Inaugural Delta Salt Lake City To Amsterdam Nonstop Flight

 I have always wanted to fly on an inaugural international flight, especially after hearing all the stories my buddy Dave has told me about his inaugural flights. So while planning another Euro Trip for the Spring of 2015 I heard about Delta starting up nonstop service from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Amsterdam (AMS) on May 1st 2015.

 Right away the wheels started turning and I knew this was too good to pass up. After looking into the flight I began planning Euro Trip '15. My buddy Dave decided he too needed to take part in this inaugural flight and made plans to join me at SLC for the flight over to AMS. I cashed in 112,500 Skymiles and $84.60 in taxes for my two flights; SLC-AMS over and CDG-SLC back. 
A few days before the flight I found out that one of the flight attendants knows my mother and told her she would look after Dave and I. Everything was starting to fall right into place for my eighth trip over to Europe. 

 Dave and I headed out to Salt Lake International Airport very early making sure not to miss any festivities Delta might have for this inaugural flight. Turns out we were the first ones at the gate and things were just getting set up. 

Tulips

 Our 767-300ER landed from Paris (CDG) and would soon be full of passengers heading back over the Atlantic to Amsterdam (AMS)   

DL56 SLC-AMS

Refreshments

Pin That Was Given Out

 Soon everything was all setup and more Delta people started showing up. I overheard one of the more executive looking ones say that they don't do as much for the inaugural flights these days. I was still appreciative of the effort they did make for this inaugural flight. Dave and I grabbed a few cookies and some water along with one of the commemorative pins they were giving out. Surprisingly, many of the people on this flight had no idea what was going on and that they were going to be on the inaugural SLC-AMS flight. 

Cabin Crew Members

Judge and Cynthia 

  Cynthia took great care of us throughout the flight. Always a bonus knowing a member of the flight crew.

Dave and Judge 

Almost There

 Right before pushback there was an announcement from the flight deck welcoming everyone to the inaugural Salt Lake City to Amsterdam flight, and with that we were off. 

 It was fun being part of the inaugural Delta international flight; very much a feather in my travel cap. Would I go out of my way for another inaugural flight? Probably not, but there is an inaugural Salt Lake City to London Heathrow (LHR) coming up May 1 2016.  

 

My First Amtrak Ride: December 2011

I have been on hundreds of trains over in Europe, but the only train I had ever ridden here in the States besides the light rail systems is the Heber Creeper in Heber, UT. So when my buddy Dave suggested a quick DEN-SLC Amtrak ride I jumped all over it!

        

Leaving behind Salt Lake City and the Inversion as I head East to Denver on Delta

After a very quick flight on Delta I met up with Dave at DEN. We take a bus into the city; a Denver Broncos game just ended and the traffic was  a nightmare.

The Next day we jumped on the California Zephyr heading westbound at 08:05. We have coach tickets so once on the train we pick out two seats. Then it was off to the Sightseer Lounge car to enjoy the views as the train heads up the Rockies towards the Moffat Tunnel.

Sightseer Lounge Car

I found that the best side of the train to sit on is the right side on the way up then once into Fraser Canyon the left side is the ideal side to sit on.

The views along this ride are phenomenal! How this train is not jammed packed with people is beyond me.

I treat Dave to lunch in the Dinner car and once again was surprised by Amtrak. The food was quite good and the prices were reasonable. The seating in the Dinner is community seating, which is a great way to meet fellow travelers.

Dinner Car Table View

 Back in the Sightseer Lounge car we settle in taking in the views and talk travel. We brainstorm some ideas for future trips over to Europe. With no rush in getting to our destination the journey becomes quite enjoyable. Plenty time to write, read, talk, nap and just watch the countryside go by. 

Interstate 70

This being December the sun starts to set once we are in Utah. By the time we are heading up towards Price, UT we are in the dark. From time to time out of the darkness emerges the lights city.

The train makes several stops along the route, some are long enough to jump off the train and stretch one's legs. Unless one is a smoker, I would recommend going upwind from all the smokers that use these stops to get in a quick smoke. Take the time at the stops to walk the train and snap some pictures of it.

  

                                                             California Zephyr Westbound

Back in Salt Lake City fifteen hours after leaving Denver I say goodbye to Dave and head home. What a great first ride on Amtrak! I know this will be the first of many travels on Amtrak. 
I recommend printing out this AMTRAK Route Guide to refer to along this ride.