General
I have flown AA Business Class on many occasions, so this was not my first trip.

Check-In
I was actually looking forward to the PARK AVENUE check-in at LHR. Knowing what a pain the terminal can be in general, and being driven to the Airport by a friend, it all sounded too easy! As you approach T3 there are overhead signs directing you to the kerbside check-in facility for First and Business Class Passengers only (I assume this means the Advantage card holders usually able to avail to the First and Business counters are also able to use this facility). So, you get in the correct land and park outside the door – well you could have done if we were not blocked by a Mini-Bus, and old taxi, a courier motorbike and several other cars – all unmanned. As I struggled with my three bags, I looked inside, no one was checking in, three check in staff and one guy at the door. No luggage carts, and no offer of assistance. My friend ran over got me a cart and – well I wandered over to the main terminal, it looked so uninviting, and the fact that no one had asked the vehicles parked to move on for privileged passengers quite frankly amazed me! The brochure quotes “This unique development in a sought after location boasts private slip road and own parking spaces. Well I am inclined to disagree totally! What a load of pop!

So, I mozzie on downed to the regular terminal. I do not do hand luggage, and asked if I could check in one suitcase of regular size and two other very small bags, the two together did not make up two thirds the size of a suitcase, but was told no way as the machine was not capable of printing three luggage tags. So, I put two on, and the check in counter staff immediately sent it down the conveyor belt! Not even tagged! I pointed out that she may not have meant to have done that! She went running off, leaving me stood there. 20 minutes later she reappeared and asked if it was my bag! Luckily it was so we started again! It dawned on me then, “what if I had excess luggage and had to pay” you could print off more than two labels then huh”. She gave me a look that said “arrgh, you’ve flown before then!” I was only able to check in the two pieces after all. It was two days post the Blackout in new York City, so I was told that the flight was solid.

Admirals Lounge
Smoking area, so I was more than happy, although the passengers not smoking close by were not so happy as there was no gold fish bowl effect around us! Plenty of drinks, although it was a bit of a maze to find them, and then to get back! Got even harder after several vodkas too! Very grim, but good views of the aprons, and good to see flights taking off and landing, on time! No announcement was made that our flight would be taking off later than scheduled time. I enquired at the reception desk if there was a delay and was told that there was of 20 minutes or so. Nothing to worry about! Eventually we were called and walked to the gate.

Boarding
We joined an endless queue and as there was no separate gate for F and J passengers waited patiently at the end of the line, the fact that we had all come out of the lounge at relatively the same time, you would have thought they would have made the announcement when the queue was slightly shorter. However AA staff soon cottoned on and a manual announcement was made by a guy with a very muffled voice. This caused great confusion and instead two lines were formed! All F & J passengers waited patiently in-line, at the back. Into the boarding lounge finally, where boarding had not been made. AA’s system of group boarding, in theory, should work very well, instead you get hoards of people milling around at the entrance waiting for their respective group numbers to be called. When you are called, you head up, and wait in line behind them watching lots of other people go ahead. I have got wise to this, and now study everyone’s boarding pass! And just push past if it is anything in fact with a number on!

Flight/Aircraft/In-Flight Service
Champagne, Juice or Water was served along with water. Amenity kits (wash bags) were in the seat pockets in front, the usual pillow and blanket already on the seat. 9J first row in J-class the bulk head seat. I still say that J passengers should get on last! I will in future, and I did after this experience. Why is it that American’s tend to take the Carry-On to the limit? I understand that it means they do not have to wait for it at the other end, but hello, please consider the passengers that you are ploughing into as you pull your bags up the Aisles, or just realize, pick it up and carry it on – that’s what it is. When airlines start giving us a wheel on allowance, then feel free to do it!
The selection of newspapers were delivered, and had more choice than my local newsagent.
In the next seat to me was a lady whom had been bumped off from the earlier flight, she had to wait for 2 hours, to get bumped from Y-class, and given 500 U$. She also had great delight in telling me that! I have been bumped many times, but usually sit there quietly hoping no one will know. It was also her first time in anything more than economy, so I had to show her how everything worked and listen to her comment on how better everything here was than down the back – of course it is love, that’s why it’s twice the cost! She got her money’s worth from the “free bar” as she kept referring to it as (AA now charge 5$ for alcoholic beverages in Y class even on transatlantic flights). She was also dumbfounded when they brought yet another pair of headphones. One thing I do like about AA is the Bose Headphones, they block out not only engine noise, but also the noise of “ooohh have you seen this?”
Dinner was served, and as I was in the front, they took orders from the back! No Fillet Mignon and no Salmon. I opted for the pasta which I had on request on the one tray immediately – I secretly did it to confuse the women sitting next to me, I also wanted to get some sleep and to use it as an excuse not to listen to her anymore! Also, it gives the Ben&Jerry’s ice cream time to melt! Another big plus point for AA. A movie then as usual half way through I nodded off. I woke to the afternoon snack, still more amazement from my neighbor and a landing on time.
Now remember it was two days post the Balckout and immediately after a horrific storm which caused chaos on many flights leaving JFK that afternoon. We landed at 7:15pm and eventually got to the air bridge by 9:45pm.

Crew
AA have possibly the oldest crew on board most of their Intercontinental flights, with the exception of a flight I once did from Katmandu to Frankfurt on Royal Nepal. However, I have never had cause to complain about any of the AA crew. They are, although sometimes, slightly Sergeant Majorish, outstanding in every way. Efficient, personable and very friendly. I have seen them handle complains effectively and professional (none of them my complaints, I find that the weather conditions are usually not the cabin crews fault!)

Arrival
At the luggage carousel, we waited for an hour with no explanation for the delay. Bags eventually arrived, even though Premium Bags were tagged, they were practically the last off – there were some very disgruntled passengers.
Arriving outside in JFK the usual Sunday night nightmares, had to wait for a further hour for a cab into Manhattan – any chance of chauffer service please AA?

General
I really do like AA. Having just done a BA flight in their new Club World the flat bed seating does take some beating, but somehow, I do not think AA could pull it off. The seriously need to look at their park Avenue Check-in facility in LHR though!