Well sometimes things don’t go as planned. I was planning a Delta CRJ 900 review that was via LGA, however due to weather we’re now flying to ALB via DTW. It’s still going to be a Delta CRJ900 review. This GSP-DTW flight review will be Delta’s Comfort Plus on the CRJ900.
A few hours before we were planning on leaving for the airport, we got notification that our flights via LGA had been cancelled. There’s really bad weather blanketing New York and the last thing I want to do is barrel into LGA when it’s already running poorly.
Anyway, after we got a notification that our flight had been cancelled and we’d been rebooked on a flight via Detroit. It’s not a huge deal but our original flight had great times. Our new routing isn’t as convenient as it now lands 2 hours later into Albany. Oh well, delays happen. This was only a pre-curser of what was to come today
GSP Airport Review
We arrived to GSP about an hour before our flight. This is easily the longest security line I’ve ever seen in Greenville. This is the standard line, the PreCheck line was much shorter, I was still surprised to see this much of a line on a random Thursday in March.
We had just over an hour to wait for our Delta flight to Detroit so we headed to the Escape Lounge here at GSP. They have reopened the buffet and we both enjoyed a light snack.
We found some seats by the window and got some snacks. I have a full review of the GSP Escape Lounge.
Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Boarding
After getting the notification on the Delta app that our plane was boarding, we finished our drinks and walked to the gate.
We boarded with the Comfort Plus section and found our seats in the right hand side of the plane. There was a bit of confusion as the guy sitting behind us couldn’t fit his bag into the overhead so for some reason he left it in our row and sat down behind us.
Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Seat Review
Here is row 5 on the Delta CRJ900 in Comfort Plus. These are great seats. They are the first seats in the Comfort Plus cabin on the CRJ900. They have pretty much unlimited leg room as the First Class cabin seats are well spaced.
The flight attendant took the bag from him and gate checked it. He already had a pink tag so I’m not sure why he didn’t gate check from the beginning. But like I said, pretty much unlimited leg room and places to store our backpacks and coats.
No in flight entertainment on these planes. I settled into my seat and put on a podcast. I’m looking forward to a long weekend with some friends.
Delta CRJ900 Pushback and Change of Planes
As we pushed back right on time, the flight attendant made their safety briefing. I’ve flown this route a lot, I appreciate the CRJ900 on this route. In the past it’s been a CRJ200 and ERJ145, the addition of comfort plus and even first class is great on this trip.
And now we have a mechanical issue and need to go back to the gate. Apparently it’s an issue with the starter on the right side engine. We’re going to need to deplane according to the pilots.
I wonder if that other CRJ900 sitting at gate B2 is going to be our new aircraft. It was scheduled to go to LGA but we know that’s not happening…
I’ll spare all of the details but back into the terminal, and yes, it’s confirmed, we’re changing aircraft. They are going to try and get us out of here in the next 45 minutes.
We soon boarded again, same seats as last time. There was a little confusion about it as there’s a broken seat on the plane and we were called up to the podium. At first it was our seat, then they decided it wasn’t ours so we kept our same seats.
Delta CRJ900 Second Pushback and Takeoff
I again settled into a podcast as the flight attendants quickly got the cabin prepped for departure again. We have a long layover so no big deal for us tonight.
The pilots welcomed us and told us it would be a 1:19 flight to Detroit. Weather looks great and we’re ready to go.
Finally an hour late, we left GSP on the way to ALB. Looks like it will be a really pleasant night for a flight. Just a few clouds as we made our turn towards Detroit. Oddly we made a large left hand turn even when we took off to the South West.
The flight attendants added their welcome as they started to move about the front galley. The one thing I’m glad about with this plane is that the overhead vent works. The first plane was a little weak in that department.
Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Drink Service
Once in the air the flight attendants started their drink service. I had a tip top old fashioned, I enjoy those. Val tried one of the seltzer options and enjoyed it too.
In Delta Comfort Plus drinks are free. I’m really loving these TipTop cocktails, they are much better than the just straight liquor offerings of the past.
Delta CRJ900 in Flight
The pilots then turned off the seatbelt sign and a few people moved around a little bit. Nice smooth flight tonight. As always, sitting on the right side of the plane is better for these afternoon flights. The left side has no view due to the sun and the right side has an amazing view.
The flight attendants came around and collected our discarded cans and wrappers. They also offered a refill, but I declined, we’re landing late and we have a little bit of a drive once we land in New York.
As we passed over the Ohio boarder with Lake Ontario, the sun was setting on the left side of the plane. On the right side we got a lovely moonrise.
As Canada came into view, the pilots came on and told us we’d started to descend into Detroit. The flight attendants came through and collected our remaining items. The seat belt sign was turned on and we settled in for the last few minutes of our flight.
Arrival Into Detroit
A few turns later and we are on approach to DTW. This was a lovely smooth trip, once we changed planes. We have a few hours in Detroit to kill, but making connections in DTW is easy.
Delta CRJ900 Final Thoughts
I will say, row 5 seats C/D on the Delta CRJ 900 are great seats. Better leg room than first class and because it’s Delta Comfort Plus, free drinks. I still think I prefer first class on the CRJ900, mostly due to the seat width, but these are great seats.
We were really lucky that there was a spare CRJ900 for us to use in Greenville. With the delay it could have been a disaster for connections, but we had lots of time on our layover. When we landed in DTW we just hung out in our seats to allow others to get off. I didn’t want to make anyone miss their flight.
I really like the CRJ900 on these routes. It’s a much more comfortable plane than the CRJ200. I’m not sure I like it more than the ERJ175, but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to choose one over the other. Delta does a great job with Comfort Plus. Free drinks are always welcome when I’m going to visit friends.