America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - What is FC like with America West?

America West is selling domestic FC tickets about $300 less than the other three airlines... ( SEA-CLE).

What is their FC product like? Is it comparable to other domestic FC ?

America West is selling domestic FC tickets about $300 less than the other three airlines... ( SEA-CLE).

What is their FC product like? Is it comparable to other domestic FC ?

It is okay at best. It certainly isn't comparable to any of the legacy carriers (and if US is included in this legacy list, then HP has an edge on their F service--perhaps the worst ever).

You'll have two choices of entrees, a chicken caesar or a pasta dish (usually a tri colored tortellini), breadstick that doubles as a self defense instrument, and either a cookie or brownie. Movie on IFE (you'll be lucky this month when you are graced with yet another top quality picked movie...Mr and Mrs Smith...uggh). Flight attendants are professional, prompt, and courteous. Bud Light or Heineken, select wine service (this month's feature: mad dog 20/20), and all soft drinks (they even have diet dr pepper ^ ). Probably be a 3.5 hour flight from phx-cle. Your outbound out of seattle however will have zero food, so be warned. Just the "gourmet mix" snack pack (speaking of those, didn't someone mention on here a while back the much tastier gold mix is coming back??).

Hope this helps.

Ian

It is okay at best. It certainly isn't comparable to any of the legacy carriers (and if US is included in this legacy list, then HP has an edge on their F service--perhaps the worst ever).

You'll have two choices of entrees, a chicken caesar or a pasta dish (usually a tri colored tortellini), breadstick that doubles as a self defense instrument, and either a cookie or brownie. Movie on IFE (you'll be lucky this month when you are graced with yet another top quality picked movie...Mr and Mrs Smith...uggh). Flight attendants are professional, prompt, and courteous. Bud Light or Heineken, select wine service (this month's feature: mad dog 20/20), and all soft drinks (they even have diet dr pepper ^ ). Probably be a 3.5 hour flight from phx-cle. Your outbound out of seattle however will have zero food, so be warned. Just the "gourmet mix" snack pack (speaking of those, didn't someone mention on here a while back the much tastier gold mix is coming back??).

Hope this helps.

Ian
I actually liked Mrs and Mrs. Smith...At least it isn't a total chick flick like that Travelling pants movie I was forced view (but thankfully not listen to) on US.

I really wish they would switch up the salad / pasta thing. They are soooo tired now..the pasta has always sucked but the salad I didn't mind the first few hundred times.

Yeah what ever did happen to the old snack mix coming back. I thought someone said it would be 6 months but that might have been in may so we still have a couple months left of that crap. I like the snack basket idea of US though.

Oh and no power ports in first (or anywhere else on an HP plane) :D

Lance

I actually liked Mrs and Mrs. Smith...At least it isn't a total chick flick like that Travelling pants movie I was forced view (but thankfully not listen to) on US.

I really wish they would switch up the salad / pasta thing. They are soooo tired now..the pasta has always sucked but the salad I didn't mind the first few hundred times.

Yeah what ever did happen to the old snack mix coming back. I thought someone said it would be 6 months but that might have been in may so we still have a couple months left of that crap. I like the snack basket idea of US though.

Oh and no power ports in first (or anywhere else on an HP plane) :D

Lance


One more thing, avoid the older 737-300's in first. If there is a choice of times and one has an Airbus, go for that plane.. usually much better seats and comfort.

Actually on some planes, I prefer emergency row over certain rows in first.

Cheers!

It is okay at best. It certainly isn't comparable to any of the legacy carriers (and if US is included in this legacy list, then HP has an edge on their F service--perhaps the worst ever)...

Have you flown on US Airways lately? I've had excellent experiences over the last month with their First Class service. The meals have been good and the service attentive and friendly. The only negative vis a vis the competition has been the use of plastic cups instead of glasses.

Have you flown on US Airways lately? I've had excellent experiences over the last month with their First Class service. The meals have been good and the service attentive and friendly. The only negative vis a vis the competition has been the use of plastic cups instead of glasses.

Actually good point. No, I haven't. My written opinion was solely based on what I read on the US forum and that some sort of food bag is given to F customers. I am way off? If so my apologies. "Don't knock it until you try it" eh? Perhaps I should take some of my own advice.

One more thing, avoid the older 737-300's in first. If there is a choice of times and one has an Airbus, go for that plane.. usually much better seats and comfort.

Actually on some planes, I prefer emergency row over certain rows in first.

Cheers!

LAX1K, I flew one of HP's 752's in row 2 last week to IAH--bulkhead, starboard side of a/c. What I was most impressed with (and surprised) was that a large cubby hole area was cut out of the bulkhead for major legroom. Definitely the best seat in a 752 F (2C).

Ian

Actually good point. No, I haven't. My written opinion was solely based on what I read on the US forum and that some sort of food bag is given to F customers. I am way off? If so my apologies. "Don't knock it until you try it" eh? Perhaps I should take some of my own advice.

The Inflight Cafe boxes have been replaced by hot tray meals on flights to the west coast. East coast flights have snacks served on trays (small sandwich & side salad with an XOXO bar, for example).

The Inflight Cafe boxes have been replaced by hot tray meals on flights to the west coast. East coast flights have snacks served on trays (small sandwich & side salad with an XOXO bar, for example).


Yep, I should add that breakfast snack service in F consists of either a small croissant OR bagel and a fruit plate, all served on plastic.

LAX1K, I flew one of HP's 752's in row 2 last week to IAH--bulkhead, starboard side of a/c. What I was most impressed with (and surprised) was that a large cubby hole area was cut out of the bulkhead for major legroom. Definitely the best seat in a 752 F (2C).


Don't count on that cubby hole, though. Some of the 57s have them, it seems more don't.

Is Seatguru accurate in that pitch is only 35-36 inches in first? It lists 4 configurations for HP.

Don't count on that cubby hole, though. Some of the 57s have them, it seems more don't.

Taking this flight a few weeks back reminded of something funny that happened while on board. The man across the aisle from me in 2B asked for a cup of coffee. When the f/a attendant brought it to him, he took one sip and fairly loudy exclaimed: "ah excuse me miss? do you have any better tasting coffee? This coffee is really bad. I do consider myself quite the connoisseur of coffee let me tell you. If it's not folgers or dunkin donuts, I won't drink it" :eek: :D ^

I was waiting for him to at least smile/smirk etc. No dice. He wasn't joking.

Don't count on that cubby hole, though. Some of the 57s have them, it seems more don't.
In fact the more you need it there, the less likely it is to be there. I loved sitting in row 2 bulkhead when it was there but more often than not I was not so lucky in getting it.

Lance

Is Seatguru accurate in that pitch is only 35-36 inches in first? It lists 4 configurations for HP.
I've never actually measured it with a tape measure but it seems accurate. I know I hate flying the 737s cuz it seems like you are placing your laptop on the head of the guy that is now reclining in your lap.

Lance

This is the nightmare row.

Every boarding coach passenger steps on your feet and then you get to play footsie with the crew on takeoff and landing. :mad:

A good rule of thumb is to avoid all HP 737s.

This is the nightmare row.

Every boarding coach passenger steps on your feet and then you get to play footsie with the crew on takeoff and landing. :mad:

A good rule of thumb is to avoid all HP 737s.

Definitely! The lack of a bulkhead on that side makes them tough seats -- though once you're in the air the space is nice.

BTW, it's seats A&B you want to avoid. C is ok, as it's across the aisle and has a bulkhead in front of it. HP does AB-CD in F; ABC-DEF in Y.

Taking this flight a few weeks back reminded of something funny that happened while on board. The man across the aisle from me in 2B asked for a cup of coffee. When the f/a attendant brought it to him, he took one sip and fairly loudy exclaimed: "ah excuse me miss? do you have any better tasting coffee? This coffee is really bad. I do consider myself quite the connoisseur of coffee let me tell you. If it's not folgers or dunkin donuts, I won't drink it" :eek: :D ^

I was waiting for him to at least smile/smirk etc. No dice. He wasn't joking.

Actually he got it half right. Dunkin Donuts is considered by a lot of people to be the best coffee offered by a large chain because they use 100% Arabica beans. Folgers, on the other hand, is a blend of cheap stuff.

This is the nightmare row.

Every boarding coach passenger steps on your feet and then you get to play footsie with the crew on takeoff and landing. :mad:

A good rule of thumb is to avoid all HP 737s.


This is a plus and a minus. I've had some really great conversations with some of HP's best FAs (20 yrs+) while seated in 1B.

This is a plus and a minus. I've had some really great conversations with some of HP's best FAs (20 yrs+) while seated in 1B.

I like 1A...but everyone does step on your toes during boarding if you are in 1B. Personally I fly mostly shorter flights as I am PHX based and fly to ELP, ABQ, LAS and DIA mostly. I do fly MSP on HP as well. Longer flights generally go to Delta and I'm not sure if that'll change with the merger. I think the lack of power ports was mentioned but this is one downfall of the FC cabin on HP. FAs are pretty professional and courteous. The only time I see a meal is on the flights 3-4 times a yr to MSP, so I guess for me it isn't as tired as for others. The snack mix on the other hand is very tired.

We find row 1 a bit scrunchy for legroom. we don't fly HP First often but seats and service are as good as AS for sure. We are occasional fliers. All these people that fly all the time have much more to compare and may be a bit more jaded. We have a different persective, I guess.

First Class on America West is like cheap wine, and I don't even drink. :)

First Class on America West is like cheap wine, and I don't even drink. :)
LOL that's too funny...does it give you a headache like cheap wine? :p

I haven't flown our FC in a long time but I do know that it is more of a courtesy than anything else. It really isn't meant to be competitive to other legacy carriers since we started changing our business model. It is nice enough and cheap enough to upgrade for a bigger seat or a meal (if there is one). Most people are willing to pay $150 for an upgrade on a longer flight. To be honest I just flew in FC on CO and it wasn't anything exciting. I would certainly say it was comparable to HP's...expcept they use glass cups. They were on shorter flights but the food was NOTHING to write home about..lol. Of course this doesn't include BFirst...which is obviously better.

LOL that's too funny...does it give you a headache like cheap wine? :p

I haven't flown our FC in a long time but I do know that it is more of a courtesy than anything else. It really isn't meant to be competitive to other legacy carriers since we started changing our business model. It is nice enough and cheap enough to upgrade for a bigger seat or a meal (if there is one). Most people are willing to pay $150 for an upgrade on a longer flight. To be honest I just flew in FC on CO and it wasn't anything exciting. I would certainly say it was comparable to HP's...expcept they use glass cups. They were on shorter flights but the food was NOTHING to write home about..lol. Of course this doesn't include BFirst...which is obviously better.

Yes of course, but in general just flying America West gives me a headache. I probably should not be saying that, though. Oh well, honesty will save me. :)

I totally agree with your other comment regarding First Class on Continental. The other day someone in the CO forum said that CO has the premier domestic First Class, and I was like, what?!?!?!? I guess he has never flown United in domestic F. Now, that's unfortunate.

I am not an America West Flyer... But recently I had taken them from SFO to ATL This was day of last minute. The ticket was only $400 one way. The recline of F was awful. Yet I felt comfy in the cabin. Service was only drink/snack no glass. What really impressed me was the fact that I Could use their clubs for free! Which were impressive compared to RCC (I transited LAS and PHX cause when I Got to LAS I realized that if I connect in PHX I Could get to ATL at 3am instead of 6) There was a free bar, and decent snacks chips, muffins etc. In PHX there was a super pretzel warmer! Yet I was there after they served them :( Anyway If I Was not a UA flyer (who offers the same F fare booked in QUP) I would be really happy with HP as an airline $800 first class return tickets across the country, and free lounge access and booze, and a free day at the casinos if warrented.. Thumbs up to HP.

Yes of course, but in general just flying America West gives me a headache. I probably should not be saying that, though. Oh well, honesty will save me. :)

I totally agree with your other comment regarding First Class on Continental. The other day someone in the CO forum said that CO has the premier domestic First Class, and I was like, what?!?!?!? I guess he has never flown United in domestic F. Now, that's unfortunate.
How do you think I feel? I've worked for them for 5 years..lol. Actually they have been ok...Mesa is the one that sucks but in TUS that's all we get....no mainline. My job would be much easier if we had our own planes...at least they are ontime!

How do you think I feel? I've worked for them for 5 years..lol. Actually they have been ok...Mesa is the one that sucks but in TUS that's all we get....no mainline. My job would be much easier if we had our own planes...at least they are ontime!

Many HP FFs are hoping fly747first's headaches end up as an aneurism that only occurs on HP/US flights and that he will go somewhere else to whine...... :rolleyes:

Many HP FFs are hoping fly747first's headaches end up as an aneurism that only occurs on HP/US flights and that he will go somewhere else to whine...... :rolleyes:

How funny, or should I say sad? I suppose the wit train just isn't for you. Get it? Well, I hope I fly with you some day, can't wait to say "have a good trip Kev!" as you pass my seat on your way to Y.

Good thread. I am looking to book a one-way flight from ORD to SFO for next year and in the UK AA prices at 175ukp for economy and 375ukp for FIRST so HPs 255ukp fare for First is great! Just want a bit more space and not having to dig around for change to buy food and drink on the flight!

Many HP FFs are hoping fly747first's headaches end up as an aneurism that only occurs on HP/US flights and that he will go somewhere else to whine...... :rolleyes:

I'm no fan of the guy either, but that's pretty serious. How about a seizure and a ticket in CO Y instead? ;)

Is Seatguru accurate in that pitch is only 35-36 inches in first? It lists 4 configurations for HP.

Probably, the pitch is substanially less than other airlines

Probably, the pitch is substanially less than other airlines

Except Northwest.

I'm no fan of the guy either, but that's pretty serious. How about a seizure and a ticket in CO Y instead? ;)

Awwww thanks. Fortunately for me I'm more of an Emirates A340-500
First Class flyer. Hey, I think you would look great flying LOT intercontinental Business Class. :)

Last Sunday Flew US Airways Business Class from Rome to Philadelphia and First Class from Philadelphia to PHX. BC compared favorably with AA and DL but I missed the map that shows where the plane is in flight. FC was better than on HP. Decent chicken dinner option and seemingly more legroom.

Except Northwest.

Ugh, NW F pitch is AWFUL...the guy in front reclined his seat and it was the end...

Ugh, NW F pitch is AWFUL...the guy in front reclined his seat and it was the end...

Can it be as bad as HP? If some chump sitting in 1C reclines his seatback on a HP 733 you'll be looking at his forehead in a few seconds :D

Ian

Ugh, NW F pitch is AWFUL...the guy in front reclined his seat and it was the end...

Not to beat a dead horse, but get a guy to recline on HP and it ain't a picnic either.

Not to beat a dead horse, but get a guy to recline on HP and it ain't a picnic either.

The point is that HP and NW are both pretty bad in F. The 733 F pitch on HP is very similar to the DC-9/A320 pitch on NW.