May 15, 2013, 10:42 am
Note: this Wikipost is a quick summary of what dcpatti put together in post 1, on page 1 of this thread. Feel free to make changes to this post, or PM aztimm, if you find something incorrect or needs more detail.
Shuttles are the nonstop flights between DCA (DC-Washington National), LGA (NY-LaGuardia) and BOS (Boston-Logan).
What's different about the shuttle?
You'll get an early morning snack on departures before 9 am, and free beer or wine in coach all day long. First Class refreshments are similar to other US flights of a similar length.
I heard some stuff about not being able to pre-assign seats.
The Shuttle used to work a little differently to other flights but has recently changed to using the same pre-assigned seating as all other flights. You should be able to select your seat at the time of booking now. In addition the Shuttle is no longer open-seating, instead it follows the normal US seating procedures with varying charges for ChoiceSeats. As with other flights these seats are not available for free at T-24.
What about upgrades?
They'll work just like regular flights, with the first comp upgrades being given at the 7-day Chairmans window. Upgrade seats will be available for non-elites at check-in or by calling at 24-hours before the flight.
I heard they have weird ideas on boarding.
NOTE: In addition to what is below, GalleyWench posted the following (post #91 on 5/12/13):
The Shuttle flights don't board by zone even if there's one on the boarding pass. You'll find a ton of elites on these flights, and if most of the plane holds Zone 1 or 2, then boarding doesn't go very fast. So they revert to the old-school boarding by rows. Folks who need assistance first, then First Class, then the last rows of the plane, working forward to the front.
I heard they have weird ideas on deplaning, too.
In some cases, they will deplane Shuttle flights from both the front aircraft door via jetway and the rear aircraft door via stairs.
Anything else that's different?
In NYC-LaGuardia you'll exit the terminal through a different exit, in the center of the gate area and down a flight of stairs. You'll be on the curb in about 4 minutes.
Can I go home early?
Sure. With the exception of the very peak travel times, you can usually get a seat on an earlier Shuttle. US charges a $50 fee for a confirmed stand-by for an earlier flight. This fee is waived for Elites and for certain passengers on full-fare Y/B tickets.
Can I go home late?
Technically, US Airways does not offer any accommodations to those who "miss" a flight; if you want to change into a later flight with a confirmed seat, you'll need to pay the change fee plus any fare difference. But in many cases, passengers who are tardy for their flights are re-ticketed onto the next available flight as a courtesy.
Where are my gates?
Can I hang out in a club or lounge?
Each airport has a US Airways Club and an Admirals Club. Your US Club membership (annual or 30-day) will allow you access to any of these, but US day passes will only work at US-branded clubs. Note that not all Admirals Clubs are easily accessible from US-operated gates.
Club locations:
Anything else I need to know?
Taxi fare from LGA to Midtown Manhattan will be $30-40 depending on traffic and route; DCA to downtown DC/ K Street area will be about $20; and BOS to downtown Boston will be about $30. There are public transport options as well.
There is a separate Shuttle baggage claim and check-in desk at LGA and separate kiosks at DCA. Separate Shuttle check-in desk at DCA is located downstairs near Security. There is supposed to be a separate security lane for Shuttle at DCA but it's almost never open. Passengers can also check in at regular US Airways kiosks and counters.
Shuttles are the nonstop flights between DCA (DC-Washington National), LGA (NY-LaGuardia) and BOS (Boston-Logan).
What's different about the shuttle?
You'll get an early morning snack on departures before 9 am, and free beer or wine in coach all day long. First Class refreshments are similar to other US flights of a similar length.
I heard some stuff about not being able to pre-assign seats.
The Shuttle used to work a little differently to other flights but has recently changed to using the same pre-assigned seating as all other flights. You should be able to select your seat at the time of booking now. In addition the Shuttle is no longer open-seating, instead it follows the normal US seating procedures with varying charges for ChoiceSeats. As with other flights these seats are not available for free at T-24.
What about upgrades?
They'll work just like regular flights, with the first comp upgrades being given at the 7-day Chairmans window. Upgrade seats will be available for non-elites at check-in or by calling at 24-hours before the flight.
I heard they have weird ideas on boarding.
NOTE: In addition to what is below, GalleyWench posted the following (post #91 on 5/12/13):
just read that starting May 22nd the shuttle will start boarding like mainline, no more front to back. Will try to get the specifics in the next couple days.
I heard they have weird ideas on deplaning, too.
In some cases, they will deplane Shuttle flights from both the front aircraft door via jetway and the rear aircraft door via stairs.
Anything else that's different?
In NYC-LaGuardia you'll exit the terminal through a different exit, in the center of the gate area and down a flight of stairs. You'll be on the curb in about 4 minutes.
Can I go home early?
Sure. With the exception of the very peak travel times, you can usually get a seat on an earlier Shuttle. US charges a $50 fee for a confirmed stand-by for an earlier flight. This fee is waived for Elites and for certain passengers on full-fare Y/B tickets.
Can I go home late?
Technically, US Airways does not offer any accommodations to those who "miss" a flight; if you want to change into a later flight with a confirmed seat, you'll need to pay the change fee plus any fare difference. But in many cases, passengers who are tardy for their flights are re-ticketed onto the next available flight as a courtesy.
Where are my gates?
- At BOS, you'll be at Gates B16-B19.
- At LGA, you'll be at Gates C17-C22.
- At DCA, you'll be at Gates 41-44 (North Pier/C Concourse)
Can I hang out in a club or lounge?
Each airport has a US Airways Club and an Admirals Club. Your US Club membership (annual or 30-day) will allow you access to any of these, but US day passes will only work at US-branded clubs. Note that not all Admirals Clubs are easily accessible from US-operated gates.
Club locations:
- At BOS (map)
- US Club in Terminal B, between security checkpoint and Gate B4.
- Admirals Club in Terminal B, near Gate B30 next to Swatch store (requires lengthy walk airside through UA concourse).
- At LGA (map)
- US Club in Terminal C, next to Gate C28.
- Admirals Club in Concourse D, near Gates D1-D2 (requires landside connection, with boarding or gate pass).
- At DCA (map)
- US Club in the North Pier/C Concourse, Mezzanine level.
- Admirals Club in the Central Pier/B Concourse, Mezzanine level (airside shuttle bus service available).
Anything else I need to know?
Taxi fare from LGA to Midtown Manhattan will be $30-40 depending on traffic and route; DCA to downtown DC/ K Street area will be about $20; and BOS to downtown Boston will be about $30. There are public transport options as well.
There is a separate Shuttle baggage claim and check-in desk at LGA and separate kiosks at DCA. Separate Shuttle check-in desk at DCA is located downstairs near Security. There is supposed to be a separate security lane for Shuttle at DCA but it's almost never open. Passengers can also check in at regular US Airways kiosks and counters.
LUS: (Almost) Everything you wanted to know about the LUS / AA Shuttle
Dec 13, 2013, 3:31 pm
#136
Join Date: May 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, Marriott LTP
Posts: 493
Did US Shuttle process change?
It's a while since I did the BOS-DCA, DCA-BOS shuttle. I just booked a DCA-BOS leg for January and I was able to actually get a seat assignment. They used to be at check in only.
Did they change the seat assignment process?
Also do they still board from the back to the front and ignore your status?
I took a seat towards the back assuming yes.
Did they change the seat assignment process?
Also do they still board from the back to the front and ignore your status?
I took a seat towards the back assuming yes.
Dec 13, 2013, 5:44 pm
#137
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 420
The problem with boarding Shuttle by status is that, traditionally, at least half the airplane has elite status and it would be a cattle call.
Dec 13, 2013, 6:15 pm
#139
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 538
Information like this and lots more about the Shuttle can be found in this dedicated thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...s-shuttle.html
I highly recommend it to the OP.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...s-shuttle.html
I highly recommend it to the OP.
Dec 15, 2013, 12:30 pm
#141
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 352
This has always been the conventional wisdom, but I just don't see it. I took the DCA/BOS shuttle weekly for a year and as a silver got upgrades at least 75% of the time. I took it at what you would think would be peak times, too (Monday mornings, Thursday evenings).
Jan 10, 2014, 7:55 am
#142
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT (fmr CK), SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 209
Anyone flown the US shuttle using their AA status recently? Any benefits other than getting EQM/EQP/RDM that I should know about? I typically fly the DL shuttle LGA-BOS-LGA (largely due to the Marine Air Terminal) but thinking about shifting at least partially back to US after a long hiatus.
Also, any chance that they have Pre-Check set up in BOS for the US gates now? I'm guessing it is unlikely but can always hope.
Also, any chance that they have Pre-Check set up in BOS for the US gates now? I'm guessing it is unlikely but can always hope.
Jan 10, 2014, 8:57 am
#143
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: BOS-DCA
Programs: AA ExePlat
Posts: 217
Pre-Check has been open several months at TSA security by US Shuttle check-in. The super-dooper magnometer 5000 there seems quite sensitive. I end up removing my shoes half the time because they set of the sensors. Same shoes are no problem with other airport Pre-Check.
Jan 10, 2014, 10:30 am
#144
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT (fmr CK), SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 209
Off topic, it is odd that there is such a variance in the sensitivity of the detectors, especially for those used at Pre-Check screenings.
Jan 11, 2014, 6:13 am
#145
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: BOS-DCA
Programs: AA ExePlat
Posts: 217
FWIW the TSA agents at this Pre-Check have told me it's the placement next to the wall providing a bit of interference from metal structure in the wall.
Jan 12, 2014, 6:31 pm
#147
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
For LGA-DCA, picking Mar 3 with a return on the 6th, I see $436 fares in coach and $918 in first on usairways.com. I would book there and add your AA FF # to the reservation. On aa.com, I see Choice Essentials fares for $864 and F for $1,518 (oof).
Best guess is that this is only a partial implementation of US availability on AA.com, or if it's the oddball codeshare pricing we sometimes see in general (used to be unpredictable if UA was cheaper or more expensive on usairways.com and/or united.com, for instance), we're going to potentially need to check both websites until the reservations systems merge.
Jan 14, 2014, 8:53 am
#148
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT (fmr CK), SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 209
Overall, I had a very good experience yesterday flying the US shuttle. For other AA elites (or anyone considering making a switch from DL), my summary is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...arison-dl.html
Feb 9, 2014, 7:22 am
#149
Join Date: May 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: US CP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 90
Saturday schedule
I was just trying to book a BOS-LGA shuttle flight on a Saturday and the only flight that is showing up is the 8am shuttle. I did a quick search throughout the entire schedule for BOS-LGA and I did not see any Saturday shuttle flights other than the 8am departure.
It has been awhile since I've booked a shuttle flight on a Saturday, but I thought flights were supposed to be every two hours. Did US recently cut the shuttle schedule on Saturday? Or is this somehow a glitch?
It has been awhile since I've booked a shuttle flight on a Saturday, but I thought flights were supposed to be every two hours. Did US recently cut the shuttle schedule on Saturday? Or is this somehow a glitch?
Mar 8, 2014, 2:56 am
#150
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
BOS-LGA Shuttle likely to work for time-sensitive trip?
I have a tight schedule between two meetings on a weekday and am trying to determine if the Shuttle will work for this trip. One ends at 2pm in Back Bay in Boston and one starts at 7pm in midtown Manhattan.
Would a 4pm Shuttle from BOS likely be on time, or at least not so delayed that it would arrive at LGA past 6:15ish?
Further, how long would security lines at BOS be then, particularly for someone who isn't Preferred?
In my experience taking the Shuttle and regularly flying into LGA, it just seems like afternoons/evenings so often have such lengthy delays that the train is the better option, but the schedules don't quite work for that, either.
Thanks.
Would a 4pm Shuttle from BOS likely be on time, or at least not so delayed that it would arrive at LGA past 6:15ish?
Further, how long would security lines at BOS be then, particularly for someone who isn't Preferred?
In my experience taking the Shuttle and regularly flying into LGA, it just seems like afternoons/evenings so often have such lengthy delays that the train is the better option, but the schedules don't quite work for that, either.
Thanks.