a 5 hour flight.
I had applied a Regional Upgrade Certificate to this route, but I’m not optimistic, the upgrade list has been showing only one available see for weeks now, so with two passengers I think we’re sitting in the back today. We did spend our 3 hour layover in both the C Concourse and F Concourse Skyclubs here at MSP. Let’s get into this flight review.
Bottom Line: Today our route is MSP-FAI and I’m glad this flight exists. Otherwise we wouldn’t have a single stop options from the Carolinas. While I’m not a huge fan of the Delta 737-900, one stop is better than 2 and we’re scheduled to be in Comfort Plus so I’ll live.
Date of Flight: September 2022
- Delta 737-900 MSP Boarding Process
- Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus Seat Review
- Delta 737-900 MSP Departure
- Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus In Flight Snack and Beverage Service
- Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus In Seat Entertainment
- Delta 737-900 Bathrooms
- Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus In Flight Review
- Delta 737-900 Fairbanks Arrival
Delta 737-900 MSP Boarding Process
Usually when you’re called up to the boarding gate desk it’s a great thing. However, when you’re 1 and 2 on the upgrade list, with only 1 seat left it kinda sucks. We decided to just pass on the upgrade, we’re already in comfort plus on this flight and we have our own row, it’s nearly as good as first class, but without the meal.
Our Delta 737-900 waiting at the gate to take us to Alaska. This is a long flight for the 737-900, one of the longer in the Delta system. Not sure how I feel about that, I usually don’t much care for the -900.
Anyway, we soon boarded and found our seats on the right hand side of the Delta 737-900 in comfort plus. This isn’t my favorite aircraft, I’ve made that known. Especially on longer routes like this MSP-FAI flight tonight. This is just about 5 hours, not the longest flight I’ve ever been on a Delta 737-900 for, but it’s pretty damn close.
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus Seat Review
The Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus cabin is the same seating as economy, but with a little more leg room. These seats also get to board earlier in the process and have their own overhead bins, not that it guarantees space, but it helps.
At least we’re in comfort plus and we have an empty middle seat, that’s not a bad day. Even the Delta 737-900 is comfortable like this. All of the seats on the Delta 737-900s have good in seat entertainment. These screens have a good selection of movies, shows, and live TV.
One of my gripes with the Delta 737-900 is the air vents. I may sound trivial, but they just don’t put out enough air. It makes for a very stuffy feeling plane.
Each seat does have power, both 110v via a universal adapter and USB near the in seat entertainment.
Delta 737-900 MSP Departure
The pilots and flight attendants gave their welcome as the safety video was shown. Should be a somewhat smooth flight per the pilots, we pushed back about 5 minutes early.
The plane isn’t very full tonight, looks like 75% ish. It’s a Saturday. I’m looking forward to watching some football games tonight. I usually don’t watch live TV on planes, but I’m glad to see it tonight. We’ll see how well its and how large the coverage map is.
Very clear day here in Minneapolis as we lined up on the runway.
We took off and made a slight left turn towards Fairbanks. Nice night for a flight.
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus In Flight Snack and Beverage Service
The flight attendant came around with the snack basket. I grabbed pistachios and some chips. Just looking for some football snacks. Delta comfort+ gets slightly better snacks than regular economy, but not a full meal like first class.
Soon the super awesome flight attendant came through and offered drinks. I decided to have a beer, I love those Sweetwater Hazy IPAs. Perfect to recline and relax.
The seatbelt sign was turned off and we settled into a nice smooth flight. We’ll be chasing the sun on this flight so the views outside are pretty great. Not anything amazing over the Dakotas, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba, but on the right side of our Delta 737, we have a nice view without the crazy sun glare.
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus In Seat Entertainment
Lots of people on this flight also seem to be glad to watch some college football.
The live TV service on the Delta 737-900 worked really well, at least half of the people on the plane were watching one of the games that were live at the time.
Sadly, right at the border with Canada, the live TV stopped. It must be geo-locked, it was absolutely immediately at the boarder, so I don’t think it was due to lack of signal. So I switched over to a movie, yes, one I’ve seen lots of times, even lots of times on a plane.
As I mentioned, we’re chasing the sun so it never really got dark out during this trip so we got some amazing window views.
Delta 737-900 Bathrooms
There’s nothing special or remarkable about the lavatories on the Delta 737-900. I usually use the bathrooms in the rear of the plane. It’s a good excuse to take a quick walk and stretch for a few minutes.
The lavatories were at least clean, but not large. I wouldn’t want to even try and change pants in here. Would turn into a Tommy Boy situation.
I headed back to my seat. As you can see there are a good number of empty spaces allowing people to spread out a little bit.
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus In Flight Review
The amazing flight attendant asked if we needed anything else and I just got a water. This cabin crew today is doing a fantastic job. I just wish I could watch the football games.
On the middle TV, because there’s no one sitting there, we put on the moving map. Nice to be able to glance over and see our progress. Yes, I know I can do Picture in Picture on my screen, but this is better.
After a few passes of the trash bag we all settled in for the remainder of the flight. It’s smooth and quiet here tonight on the way to Fairbanks.
With just over an hour left in the flight, one flight attendant passed through with coffee. While another came through with some water. My movie had ended, I took a nap during it, so I started another.
Delta 737-900 Fairbanks Arrival
The clouds below opened and we got our first glimpses of Alaska.
About 20 minutes before landing the pilots announced that we were descending and would be on the ground soon. Looks like we’ll be about 20-25 minutes early. Nice evening, 58 degrees and slightly cloudy.
The flight attendants made one final pass to check and insure the cabin was ready for landing before taking their seats. The view outside was amazing, this evening light is just perfect.
And on the ground here in Fairbanks. To say I’m excided about the start of our vacation would be an understatement.
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus Final Thoughts
All in, this Delta 737-900 flight was very comfortable in comfort+. I still don’t very much enjoy the 737-900, especially in comparison with the A321 or 757, but it does the job. This flight was mostly good because we only had 2 people in 3 seats. That extra shoulder room and storage space really goes a long way.
The 737-900 really has become a work horse of the Delta fleet. Lots of short and medium routes are now being opperatted by the -900. I understand why, I just wish they were a little more comfortable. The slim seats just aren’t great and the individual vents just don’t put out enough air. In comfort+, the leg room is good and the in seat entertainment is excellent.
I’m looking forward to exploring Alaska, much more than I’m looking forward to the trip back home, again on another Delta 737-900.
Follow This Trip
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MSP Airport Concourse F Delta Skyclub Review
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus MSP-FAI Review
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