Hello everyone, welcome to the first installment of this trip to California series.
Because of my former work, I had to travel once a semester to several parts, last year was Europe, this time it was California. While work took me to L.A., I planned to make a road trip up to S.F. Hence, the trip itinerary was as follows:
BOG-ATL-LAX
SFO-DTW-ATL-BOG.
Now, you'll ask for the return trip. Normally I would have tried not to use ATL twice, but I couldn't choose JFK as ATL-BOG was going to be served by my favourite type on DL's fleet: the 757, and it would mark the return of the type to Bogotá by DL. The DTW stop was because it allowed me to ride a new type on the DTW-ATL run: the 737-900, which in turn meant that I would ride on all of DL 737 variants. It would mean also that I could experience another new airport!
While I could choose from a range of airline options, I chose DL because it is the best in the US IMO, although I was tempted to book on AA. I discarded AV as an option because of the lack of 757s (can't miss the chance to ride one), and the dreadful connecting times at SAL.
Now on to what concerns us:
I had asked a family member to take me to the airport, but at last minute he left me on my own. I couldn't get a cab to take me (A.M. rush hour in Bogotá is hectic in my side of town) and thus I was forced to shove $20 for an Uber-ride, luckly on my employer's account!
The Uber took me to BOG in reasonable time and I made it in less than 10 minutes through check in: at first they ask the typical US-bound questions, and then you check your bags and have your BPs printed. It's a shame DL uses the flimsy paper stock at BOG.
Then it was trouble, one of my travel mates was travelling on B6 with a tight connection at FLL. I offered to take her bag with me as DL now allows for 2 bags on flights to/from Colombia, but I couldn't make it. Eventually the whole deal turned into a mess that it's not worth writing more about, but it eventually sorted out.
Because of this I couldn't do my accustomed spotting and breakfast activities at BOG. Just a quick stop at the duty free to buy some presents for the people I would meet in LA and on to the gate. It was at the North-Pier, which as it can be seen has a division for the swing gates. It could have had unobstructed views to the platform, but it is filled with little stores…bummer.
In no time we were called to board….
Our ride to Georgia, sorry for the bad pic, but it's the best I got from the terminal.
Before, in the old terminal, gates were secluded a-la-AMS, so secondary security checks could take place. Now they make them at the the holding area before the airbridge.
I don't know if it was because it was October, but they were handing out candies as we entered the plane, nice detail. Due to its small size, it filled pretty quickly. DL must be doing good here in Bogotá, I hope the upgrade to the 757s is permanent and not seasonal.
A pillow and blanket were at each seat, which were showing their age and looked battered. PTV size was comparable to AVs, but their software was upgraded from the one I experienced two years ago.
Whilst boarding was quick, we took our time to leave…the Capt. took the mike and talked to us about some expected delay for our departure, and explained our routing for the day.
Luckily IFE was functional in the meanwhile, so I prepared the playlist for this flight. I found it nice to see Carlos Vives (a Colombian artist)…I don't like much his music, but I think is good for the Country to have its artists promoted abroad.
Our initial expected flightime
While we waited, this Tame Airbus arrived from Quito, it eventually leave for Caracas (this route was common 10 years ago, now only Tame offers UIO-BOG-CCS flights)
We were pushed-back but nothing happened. An AV A332 was pushed back too.
Again the guys up front talked to us: no joy. But not much more info. Now something odd happened. An army Iroquois came by and flew really low around the runway. I thought maybe Mr. President would be leaving or something and they were checking the runway for any potential threats, but nothing happened.
We began taxing to the runway, I expected a take off from RWY 13L, the usual for Eastern seabord destinations…instead we were taken to RWY 13R.
Cabin shot in the meanwhile
We got to the threshold and nothing happened. No landings no take offs… then an AV A319 aborted takeoff.
We finally lined up and begun our take off run. I expected RWY 13L to be closed and a normal north-bound takeoff route, but we banked south.
AV's new A332, I read AV has a pair stored in Lourdes
BOG's new ATC tower, it will be the tallest in South America

I checked our map, and weirdly our destination was changed from ATL to Mobile,AL…or somewhere nearby.
While we reached cruising altitude, I began my film, the Dawn of Planet of the Apes…but I was very curious on our routing.
Mesitas del Colegio (I guess)
The town of Anapoima, by its side one can see Mesa de Yeguas Country Club, where the rich and famous of Colombia go for their weekends
This was weird, it looked like a dry river, but it was more like an unpaved road

About to cross the Magdalena River
Some town in Tolima Department
Now surprise #3…I expected us to turn northward and go along the Magdalena River or something like that (assuming that's the route from Cali) but we kept going W-NW, as if going to Panamá.
A look to the map confirmed this
The folks at the front office told us that we had some issues departing Bogotá and that we had to change our route in order to make up for the lost time in BOG. I don't know what the FO did, the Captain praised him for his work…but it made us gain time for a timely arrival into ATL.
As we crossed Panamá, I hoped we would fly over PTY but we passed over the East of the country, Panamá City was visible in the distance, but it was too hazy for a decent view though. It was fun to see the Pacific, considering I would see it again by the end of the day, a wee bit up north!

By the time we were in the Caribbean breakfast service began. Our flight was served by an all male crew, two of them seemed to be Puerto Ricans, or at least their accent placed them there.
Options were pancakes, which I had two years ago and were delicious…but too sweet, and eggs. I decided to give the eggs a try. I washed them down with an apple juice (they provide an additional boxed OJ).
The eggs were OK, nothing to write home about. I guess I'll stick to the pancakes the next time.
BTW, DL offers so much more, compared to AV's offering on their routes to the US. Quality was also better.
We flew over the now controversial seas between Colombia and Nicaragua, probably over San Andrés Island, Colombia's Hawaii.
The Mosquito Coast was visible, you can see the Coco River, the border between Nicaragua and Honduras.
The rest of the flight was rather uneventful, my movie ended but I still had about an hour to go. I expected our route to take us over the So. Florida metropolis for the views, but we took the route over the middle of the peninsula, but the views were interesting anyways. There was another hydration run at the time.
The south of Florida
Naples FL
Fort Myers' Airport
I thought of the Signs film when I saw this
This nuclear(?) plant tells us that Atlanta is nearby
And yes… descent was soon announced. We landed in ATL with little delay. We had enough time for our connection to LAX so I didn't worry, and in my last trip to ATL our bureaucratic duties didn't take long either.
Southern hospitality from instant 1. I like these gestures, even when some may call them banal.
The first time you go to ATL, these views are impressive, but eventually they turn dull and boring. Specially for an Av-geek. Nothing compared to JFK or the 90s MIA.
A nice surprise
Our plane would head back to Managua…
De planing took its fair time, again I wasn't in a rush. When you arrive to ATL they split you whether you head to Atlanta or to other destinations. They've changed the place, with a huge zone for inbound US citizens/residents+ Canadians, and a smaller zone for Aliens. I was amazed at the huge volume of US people arriving, compared to the small amount of foreigners arriving. Our zone was further divided in ESTA people and Visa people. The zone was rather under staffed, which meant the queue wouldn't move too fast. The guy at the CBP booth was chatty and nice, he asked me about why I was going to LA, and my work here in Colombia and about being a Lawyer here (that's my job), and then wished me good luck for my trip. Then it was down to baggage claim, which didn't took too long. Then a quick pass through customs, the officers weren't too interested in our group this time. Then it was baggage re-check, the lady at the carousel saw my LAX tag and said…uuu…Las Vegas, nice one! and somewhat coldly (now that I think about it) I answered Los Angeles! Then another queue for TSA check, but it moved efficiently, but not as fast as in my previous experience, specially due to the CBP, but all in all it only took 1 hour, which is still better that what I've had in MIA and IAD. Throughout the whole process ATL people where there to help, I liked their positive attitude a lot, as I told you, one can feel Southern Hospitality.
Thanks for sharing, the catering looks quite good and sufficient in quantity.
Very good report on the airline I fly with the most (until next week). How long was the flight time? At first the IFE said the flight time was 6 hours and then almost right away 3 hrs and change. I know the moving map tends to screw up sometimes on the 737s, so I wasn't sure. Delta definitely offers a solid product like you say. Do you know if the 757s that will go into Bogota are 757s with IFE? If not it would be a product downgrade from the 737s. Everytime I've arrived at ATL from an international flight it's been a pleasant and smooth experience with surprisingly nice CBP agents. JFK is probably the worst for international arrivals on DL, thought it is much better now with the new T4. Nice aerial pics.
It's about 5 hours, sometimes 4:45. The differing times were because they eventually change the destination setup.
The 757s will have PTVs, or at least the one I rode back to Colombia did have PTVs
Thanks for sharing this report.
DL uses flimsy boarding passes even at the gates in SFO, so I guess it is something systemwide. I personally prefer the old ones which were sturdier.
The breakfast looks good and it's nice to know that DL is doing someting better than others.
Next time you are in SFO let me know. It's always nice to meet fellow FR's.
Me too, once I got my flimsy one changed for a sturdier one at the gate in ATL, but no luck this trip.
I hope Delta keeps it this way, and that eventually AV tries to keep pace.
I remembered you're based in SFO when heading back...I said to myself I've seen these places before... duh, well I hope I can go back there soon and meet you!
Thanks for sharing this flight report with us.
A good experience with a catering that looks ok to me.
Delta provides a good service, which is the case most of the time . It's my favourite US airline by far
BOG looks modern and confortable.
Thanks for this FR.
DL sure offers a better product than AA or UA on south american flights, I actually thought your meal would be smaller than that.
I wonder how B6 is on BOG-JFK though, given they're better than DL on domestic flights.
I agree that the 1st time in ATL is impressive, but then it quickly gets boring!
Hello,
UA actually sucks on their flights to Colombia, as they've switched to BOB, even when their flights to EWR and IAH are around 5 hours long! After that I've avoided UA like the plague.
AA is not that bad, I have a very old FR on AA, but when I tried them they were OK, on par with Avianca or Copa.
B6 doesn't fly between BOG and JFK, but to MCO and FLL, they do CTG-JFK though. I've heard mixed opinions on B6, some people have praised them, other loathed the experience. I guess I'll have to do a field trip to give my conclusions (if I manage to score a cheap fare to FLL next year I will).
Saludos!