Originally Posted by
exbayern
The American carriers' so-called First with no lounge access (and if one does have *A status then really, crappy lounges in the US with prepackaged food, if any at all, and no showers); poor food and no fresh food unless flights are of a certain duration at a certain time of day; service which is poor to non-existent on many flights?
This is more of a throwback to the regulated days where First was priced at a standard 20% premium to Coach. First was simply a bigger seat with better legroom, better meal, free alcohol, and more personalized service. Certainly onboard amenities have diminished over time as they have on many airlines. Lounge admittance rules changed dramatically after the access equality lawsuit was settled eons ago (1970s?). The only domestic U.S. flights that even try to mimic International First standards are a few remaining transcons, which include entrance to better than the standard lounges, such as the
AA Flagship Lounge.
Originally Posted by
exbayern
I too am AAEXP, and next week I will fly my first AA flight in 20+ years, in 'domestic F' on an MD80. The flight isn't even domestic US at either end, and is over 2,700 miles. Shall I come back and report? I'll be happy to do so if you wish.
I'd be more than happy if you would just let us know which route this is now, which takes an MD-80 (nonstop I'm assuming?) on a distance further than LAX-BOS, but has no U.S. points on it on either end of the route. I can't think of a single 6+ hour flight where AA has ever placed an MD-80 on the route.