American Airlines: my initial experiences

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

Flew with American Airlines for the first time ever last week. Trip was from RDU to Barcelona, then from Heathrow (Spit!) back to RDU. There were 2 legs on American Eagle, two on AA wide-body jets.

First point to be made is that on the Eagle commuter jets, there was a noticeable measure of extra room, as compared with the extra-cramped Delta commuter jets. Not that these jets are comfortable for a man my size. But at least I wasn't forced to meditate to keep a claustrophobic panic attack from happening, as did happen with me with Delta back in January. And most interesting to me was that on this tiny commuter jet, the windows were set high enough in the wall and were large enough that an adult could readily see out. A nice little extra that I enjoyed.

Second point here is that our plane developed a sensor malfunction while we were taxiing, and forced us to go back to the terminal. We ended up being a couple of hours late getting to our connection at JFK. But that wasn't a real problem, as our layover was scheduled to be nearly 3 hours... and JFK traffic is significantly slowed these days because of a major runway being out of service for repairs.

On the transatlantic flight, the 767 we rode in was decent. Again, slightly more room available than a similar Delta jet, which I appreciated. The meals they served were eatable (not QUITE the disgusting lumps I've seen on some long-haul flights), and the drink selection was pretty good. I thought it was nice that they placed plastic-bagged flight survival kits in the seats, with a blanket, pillow and headphone set. Oddly enough, the blankets were not needed. The cabin was overly warm all the way across the ocean, and several folks mentioned that they were sweating at least part of the way. Somewhat surprising, based on my limited exposure to long flights.

On all the flights we took, the flight crew was extremely nice and helpful. Again, my exposure to flight crew interaction is minimal, but they seemed better at their job than many that I've seen at Delta or USeless Air.

Our experience flying from Heathrow back to RDU was more or less a mirror of the trip east-bound, except that we ran across no mechanical difficulties.

Overall, I'd give AA a B or B+ -- I personally thought they are better to fly with than most airlines I've encountered. I may use them again in the future, if they have a good itinerary for my needs.

[Liv]

Once we started flying American, we've never turned back. Part of it is the fact Delta is generally always cheaper on the cheap ticket places... therefore (as the hypothesis goes) attracts lesser friendly flying friends IMHO. Which in turn creates less friendly staff, which makes the whole thing a little less attractive to me.

I'm all in these days with AA. Even went to lunch at Rio Grande because it's a AAdvantage Dining locale.

My tip on flying international with respect to temperature comfort is if you like it hot, sit near the back away from an exit row. If you like it cool, sit as close to an exit row as possible. I like it cool, so I try to position myself close to an exit row.

The other nice thing about AA is you can actually book award tickets where as Delta is harder than hell to get an award ticket half the time.

And for any readers interested... you can almost always save 5% on American Airlines by purchasing an Entertainment Book. Which often makes flying on the inferior Delta cost wise negligible.

Another reason I like AA is generally their flying arrangements. The 767s and 777s are generally 2/4/2 which means you can have a bit of privacy if you're a couple. And I love the Eagle planes (ER-4) with their single seat rows (1/2 config) for when I have to fly solo.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

One further thought, regarding the headphones and the "entertainment" they allow coach fliers to access. All the channels, all the video that I had access to for the leg on the 777 sucked posterior. Episodes of sitcoms I had never heard of, bloody "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie, easy-listening crap no one could possibly enjoy... WTF??

At least I had my iPhone loaded with a selection of GOOD videos to while away the hours (or was it days?) of crying, screaming toddlers and their shushing parents.

[Liv]

You're actually lucky they downgraded our direct flight from RDU to LHR to a 767 with no seat back entertainment... but then again... I usually sleep anyways. (or try too).

And don't knock the seat back... I cried my butt off all the way across the atlantic watching P.S. I Love You, 2 years ago.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

Yeah, if they had had any decent movies on tap last week, it would have helped a bit. But luckily, I had "Princess Bride" and "Dr. Strangelove" with me, as well as a good selection of Rifftrax shorts.

This reminds me.. On the bus trip from Dover to London, we saw this one family that had a pair of elementary-school age girls in tow. They had supplied them with the latest high-tech pacifiers: iPads. They plugged themselves in at the start of the 2-hour journey, and we heard nary a peep from them the whole time. Boggles the mind, I tell you.

[[email protected]]

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[Liv]

So US AIR and American are likely to hostily merge. Of any of the companies to mate, I'd be most happy with this arrangement. God forbid, Delta would take over. It's sad that a company which had principles, (such as not filing for bankruptcy just to dissolve their debt early on), and was proactive in the world (GLBT travelling program, etc) is the one that is going goodbye. But American capitalism doesn't give any bonus points for ethic corporate behavior, in fact, it's quite the opposite.

Not all mergers are bad though... I sat through the GTE, Bell Atlantic merger- and witnessed a stronger company emerge. If US Airways doesn't forget the core reason people fly with American (mostly that it's not Delta, great rewards, etc.) then hopefully this will all come out okay. If they turn this machine into a no-thrills economy carrier, then this new company won't be around long either.

I wonder how the re-branding will go? Perhaps a new name? I always did feel a bit insecure flying on something painted red white and blue.

Some suggestions:
Ascension Air (AA)
Sky Shuttle (Shhhhh)
Oceanic (YES!)
Trans-International Transport (TIT)
Air Capitalism/Democracy Carrier (AC/DC)

Apparently some think it will still be called American... that would surprise me:

"The combined carrier will be branded American Airlines, based in Fort Worth Texas and headquartered at CentrePort. It will be comparable in size and scope to Delta and United."

[Jay]

I figured they'd call it US American and get that Miss South Carolina girl to be their spokesmodel to talk about the "US Americans".

[Liv]

Someone suggested American Airways...

I'd really prefer something "evolved" personally... but a lot of people are saying the merger won't even happen.

[Jamy]

Oceanic has my vote. I bet people would choose it just because they liked LOST.

[Liv]

Too bad they didn't buy the Pan-Am name.... I'd LOVE to fly on a Pan-Am Jet.... nostalgia.

[Jamy]

That's true... Pan-Am was from an era when flying was glamorous. I found a site a while back, that specialized in selling Pan-Am memorabilia. It was cool.

[Liv]

Not sure if you caught an earlier post, but Pan-Am is flying again, albeit as a cargo carrier:

http://www.flypanam.com/

Of course Oceanic really is American Airlines in some ironic way, because Oceanic first appeared in Executive Decision boarded by Islamic terrorists and shot down by US fighter jets, as some suggest the 9/11 jets were:

[Liv]

So American is going 10 across in coach it sounds like. You'll have to pay for the 9 across in their premium economy in the future. I can't believe 30 or so extra seats will make an airline solvent, and in fact, I may choose not to fly with them because of this. Silly.

[Liv]

I've noticed that since their bankruptcy, (I've been airfare searching a lot lately) their prices have shot through the roof. United seems to running the best deals lately.

It's going to be very interesting to see how AA moves forwards, but it looks like customers are going to get the crap end of it.

[Liv]

I Think American should start running political campaigns. They always have spectacular commercials, though I'm confused by this one. I'd like to believe in American, but lately it looked like the merger was a done deal. Maybe there's hope yet.