I couldn’t do my recap posts without starting with flying to and from Europe. I fly pretty often, however my flights are never more than 3 hours, and never out of the country! Before this trip I had only ever gone to the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands, both trips during High School. I was definitely a little apprehensive about an 8 hour flight over the Atlantic to Paris.
Since I bought my flight with Delta Skymiles I had to fly only Delta flights to and from Europe. Here was my schedule:
Since my first overseas flight arrived in Paris in the morning, my hope was to sleep for the whole time so I’d be up and ready to go.
Epic Fail.
Pretty sure I didn’t sleep a wink – it was all just too exciting!
What was exciting? Well, the plane was really large, with two different aisles and four seats in the middle and two seats on either window side. There was so much people watching, I absolutely loved it. The flight attendants brought us warm towels before meals, head phones, earplugs and eye masks, and blankets and pillows.
We received two meals during each flight. From Detroit to Paris we got dinner and breakfast. Delta gives you the option to request certain meals before you flight based on dietary restrictions. I’d chosen gluten free meals and I was surprised how “good” they were. Haha not restaurant quality but better than I’d anticipated. I do have to note, however, that I felt like the food coming out of Madrid was a little better than the food coming out of the US. For example we got that “spread” stuff that isn’t real butter in the US, but we got real butter coming out of Spain.
On both flights I received a chicken/veggie/rice dish, fruit, a side salad and some sort of gluten free cracker. For breakfast they gave me an Udi’s muffin, yogurt and fruit. From Madrid to New York we got lunch, an afternoon snack, a bottle of water and an ice cream! Oh, and wine. Free wine.
The best part of flying internationally with Delta? THE MOVIES! Seriously, I was SO excited for my flight back home because my goal was to watch four movies. Mission accomplished. They had tons of brand new movies, all for free! Between my two flights I watched Delivery Man, Way Way Back, Dallas Buyers Club (LOVED), Gravity, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and American Hustle.
You could also watch your plane as it flew over the Atlantic:
Other than the long flights, I was also a little nervous about going through customs. When I arrived in Paris I pretty much had to do nothing. I had packed in a carry-on size bag, however I decided to check it so I wouldn’t have to deal with it during my layovers:
In Paris I picked up my bag at baggage claim, walked through the customs area where they stamped my passport and was released into the wild. The end.
New York, however, was a whole other story.
But I’m skipping ahead – let’s start with Madrid. I was really nervous about getting to the airport early enough since I was in a new city and didn’t speak the language. Madrid has an airport express bus which only has three stops in the city and then heads straight to the airport. One of those stops was a 10 minute walk from my hostel, so I walked over there and got right on the bus. Easy peasy! However, I think my legs are a bit long for their public transit system…
Because I got to the airport so early (3.5 hours…) security was a breeze and everything moved quickly. Thankfully there was a Starbucks for me to pass the time in until my flight!
When I got to New York we had to wait in several lines to go through customs. We filled out some information on a computer screen which printed out a “pass” with our photo on it. From there I was able to go up to a customs agent, get my passport stamped, and then go pick up my bag from baggage claim (which really confused me because I thought my bag was checked through to Chicago). Then I had to go to a totally different terminal, which involved getting on a tram, getting off outside and walking through a parking lot until I entered a new terminal where I had to re-check my bag and go through security again. Good thing I had a long layover!
By this point I was stressed out (my poor friends who I was texting…) and not in the best mood. Thankfully I found a coffee shop that sold Coffee-cocktails:
I ordered a Russian night which looked like an ice coffee and was totally delicious. Why is it more fun to drink in secret? I don’t know, but it lifted my mood.
Thankfully my wonderful big brother was able to pick me up from the airport in Chicago so I could get home and pass out… The end!
All in all, I really enjoyed my international flights and would do it again in a heartbeat. I would not, however, fly through JFK if I can help it…
Have you ever flown on an international flight?
What’s your favorite airline? (mine is Southwest!!!)
I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Makes me really miss Europe!
My favorite airline I have flown so far is Emirates. It’s a hotel in the air no matter what class your fly in!
oh my gosh, I would LOVE to fly on Emirates! I’ve heard such amazing things about the airline!
You’re so brave for flying internationally on your own! I’d be nervous too! On the way out of Aruba, we had to check our bags, go through security, pick up our bags, go through customs, and then check our bags again. Our resort suggested we get to the airport at least 3 hours early, and now I know why! I like Southwest too. Their staff is so nice.
oh I LOVE flying/traveling alone! I feel like such a weirdo but I love it, I get really annoyed when I have to travel with someone else… haha.
Your experience at JFK sounds like mine at LAX!! I avoid that place like the plague, now. I’ve flown internationally once – to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Canadian customs was a breeze, and actually so was the U.S. The lady actually said to me, “Welcome home,” and then I just cried because I was so ready to be back from vacation. <3 Glad you had an amazing trip!
Maybe it’s easier coming back from Canada? Glad it went well!
lottsa international flights.
I NEED ME MORE MILES so I can upgrade 🙂 at 44 I still get wiggly.
haha I was SO wiggly – that’s why I couldn’t sleep!
I LOVE flying overseas for the fact of watching a crap ton of movies. You definitely did it right!
And flying into the USA is a huge pain in the butt. Always. So sorry you had to deal with that!
Haha yes, the movies make it so much better!
I can’t wait to hear more about your trip!
I’m glad to hear about the gluten free options on the plane. Traveling with food intolerances/allergies always makes me so stressed! I have only traveled to Hawaii a few times since going gf/df. They don’t offer special meals on the flights. It can be a very long day with out a real meal as the flight is over 6 hours. I want to go to Europe in a few years am an interested in food options. So I would love to hear about your eats traveling.
I have traveled to Europe in college. I flew alone and it was ok. I just hated having a 9 hour layover by myself! I have also traveled to Tahiti which is a long flight but service on Air Tahiti Nui was awesome.
My favorite airline is Hawaiian airlines. I have only traveled to the islands the past 6 years.
Ah a 9 hour layover sounds awful! As for food in Europe the only problem was it was more expensive to eat GF since I couldn’t just grab a baguette, croissant or sandwich. I’d have to buy a more expensive entree. Sometimes I just got a couple tapas though when I was in Spain! I also brought a lot of protein bars, packets of PB and baggies of oatmeal.
I flew to turkey and then to London, both from the U.S. By myself. Always an adventure, lol! Your food sounds better than mine… I ate a lot of protein bars
Loved the movies tho!!!! Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Is it weird that I love flying alone? I’ve been doing it since I was 14 and for some reason I way prefer flying alone than with other people!
I’ve never done an international flight! I have some trips in the works so I am hoping to do it in the next year though 🙂
Alaska Air is the only airline that flies in and out of the town that I live in. They have always been awesome to fly with! Their planes are super basic but the customer service is great.
Haha well that’s great that you love Alaska Air, otherwise that would get annoying!
Flying out of the country makes you wonder why it is so hard to come into our country. I know security is important, but there’s got to be a more efficient way. And, there really is no way to get enough sleep on a flight to Europe! A bit of dozing is the best you can hope for.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who has trouble sleeping on flights!
I’ve never flown before- I’m terrified to! However, my first time will be an international flight, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be looking out for those coffee cocktails!
Never flown at all?? Wow, well good thing your first flight is international because those big planes are pretty stable. And if take off/landing scares you, just remember to breathe deeply and it will be over quickly!
Bummer you weren’t aware of the international recheck in. Any time you go out of the country, if you come back, and then are taking another flight in the us you have to recheck your bag. Its a pain, but the way it goes.
Ah yes, I had no idea!
I’ve had some pretty horrible experiences with Delta…maybe they’ve gotten better and maybe my experiences were random, but it’s happened enough that I don’t look to fly with them first. I’m glad you had what seemed like a great experience though, especially for them being international flights. I’d say my favorite airline is Southwest too!
i flew delta the first time I went to Greece, i thought they were great!!
Oooo Greece!
I had so many miles because they were the only airline I could take from Charleston to KC when I was in college, that’s why I picked them. Didn’t love them either, but I was pleasantly surprised by this trip!
[…] of my second day in Paris was spent outside the city at Versailles. In case you missed it, here’s My Take on Flying Internationally, and Paris Day […]