I am going to be flying on DL next month on their SLC-CDG flight and I was wondering what can I expect in terms of AVOD and other services aboard one of their transatlantic 763's.

763 in Y for IFE is overhead movies. If you're in J you get AVOD.

If you're on the 763, you'll get no AVOD, just the screen up above. Overall, DL's product on the 763 is quite poor - don't expect much unfortunately.

Not good news for me. This will make for a looooooong flight.

Quoting Flaps30 (Reply 3): Not good news for me. This will make for a looooooong flight.

Indeed. Flying JFK-BCN in one of their 763's was an experience I hope never to relive again. DL has one of the most basic international products out there on this particular aircraft type. I recommend purchasing one of those Tempur-Pedic Neck Support Pillows. The seats on DL's 767's lack the "winged" headrests that make sleeping easier that are so common on every other airline.

Quoting Flaps30 (Thread starter): I am going to be flying on DL next month on their SLC-CDG flight and I was wondering what can I expect in terms of AVOD and other services aboard one of their transatlantic 763's.

NOTHING!

I avoid DL like the plague across the pond.

Flaps30:
I won't be as quick to criticize the 763ER as I just flew it LHR-ATL. In comparison it is not as nice as the 764ER I flew over on....it has AVOD, new seats and the T7 style interior fittings. A very nice airplane but my ride home on the 763 at over 9 hours was not unacceptable by any means. I did miss the convenience of AVOD at your fingertips, but in lieu of the movie I listened to music and read. I was not distracted by the screen and my seat in row 25 was actually positioned very well to watch the movie if you wanted. Seats were not the fancier 764 type but comfortable, and DL provides a pillow, blanket, headset, earplugs and eyeshades. I too recommend purchasing a travel pillow. Mine clips on to my carry-on bag using a pet collar and is no issue for security checks. And I know it is clean. I bought it after I witnessed a passenger blow his nose into his pillow on a redeye from HNL to LAX!
Seat selection may be an important consideration. I would avoid rows near the main cabin big screen (beginning at exit rows) for the night flight from SLC even though DL provides eyeshades. It is on the entire flight with movies, TV programs and some moving map displays.
I recommend the front Y class cabin if seats are available as the screens are smaller and don't glare in this "mini" cabin. Avoid row 15 (no window) and exit row 20 (no recline). Two lavs are located at the exit rows resulting in a lot of traffic with people standing in line to use the lav. I would recommend rows 23 onward for your eastbound leg (on the left side) and the forward mini cabin if you can snag a seat for your westbound return on the right side. Avoid last rows - no recline and a lot of foot traffic.
I enjoyed the inflight service. The crews were very pleasant and the food was good. I ate the chicken dish on both flights and they were chicken breasts, not chunks of mystery chicken.
Tasty vegetables, a nice salad and a cookie or cake for dessert. Breakfast was a hot bagel with cream cheese, jelly, yogurt and fruit. The westbound lunch again was a great chicken dish, and the sandwich wrap with cookie was the before landing snack. Free beer or wine with the main meal, along with several beverage and water runs throughout the flight made for a very nice service. The F/A's on the LHR-ATL segment served beverages 4 times in addition to cups of water at least every hour.
My last trip on DL transatlantic two years ago was BE to AMS so I had no reference to what their Y product would be like. I was not particularly impressed with AA or US over the water so overall my choice for a future trip will likely be DL. I am even considering DL's new service to SYD for next year, so we'll see if I can afford to splurge and go BE.
In fairness, I think you'll get a nice flight to CDG. No plane change, good crews and food, and luggage is on the carousel within 30 mins of landing. I also highly recommend the Air France bus service from CDG into town instead of using the RER. Train is OK, but at peak time a beast with luggage and crowds of commuters. Bus fare is reasonable, good drop off points in central Paris, and a pleasant ride into town in a nicely-outfitted coach. Drivers speak English and are always helpful on directions. One even recommended to us where to buy the best baguettes for lunch...turned out to be a Metro station near the Eiffel Tower! The guy talked to us the entire trip so he could "practease hiz englaize no?" Great guy. Sandwiches at a subway station? Awesome.
Smooth flying and good luck with your trip.
Thomas

Pi4ever, Thank you for that very detailed description. It is very helpful. My seats for the outbound for my wife and I are 38 F & G. I like to sit on that side of the plane as I find it easier to sleep since I am right handed (sounds cooky but it works). I like to lean up against the window. Our return is actually from Shannon. I do plan on taking the Air France bus as I have read about it from some different sites and it drops very close to my hotel. Again, thanks for the info.

[Edited 2009-05-26 15:39:11]

Quoting Pi4ever (Reply 6): I enjoyed the inflight service. The crews were very pleasant and the food was good. I ate the chicken dish on both flights and they were chicken breasts, not chunks of mystery chicken.

That's interesting - a couple weeks ago on JFK-FCO it was chunks of mystery chicken. I thought the catering was extremely poor (maybe even insulting) out of JFK, but coming back from FCO was quite a bit better.