Flying during Coronavirus on American & Delta
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 5:48 pm
For the past few months during Coronavirus, I have been at home in New York. Something urgent came up, and I ended up having to fly to Phoenix for a few days. I looked at some flights and ended up booking, the two flights on AA. I originally booked a flight, with a connection in Philadelphia for the flight to Phoenix. I was expecting some delays, with the airlines cancelling the majority of their flights. This flight ended up being cancelled, and I was switched to a flight through Chicago and Denver. They ended up cancelling this flight as well. I was finally booked on a flight through Chicago and Orange County, and this flight ended up working out. On the day of the flight, I got to the airport a little over an hour before my flight was scheduled to depart.
Empty AA check in
All the flights for the rest of the day were cancelled
American Eagle “SkyWest” 3286
Syracuse, NY (SYR) – Chicago, IL (ORD)
Bombardier CRJ-700
N606SK
Seat 14A
Scheduled Departure Time – 11:25am
Actual Departure Time- 11:29am
Scheduled Arrival Time – 12:38pm
Actual Arrival Time- 12:08pm
1 hour 39 minutes
N606SK at gate 8
Boarding started 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Announcements were made that there were some changes, on all AA flights. First, they said that to promote social distancing they would not allow lines to form in the jetway. They also said they would not be doing any service on the flight. If you wanted something to eat or drink, they said to get it at the store near the gate before boarding.
14A
This flight of all the flights I took, had the most amount of people on it. There were 42 passengers on this flight. There was someone a few rows behind me that was seated next to someone, that did not want to be. He said to the flight attendant, that he thought they weren’t seating people next to each other. She said that with this flight being over half full, they were not able to allow everyone to have their own row. However, some people had moved around towards the front of the plane. She mentioned he could move up to a one of the empty rows. Which he did. Before the door was closed, an announcement was made reiterating that there would not be any service on this flight. After this the captain made an announcement, giving us the details of the flight. He also added, that he appreciated everyone coming out and flying today and for giving American our business. After this the door was closed, and we pushed back a few minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time.
Pushed back
It was a quick taxi to runway 28. There were not any planes ahead of us. We took the runway, and start our takeoff roll. It was very quick, and after a few seconds our half empty plane was in the air.
Taxiing
Taking off
Cruising at 36,000ft
Descending into ORD
Touchdown on runway 10C
With not many planes taxing, we got to the gate quickly.
N606SK at gate H3A, it spent 6 hours on the ground before flying to FWA
I had a few hours until my connecting flight. There were not many people at the airport, so most of the stores and restaurants were closed
American 1491
Chicago, IL (ORD) – Orange County/Santa Ana, CA (SNA)
Boeing 737-800
N994NN
Seat 22A
Scheduled Departure Time – 2:17pm
Actual Departure Time- 2:16pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 4:45pm
Actual Arrival Time- 4:11pm
3 hours 55 minutes
N994NN at gate H9 before the flight to SNA. It had arrived from BOS, 3 days earlier
Boarding started 30 minutes prior to departure. This flight had a very light load. Only 34 passengers. Everyone was seated quickly, and we pushed back about 15 minutes ahead of departure time.
Starting the taxi to 9R
As we taxied, the captain made an announcement about the details of the flight. He also mentioned, we were the only plane taxing towards that runway. We were #1 in line for takeoff. We did not even come to a stop while taxing. We taxied right onto the runway, and after a surprisingly long takeoff roll for such a light load, we were in the air
Taxiing past parked UA planes
“American 1491 turn left heading 320, Runway 9R cleared for takeoff”
Climbing out of ORD
It was a bumpy climb. Eventually we climbed through the cloud layers and it smoothed out. We leveled off at 40,000ft. They also did not do any service on this flight. The flight attendants came through periodically to collect trash
Pretty empty cabin
A little over an hour before landing, it got turbulent. We descended down to 36,000ft, were it smoothed out. We stayed there until, we started the descent
Descending
Final 20R
It was a really hard touch down into SNA, with heavy breaking for the short runway
It was a short taxi, and we pulled into gate 7 a few minutes later. Everyone was off the plane, in less then 5 minutes. The airport was empty, and there were only a few other flights leaving for the rest of the day. I had over 3 hours, until my last flight to PHX.
Empty terminal
American 2490
Orange County/Santa Ana, CA (SNA) – Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Boeing 737-800
N358PW
Seat 23A
Scheduled Departure Time – 7:52pm
Actual Departure Time- 7:50pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 9:09pm
Actual Arrival Time- 8:44pm
54 minutes
N358PW at gate 8, after arriving from PHX
23A, next to the plane I flew in earlier from ORD
Another empty flight. 18 passengers on this flight
As we were sitting at the gate, the captain said that the aircraft had a small maintenance problem. He was not expecting it to be a long fix. We ended up pushing back 5 minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time. Before we started to taxi, the captain told the flight attendants to take their seats because it would be a very short taxi. We crossed runway 20L, and then taxied onto runway 20R. They held the brakes, and started to advance the throttles. The engines were full power, and we quickly started to accelerate. It was the shortest takeoff roll, I have ever had on a larger plane. After a few seconds, we were quickly climbing away from the ground.
About to cross 20L
Climbing via the PIGGN2 departure
It was a pretty sunset, as we climbed up to 31,000ft
The flight went by fast, and before long we were descending into PHX
Final runway 26
Pulling into gate A14. N358PW spent 2 days in PHX, before flying to BOS
After a few days in Phoenix, I was flying home. I had another flight on AA through BOS. The PHX-BOS flight was scheduled on N358PW. The same plane, I had flown in from SNA. The BOS-SYR flight ended up being cancelled. So I rebooked through BOS and PHL, as this was the only flight arriving into SYR that night. Shortly before leaving for the airport, I got a notification that the flight to BOS was delayed. PHX was having ATC delays. My flight was delayed an hour and a half. I would miss the connection to PHL. So I checked the app, and there were not any other flights that were operating until late the following night. I checked other flights, and DL had a flight leaving in a little over 2 hours. I ended up getting a refund for the AA flight, and booking the DL flight.
Delta 967
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) – Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
Airbus A319
N346NB
Seat 3A
Scheduled Departure Time – 10:45am
Actual Departure Time- 10:57am
Scheduled Arrival Time – 1:10pm
Actual Arrival Time- 1:10pm
1 hour 13 minutes
Some AS, WN parked, as well as a few UA 737s at the end
N346NB arriving from SLC
The gate agent made some announcements about our flight before boarding. He said that DL would have a limited service on their flights. They also said as way to promote social distancing they had blocked out all middle seats, and would be boarding a few rows at a time from the rear of the aircraft forward.
Boarding
First class
3A, next to N301SY that just arrived from LAX
The door was closed a few minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time. We started to push back a few minutes later.
Pushing back, next to Terminal 2 that closed a few months ago is being demolished
Ready to taxi
Taking off 7L
Climbing via the QUAKY1 departure
We climbed up to 34,000ft. It was a smooth flight straight up to SLC. The flight attendants came through with bags that had a bottle of water, two snacks, Purell wipes and a napkin
Cruising at FL340
We descended straight in from the south to runway 34R
Final 34R
About to touchdown
Taxing past N373DA, that flew to RNO early the next morning
Pulling into the gate
N346NB at gate D2, before its next flight to LAS
I had a little over an hour until my next flight to SLC. Just like all the airports, SLC was very quiet
Delta 2122
Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – Detroit, MI (DTW)
Airbus A321
N387DN
Seat 24A
Scheduled Departure Time – 2:20pm
Actual Departure Time- 2:21pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 7:38pm
Actual Arrival Time- 7:13pm
2 hours 52 minutes
N387DN before the flight to DTW, it flew up earlier from PHX
Boarding
24A, next to N375DA that just arrived from BZN
The door was closed 10 minutes ahead of schedule, and we pushed back a few minutes later. There were not many other planes taxing, so it was a quick taxi to runway 34R. There was an E175 on final, but we were able to get out in front of them.
Taking off
It was a smooth climb, and we ended up leveling off at 39,000ft
Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendants handed out the same bags they had on the first flight. After this, they would come through periodically to collect any trash
Empty cabin
About 25 minutes before landing, we started descending through multiple cloud layers towards DTW
Flaps out
Final 4L
Touchdown
Pulling into the gate next to N374DX, it departed to BOS the next morning
N387DN at gate A68. It spent the night in DTW, and flew back to SLC the next morning
I had around an hour, until my last flight to SYR. By the time I got to my next gate, my plane had arrived from YYZ.
Delta Connection “Endeavor” 4733
Detroit, MI (DTW) – Syracuse, NY (SYR)
Bombardier CRJ-900
N176PQ
Seat 3D
Scheduled Departure Time – 8:30pm
Actual Departure Time- 8:36pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 9:45pm
Actual Arrival Time- 9:28pm
52 minutes
Boarding started a few minutes after 8:00pm. Everyone was onboard, and ready to go by 8:15pm. A few minutes later the door was closed, and we started to pushback.
Boarding
Pushed back
Taxing to 3L
We followed an NK A320 to the runway. They ended up needing a few minutes until they were ready. So, we entered the runway from the intersection ahead of the full length. Taxied down to the end, turned around and took off
Back taxiing
Taking off
Climbing out of DTW
On top of the clouds
We leveled off at 31,000ft for the short flight to SYR. The flight attendants passed out the same bags, as the first two flights. The flight passed quickly, as the sun was setting.
We started descending 15 minutes before landing. We flew past the airport, and landed to the west on runway 28. We touched down hard at 9:28pm, on runway 28.
Touchdown
Pulling into gate 24
N176PQ spent the night at SYR, and flew back to DTW early the next morning
This was an unexpected trip. It was definitely a unique, seeing all the empty airports and planes. Hopefully things start to pick up again soon.
Empty AA check in
All the flights for the rest of the day were cancelled
American Eagle “SkyWest” 3286
Syracuse, NY (SYR) – Chicago, IL (ORD)
Bombardier CRJ-700
N606SK
Seat 14A
Scheduled Departure Time – 11:25am
Actual Departure Time- 11:29am
Scheduled Arrival Time – 12:38pm
Actual Arrival Time- 12:08pm
1 hour 39 minutes
N606SK at gate 8
Boarding started 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Announcements were made that there were some changes, on all AA flights. First, they said that to promote social distancing they would not allow lines to form in the jetway. They also said they would not be doing any service on the flight. If you wanted something to eat or drink, they said to get it at the store near the gate before boarding.
14A
This flight of all the flights I took, had the most amount of people on it. There were 42 passengers on this flight. There was someone a few rows behind me that was seated next to someone, that did not want to be. He said to the flight attendant, that he thought they weren’t seating people next to each other. She said that with this flight being over half full, they were not able to allow everyone to have their own row. However, some people had moved around towards the front of the plane. She mentioned he could move up to a one of the empty rows. Which he did. Before the door was closed, an announcement was made reiterating that there would not be any service on this flight. After this the captain made an announcement, giving us the details of the flight. He also added, that he appreciated everyone coming out and flying today and for giving American our business. After this the door was closed, and we pushed back a few minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time.
Pushed back
It was a quick taxi to runway 28. There were not any planes ahead of us. We took the runway, and start our takeoff roll. It was very quick, and after a few seconds our half empty plane was in the air.
Taxiing
Taking off
Cruising at 36,000ft
Descending into ORD
Touchdown on runway 10C
With not many planes taxing, we got to the gate quickly.
N606SK at gate H3A, it spent 6 hours on the ground before flying to FWA
I had a few hours until my connecting flight. There were not many people at the airport, so most of the stores and restaurants were closed
American 1491
Chicago, IL (ORD) – Orange County/Santa Ana, CA (SNA)
Boeing 737-800
N994NN
Seat 22A
Scheduled Departure Time – 2:17pm
Actual Departure Time- 2:16pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 4:45pm
Actual Arrival Time- 4:11pm
3 hours 55 minutes
N994NN at gate H9 before the flight to SNA. It had arrived from BOS, 3 days earlier
Boarding started 30 minutes prior to departure. This flight had a very light load. Only 34 passengers. Everyone was seated quickly, and we pushed back about 15 minutes ahead of departure time.
Starting the taxi to 9R
As we taxied, the captain made an announcement about the details of the flight. He also mentioned, we were the only plane taxing towards that runway. We were #1 in line for takeoff. We did not even come to a stop while taxing. We taxied right onto the runway, and after a surprisingly long takeoff roll for such a light load, we were in the air
Taxiing past parked UA planes
“American 1491 turn left heading 320, Runway 9R cleared for takeoff”
Climbing out of ORD
It was a bumpy climb. Eventually we climbed through the cloud layers and it smoothed out. We leveled off at 40,000ft. They also did not do any service on this flight. The flight attendants came through periodically to collect trash
Pretty empty cabin
A little over an hour before landing, it got turbulent. We descended down to 36,000ft, were it smoothed out. We stayed there until, we started the descent
Descending
Final 20R
It was a really hard touch down into SNA, with heavy breaking for the short runway
It was a short taxi, and we pulled into gate 7 a few minutes later. Everyone was off the plane, in less then 5 minutes. The airport was empty, and there were only a few other flights leaving for the rest of the day. I had over 3 hours, until my last flight to PHX.
Empty terminal
American 2490
Orange County/Santa Ana, CA (SNA) – Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Boeing 737-800
N358PW
Seat 23A
Scheduled Departure Time – 7:52pm
Actual Departure Time- 7:50pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 9:09pm
Actual Arrival Time- 8:44pm
54 minutes
N358PW at gate 8, after arriving from PHX
23A, next to the plane I flew in earlier from ORD
Another empty flight. 18 passengers on this flight
As we were sitting at the gate, the captain said that the aircraft had a small maintenance problem. He was not expecting it to be a long fix. We ended up pushing back 5 minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time. Before we started to taxi, the captain told the flight attendants to take their seats because it would be a very short taxi. We crossed runway 20L, and then taxied onto runway 20R. They held the brakes, and started to advance the throttles. The engines were full power, and we quickly started to accelerate. It was the shortest takeoff roll, I have ever had on a larger plane. After a few seconds, we were quickly climbing away from the ground.
About to cross 20L
Climbing via the PIGGN2 departure
It was a pretty sunset, as we climbed up to 31,000ft
The flight went by fast, and before long we were descending into PHX
Final runway 26
Pulling into gate A14. N358PW spent 2 days in PHX, before flying to BOS
After a few days in Phoenix, I was flying home. I had another flight on AA through BOS. The PHX-BOS flight was scheduled on N358PW. The same plane, I had flown in from SNA. The BOS-SYR flight ended up being cancelled. So I rebooked through BOS and PHL, as this was the only flight arriving into SYR that night. Shortly before leaving for the airport, I got a notification that the flight to BOS was delayed. PHX was having ATC delays. My flight was delayed an hour and a half. I would miss the connection to PHL. So I checked the app, and there were not any other flights that were operating until late the following night. I checked other flights, and DL had a flight leaving in a little over 2 hours. I ended up getting a refund for the AA flight, and booking the DL flight.
Delta 967
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) – Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
Airbus A319
N346NB
Seat 3A
Scheduled Departure Time – 10:45am
Actual Departure Time- 10:57am
Scheduled Arrival Time – 1:10pm
Actual Arrival Time- 1:10pm
1 hour 13 minutes
Some AS, WN parked, as well as a few UA 737s at the end
N346NB arriving from SLC
The gate agent made some announcements about our flight before boarding. He said that DL would have a limited service on their flights. They also said as way to promote social distancing they had blocked out all middle seats, and would be boarding a few rows at a time from the rear of the aircraft forward.
Boarding
First class
3A, next to N301SY that just arrived from LAX
The door was closed a few minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time. We started to push back a few minutes later.
Pushing back, next to Terminal 2 that closed a few months ago is being demolished
Ready to taxi
Taking off 7L
Climbing via the QUAKY1 departure
We climbed up to 34,000ft. It was a smooth flight straight up to SLC. The flight attendants came through with bags that had a bottle of water, two snacks, Purell wipes and a napkin
Cruising at FL340
We descended straight in from the south to runway 34R
Final 34R
About to touchdown
Taxing past N373DA, that flew to RNO early the next morning
Pulling into the gate
N346NB at gate D2, before its next flight to LAS
I had a little over an hour until my next flight to SLC. Just like all the airports, SLC was very quiet
Delta 2122
Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – Detroit, MI (DTW)
Airbus A321
N387DN
Seat 24A
Scheduled Departure Time – 2:20pm
Actual Departure Time- 2:21pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 7:38pm
Actual Arrival Time- 7:13pm
2 hours 52 minutes
N387DN before the flight to DTW, it flew up earlier from PHX
Boarding
24A, next to N375DA that just arrived from BZN
The door was closed 10 minutes ahead of schedule, and we pushed back a few minutes later. There were not many other planes taxing, so it was a quick taxi to runway 34R. There was an E175 on final, but we were able to get out in front of them.
Taking off
It was a smooth climb, and we ended up leveling off at 39,000ft
Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendants handed out the same bags they had on the first flight. After this, they would come through periodically to collect any trash
Empty cabin
About 25 minutes before landing, we started descending through multiple cloud layers towards DTW
Flaps out
Final 4L
Touchdown
Pulling into the gate next to N374DX, it departed to BOS the next morning
N387DN at gate A68. It spent the night in DTW, and flew back to SLC the next morning
I had around an hour, until my last flight to SYR. By the time I got to my next gate, my plane had arrived from YYZ.
Delta Connection “Endeavor” 4733
Detroit, MI (DTW) – Syracuse, NY (SYR)
Bombardier CRJ-900
N176PQ
Seat 3D
Scheduled Departure Time – 8:30pm
Actual Departure Time- 8:36pm
Scheduled Arrival Time – 9:45pm
Actual Arrival Time- 9:28pm
52 minutes
Boarding started a few minutes after 8:00pm. Everyone was onboard, and ready to go by 8:15pm. A few minutes later the door was closed, and we started to pushback.
Boarding
Pushed back
Taxing to 3L
We followed an NK A320 to the runway. They ended up needing a few minutes until they were ready. So, we entered the runway from the intersection ahead of the full length. Taxied down to the end, turned around and took off
Back taxiing
Taking off
Climbing out of DTW
On top of the clouds
We leveled off at 31,000ft for the short flight to SYR. The flight attendants passed out the same bags, as the first two flights. The flight passed quickly, as the sun was setting.
We started descending 15 minutes before landing. We flew past the airport, and landed to the west on runway 28. We touched down hard at 9:28pm, on runway 28.
Touchdown
Pulling into gate 24
N176PQ spent the night at SYR, and flew back to DTW early the next morning
This was an unexpected trip. It was definitely a unique, seeing all the empty airports and planes. Hopefully things start to pick up again soon.