I just joined this site a few moments ago myself. I'm a 4 yr Delta spouse.

In regard to going to NYC for a day trip, I find that Saturdays are a piece of cake. Most business travelers aren't flying. Most vacationers have attempted to reach grandma's on Friday, returning Sunday. I don't imagine many problems for your day trip. In fact, I just took a peek at Travelnet. Wide open.

In regard to viewing Travelnet on an iPhone, I don't know. I know I simply cannot on a Treo :-(.

As far as the UK goes, I went earlier this yr around Independence Day. Pain in the butt as I was bumped twice out of here. I found that it was cheaper and more open to catch a ZED flight on British Airways rather than take our beloved Delta out of Atlanta during that holiday period. Can you believe it? My ZED flight was cheaper than my employee flight would have been. British airlines don't seem to be subject to the heavy taxes that "foreign" airlines have to pay to land there. They have 4 classes. I wasn't in first class, but it wasn't stowage either. Remember, "buddies" can't fly ZED, if you were planning to bring one. I find that other airlines still have a dress code, so don't wear shorts if you go that route.