AS Inaugural Flights
Mar 20, 2014, 4:04 pm
#1
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AS Inaugural Flights
I recently booked a ticket on the MSY-SEA inaugural on 6/12. Really looking forward to this one. Has anyone had any previous experiences with AS inaugural flights? Is anything special usually planned at the gate or in-flight?Just curious. It'll feel good being back on AS.
Mar 20, 2014, 4:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2001
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I've done several - maybe 7 or 8. Nothing to get exited about, other than being on the first scheduled flight. Usually a little reception at the gate, maybe a knick-knack souvenir, but the onboard experience is usually pretty normal. Best one I ever did was with my then 6 year old son. The marketing director (Jacqui?) and first class flight attendant (Duane) made my son feel pretty special as the unofficial first Boston passenger when we arrived in Boston.
Mar 20, 2014, 6:01 pm
#3
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I like them. Hula shows for Hawaii ones- the Mayor of PHL was to give a speech when that commenced. Some kind of food offering. MSY should have beads at least I'd wager.
I like them. Hula shows for Hawaii ones- the Mayor of PHL was to give a speech when that commenced. Some kind of food offering. MSY should have beads at least I'd wager.
Mar 20, 2014, 6:11 pm
#4
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I like them. Hula shows for Hawaii ones- the Mayor of PHL was to give a speech when that commenced. Some kind of food offering. MSY should have beads at least I'd wager.
I like them. Hula shows for Hawaii ones- the Mayor of PHL was to give a speech when that commenced. Some kind of food offering. MSY should have beads at least I'd wager.
Mar 20, 2014, 8:08 pm
#5
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bowl of gumbo in F class?
At the gate!
Originally Posted by ANC
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I like them. Hula shows for Hawaii ones- the Mayor of PHL was to give a speech when that commenced. Some kind of food offering. MSY should have beads at least I'd wager.
I like them. Hula shows for Hawaii ones- the Mayor of PHL was to give a speech when that commenced. Some kind of food offering. MSY should have beads at least I'd wager.
Mar 20, 2014, 8:24 pm
#6
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Mar 20, 2014, 10:26 pm
#8
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Did SEA-SLC inaugural, Gate had balloon arch display, food, which was essentially a continental breakfast. On board with a bag at each seat with small amount of brochures on SLC, and some Salt water Taffy IIRC. I was hoping for a Firetruck salute in SLC, but that didn't happen.
Other than a super friendly crew, it felt the same as any other flight, just a new city on AS.
Other than a super friendly crew, it felt the same as any other flight, just a new city on AS.
Mar 21, 2014, 1:04 pm
#9
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Given the EQMs in the SLC market, I'm considering a day trip SEA-SLC-xxx-SEA to catch one. But i see that for the most part, these flights in and out of SLC are designed to park in Utah for the night. 
Mar 21, 2014, 3:50 pm
#10
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I did the KOA-ANC inaugural and heartily enjoyed the kona coffee buttercream cake with fresh coffee and juice in the outdoor waiting area. Everyone on the flight was in a great mood, especially Beckoa.
I've read that MSY puts together a small schwag bag for inaugurals including an MSY bag tag and beads, does water cannon salutes, has refreshments. I wouldn't be surprised to see a jazz band, tv crew, and the MSY board celebrating at the gate.
It'd be nice to enjoy louisiana fare on the flight too... ideally they'll cart pirogues of crawfish, gumbo, and red beans down the aisle, liberally dispense local lagers and cocktails. mmm... air bacchanal!
I've read that MSY puts together a small schwag bag for inaugurals including an MSY bag tag and beads, does water cannon salutes, has refreshments. I wouldn't be surprised to see a jazz band, tv crew, and the MSY board celebrating at the gate.
It'd be nice to enjoy louisiana fare on the flight too... ideally they'll cart pirogues of crawfish, gumbo, and red beans down the aisle, liberally dispense local lagers and cocktails. mmm... air bacchanal!
Mar 23, 2014, 11:04 am
#11
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Dunkin Doughnuts, cake, live music and yours truely cutting the ribbon at the SAN-BOS inaugural. PDX-HNL inaugural had flight attendants wearing hula skirts and cake as well. PDX-ORD had cake, music and yours truely cutting the ribbon as well. If you are the highest level elite and/or have the mile miles on the inaugural flight you will most likely be invited to cut the ribbon too
A few photos for the SAN-BOS first flight which took place a year ago next week:
A few photos for the SAN-BOS first flight which took place a year ago next week:
Last edited by CDKing; Mar 23, 2014 at 11:09 am
Mar 24, 2014, 6:53 pm
#13
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Paged to the gate for one and tracked down in the boardroom for the other. Of course now that I'm refreshing my memory i believe it was PDX-ORD not PDX-HNL that was my other ribbon cutting. I've done 4 inaugurals so i cant keep track
Mar 24, 2014, 11:26 pm
#14
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Other FTer cut SEA-PHL, someone else ANC-KOA, and KOA-ANC I was late for the gate IIRC (spent too much shopping).