Review of Delta Air Lines flight from Charlotte to New York in Economy

For my wife and I's 7th anniversary, we decided to take a trip to the NE to chase the leaves and the lobster roles!

We had a Delta gift card so our carrier of choice was obviously the pride of ATL,GA. We booked Main Cabin tickets and avoided checked bag fees by just taking a carry on item. It's been a few months since my last report but I promise 4 over the next week! So please sit back and enjoy the flights!

I apologize for lack of pictures! We can blame it on my wife.

TAble of Contents

Flight Info
Check in
Arrival/Security
Boarding
Seat
IFE
Food/Beverage
In Flight/Landing

Flight Info

Airline: Delta Airlines (DL)
Aircraft: CRJ-900
Registration:N302PQ
Delivered: 2014
Route: CLT-LGA
Flight Number:3381
Seat: 16D
Departure Gate: A3
Departure Runway: 36R
Scheduled Departure Time: 10:45
Actual Departure Time: 11:19
Scheduled Arrival Time: 12:47
Actual Arrival Time: 12:39
Landing Runway:4
Arrival Gate: D6
Scheduled Flight Time: 2hr 02 min
Actual Flight Time:1hr 20 min

Check in

I checked in 24 hours prior to departure. My app was having issues so I switched to Delta.com and everything went smooth. I was able to have my BP sent via text. I stuck with my original free seats as this flight is short and I already had a window seat with a view. Nothing noteworthy at this stage itself for the app having issues on check in. 

I am a AMEX Plat card holder and could have used some of the airline credits to move up a bit in the cabin but I plan on using it to get my Wife into the Delta Sky Club lounge at LGA ( I didn't due to not enough time).

Arrival/security

We arrived a bit early at 8:46. Being dropped off at Door A we turned left and entered TSA Precheck by Door B. Due to construction at CLT, it can be difficult parking at the appropriate door but landside is rather small and not a hassle to move around in.

TSA Precheck was empty and by 8:50, I was airside. 

Boarding

After security, you enter into a big atrium with loads of food options. At CLT, all Non-American Air flights leave out of the A pier. Lufthansa is the lone exception due to the use of a widebody to Munich.  

Pier A is to the right of security. The brand new portion of A houses all non-Delta flights and host a Starbucks and several food options. My flight being Delta, means I am in the current renovation portion of A. 

A3 is about a 3-4 minute walk from the main atrium. The waiting area is sufficient for small regional aircraft and  hosts modern seating with cup holders and wireless charging. The views aren't the best as construction has blocked the view towards the main ramp areas.

Boarding was slated to begin at 10:15 and began at 10:15 sharp. Main Cabin 2 boarded shortly after at 10:22.

Seat

The cabin felt very new,clean and refreshing. the seat was of sufficient width and leg room was fine for a sub 2 hour flight. I did not use the restroom but my wife said it was satisfactory.

IFe

As you would expect no seatback screens but Delta has equipped this regional with WIFI. You can screen content using wifi or just follow along on the flight map. As with all Delta flights with wifi messaging and WhatsApp are free to use.   This flight did not have /usb or plugs in economy. 

The seatback had your usual Delta magazine, safety card and quick intro to wifi. 

Food/Beverage

On this short flight you had the option of Cheez-its, Biscoff cookies or nuts. I chose Cheez-its and had it with a side of Coke. Only one beverage service which is standard. The drink service was a bit slow as 1 FA took care of first and the other all of Economy + and regular economy. I was also in row 16 of 20 so that may have contributed as well. 

In Flight/Landing

We pushed back from A3 at 10:44 and headed all the way across the airport to 36R. We stopped short of the runway and held for close to 20 mins as requested by LGA.  WE finally took off at 11:19. 

The flight was pretty routine with some minor bumps on the approach into LGA. Taxing from R4 to Gate D6 took another 10-15 minutes due to traffic and construction at LGA. The pilot made up some time in the air and we landed 12:39 and finally came to rest at the gate at 12:52 just a few minutes behind scheduled time and firmly "on-time" by FAA metrics.