Delta Airlines has travel options to Africa …Amandla learns from its inquiry
By Kofi Ayim, Accra
The Restaurant at the JFK International Airport
With daily flights to Ghana, Delta is the only airline that has non-stop flights from the United States to the so-called gateway to West Africa. The 10-hour trip from New York City across the Atlantic Ocean does not only fly Ghanaian, but diverse travellers on different missions to or in transit in Accra, Ghana. Travellers who live within driving distances of JFK Airport, such as New Jersey and Connecticut usually arrive early at the airport to avoid long check-in lines. Others who miss their connecting flights linger around for the next available plane.
In a chat with some Ghanaians travelling home to Ghana it became obvious that most are unaware of some basic travel pre-departure comforts offered by the airline. Some apparently could not clearly distinguish Sky Club from Sky miles and the benefits accrued thereof. Only a few knew that membership of the Sky Club takes away the hustle and bustle that characterizes the average U.S. – based African traveller to Africa.
With its separate check-in counters far removed from the regular check-in counters, Sky Club members enjoy less strenuous and stressful pre-travel processes. Long lines are virtually non-existent. For $50.00 per travel a non-member can enjoy all the trappings of Club membership; yet still, there are other ways to the Sky Club membership. On a post-flight chat with passengers from JFK Airport to the Kotoka International Airport, Accra Ghana, some expressed surprised at the existence of a pre-flight holding comfort area ‘‘I came from out of state to JFK and I wouldn’t have minded an extra $50 bucks to relax and quaff some beer’’ said a traveller. ‘‘I know of the Sky Club thing, but I really don’t know what it offers’’ another added as he yanked his luggage from a carousel. The Sky Club Lounge at the JFK lounge in New York City features among others, shower rooms, complimentary snack bar, coffee/tea stations, beverages (select drinks), a Wi-fi enabled business center, and an open-sky deck that seatts 75 and overlooks the tarmac. The spacious lounge comes with electrical outlet portals at arm’s length to every seat.
For an additional $109.00 this writer travelled in Comfort Economy, a 23- or so seat sandwiched between Business and Economy Class. The extra 4 inch leg room was an added comfort. However, no additional drinks were offered. Sleeping passengers were not awakened to be served.
The Boeing 767 aircraft that left JFK airport September 22 was late for about forty five minutes. According to a pre-departure announcement by the captain, the delay was due to ‘hand luggage’ that had to be collected from travellers at point of entry into the cargo holding area of the aircraft. At KIA, the ‘’hand luggage’’ were first to appear on the carousel, and no doubt, some were almost as big as check-in baggage. On this particular flight, Delta passengers were met on arrival at the baggage claim area with proverbial AKWAABA ice cold bottle water. One thing stood out on the trip: landing at Kotoka International Airport was absolutely flawless!
Some Ghanaian flyers on Delta flights to Ghana have expressed concern and complained about the airline’s customer service and treatment. Some attribute their concerns to lack of communication between staff and travellers, while others think it as sheer arrogance and aloofness on front line Delta personnel. However, a frequent flyer said she had seen vast improvements in recent times and hoped the airline would continually improve on its services to the people it serves.
Flying to Ghana on any airline has become sophisticated with quite a number of non-Ghanaians on every flight. Gone are the days when most passengers would burst out clapping the moment the airplane touches down.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian flyers from New York City to Accra do not understand why they pay more than their Nigerian brethren
further east of Ghana.
The link below gives some good information on the benefits of the American Express / Delta card which is for US citizens.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/about-skymiles/medallion-program/medallion-benefits/delta-amex-credit-card.html
In terms of SkyMiles, the link below provides details of the SkyMiles program, how to earn and use miles, as well as transfer them. In the section on the medallion benefit breakdown it takes you into extensive detail on what you get.
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles.htmlthe
Posted by admin
on Dec 16 2013. Filed under Community News.
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