Hi, everyone. Here is the TR about my latest trip: Delta to Bermuda and back, Part 1. Here you go. Enjoy!

Delta 1237: MCI-ATL 7/30/08
This flight was the first leg of the trip from Kansas City to Atlanta. After my family arrived at the airport, checked in, etc., we headed over to the departure gate, gate 57 in the B ring. We were very early for the 5:45 departure, and our crew was still waiting in the gate area, so for a few minutes I had a nice chat with one of the pilots. After a while they had to board the plane, MD-88 N908DL, which, I might add, looks awesome in the new colors IMHO. Eventually, around 5:15 general boarding began, with the first few zones progressing really fast. The gate agent read through them quickly ("Zone two, zone three, zone four may now board") and zone 7 was soon announced. We boarded, and took our seats in row 17, A, B, and C. We waited at the gate a while because of a tug change, and the plane subsequently pushed back at about 6:00. After a brisk taxi thorught the rain, we took off from runway 1R and began climbing out over Missouri. About half an hour into the flight, those on the left side of the plane were treated to a gorgeous sunrise.

Then the snack service began. It was somewhat slim, consisting of a choice of peanuts, Biscoff cookies, or a raisin granola bar and a drink. I opted for the cookies and some orange juice. The rest of the flight was relatively quiet and our plane touched down in Atlanta at about 8:30 AM and pulled up to gate B19 with deplanation delayed by the search for a jetway operator.

Layover in ATL:
The time we had in Atlanta was mainly spent sitting around watching planes and taking pictures. We also meandered around concourses A and B just because there was little else to do. Food was plentiful, so we stopped for some real breakfast and waited some more.

DL 306: ATL-BDA:
While we waited in the gate area at A12 where 306 was set to leave from, we caught up with my cousins' family, who was joining us on this flight. Boarding was delayed because N3736C, our plane, was late coming in from Louisville due to weather in the area. Here is our plane pulling in to the gate:
As a result, the 11:00 departure time was pushed back to 11:45. Eventually though, boarding did start and we took our seats in row 20, seats D, E, and F. After pushback, we taxied toward runway 9R for takeoff. Actual takeoff was delayed by the huge lunchtime rush of arrivals and departures, and there was a massive line in front of and behind us. Finally, we made it to the runway and roared up to our cruising altitude of 35,000 feet. The movie, 21 began on the small overhead screens as the meal was served. It was a very tasty turkey sandwich with cookies and some other stuff. the prsentation wasn't four-star-French or anything, but I figured that that didn't really matter as long as it tasted good. I entertaine myself with my iPod and magazines I had brought, and before you knew it, we were descending into the Bermuda airport. We landed late, but made up some time from the late departure, landing at around 3:15 PM local time. Here we are slowing down on runway 30: Shortly thereafter, we pulled up at gate 4, and I got some cool pics of our plane and a couple of US Airways planes next to it. This concluded the flight and marked the beginning of an unbelievable week in Bermuda.

Conclusion:
Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience with Delta. The IFE on the flight to BDA could have been better, but hopefully they will get there soon. The food was good, too. So, I will give them 8.5 out of 10 points as a final score and hope that next time they will get a better one. Stay tuned for part 2 which is coming soon. I hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for reading.