Song / Delta "Merger" Plane Question

[MrsToad]

I just received an email from Song about the merging of Song back into Delta that we had heard about earlier. As I don't like to fly, but must, I liked the idea of Song's seat entertainment units as a distraction. Do you read the paragraph below, copied from the email, the same way I do? As of Spring 2006 the Song-style planes will no longer be used on the shorter, but popular, vacation route from Hartford to Orlando?

"Here's what we plan to do next year:
We'll add 26 First Class seats to Song's current fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft - a big plus for business travelers who have asked for a first-class offering on Song.
We'll upgrade more than 50 additional Delta aircraft to two-class Song-style service, complete with all-leather seating, more comfortable interiors, and our state-of-the-art digital in-flight entertainment.
We'll dedicate this exclusive fleet of airplanes to cross-country flying from cities such as New York, Atlanta, Boston, and Cincinnati beginning summer 2006. And, we plan to expand the service to even more destinations to ultimately include all flights over 1,750 miles within the next two years."

 

[DebbieB]

That's the way I would take it - the current Song fleet will be cross country, flights over 1,750 miles.

 

[TLH1977]

Man that stinks..thats why i liked song...got use to having those tv's. Can we still make reservations for next summer on the song website?

 

[PCFriar80]

Hopefully we'll still have the non-stops! Based on my experience, the current
early Song flight is nearly always close to capacity. What I anticipate is Delta
using 737's or MD88's for the "hopefully" continued non-stops from BDL to MCO.

If not we do have alot of options through ATL or CVG, but personally I see ourselves going to Southwest if Delta discontinues the nonstops.

 

[goofy4tink]

I read it the same way. I got two of those emails, about a minute apart today!!! All I can say is that I really like those individual t.v.s. If Song isn't going to use them for flights to Orlando from Boston, then it looks like I'll be flying JetBlue. I hate flying, I try to read, but I just can't concentrate on a book. So, I find those trivia games get me involved and I am not nearly as stressed. THey sure to make those flight with kids to Orlando more pleasant!!! Much quieter than the SW flights!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I see it as good news, as the long flights are when those "extra amenities" are really needed. I have too many memories of flying DL between CVG/ATL and LAX on the old 767-200's where you couldn't see the movie screen and the seats were very uncomfortable.

 

[MrsToad]

Thanks, everyone, for confirming my interpretation of the emails (I also received 2 today, one from "Admin" and one from "flysong.com"). I also hope they at least keep the direct flights from Hartford...I'm not positive, but I don't think there are too many, if any, alternatives for directs. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens in the spring.

On the bright side - we'll still have the same Song planes for our trip in December .

 

[Snoozan]

I'm going to be very disappointed with my Song flights next May I imagine. We fly Song, when we can, from Hartford to Orlando as my DH doesn't like the cattle call mentality of SW. Sounds like I'll be lucky to have a non-stop flight, much less a plane with the TV's. I've already warned my DH he better get used to SW as I doubt I'll be able to afford Delta flights. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

 

[seashoreCM]

Depending on when the planes are converted, there will be lost seat assignments.

(Minimal) (Oversimplified) Two people out of every row from 1 to 8 have to be reseated because the first class conversion means 4 rather than 6 seats in a row.

(Moderate) All people in rows 1 to 8 have to be reseated because Delta does not want to leave coach passengers assigned to first class seats.

(Major) Everyone has to be reseated and/or rescheduled because different and/or smaller planes are substituted.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[SeaSpray]

Depending on when the planes are converted, there will be lost seat assignments.

(Minimal) (Oversimplified) Two people out of every row from 1 to 8 have to be reseated because the first class conversion means 4 rather than 6 seats in a row.

(Moderate) All people in rows 1 to 8 have to be reseated because Delta does not want to leave coach passengers assigned to first class seats.

(Major) Everyone has to be reseated and/or rescheduled because different and/or smaller planes are substituted.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

We'll be flying from Boston (Logan) to Orlando (MCO)... will these changes effect US?? I was all set to start checking prices and then buying our tickets for our Disney cruise for next August, but now I'm not sure if I should wait to see if they end up changing the plane and/or configuration of the plane, for our flight!!

Does anyone know if that route's planes will be effected? Thanks!

 

[Cookie55]

We'll be flying from Boston (Logan) to Orlando (MCO)... will these changes effect US?? I was all set to start checking prices and then buying our tickets for our Disney cruise for next August, but now I'm not sure if I should wait to see if they end up changing the plane and/or configuration of the plane, for our flight!!

Does anyone know if that route's planes will be effected? Thanks!

Yes, I think that they will be. I am struggling with the same decision. However, since I fly exclusively on Delta I am leaning towards buying my tickets as I fear that after the merger the price is bound to go up...I am just going to pick seats in row 10 or higher and hope for the best...I plan to check my seat assignments regularly but I do that anyway...good luck with your decision...

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm reasonably sure that BOS-MCO nonstops will still be there. Before Song I flew Delta Express (smaller 737 planes) on that route. I also flew Song a few times before the TV's were installed in the seatbacks.

 

[debster812]

I'm reasonably sure that BOS-MCO nonstops will still be there. Before Song I flew Delta Express (smaller 737 planes) on that route. I also flew Song a few times before the TV's were installed in the seatbacks.

We've also done the Delta Express non stop BOS to MCO many times pre-Song. I imagine Delta will keep some of the non-stops from BOS to MCO, even if they are not on Song planes. (now I'm doubly thrilled Santa is bring DS a portable DVD player for Christmas this year!!)

 

[SeaSpray]

I know I must really be missing something that the rest of you can plainly see; WHERE does it say that some of planes will NOT have in-seat entertainment? I mean, from BOS-MCO, will our next trip be on totally different planes that don't have the screens in the seats??? From what I read, I *thought* it talked about upgrading some of the planes they already have; not downgrading anything.

Or... Is it that they're going to take all the cool SONG planes with the entertainment and now use them for this "new" long-distance service, thereby leaving planes without the entertainment, for the former song flights/routes???

Can someone please explain? Thanks!

P.S. So do you all think it's a good idea to buy our August BOS-MCO "Song" flights soon? How soon? When will this big change begin to take place??

Thanks again for any info!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm betting you'll see either a Boeing 737-800 or a MD-88 on the route. Who knows, they might even put an Embraer 170 on the route. It's really too early to tell what direction they'll go, I'm betting you won't see Song on the east coast-FL routes.

 

[SeaSpray]

I'm betting you'll see either a Boeing 737-800 or a MD-88 on the route. Who knows, they might even put an Embraer 170 on the route. It's really too early to tell what direction they'll go, I'm betting you won't see Song on the east coast-FL routes.

Thanks Cali!

Now can you please tell me what the planes are like? (The ones you just mentioned). I mean, are these planes OK?? I was very happy with Song, and I don't like change!!

 

[debster812]

SeaSpray--here's a snip from the email I got from Delta/Song yesterday:

Here's what we plan to do next year:
We'll add 26 First Class seats to Song's current fleet of Boeing 757 aircraft - a big plus for business travelers who have asked for a first-class offering on Song.
We'll upgrade more than 50 additional Delta aircraft to two-class Song-style service, complete with all-leather seating, more comfortable interiors, and our state-of-the-art digital in-flight entertainment.
We'll dedicate this exclusive fleet of airplanes to cross-country flying from cities such as New York, Atlanta, Boston, and Cincinnati beginning summer 2006. And, we plan to expand the service to even more destinations to ultimately include all flights over 1,750 miles within the next two years.

This leads me to believe they will use the former Song planes on longer haul journeys, and use former mainline Delta planes on the shorter leisure flights.

 

[SeaSpray]

SeaSpray--here's a snip from the email I got from Delta/Song yesterday:



This leads me to believe they will use the former Song planes on longer haul journeys, and use former mainline Delta planes on the shorter leisure flights.

Thanks Debbie! Believe it or not, I got that same email and just didn't see what the rest of you were seeing! I guess I need things spelled out for me.

 

[PCFriar80]

SeaSpray -
Song will no longer exist as of May, 2006. If you opt to fly Delta from BOS in August, that's what it will be. A Delta flight, on different configuration than you are used to with Song. You could get any type of aircraft, 737, MD88, 757, 767, etc. When Delta/Song made the announcement, the week of 10/24, they said that the current Song 757's would be reconfigured with first class seats (rows 1 - 8) as we currently know it, the planes would be repainted with the Delta logo and that most of the existing Song 757's would be used for transcontinental flights or generally any flight over 1750 miles. Flying out of BDL, my hope along with others on this thread, is that the non-stops continue once the change goes into effect in May, 2006.

Hope that helps.

 

[vellamint]

I dont know if I am missing this or not but does anyone have any idea when we will be able to know that our airplane has changed and need to pick seats again.....currently my family of six are booked in six seats across (three and three) and I DO NOT want to be separated from my children.