America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - Question about first class

I have never taken first class on America West, only on National Airlines. Can anyone tell me how they compare, from seat comfort to service. I am planning a trip from JFK-LAS in two weeks and I need to decide which airline to take.

Thanks for the help.

I've never flown National, but I'm an AW elite and fly 1st class routinely. A friend of mine flies National frequently. He says the National front cabin has "true" first class service -- much better than AW. Also, AW's small planes are O-L-D and creaky (737's). But if you're flying cross coast, you'll be on the 757's, which are nicer.

Bidkat, pardner, what about all those A319's and A320's?

First Class on their a319 aircraft is about as good as domestic F gets, IMHO. The seats are very comfy and modern. Better than DL, NW, or UA anyway.

There's more to First Class then just a seat on an airplane, SpuddBrother! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

SpuddBrother- how are the 757's compared to the A319's?

I'll answer for Brother Spudsie, Old! (http://airtravel.about.com/library/stats/blageairlinehp.htm) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif, The average age for HP's 13 757's is 14 years, compared to 6 years for the A320's and 1 year for the A319's

p.s. HP's 737-200's have an average age of 19 years, which sounds old until you look at Northworst's 30+ year old "Classic" DC-9's! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

[This message has been edited by snake (edited 02-03-2002).]

When they were serving food, before 9/11, F on HP's A319s and A320s was a very nice product indeed. New airplanes, big wide leather seats, plenty of attention from motivated FAs, liberal upgrade policy.

Without food there's not much "product" to point to... cocktails aren't even served in proper glasses anymore. It's two drinks, two envelopes of trail mix and the FAs disappear for good.

The east coast services (JFK-PHX, etc.) are where the 757s are workhorses and while there is some food on some of those sectors now, I understand, the airplanes are far older and in less excellent shape. My family flew PHX-DCA and BWI-PHX a few months ago on 757s and said they were real rattletraps.