This is my first trip on AA in over 5 years. No status, other than being a basic AAdvantage Member, so I get to experience the expanded legroom in Y.

My boss was scheduled for a high-powered meeting with one of our biggest customers, and decided 10 days ago that he needed company. He went into DFW yesterday to visit with friends, and we were to meet at the Four Seasons in Las Colinas for our meeting. Since this was a Monday-Tuesday trip, fares on DL and Legend were $1300+. Due to the competition in LGB, AA fares don’t require a Sat. stay. My ticket - $376.00. So now I fly out of newself’s favorite aerodrome…LGB, for the first time in about 10 years (since UA dropped LGB).

The MTA transit strike started over the weekend and the news was predicting a commuting nightmare for Monday morning. Left home at 6:15am for an 8:25am flight. The fog & humidity we’ve had for the past 4-5 mornings has been pretty heavy. This morning was no different. As I came down from Rancho Palos Verdes, heading to the 110 Freeway, the fog was so thick the visibility was maybe 20ft.

Got down into San Pedro out of the fog & the 110 was clear, with very little traffic. North to the 405, then east to LGB. Trip only took 35 minutes so I guess it was early enough to miss the commuting debacle. Pulled into the parking garage at 6:50am, found a spot on the 2nd level, and into the ticketing area. About 25 people in line at AA, and with no status I had to join the masses. Fortunately the line moved fast with 4 agents working very efficiently and quickly. The counter agent was a young trainee and took care of business rapidly. My original seat was 26D (aisle), so I asked for something closer to the front, maybe a bulkhead? No dice on that, but did get 21D (exit row aisle).

Sat outside for a bit, but it was verrrrrrry humid, so inside for a coffee and watched the local news on TV. The choppers were already scrambled, preparing to report on the impending ‘freeway nightmare’, as one reporter called it. Finally through security to Gate 9 at 7:20am. I love quiet little airports and LGB is certainly that. Only about 15 people in the entire terminal, this AA flight is the only one scheduled for this time period, so these folks must be my flight. At 7:30 it seemed like the rest of the load arrived.

At about 7:45am, the sun started to break through. Called for boarding at 7:55am…F then all the AAdvantage levels (except mine) and then Row 21 and higher. By the time I boarded there were only 6-7 of the 14 FC seats occupied, but when I checked later 13 of the seats had pax in them. FA’s looked like a group of seasoned veterans who greeted everyone warmly at boarding. Got to my seat, stashed my bag in the overhead and settled in with my paper. By 8:15 there was no one else in my row of 3, then a seatmate for 21F showed up just before the door closed. Guess the FF angels were watching…this flight only had about 5 empty seats throughout Y, but I was lucky enough to have 21E empty next to me .

One of the reasons I’ve avoided AA is their fleet of MD-80’s. It is not a very comfortable plane, IMO, even in F. Since AA added the extra legroom, it definitely looks better. Even though I was in an exit seat, the pitch for other pax looks to be the same as Econ+ on UA.

The inside of this plane looked like it had been refurbished recently…very clean, carpet not worn, no scuffs or dings on the overhead doors, and even the Y seats all had the adjustable wing, leather headrests. A pillow & blanket was at my seat, but not at others around me (just coincidence I guess).

Push back at 8:25am, I had already decided to nap until breakfast was served. All I remember was short taxi and takeoff, then being hit in the elbow by a serving cart (not my favorite wake-up call). Breakfast was choice of cereal/fruit or a salsa omelette. Chose the latter and it was served pretty warm with a mini bagel and 2 slices of very sweet melon. This FA crew was terrific with this meal service. The drink cart followed directly behind the food cart, and we actually had drinks with the meal instead of waiting until we were almost done.

As quickly as they served the meal, they picked up trays and offered coffee fill-ups and more drinks. Though I’ve only flown in Y 3-4 times in the last 4 years, this was probably the best meal service (with decent food to boot) I can remember. The portions were small, but well prepared and tasty.

Capt. announced we would be 2:41 in the air and probably arrive a few minutes early. I spent part of the flight composing this report, then decided to sleep a bit more before we landed. Awoke just as we were about to touch down, long taxi to Gate C27, bags out fairly fast. Waited about 20 minutes for any kind of shuttle but none showed up. Went back upstairs & grabbed a taxi to the Four Seasons…$23.

This is the first time I’ve ever stayed at a Four Seasons, though I’ve attended seminars & conferences here before. I find the whole experience very pretentious. I know there are people who love this place...but for $320 night they could at least put a coffee maker in the room! We did have a wonderful dinner as part of a group meeting, then retired to the bar for pool, shuffleboard & Monday Night football.

May do a follow-up for the return tomorrow. Overall I think the AA flight rated a B+, and I forgot how much easier it is to fly out of LGB.