Embraer Archives - TravelSkills

Popular: 747 Tears + Delta’s new jet + United burger + Dreamliner + Madrid nonstop

October 22, 2017

Nostalgia for the 747 is booming as the Queen’s retirement nears. United flight attendant wearing a maxi-skirt in the 747 upper deck lounge (Image: United)

TravelSkills’ 10 most popular posts over the last week (descending order):

1 “Fond farewell to our 747”- a tearjerker video from United

2 Delta unveils new seats on new Airbus A350 & sets routes

3 Passport needed for domestic travel? Come on!

4 United bags a new cheeseburger for $10

United’s new smoked gouda cheeseburger from seat 7A (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

5 Routes: Aeromexico at SJC, Southwest, Air New Zealand, BA, United, AA, Etihad + more

6 Qantas unwraps its Dreamliner, coming to LAX soon (photos)

7 Iberia adds San Francisco – Madrid nonstops

As we boarded this sleek Embraer plane, you could look east and see the San Jose International terminal across the runways (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

8 New Hotels: Hilton LAX, Nikko SF, Mondrian NYC, Marriott Denver, Ritz Chicago, Hilton DC

9 Shocking bomb simulation at Singapore Changi Airport [VIDEO]

10 The newest Embraer jet you may never fly on

Don’t miss: Kimpton Karma and IHG Rewards finally hook up

Rooftop pool deck at Kimpton’s Hotel Wilshire in Los Angeles (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Links to stories from other sources that we thought you’d like to read:

Former United CEO selling his Trump Tower condo

United Clubs doing away with paper passes

Did you hear about this attempt to bomb Asheville Airport?

Apple iOS 11 adding more indoor airport maps

Here’s a first look a Beijing’s gorgeous, largest airport in the world

Will rising jet fuel costs lead to higher fares? Not for a while

More debate on how “Southwest effect” will change Hawaii market

Moving photos from behind the scenes at Virgin America

As with the 747, nostalgia for Virgin America is building as the airline approaches extinction (Photo: Virgin America)

Baller! Former GE CEO Immelt reportedly used TWO corporate jets on some trips

JetBlue revises boarding procedure

FAA wants airlines worldwide to ban electronic devices from checked luggage

Singapore Airlines expected to order 39 Boeing wide-bodies for $13 billion

JetBlue stops selling tickets through several online travel agencies

Delta offers meal pre-selection for international Delta One passengers

After Brexit, EU passenger protection rules will no longer apply for U.K. flights

ICYMI, see the 25 most recent TravelSkills posts right here

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The newest Embraer jet you may never fly

October 20, 2017

Chris McGinnis checking out the new Embraer Legacy 500 business jet at San Jose Airport

You probably know Embraer by its line of smaller so-called “regional” jets that typically fly short distances and feed into major airline hubs. These are the popular E175s and E195s that have displaced the cramped CRJs in the regional jet space.

But did you know Embraer is also in the business of building private or “business” jets for companies or high net worth individuals?

In October, the Brazilian aerospace company jetted its executives into Mineta San Jose Airport to show off its new private jet, the Legacy 500, which seats 8-12 passengers, and costs around $20 million. It’s considered a “midsize” private jet, falling between the smaller Phenom (which it also makes) and the better known larger models like Gulfstreams and Learjets. (Scroll down for slide show)

Built in Melbourne, Florida, the Legacy 500 is considered a “stand up” jet, which means it has a flat floor and passengers can stand up in the aisle- I could do that when onboard, but at 6 feet, my hair grazed the ceiling. The jet’s flight range is about 3,000 miles, which means it can make nonstop cross-country and Hawaii trips, but can’t cross oceans.

In addition to showing the Legacy 500 off to Silicon Valley tech companies (or their billionaire owners or investors) Embraer invited a few media types down for a look and a quick spin out over the Pacific Ocean at sunset.

Come along with me and take a peek at how the other half of business travelers live!

At SJC, business and private jets are handled on the west side of the runways. In this case, Embraer used Atlantic Aviation.

When flying private, the airport concourse looks like this- your car drops you off and you walk to your plane- no security, no hassles, muss or fuss. This is smooth as silk! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Inside the Atlantic Aviation Terminal on the west side of San Jose International, passengers and pilots walk through this well-appointed terminal, check in and then walk out to the tarmac. (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

As we boarded the plane, you could look east and see the Mineta San Jose International terminals across the runways (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

This brand new $20 million plane’s curves and shine are hard to resist. I want one! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

There are plenty of luxury touches on this bird, like gorgeous wood veneer, leather and even lightweight marble floors in the galley area which I noticed as soon as we boarded (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Embraer design executive Jay Beever was onboard to show us around and explain how his masterpiece works (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Passengers can control cabin temperature, music and dim lights from an iPad (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

I walked to the back of the plane for a look at the semi-private lavatory, which includes this nice sink area on one side, and the loo on the other (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

The lavatory is separated from the cabin by a sliding door. A nice leather cover hides the toilet- if you did not lift it up, you’d think it was just another seat (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Here’s the toilet with the cover down. Note that it has a seatbelt, so it could serve as a passenger seat if needed (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Once we boarded and doors closed, we taxied for about two minutes and took off into the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The G-force of the plane taking off felt exhilarating- and so quiet. Flying on this smooth and quiet jet felt “like buttah!” I could so easily get used to this!

Monitors at the front and rear of the cabin had a fantastic, frequently updated image of the plane’s position. It’s a spectacularly crisp and colorful show, almost as good as what you can see out the window! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Gorgeous view of the Pacific coastline of central California out the window during our 45 minute ride (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Editor Chris McGinnis enjoying his 45 minutes of feeling like a billionaire- Embraer served passengers Veuve Clicquot during the ride

Looking out Embraer’s trademark square windows reminded me of my many rides on its E175 or E195 regional jets (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

As we made our way back to SJC, I took a walk up to the cockpit for a chat with pilots– who clearly love flying this plane. On the Embraer, like the Airbus, there is no “yoke” or steering wheel. Pilots use small sticks– almost like video games– to guide the plane when autopilot is off.

Another benefit of flying private- the cockpit door is wide open and passengers can go take in the view. The Embraer 500 glass cockpit is gorgeous (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Looking out at the California Coast from the cockpit (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Note the small stick on the right which pilots used to guide the Embraer 500 versus the “yoke” you’ll find on Boeing jets (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Wow! What a ride. It was tough to leave this beautiful jet behind (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Once we deboarded our sleek little bird, we walked across the ramp to the Atlantic Aviation terminal, jumped in an Uber, and went home. What a way to fly! (Photo: Chris McGinnis

Have you ever been lucky enough to fly on a private or business jet? What do you think about the Embraer planes you’ve flown on? Please leave your comments below.

Big news at two small California airlines

October 25, 2016

Interiors on JetSuite’s Embraer 135 aircraft (Photo: JetSuite)

There’s exciting news this week from two small but innovative California-based carriers that could put them on a strong growth track. JetSuite, a small-plane public charter operator in the California corridor and elsewhere, announced an equity partnership with a major U.S. airline; and Surf Air, which employs an all-you-can-fly pricing model, is talking about a major fleet expansion – and it said it will extend its operations to Europe starting next month.

JetSuite Inc. said that JetBlue Airways has taken a minority stake in the company, an investment that it said will help to “fuel its fast-growing JetSuiteX service.” JetSuiteX uses 30-passenger jets on a network that includes Burbank; San Jose; Las Vegas; Carlsbad, Calif.; Concord, Calif.; Mammoth, Calif.; and Bozeman, Mont. JetSuiteX promises “more destinations and flights coming soon,” and claims to be the fastest-growing public charter company in the country.

From the Bay Area, JetSuiteX offers nonstops between Concord (in the East Bay) and Burbank. (Its Concord-Las Vegas nonstops were cut in May). From San Jose (using the Atlantic Aviation terminal), it flies to Burbank and Carlsbad (near San Diego). Currently, fares are running as low as $79 on a handful of flights each week in November. In December, the lowest fares are at about $99 each way.

JetSuite CEO Alex Wilcox at a kickoff event in Concord, CA earlier this year (Photo: Chris McGinnis

JetSuiteX markets its flights as “a private jet experience that is affordable and accessible to a broad audience.” JetSuite CEO Alex Wilcox said JetBlue will not be just a passive shareholder, but a “strategic partner” that will “allow us to accelerate our growth.” JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes commented that acquiring a stake in JetSuite “makes sense as we continue to execute on our west coast plan and invest in innovative ideas that reflect the disruptive spirit of JetBlue.”

The two had already created a customer loyalty link, with TrueBlue members able to earn points on JetSuiteX flights. Among the points currently served by JetSuiteX, JetBlue flies to San Jose, Burbank and Las Vegas. JetBlue has been beefing up its west coast presence lately – for example, it said it will launch multiple daily flights between San Jose and Long Beach in January – as it positions itself for tough competition from a combined Alaska Airlines-Virgin America after those two companies complete their merger.

The JetSuiteX Terminal at Concorde- a nice break from the craziness at OAK or SFO! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Meanwhile, Santa Monica-based Surf Air – which operates even smaller planes and calls itself “an all-you-can-fly private air travel club” – is said to be in talks with Brazilian manufacturer Embraer for a major fleet expansion. Media reports from Brazil said Surf Air is looking to buy up to 50 small Phenom 300 executive jets, an order worth about $495 million.

Although it currently uses Pilatus turboprops for intra-California flights, Surf Air says it will use executive jets like this one for its new European division. (Image: Surf Air)

The Phenom 300, which can carry seven to nine passengers, is Embraer’s most popular business jet. The reports quoted Surf Air’s CEO as saying that the company is also talking to U.S. manufacturer Textron about its Cessna Citation CJ4 business jets.

Surf Air operates executive private aircraft on scheduled flights around an intrastate California network that includes airports in the Bay Area, metro Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Truckee/Tahoe, Napa, Monterey, Sacramento and Palm Springs, as well as Las Vegas.

Surf Air needs more planes in part to accommodate its planned expansion to intra-European markets, which is now planned to get under way at the end of November. Its monthly membership fees there will start at $2,400. It will begin with flights between London’s Luton Airport and Zurich, and then gradually expand to add flights to Geneva, Cannes, Paris, Dublin, Ibiza and Amsterdam.

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Delta orders 75 new jets

April 29, 2016

Delta is turning to Bombardier’s new CS100 for its fleet renewal program. (Image: Bombardier)

In the latest effort to renew its fleet of smaller jets, Delta has placed a big order for a new aircraft model from Canadian manufacturer Bombardier, turning away from the Brazilian-made Embraers that it has recently favored.

The company said it has ordered 75 new Bombardier CS100 jets in order to “cost-effectively reshape and upgauge its narrowbody fleet.” Like other major carriers, Delta keeps turning to larger jets to replace the smaller ones in its fleet.

Because it has ordered the CS100s, the company said, “Delta will no longer induct the E190 into its fleet as planned.” Just a few months ago, Delta had said it planned to acquire up to 20 Embraer E190s that would carry just under 100 passengers.

Delta said its new CS100s will have a 2×2 first class cabin and 2×3 Delta Comfort and Main Cabin seating, although its announcement didn’t mention how many seats the planes would have. Bombardier’s website says the CS100 is designed to carry 108 passengers in a two-class configuration.

The airline did say that the CS100s will provide “the largest windows in the single-aisle market, full-spectrum ambient lighting, seatback in-flight entertainment, in-flight Wi-Fi, high-capacity overhead bins and among the widest seats of any narrowbody aircraft.”

Compare Embraer 195 with Bombardier CS100 (not much difference!)

Flying the Delta California Shuttle from SFO to LAX (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Flying the Delta California Shuttle on an Embraer from SFO to LAX (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Bombardier says the CS100 economy seats are 19 inches wide; that compares with 18.25 inches on Delta’s existing 76-passenger E175s. The manufacturer also said that the the aircraft’s overhead bins can accommodate a carry-on bag for each passenger.

Delta noted that the CS100s, which it said will be deployed on short- to medium-haul routes, will provide a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over similar-sized aircraft. It will start taking delivery of the planes in spring of 2018. The airline’s order also includes options for 50 more C series Bombardier aircraft, with the possibility of changing some orders into a larger version, the CS300.

The airline said that since 2009, it has phased out 280 50-seat regional jets from its fleet. This latest aircraft order will make Delta the launch customer for Bombardier’s new CS100 model.

UPDATE: April 29: Today Delta announced that it has ordered 37 more Airbus A321s, and now has 82 of the new birds on the books. Here’s more about Delta’s newest jet.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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Alaska adds premium economy seats to more jets

April 13, 2016

Alaska’s Horizon Air subsidiary has ordered new three-class E175s. (Image: Alaska Airlines)

In December, Alaska Airlines announced plans to install new premium economy of seating to its fleet, and now it is extending that promise with a new regional jet order for its Horizon Air affiliate.

Alaska said Horizon Air (operated as a subsidiary) has placed its largest order ever for new aircraft to fly Alaska’s regional routes. It will take on 30 new Embraer 175s, and they’ll come with something Alaska’s regional operation doesn’t offer now: a three-class configuration. That will make the new planes consistent with the new three-class layout that Alaska is bringing to its mainline 737-800s, 737-900s and 737-900ERs starting late this year, with the addition of a Premium Class in between first and regular economy. (It will not go into Alaska’s 737-400s and -700s, however.)

The new Horizon planes, to be delivered starting next year, will feature 12 first class seats, 16 in “premium class” and 48 in the main cabin. The premium class seats will have a 34-inch pitch, vs. 36 to 38 inches in first and 31 inches in the main cabin. The planes will also have Wi-Fi, power outlets throughout, and free streaming entertainment. The new premium seating coming to the mainline fleet will have 35-inch pitch.

Virgin’s premium economy is called Main Cabin Select & offers six extra inches of space (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Alaska’s premium class seating (which basically offers 3-4 inches of extra legroom) is a different bird from Virgin’s over-priced “main cabin select” (which offers exit row, bulkhead seats, free food & booze, early boarding and dedicated overhead bin space). So it’s going to be interesting to see how this product in particular ends up in the merger.

Alaska said the new E175s will gradually replace 15 of Horizon’s leased Q400 turboprops, although it noted that “Horizon Air will fly both the E175 and the Q400 for the foreseeable future.” Alaska’s regional network already includes some E175s operated by SkyWest, and those aircraft are also expected to be reconfigured to a three-class configuration.

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Bigger, better jets for Alaska, United

June 16, 2015

A new United Embraer 175. (Image: United)

The industry trend away from smaller regional jets to larger ones is continuing, as both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines this week announced plans to add more 76-seat aircraft — jets that are roomier, more comfortable and more passenger-friendly than predecessors like the CRJ.

United, which had already ordered 125 Embraer E175s that have been delivered starting last year, now says it is adding another 10 of the two-cabin, 76-seat planes to the United Express fleet. In addition, “United expects that the airline or one of the carriers that operate as United Express will convert 18 more E175 aircraft to firm orders in the near term,” the company said.

United’s E175s have 12 seats in first class and 64 in economy, including 16 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats. They come with power outlets in first class, wider seats and aisles than other regional aircraft, and bigger overhead bins, United said. Economy seating is configured 2 x 2. Overhead bins can actually accommodate most carryon bags and windows are nice and big. They will replace 50-seat regional jets in the United Express fleet.

United CRJ made by Bombardier getting replaced by roomier Embraers (Photo: RedLegsFan21 / Flickr)

United Express is in the process of adding Wi-Fi to its E175s, and this summer, “the airline plans to equip the E175s with personal device entertainment, offering customers complimentary movies and television shows to view on their Wi-Fi-enabled iOS and Android devices using United’s mobile app, as well as on laptop computers,” a spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines regional partner SkyWest said it is buying eight more two-class E175s that will fly under the Alaska banner starting next year. That’s in addition to seven previously ordered E175s that SkyWest will start operating next month for Alaska.

Those planes will go into service July 1 between Seattle-Milwaukee and Seattle-Oklahoma City, and between Portland-St. Louis. The new SkyWest E175s also have 76 seats — 12 in first and 64 in coach.

Have you flown on an Embraer jet? How do they compare to other aircraft? Please leave your comments below.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Gogo prices rise 50 percent + Virgin America adds seatback Pac-Man + Big Delta aircraft purchase

Bigger, better RJs + Virgin website + More premium economy + ATL roadways + SFO on-airport hotel

May 27, 2014

2x2 economy seating (but tight overhead bin space) on a Delta Embraer 175 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

2×2 economy seating (but tight overhead bin space) on a Delta Embraer 175 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

More bigger, better regional jets. United’s first new 76-seat Embraer 175s started flying last week, configured with 12 seats in United First, 16 in Economy Plus and 48 seats in Economy Class. Passengers flying in United First have access to in-seat power ports. United Express/SkyWest put the first aircraft into Chicago-Boston and Chicago-Washington D.C. (DCA) service; it will be used on the Chicago-Minneapolis route starting June 5; Chicago-Atlanta, Houston-Atlanta and Houston-New Orleans beginning June 15; and Chicago-New York LaGuardia June 23. These “regional” jets are actually pretty comfortable with larger windows and 2×2 economy seating. Delta currently uses the Embraer 175 jets on its popular California Shuttle flights. American recently put in an order for 60 more. One of the biggest downsides of the Embraers is limited overhead bin space. However, the Brazilian manufacturer is thankfully adding 40% more space in overhead bins on its next generation of E-jets— large enough to handle the standard carry-on size bag…and then some. Have you flown on an Embraer yet? Leave your comments below.

New avatars and icons on the playful new Virgin America website

New Virgin website sneak peek. Spunky Virgin America is currently beta-testing a new website with a group of its most frequent customers and business partners. As you might expect, the site is faster and feels fresh, visually appealing, a little funky and fun. Enhancements include colorful new avatars and icons, full-screen booking, and new responsive design that works across multiple device types. It also is introducing a new, foldable “back pocket boarding pass” that makes a lot of sense. The site is expected to go live in coming weeks. Which airline website do you like the best? Which one is the best designed? Please leave your comments below.

Southwest opens books on new Love Field routes. Southwest Airlines has started selling its new routes out of Dallas Love Field, which will begin after the federal Wright Amendment expires this fall. It will offer multiple daily flights on all the routes, which include (starting October 13) Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando and Washington Reagan National; and (starting November 2) Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, Nashville, New York LaGuardia, Phoenix, San Diego, Orange County (Calif.) and Tampa Bay. Notably absent from this list (given all the noise about SFO-based Virgin America soon flying to Love Field) are nonstops to Bay Area airports.

DOT proposes new disclosure rules for airline pricing. Just as the U.S. airline industry is shepherding a bill through Congress to kill a Transportation Department rule that advertised air fares must include all government taxes and fees, DOT has now come out with a new proposed rule to make airlines be more upfront with travelers about the carriers’ own passenger fees. DOT wants airlines to clearly spell out their fees for first and second checked bags, carry-on items, and advance seat assignments. “Currently, fees for additional services are often difficult to determine when searching for airfares,” DOT said. Airline industry attempts to fight back on these pro-consumer moves claiming they want “more transparency” just does not pass the smell test.

Obama wants faster processing for international arrivals. Citing the success of automated passport control kiosks in cutting line time at airports like O’Hare and DFW, President Obama last week ordered federal agencies to work with airports and the private sector to reduce processing time for arriving passengers at 15 major gateway airports. “These action plans could include automating paper Customs and Border Protection Form I-94, implementing Automated Passport Control kiosks, expanding the DHS Global Entry program, and airports entering into voluntary partnerships with stakeholders to provide increased services on a reimbursable basis,” the White House said.

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Here’s a look at a mock up of Lufthansa’s new premium economy seats (Photo: Lufthansa)

Lufthansa starts selling Premium Economy seats. Lufthansa is now taking reservations for the first of its new Premium Economy seats, which will be available starting December 10 between Chicago-Frankfurt and Washington Dulles-Frankfurt, on the airline’s 747-8s. The seats are wider than regular economy seats and feature 38-inch pitch. Along the same lines… Singapore Airlines has announced that it will add premium economy to its B777 and A380s starting in late 2015.

Qatar introduces all-business-class service. The concept has been tried on transatlantic and transpacific routes with limited success, but now Qatar Airways is offering an all-business-class service on one of its six daily flights between Doha and London Heathrow. Qatar is using an Airbus A319 with 40 fully-flat reclining seats in a 2×2 configuration.

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–Chris McGinnis

AIRPORTS

ATL expands roadway access from the north. Travelers approaching Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson from the north will have it easier now that the airport has opened a permanent three-lane roadway to the domestic terminal, replacing a temporary two-lane detour route that has been in place for the past several months.

SFO plans to build on-site hotel. San Francisco International Airport officials have started taking proposals from potential hotel operators to run a 400-room, four-star business hotel to be built on airport property near the Interstate 101 off-ramp. The hotel is expected to open in 2017.

New business hotels in Denver, Cleveland. The historic Colorado National Bank Building at 17th and Champa streets in downtown Denver has a new life as Marriott’s 230-room Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center, which opened this month. Meanwhile, Starwood Hotels cut the ribbon on the 484-room Westin Cleveland Downtown, next to the new Global Center for Health Innovation & Convention Center; it’s a $74 million rehab of the former Crowne Plaza.

In Case You Missed It…

>Delta and Virgin Atlantic will swap a pair of transatlantic routes this fall– bringing Virgin Atlantic flights to Atlanta for the first time

>Turkish Airlines has started flying from Boston to Istanbul.

>Holders of Chase Sapphire Preferred, Ink Plus and Ink Bold cards can now transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer program.

>Air France will begin daily seasonal service from Minneapolis-St. Paul June 2.

Please join the 25,000 people who read TravelSkills every month! Sign up here for one email per day updates!

–Jim Glab & Chris McGinnis

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8 things to like about Delta’s new California Shuttle

October 9, 2013

Delta California Shuttle’s low altitude swing over LA offers some impressive views! (Chris McGinnis)

In early September, Delta added hourly “California Shuttle” flights between San Francisco International and Los Angeles International using a fleet of Embraer 175 jets. And last week, the Atlanta-based carrier announced that starting next April it will add six flights per day between SFO and Seattle using the same type of aircraft.

Delta now offers up to 15 flights per day on the busy SFO-LAX route using the 76-seat Embraer 175 operated by its partner Compass Airlines. Flights depart SFO as early as 6 a.m. and return from LAX as late as 9 p.m.

Delta recently invited me to give the new service a try on a Tues-Sat trip from SFO to LAX.

Here’s what I liked:

Loath crowds? Delta’s Terminal 1 is nearly empty mid-afternoon (Chris McGinnis)

1> A ghost town of a terminal for my mid afternoon flight south on a Tuesday at 4 pm. That’s likely to change as Delta bulks up at SFO with even more flights to Seattle next spring. But be warned: Delta’s Terminal 5 at LAX is much busier, more crowded, and currently undergoing a major renovation, which will be complete in 2015.

Deserted PreCheck lines at Delta’s Terminal 1 Boarding area C security checkpoint (Chris McGinnis)

2> Fast and easy check in (including PreCheck) and security at Delta’s nearly exclusive terminal 1, Boarding Area C location.

Onboard a recent Delta Embraer 175 flight SFO-LAX (Chris McGinnis)

3> Nice, new, roomy Embraer 175 jets w big square windows, all leather seats and overhead bins large enough for my rollaboard bag.

Delta’s Economy Comfort seats onboard the Embraer 175 (Chris McGinnis)

4> Three classes: standard economy (52 seats) , Economy Comfort (12) configured 2-2; first class (12) configured 1-2.

Full first class section on Delta’s California Shuttle to LAX. Note the Great Dane service dog in the bulkhead! (Chris McGinnis)

5> The first class section was full on both my south and northbound flights. Economy almost empty on the way down, full on the 9:30pm Saturday night departure from LAX

Healthy inflight dining for first AND coach passengers (Chris McGinnis)

Healthy inflight snacks for first AND coach passengers (Chris McGinnis)

6> Super friendly, eager to please flight attendants and healthy, organic snacks like edamame hummus, raw sunflower seeds, whole grain crackers, raw veggies– for both first and economy passengers.

7> Gogo wifi on all flights (although my connection was spotty)

8> Free beverages, beer and wine, for all passengers in first and economy include Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. craft beer, Starbucks coffee and Wente Vineyards wines.

Although Delta paid for my ticket, fares are always low on this hyper competitive route, no matter what airline you fly. Currently, economy fares range from about $100 to $350 round trip, depending on how far in advance you book. First class runs $300-$500 round trip.