Several months ago, Delta had a "flash sale" where they were offering flights to Auckland (from ANY airport in the USA) for the low low price of 50,000 SkyMiles. That's the equivalent of $500 (around NZD1100). And their usual deals are only from big airports like JFK or LAX. I bought a ticket departing Charlotte thinking that it was for sure a "mistake fare" and they weren't going to honor it. But they did and here we are with a boarding pass that will have me spending the next 24 hours flying Charlotte - Atlanta - Los Angeles - Auckland and back the same way, 8 days later. Sure, it was in the economy seating but even the 13 hours over the Pacific wasn't that bad (except no wifi because their provider doesn't have satellites in orbit over the part of the world yet).
I used to be a Diamond Medallion even two years ago but with the pandemic and a new job, I'm not flying. So this trip let me experience Delta as a "General Member" with zero status. So yeah, I was seated in 48J with a window in the furthest back section of this Airbus 350. And I boarded with the Main 2 group which is nearly the last section.
But other than that, clean, comfortable and while the food was airplane food, it wasn't bad. Restrooms were reasonably clean for a 13 hour flight and you could get up and grab a snack from the rear galley any time.
I truly have no complaints. This was a perfectly good flight and I would gladly fly Delta to Auckland again. If they'll only price the tickets this low again because right now, CLT-AKL is $2600 and I can get to Europe two or three times for that.
[Review 536 of 2024 - 180 in New Zealand - 21568 overall] read more