Streamliner

I'm posting this as I look out over the gorgeous aqua blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, as my family vacations in Maui. Yesterday, as we waited to board our Delta flight from LAX, I thought my eyes deceived me, but sure enough, there, sitting on the tarmac, was a white Porsche Panamera, with the familiar red & blue "Delta Airlines" logo, prominently emblazoned on the side of the car. Sorry I didn't get a photo, but I was wondering if anyone here might know what the story is with this odd visitor to a secure airport terminal area. It did not appear to be in transit, it looked as though it was just part of the ground crew equipment. I figure it must be some sort of a promotional thing, but for what, I cannot imagine.

UrBusted

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/new...icle-1.2083925
As well as a youtube video

ajm0623

certain mega top tier flyers are being shuttled from their aircraft to either the 1st class departure lounge or to their next flight using high end (i.e., p-car panamera) cars. delta started that programme recently. i thought benzo participated as well but that might be with united airlines.

jenz

Google is your friend, clearly you're not 'high value' enough

http://news.delta.com/2013-11-20-Del...apolis-St-Paul

UPDATE clearly I'm not fast enough to click submit

Jason B

Interesting. I must admit that I find the Panamera one of the ugliest higher end vehicles on the road today. I don't care that they make a turbo version that is super fast. It's still ugly.

Streamliner

My apologies again for the off topic, yet luxury vehicle related post.

No, I'm definitely not high value enough, as I don't fly that much anymore. That said, I can definitely see some of the more rotund, high value customers having reasonable difficulty getting into and especially getting out of a frigging Panamera. It really is a four door sports car, not a sporty luxury sedan. I'm 6'1" & 200# and I found the Panamera quite uncomfortable, especially the entry/exit. To me, their vehicle choice stinks and a nice big W222 (on topic?) would have made ever so much more sense--if the ridiculous program made any sense in the first place. Had said Porsche been delivering Mr. Hoidy-of-Toidy to our Maui bound flight, he would have felt so let down when he slid into his cramped First Class seat, with fraying leather, complimented by the general delapidated condition of the decades old 757 that should have been sent to South America many years ago.

I know that the airframe was probably sound, the engines in tip top shape and the pilots amongst the world's best, but the look of this "Delta Jet" gave me pause and now I just can't imagine how much better spent the money would have been, if perhaps the Porsches were never purchased and maybe some interior maintenance was. Delta should be embarrassed and ashamed to continue to fly such pieces of sh-t. I know, any landing you can walk away from is a good one, but SHEESH, what a horrible plane! Richard Branson: where were you when I needed you?

Streamliner

+1 on that!

hyperion667

hmmmm...odd video.....why was the dash wart running??


had a panny as a loaner once.......besides all the buttons, which are staggering, it's a pretty lame car.....and yes, ugly too, impossible to see out of the rear, then the spoiler deploys

xolinlevh

Largely exaggerated.

Its a random service provided for Diamond Medallions (the top tier frequent flyer tier, but not exactly 'mega' anything). Generally as a surprise when they arrive on tight connections. They meet you in the jetway and walk you down onto the tarmac into the waiting car and whisk you to your next flight. And Delta is using the Porsches due to the fact that not to long ago Porsche opened a HQ near Delta in Atlanta.

I should also point out that delta does not have '1st class departure lounges', they have their skyclubs...but if you've ever been in one you'll know they are by no means 1st class.

Quadcammer

off topic, but i swear most domestic airlines are dog****.

flew to milan on emirates, and now thats how its done.

Jason B

Just saw one. Ewe.

Streamliner

Don't you just love those Porsche "Price For Equipment" numbers?