UK/USA 2010 Day 8

060510 1542 local time (GMT -5)
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, USA

About to fly again, this time on Delta, the last of the remaining legacy carriers I have yet to fly on. Of course, this flight's being done entirely on former Northwest metal.

Didn't do that much in the morning, saw both St Patrick's Cathedrals and that was it. Of note though is that I passed a plaza surrounded by all the flags of the world. It was a windy day and all the flags were flying, except for one flag which had wrapped around the flagpole. Normally I wouldn't take notice of such details, but in this case I did. This is due to the nation whose flag was stuck. Can you guess which one.

I'm getting quite annoyed with my family. Really.


1741 local time (GMT -5)
N783NC over New York, USA

The shuttle bus ride from terminal 3 to terminal 4, as well as the slight delay, offered excellent spotting opportunities. Today JFK was 777-200LR land with Air India, Pakistan International Airlines and Qatar Airways among others. Watching the Indian and Pakistani 77Ls face off was amusing. Of course, the highlight was 9V-SPJ, good ol' Singapore Airlines 747-412.

When I got to gate B22, there was no plane, and I felt a strong sense of deja vu. It showed up eventually though, and we boarded.

We pushed back and started, and for the first time I got to experience the noise of the old PW JT8Ds. Felt brilliant. We taxied off to runway 4L and took off at 1725.

Being on this aircraft has the atmosphere of flying in the old days, with ancient seats and windows that make B-HNH's look spotless. I'm also enjoying the fact that the land we're flying over is blanketed in snow. Really nice.


1918 local time (GMT -5)
Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Michigan, USA


The flight was short and uneventful. Some nice snow covered scenery along the way. Landed at 1846 on 27L and taxied to gate A11. I managed to visit the flight deck, a real treat for me a I've never flown an airliner from that era, let alone the DC9.

Detroit Airport is really nice and modern, with a hint of Seoul Incheon International Airport. At a nice Japanese place now, with the tram running just above. It's quite sad though. Once a giant Northwest fortress, there is now no trace of Northwest other than the other DC9 we parked next to. Everything's Delta now...


2048 local time (GMT -5)
N318US over Michigan, USA

Had dinner at this good Japanese place. Given the amount of Japanese traffic that probably passes through Detroit on Northw... Delta, I guess it's to be expected.

Boarded an A320, an airliner which I've had more than enough flights on. I was quite annoyed to find a kid on my assigned window seat, but what could I do? Remind me to do my long overdue rant on flight etiquette soon.

We just took off at 2043, let's see what happens next.


2101 local time (GMT -7)
N318US over Colorado, USA

I'm really exhausted, and a little numb to my surroundings at the moment. Can't really be helped I guess, given the hectic nature of the trip so far. We'll be hitting the ground in Denver soon, already descending.

2300 local time (GMT -3)
Denver, Colorado, USA
Monument by Robert W. Smith rings in my mind as I arrive in Colorado. The airport is nice, and I love the decor, especially the world peace mural.

And my sense of dislike for travelling with family grows and grows.


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