Comments on: Your Take: Delta Shuttle

By: jrl22

jrl22 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:07:55 +0000

My wife and I took the DCA-LGA Shuttle last Sat morning, returned on Sun afternoon (bought our tix Thurs afternoon) … very mixed experiences …
1- LOVE the Marine Air Terminal at LGA … A+ for architecture, accessibility, atmosphere, ambiance … (see many comments above)
2- F=Zone 1, everyone else=Zone 2 (i.e., no Breezeway or Elite boarding) is not a good idea, even on a 76-seat E175 (see above comment from happyjack)
3- just before we boarded at DCA (about halfway thru Zone 2 process) the Seats Remaining screen showed 3F/12Y … we took row 10; I wasn’t able to squeeze my bag into the overhead, and when the rest of the Y pax had boarded I took it forward to use the wider bin at (unoccupied) row 4 … the flight attendant almost physically pushed me back into the aft cabin saying “These are for First Class” … after she checked the manifest she finally let me use it but warned that “If someone comes into First Class and needs it we will have to check it”
4- a bottle of water for coach pax would be nice (ref 1st comment from HWGeek)
5- ability to change flights at no charge at the kiosk was a real plus, esp for “T” class pax
6- a VERY neat feature on the E175 (at least on Ship 215) is that the annunciator panel in the overhead now displays a “Turn Off Electronic Devices” message in place of the “No Smoking” light

By: Delta2M

Delta2M — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:51:30 +0000

I travel, almost weekly, between Boston and New York and have been doing so for more than 20 years. I”ve been on hundreds of DL Shuttle flights. I miss the days when you did not need a reservation and there were extra sections. What I miss most, however, is affordable restriction-free flights. Although pleased that DL has recently reduced fares (it allows me to use DL rather than USAIR), for regular Shuttlers, I’d like to see DL offer passes (e.g., 10 roundtrips, with premium coupons for peak flights). I’m happy to pre-pay for flights, as long as the fare is reasonable and there’s an easy way to book/change flights online. Also, I’d like to see DL offer late night flights — to make it possible to be in NYC for evening events.

By: misra

misra — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:51:17 +0000

I recently switched back to Delta Shuttle from USAir. I changed jobs and the new company prefers Delta. The service is roughly the same. I do prefer the Marine terminal and will miss that when Delta changes (although better food options will be welcome when their are delays). I just gave up my USAir status and switched hopefully I’ll have status on Delta before the terminal change so that I won’t wait in security.

As for First/Coach, I just like better service everywhere. Does first class matter on a 45 minute flight?

By: 30000

30000 — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:12:35 +0000

Have flown the delta shuttle since it became the delta shuttle — unfortunately the shuttle is now a very expensive bare bones version of its former self. Delta’s shuttle fleet didn’t need two cabins since every seat had ample pitch — but now delta flies regular and commuter planes. The short security line at the marine terminal is a plus — but you won’t have a short wait in Logan or National. Disapointed in the shuttle/

By: Jeff Coons

Jeff Coons — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:16:26 +0000

Thanks for all of the input – sorry to be late but I’ve been on the road visiting a number of our stations during this past week.

djsnyc – We fully apprecaite the value in terms of speed to the gates that the Marine Air Terminal offers our customers. As we look at how best to operate from the combined facilities, keeping that security experience short is on of my top priorities. We’ll be looking for ways to accomplish that so that even though it’s a new terminal, the experience will be just a convenient as it is today.

flyer14 – We are working to get the premium lane restored in DCA. Stay tuned!

By: flyer14

flyer14 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:30:01 +0000

I’ve flown out of DCA several times on th shuttle (as recently as yesterday), and it looks like the Platinum/First Class fast-track screening line has been eliminated; it once was there. It’s a nightmare on the one main line during peak hours. Why is there no longer a Platinum line, since it was such a huge convenience?

By: djsnyc

djsnyc — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:31:26 +0000

I just read in the newspaper that Delta and USair are going to trade shuttle terminals at LGA. Dumb idea! One of the beauties of the Marine Air Terminal is that you can fly through security there because 90% of the passengers are experienced travelers. The security line at the main Delta terminal at LGA is often a nightmare.

By: happyjack

happyjack — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:06:45 +0000

I have flown the delta shuttle frequently for about 10 years – I wish i could say fantastic things about the shuttle, but the state of things now i can not…..i dislike that they now separated into two classes, smaller planes, and not the bag breakfast or lunch of yore. I also experieneced the 10:30 shuttle being cancelled 3 times in a row….and this was due to “weather” but a delta flight attendant confirmed that these were purposely being cancelled for combining capacity. i am annoyed especially as the price of the 10:30 shuttle is higher than the 11:30 ….yet there is now recovering of that once they put you onto the “next” flight. Also, one of the nastiest gate agents ever is the woman who works in logan boston. oh, one more gripe – the delta agents won’t allow silver & gold medallion members to board the shuttle with “first” class as according to them “that doesn’t apply to the shuttle”
i would never fly the delta shuttle again if i had a better choice….but being a medallion skymiles member and liking the marine air terminal ( i LOVE the marine air terminal in fact ! ) i don’t have a choice.

By: Jarrett

Jarrett — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:56:39 +0000

I would suggest making wireless internet access free in the 3 Delta Shuttle terminals… Are you making that much money off charging people that it’s worth it? The satisfaction of free wifi is quite high for many people. They also have an experience of not having wasted time and been productive when there are inevitable delays.

By: MinusDelta

MinusDelta — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:53:23 +0000

I flew a shuttle from Boston to National. The seat cushions on some planes are so worn out. My SOP now is to take all of the magazines from my row and stuff them under the seat cushion. That at least gives a little support.

My suggestion instead of spending money on new FC seats update the old ones first.