Okay this trip report is about a month or so overdue. I originally wasn't going to make for this trip report because I really didn't take as many pictures like most other trips due to the fact that this was a VERY exhausting trip! But some of the pictures came out okay, and I was also inspired by another report which detailed some similar flights!

First off, I was bored on Christmas Eve so I was on Orbitz searching for cheap daytrips. I was looking for trips to LAX, which has recently become one of my favorite airports to visit. I found DFW-ATL-LAX-CVG-DFW on Delta for $159.30 including tax! To make it even better, the ATL-LAX segment was Delta 17 ATL-LAX-SYD, which would be operated by a 777-200LR! SOLD!

This trip took about 22 hours, and as I stated above, was extremely exhausting. It was worth every penny and enjoyed every moment though!

February 12, 2011
Delta 2110
DFW-ATL
Boeing 757-200 (N637DL)

Delta 2110 had a departure time of 1:10pm, so I departed the house a little after 11:00am which put me at DFW right around 11:45am. I parked the car in the Terminal E parking garage, which costs $19 a day! Yikes!

I waited to print out all of my boarding passes until I arrived at the airport. The agent looked a bit puzzled as to why I was flying around the country just for the sake of flying, but some people just don't understand! Even those that work for the airline!

Security was swift, and I had time to ride the DFW Skylink train around the airport once before my flight. I was lucky enough to see my plane land from ATL while I was on the train.

N637DL, sitting at Gate E15 operating Delta 2110 to Atlanta



After a fairly quick turn-around, the flight began boarding and I took my seat, 24A.

The view from 24A



The wing was quite dirty



Virgin America at DFW, parked at Gate E20



The door was closed ontime, and we were on our way to Atlanta.



Looks like we're getting pulled over!



After the safety video was played, the crew of 4 flight attendants at 2 flight attendant trainees took their seats and we made our way to runway 17R for departure.



Taking the runway



We held our position for about a minute or so, and then our PW engines buzzed to life





The PW engines and our 60-70% load afforded us a sporty takeoff!





We turned east towards Georgia, flying south of Downtown Dallas and Love Field.



The flight to Atlanta went by pretty quick. I had an aviation nut sitting next to me, so I very much enjoyed gossiping about the industry with him.

Mississippi River



My cabin shot. I was served a Sprite and a package of Biscoff cookies by a wonderful Delta flight attendant trainee. An interesting note, the inflight entertainment wasn't turned on until we were nearing the Georgia border.



Another view of the dirty wing!



Soon enough, we began a very quick descent into Atlanta from the southwest. I remember the flight attendants working feverishly to prepare the cabin for landing.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on approach



Downtown Atlanta



On final for Runway 27L







Our Captain landed our 757 very smoothly, and using little thrust reverse. We would disembark at Gate T4, so I imagine he wanted to use up as much runway as he could.

We quickly crossed Runway 27R, and made our towards Gate T4.

The Concourse T lineup, including the Pink 767-400. It would later depart for GRU.





We pulled into T4, next to a Delta 764 whose nose almost touched the terminal building!



N637DL, later departing for PTY.



I had approximately 2:30 hours in Atlanta before my connection to Los Angeles. I enjoyed all of the Delta aircraft, and the hustle and bustle of the Atlanta superhub.



Escalators up into Concourse E.



I spy a Lufthansa tail!



N816NW would later depart for AMS.



N702DN, the tail in the middle would be operating as Delta 17 to Los Angeles and Sydney.



The Delta Skyteam 763, which would later depart for MAN.



The evening Europe rush was over!



It was time to head over to Gate E16, where Delta 17 would already be in the boarding process when I arrived.

February 12, 2011
Delta 17
ATL-LAX
Boeing 777-200LR (N702DN)



I boarded in Zone 4, and took my seat 48A.





My attempt at a photo of the famous lighted sign



The obligatory legroom shot.



Nighttime quickly set in as the flight's passengers slowly trickled onto the aircraft. I was on the aircraft for about 45 minutes before we pushed back.







Soon enough, the door was closed and the safety video was played.





The sound that our GE90's made when they started up was something I'll remember for the rest of my life! I think a baby began crying because of it. We then made our way to Runway 26L where we were #1 for departure. As we taxied out, Delta On Demand was turned on. I switched on the moving map.





Our spool-up yielded a very interesting sound. Our takeoff was powerful, and moments later we were airborne for the next 4 hours and 4 minutes as we would cross the country on our way to Los Angeles, California.

I think this picture came out so badly too the hot exhaust of our GE90 engine.



As it was dark the whole way, I didn't take many pictures because they wouldn't come out very well.

The first half of the flight was extremely bumpy. Infact over Mississippi it became so bad, the flight attendants were instructed to immediately suspend cabin services and return to their jumpseats. I know the 77L is THE titan of all longhaul travels, so I wasn't worried about the bumps, but many passengers indeed were.

Somewhere between Abilene, TX and Lubbock, TX I was served a Sprite and 2 packages of Biscoff cookies. The flight attendants on this flight were impeccable, and were constantly in the aisles offered us water, tea, coffee, and refills. Truly, a great Delta cabin crew.

While listening to my Lady Gaga playlist, I dozed off for about 15 minutes or so over New Mexico. At no point during the flight did it feel as though it was dragging on. Infact, it went by very quickly. 4 hours isn't a very long time in the air!





Entering California.



Soon enough, we flew over Palm Springs and were descending into the Los Angeles area. Seeing the LA Basin at night was definitely a thing to see!

After a short 4 hours and 4 minutes, we landed on Runway 25L. By this time, it had been 9 hours since I had departed Dallas/Fort Worth, and the fatigue was beginning to set in. I was really excited about my 3 hour layover in LAX before my redeye flight to Cincinnati. The captain announced that we would be shutting off the engines, and be towed into Gate 57. We arrived at the gate 1 minute before scheduled at 8:29pm. All passengers continuing onto Sydney were informed they must disembark the aircraft and reboard when directed to.

Sorry about the awful glare. Our aircraft after arriving from Atlanta, onward to Sydney.



This 757-300 would operate to MSP later.



Terminal 5 was bustling.



The following pictures were taken on the layover in Los Angeles.











Tom Bradley was very busy at this time in the evening. Lots of people getting ready to board their overnight flights to Asia, Europe, and Oceania.







About 10:30pm, I entered security at Terminal 5. The line proceeded quickly, and soon enough I was on my way to Gate 59A for Delta 1914 to Cincinnati.

February 12, 2011
Delta 1914
LAX-CVG
Boeing 737-800 (N379DA)

By this time, I was absolutely exhausted and my feet were hurting. I was looking forward to a peaceful redeye flight where I could catch some sleep while zooming across the country.

Boarding began about 40 minutes prior to departure at 10:50pm, and we were greeted onboard by 4 very cheerful flight attendants. I made my way to 24A, where I found a red blanket waiting for me. Don't mind if I do! Needless to say, I didn't take any pictures on this flight.

Soon enough, the door was closed and the safety video was played. On our taxi out, we were informed our flying time would be 3 hours and 50 minutes to Cincinnati. Unlike my two previous flights, the middle seat was unoccupied on this sector, so I was able to spread out a bit and become somewhat more comfortable.

We departed on Runway 25R, and flew over the Pacific Ocean before turning back to the coast towards the south, passing LAX to the south.

I managed to stay awake until the flight attendants served me a Sprite, and all three packaged snacks they had available. I really appreciated them giving me all three!

After they served me, I slept for approximately 2:30 hours. I woke up somewhere between MCI and STL, and felt quite refreshed! It's amazing how much better you feel after a short slumber. We soon began our descent into sleepy Cincinnati from the southwest, eventually landing at 6:18am on Sunday February 13th on Runway 36R. We parked at B4, and were the first redeye arrival of the morning. Concourse B was an absolutely ghost town, however every single gate had its flight displayed on red podium display screens. I thought this was a nice touch.

After walking through Concourse B, I settled down at McDonalds and enjoyed a cinnamon roll for breakfast while looking through the Sunday paper. As the sun came up, I took a few pictures.

This A320 would later depart for LAS





Here are a few Delta Connection jets parked at the now abandoned Concourse A, which I connected through in June 2007. On that trip, I arrived in Concourse C and took the bus on the tarmac from C to A. OKC-CVG-RDU was the routing of that trip.







Look at all of the passengers connecting through the Cincinnati hub!



Delta's 9am push at CVG is actually a very busy time for Concourse B. Most flights leave around the same time, within minutes of each other. The concourse itself is very nice and welcoming on the inside as well.







After about 2:30 hours in Cincinnati, it was time to head to Gate B19 for my flight to Dallas/Fort Worth.

February 13, 2011
Delta 6489 (Operated by Comair)
CVG-DFW
CRJ-700 (N371CA)

This flight had about 9 passengers total booked on the aircraft, though about 6 nonrevs filled it up a little more. It was the most wide open flight I've ever been on in my life.

We boarded all groups and all rows at the same time about 20 minutes before departure. I made my way to 15D in the back of this CR7.

The flight attendant working the economy cabin was extremely pleasant and cheery! Always a pleasure to have a nice cabin crew.

We departed on time at 9:25am, and made our way to Runway 18C along with many other Delta and Delta Connection aircraft. These pictures are taken from the other side of the aircraft. 15D's window was regretably dirty.











After a swift takeoff, we made our way to cruising altitude and the economy class flight attendant completed her beverage service in record time. I slept for quite a bit of this flight, and didn't take any more pictures after that. We approached DFW over my house, and I even saw my house! We landed at DFW 45 minutes early, and parked at Gate E12 35 minutes before scheduled. We were scheduled to arrive at 11:10am, and I was approximately 5 minutes from my driveway at that time.

This was an absolutely fantastic trip on Delta! They were top notch the entire way! I have nothing bad at all to say about them.

Your questions and comments are welcomed and greatly appreciated! Thanks for enduring my report.

Regards,
Chad

[Edited 2011-03-23 22:04:46]