Originally Posted by
JDiver
The last time they revised the Geneva Accords, they came close to declaring travel on American Airlines "cruel and unusual punishment". The U.N. was to hold hearings on "postural stress Economy seats" and under seat IFE boxes without purpose. But they got sidetracked by North Korean prison camps and water boarding.
Unfortunately for the OP AA is refurbishing the 772 and transatlantic 763, so he will find himself further stymied.
And it seems there are so many sheep-like brainwashed people buying higher classes in AA cabins, he couldn't purchase an upgrade (or was it because he had the "wrong currency", USDM.)
We're such idiots, flying AA, and since I've been flying them since the 1940s, it's obvious I'm a total masochist. Yes, I flagellate myself to sleep every night, and wear the
cilice (spiked chain) tightened down on my thigh to remind myself I am not worthy of flying better airlines than AA.
But never fear, Sir William Douglas of Parker will ride in shining armor on his white horse and will rescue this blight we call an airline! Economy will sport great recliner chairs, jugglers, jesters and large screen entertainment offering 1,000 channels will be throughout Economy and banquet foods will be served to all, just as it is on other airlines, including HP and US. Though it's likely I'll end up cleaning up after his horse... though I am sure I am not worthy!
I loved this. But despite the smug superiority that you AA fans have, not one of you has actually provided any actual reasons why AA is so great aside from _kurt who agrees with me that the frontline staff is, indeed, excellent.
So here's an item by item breakdown where I happen to think US flights are better, based on my admittedly limited experience of 60K miles domestic and international each year, OH EXP Gods...
1: Seating. All Y seating sucks, yes. But every US flight I've been on in the last four years internationally has been on a 773 or A330 and the seats are still more comfortable than on the 772 and 763 I flew on AA.
1.a: AA's MCE IS the best thing for Y right now but it's sad that you have to view legroom that used to be NORMAL in economy as some sort of Industry Leading benefit.
2: Food. Y food sucks all the way around. I'll grant that. the ONLY food served on my AA flights that was palatable was on the return ZRH - JFK, and that's because the food was from a .EU company that actually makes tasty meals. Ever had the food on BA, LH or Swiss? Even the Economy passengers get good food.
3: Customer Service outside the FAs and Counter agents. Any time I've had issues on a US flight, US Customer Service has been attentive and responded quickly. So far, my experience iwth AA has been: Platitudes "Oh we're sorry, we are great and just hate that you had a bad experience." Hoops: "Oh, yes, our contact form sucks, we know, so just send us several referencing this number and they'll all just get threaded together so we can get a good picture of what's going on" So I filed no less than 8 to explain everything I experienced as their modern web form only seems to have space for twitter length posts. And finally, Silence. No response. No follow-up. No response to MY followups.
4: Condition of the planes. Maybe I did just luck out and get the two worst long haul planes in the fleet. But the 772 and 763 I flew to PEK and ZRH respectively looked and felt like the grandparents of anything I've flown internationally on US in the last 4 years. The LAST time I flew ANY US flight internationally on anything smaller than a 777 was a 763 to LHR back in 2010. My last three LHR flights were on a much nicer A330.
5: Sorry you Jest about IFE boxes, but what exactly IS the purpose of an IFE box and remote control in a seat that HAS NO IFE SYSTEM IN THE SEATBACK? That's like having a remote control and a Satellite Dish or Cable receiver in your home and not owning a TV. Or having a car that has a clutch pedal with an automatic transmission.
6: Poke fun about the one that DID have an IFE system, but it had 12 movies, only three of which were made in the last 3 years. EVERY OTHER international flight I've been on in the last 5 years has had a modern IFE system with a LOT of choices in both movies and TV. And that little bit matters a LOT when you're stuck in a metal tube for 14 hours, especially when the freaking lights are broken so you can't read the book you packed along.
So yes, I was ranting a bit, but the complaints are legitimate and I really would like to know what makes AA so special that so many of you are looking down at me with your sense of superiority, given that I've now flown about 25K miles on AA metal in the last month and have had an absolute horrible time of it.
If AA is so great, I should think that people would gladly point out the GOOD points rather than simply being snarky and "Holier than thou". (though I DO enjoy well crafted snark).
I've flown mostly US for 5 years now, and I would certainly agree with anyone who says it's a crap airline, but I've also flown several .EU and APAC carriers to compare it to. It's just IME that US is the lest crappy of the big 4 crappy US carriers.