From the Keisei Skyliner, it was a short and easy elevator up to the departures are for my Delta Air Lines flight back to Singapore. Delta Air Lines operate one flight a day to Singapore, which is actually a seventh freedom flight since the flight number does not originate in the United States of America, but rather, just an independent flight of DL169 from Tokyo-Narita to Singapore.
Little did I know that with this fare deal, would be the first and last time that I will fly with Delta to Tokyo as they are set to exit the Singapore market from 22 September 2019 (excluding code-shared flights), ending a long history of Singapore flights even before Singapore became independent with Northwest (before merger) using Paya Lebar Airport to Tokyo too.
Heading to the Delta check-in row at Terminal 1 North Wing.
Delta operates from Row B.
After meeting the staff in front of the check-in line, I was directed to use the automated kiosks first for self check-in.
Heading to the automated kiosks for self check-in.
The interface was rather fuss-free.
My boarding pass being displayed on the screen as it was being printed. Not sure if I like this for privacy.
My rather plain boarding pass from the self check-in kiosk.
After the self check-in, I was met by an interview officer to ask about what I did in Japan for the trip and if I had any contraband items, similar to my onward flight at Changi Airport, but this was done with regular ground staff, or at least they looked like one. After passing my interview, I was given a Delta Security sticker at the back of my passport.
Heading to the baggage drop-off counters to drop off my checked bags after the self check-in and the interview.
All Delta flights operate from the same Delta common check-in row.
At the baggage drop-off counter, the staff reprinted a better boarding pass for me which looks a lot better than the receipt-like boarding pass I got from the self check-in kiosk.
Once done, there’s a last chance to backtrack to the shopping and dining area in Terminal 1.
However, I headed straight to the departures area since it was already less than 2 hours before departure and I had some duty-free shopping to do.
Heading in to the departures area. Security is done here before immigration.
My plane to Singapore visible just after security checks.
Heading down to immigration after security.
The very clear sign for gate numbers immediately after immigration.
The shops towards Gates 11 to 18 were all rather high-end, and I’m pretty sure they don’t have Tokyo Banana and Shiroi Koibito Chocolate Biscuit.
As such, I backtracked to the bigger shopping area towards the rest of the gates where there are more affordable tax-free shops.
The last compulsory stop for almost everyone visiting Japan for tax-free snacks at Fa-So-La TAX FREE ASAKUSA.
Heading back to Gates 11 to 18 for my flight.
There’s a bypass travellator lane to skip all the high-end shops that I can’t afford to buy from.
An ANA Boeing 787-9 Star Wars R2-D2 Dreamliner parked at a remote stand.
From this concourse, it looks as if it’s a dedicated Delta terminal rather than an international Japanese terminal. This sight will be gone once Delta moves out of its long-standing Narita hub for Seoul instead.
A Delta Airbus A350-900 in the distance.
Continuing on the second travellator to my gate.
My Delta Boeing 767-300ER plane back to Singapore is clearly visible from this travellator lane.
The ship number of N1201P on my plane to Singapore.
Continuing on to Gate 18 after the travellator.
The view of my plane from Gate 18.
Queuing up to board my Delta DL169 flight back to Singapore.
After all the priority passengers, boarding was called logically here starting from the rear of the aircraft, as compared with my onward flight whereby boarding was called from the front.
Heading to board when my boarding group of Main Cabin 3 was called. Boarding passes are checked and scan upon entering the aerobridge.
Boarding the aircraft via the aerobridge.
The various awards that Delta received by the side of the aircraft door.
Heading through the Delta One (Business Class) cabin.
Heading through the front Main Cabin (Economy Class) with the Delta Comfort+ rows in front.
The classy 3D Delta logo on the rear bulkhead.
Heading through the rear Main Cabin where I am seated.
My aisle seat for this flight with a pillow and blanket set readied on the seat.
The legroom on board Delta’s Main Cabin on the Boeing 767-300ER.
The welcome screen of the IFE which is essentially just advertisements being screened during boarding.
Hmm, I wonder if this middle row will remain empty so I can jump across once the doors are closed?
Spoiler: It did not, unfortunately.
Once everyone is on board, the cabin crew distributes the headsets and sleeping kit.
The headset and sleeping kit provided by Delta.
The view down the aircraft from my seat.
WiFi is available on board. If you don’t like to use the IFE, you can also stream entertainment using the WiFi provided onto your own device.
The individual air-conditioning vents and reading lights on board.
Surprisingly, the IFE system was activated while the plane was still at the gate waiting for pushback. Languages available on Delta’s IFE include English, Spanish, Purtugese, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean and Thai.
The front page of the IFE features the latest movies added to the system.
My estimated flight path from Tokyo-Narita to Singapore.
Checking the Delta App, it seems that everything is pretty real time.
There is also live information about where my 2 bags are. Seems like they are placed apart in different containers.
My flight details from the Delta App. Not sure what the “Miles Flown” part means though, since I’m still on the ground.
The view out of the window from my aisle seat.
The safety video being played on the IFE.
The safety video is laid out like an animated safety card.
The safety video comes along with some American humour.
The other 2D characters in the video acting out the safety instructions.
Watch the Delta Air Lines safety video here:
Cabin lights were dimmed for take-off despite this being a day time flight. Also, window shades were shut with no problems.
After take-off, the cabin went into full-fledged night mode despite the sun still shining. Paper menus were also distributed.
The menu for my flight from Tokyo-Narita to Singapore with 3 meal options in Main Cabin.
Despite the menu showing just one hot towel service, Delta actually provided two – one during the first service and the other during pre-arrival. Though unlike Singapore Airlines, the hot towel service is essentially a steamed disposable towelette rather than an actual towel.
The drinks menu which is available throughout the flight.
To start the flight, a bottle of Evian was given to everyone.
While drinking my Evian water, I connected to the Free Messaging on Delta’s WiFi.
Free Messaging is only for text messages on iMessage, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, but hey, it’s free.
Connection was fuss-free too. Messages can be a little bit slow as compared to the ground, but it’s free, so no complaints.
The clean toilet on board Delta’s Boeing 767-300ER.
Delta also uses their own branded hand wash of White Tea & Thyme.
The service pattern didn’t follow exactly as what the menu said. Following the hot towelette and Evian water, the crew started with a drinks service with everything on the menu available.
I opted to get an Asahi along with a Biscoff. The other snack option was the pretzel that most if not all American airlines serve in place of peanuts.
Unlike most other Asian airlines, Delta did not pour the drink for me. But I’d reckon I did a good job in pouring a beer in-flight eh?
A short while after the drinks service, the dinner service commenced.
Among the three choices, I opted for the Korean Style BBQ Beef Kalbi. Didn’t get the western option as both were tomato-based which is not really to my liking. Sides consisted of a cold Cha Soba noodle, a salad with Japanese sesame dressing and a cake.
The beef was rather tender and the sauce goes well with the white rice, though with such a sauce and not much char, I wonder if it can still be called a BBQ Beef.
Before arrival into Singapore, another refreshment service was provided, this time with a Lemon Yoghurt Donut with a selection of drinks from the drinks menu.
Disembarking from the aircraft after arrival into Singapore.
The spacious legroom of the exit row seats.
The slightly more spacious Delta Comfort+ rows of seats.
Heading through the Delta One cabin to exit the aircraft.
Back in the familiar Changi Airport Terminal 1.
Heading down for arrival immigration.
Walking past the duty free shops with nothing to buy.
Heading to Belt 16 to get my bags.
The newly expanded Belt 16 with more capacity, now with two collection rows.
The last bags were already on the belt by the time I got to the belt, so it was a quick collection.
Heading out of the baggage reclaim area.
Heading down to Basement 1 to get a taxi back home.
The new views of JEWEL Changi Airport after arriving at Terminal 1, heading down to the pick-up point.
Overall, a simple and pleasant flight with Delta Air Lines, concluding this Tokyo trip. Despite not having much of the Asian touch of service despite the crew being mainly Japanese, Delta got me to and from Japan safe and sound, with meals and baggage included in the full service fare. I didn’t expect much to begin with, especially with the low fare, so I guess it’s pretty okay. Being one of the cheapest ways to get between Singapore and Tokyo, I hope that with their cessation of services to Singapore, the fares of other airlines won’t immediately go up drastically.
Goodbye Delta, and thank you.