For the first part of the trip, I’ll review a Delta CRJ900 First Class. Then our Delta 767-400 Delta One trip to LHR. I’ve reviewed the Delta CRJ900 in first class several times so it will be brief.
This one is a bit odd, so all throughout 2020 and 2021 I’ve been making flight reservations for vacations I’ve wanted to take. Pretty much all of them have been cancelled. We’ve been on some great vacations during Covid, while they’ve been fun, but nothing that we planned long term.
This one is different, early this year, using Delta Skymiles that I’ve accumulated from work travel, I booked two one way flights to London originally flying on Virgin Atlantic via ATL. Through the dozens of schedule changes, we’ve ended up on Delta via DTW. I’m ok with it, we’ll be riding on the 767-400 in true business class for the long haul portion and then a CRJ900 for the short leg to Detroit.
Anyway, let’s get into the boring part of the trip, flying to Detroit on a CRJ900.
GSP Airport Review
Because of the passport checks, vaccine checks, and international travel restriction in place, we weren’t able to check in with the Delta app. So per usual, we’re running late to the airport. Our flight departs at 3:14 and we’re pulling into the parking lot at 2:06, that’s usually not a big deal, but with an international flight and still needing to check in, that’s pushing it, even for me.
Anyway, after a brisk walk to the terminal and check in counter we checked in no issues.
After crossing through security we still had nearly an hour to kill. I absolutely love small airports.
We decided to go get a snack in the Escape Lounge. I’ve reviewed the GSP Escape Lounge before and it’s still excellent.
We soon got the boarding notification and we walked upstairs to our gate. All the way at the end of the B concourse was our Delta CRJ900.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Boarding
They had just finished boarding first class when we walked up. We are seated in first today, but I don’t feel the need to board early on these planes. They are gate tagging bags anyway, no need to fight for overhead space, we have a long layover.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Seating Review
We boarded with zone one and found our seats. These are pretty comfortable seats. But it’s still a regional jet, though it is my second favorite regional jet. The First Class Cabin on the CRJ900 is 12 seats over 4 rows. The seats are in a 1-2 configuration, the single seat on the left is great for solo travelers, the 2 seats on the right are great for couples like us.
Once sitting down the flight attendant came by and took our jackets. Nice to be back flying, it’s nothing fancy, but it’s nice to have little amenities like that.
The pilot gave his welcome and told us this flight will be about 1:10, just on time with our push back.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Takeoff
The flight attendants gave their safety briefing and we taxied to the runway. Due to construction we taxied down the runway and made a U-turn.
We took off to the Southeast and made a big left circular turn South all the way back around to the north.
Sitting on the right side of the plane is nice for these late afternoon flights, no sun shining into the window.
We climbed through the clouds and it seemed like it would be a nice day for flying.
Delta CRJ900 First Class In Flight Snacks and Drinks
A few minutes later the flight attendants started their service. One flight attendant took a cart to the main cabin and the other came through first class and took beverage orders. We’re both very boring and just got water.
The flight attendant then came around with the snack basket. We both selected goldfish. Now I’m obviously a cheese-its fan, but good fish are very good too.
Delta CRJ900 First Class In Seat Power and Entertainment
No entertainment in these seats, but interestingly it appears that streaming movies are available. Main line Delta doesn’t seem to have that these days, not sure if it’s just on connection flights or if Delta added it back in the last 3 weeks. There’s also power in each seat.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Arrival Into Detroit
I settled into a podcast, sat back, and relaxed while I had my snack. We’re actually scheduled to land a full half hour early, we left GSP about 12 minutes early and apparently they have the hammer down getting us to Detroit.
The Delta CRJ900 is a pretty comfortable aircraft. In first class the right side is great for couples and the left is great for an individual. The 1-2 first class seating arrangement is common to the CRJ900/700. The CRJ900 just has an extra row.
Throughout the flight the pilot left the seat belt sign on. Not really sure why, it’s been a very smooth flight so far, just a few bumps.
With 25 minutes left in the flight the pilot came on and gave his closing announcement. Told us the weather and that we’ll be landing early and arriving at gate A45. Usually CRJ sized aircraft use the B/C concourse but not us today, we’ll be on the backside of the A concourse.
The clouds below broke just a little bit as we crossed over Ohio. The clouds soon re-appeared as we slowly started to decend.
Finally we were into DTW.
Delta CRJ900 First Class Final Thoughts
The CRJ900 is my second favorite regional jet. Regional jets are usually not amazing, but with a domestic first class offering the CRJ900 is very comfortable for the short trips it takes. On minor inconvenience on the CRJ900 is the lack of in seat entertainment, Wifi is offered with a stream to your own device option though.
I don’t go out of my way to avoid the CRJ900, but I wouldn’t say I seek it out, there are certainly other narrow body planes I enjoy more. I’m really excited about the next portion of the trip, there’s a pretty big jump between a CRJ900 and a newly refitted 767-400 in Delta One.
Follow This Trip
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