IMO, domestic F on AA/US/DL/UA is just all the same homogenized garbage at this point. Poor legroom, poor seat comfort, poor food, poor beverage options (with the exception of liquor), and generally apathetic and uninterested with sometimes flat out rude and disrespectful service.

US domestic premium air travel is an industry that is clearly lacking competition at this point, and the product offerings clearly reflect that. To me, the only airline with an acceptable F product for domestic flights outside of premium transcons at this point is Virgin America.

Well, the OP flys BA Club Europe a lot. Wait 'til you see their sorry 30-31" excuse for "Business" seat pitch, sitting in what is essentially a coach seat with the middle seat blocked. F in AA / US beats the slats out of that, or AA or US economy.

That's true. The stage length of those flights though is on average considerably less than that of domestic US flights. BA uses mid-haul A321s and intercontinental aircraft of flights similar in length to MIA-SEA, JFK-SAN, BOS-LAX, MCO-LAX, MIA-SFO, etc.

It is refreshing to see some honesty about AA in this thread.

Coming from the US side, I have a lot more experience with them, but I have flown a handful of AA flights in first as well.

On the AA side the first class cabin does seem larger, with a bit more leg room. Although I have not used it, I like that there is power in the seats. The IFE was nice when I was in MCE once, but with the ipad it really doesn't matter to me, but for many that is a benefit. Oh, and thank you AA for the warmed nuts! I am happy to give AA credit where it is due.

I agree with many on here that US is getting the short end of the stick when it isn't always deserved.

I flew 125k miles (and 119 segments I think) last year and I don't know if there was one time I didn't get a full PDB. There was one time a few months ago where we didn't, which I thought was strange, but then about 3 minutes before the door closed the 2 other FA's came up and started asking and the 3 FA got out the PDB in record time. I thought it was a great, subtle way for them to stress the importance of it to the 1st FA who hadn't done it, as well as pitch in and make sure the FC cabin got something before getting in the air.

I have read so many comments on this from the AA side when they say they do think it should be done, but understand if it is a late boarding, etc. On the US side that doesn't seem to matter. Late boarding or not, it just gets done. Yes, they stop traffic several times for a minute or two at a time. All that seems to do is allow things to move along a little bit, so that you don't have people just standing in the aisles not moving. It doesn't seem to slow down boarding at all.

I am honestly surprised that there has not been a bigger uproar over this. From what I have read this is something that is supposed to happen on AA, yet from what I have seen, and more importantly from what I have read, it doesn't seem to happen on a regular basis. Also, the fact that if there is PDB it is usually water or OJ only, and there hasn't been a revolt from AA people shocks me. If I want an apple juice or soda or some sort of alcoholic drink for my PDB, why shouldn't I get it?

In my experience with the US side, you have a lot of good FA's. You also have some bad and some great. Overall, I would say the vast majority of my experiences are good. They are friendly, often calling by name (which I really don't care about, but I recognize they are making an effort to be friendly), attentive, timely in service and overall have a good attitude. To me this is a big asset of the airline. You can spend money on all sorts of things for the cabin, but you can't just throw money at bad service and turn it into good service (as if AA would do that!)

Unfortunately on the AA side I have not been as lucky. I wouldn't say they were bad, more indifferent. Now my sample size is smaller, so I am willing to wait and see. It seems like it really should shake out about the same, having some great, a lot of good, and some bad FA's. Let's hope I see more great one's in my future flights.

Since I have flown so many segments, I am on a lot of planes. Overall the US fleet is newer and in good shape. Yes, there are exceptions. Most of the 321's are newer. I have been on a few over the last few months, however, that really were showing a lot of wear. But anyone who says they are all horrible has not been on many flights, I would say. The AA planes I have been on have not been new or great, just average. I would agree with the poster who mentioned about no place to set a drink without opening up the little tray. One point for US on that.

One thing that did surprise me on the AA planes (737) were how small the bathrooms were. Apparently you can make those lavs smaller!

For those who want to think that AA is fabulous and US is horrible, I am not trying to change your mind, just sharing my experiences. Less people from the AA side flying on US metal means easier upgrades for me!

I would love to see the little more leg room and in seat power from AA, the PDB, newer planes and slightly larger bathroom from US and the great FA's from both side moving forward.

I received a PDB on almost all of my 60+ US F flights over the last year, except when I boarded late or the flight was delayed.

I've been in AA F 4 times in the last few months. Zero PDBs offered.

I agree AA sucks on the PDBs. It's extremely rare. I have ASKED and gotten it but never upright offered except on a few occasions. I disagree on the aircraft. AA has much newer and better equipment - hands down. It's a crapshoot on US if there is internet, almost never has power, and the seats look like coach-extra type seating.

Um...crap shoot on US if there is internet? US has internet on 90% of its flights - I don't think AA is anywhere close to that.....as a flyer of both, US has been way ahead of AA on this...

Again, I'm just trying to understand the viewpoint here. The average age of the PMUS fleet is younger than the PMAA fleet. 90% of the fleet has wifi, with the exception of the A330s, the (now being retired) 757s, and small express aircraft (http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayi...ights/2508223/).

Totally agree with you on the power. The East aircraft all had power that was disconnected in 2008.

PMUS aircraft have wider, full sized seatbacks (with the exception of the narrower 321 seats) that help block sound and create the aesthetic of a larger seat. The AA 737s, 319s, and 321s all have narrower seat backs that allow sound to travel between each row and make the seats look, as you would say, "coach extra."

On the whole, all things considered, cmd320 sums it up nicely. Void any real need to compete, the race to the bottom is on.

I disagree. Only the 767s I've been on do not have wifi - otherwise I've had wifi on every AA flight. US (the 8 I've flown) only two times has the wifi been installed or worked. Maybe a fluke but that has been my experience. But I did read that AA has more wifi aircraft than US

I must say I am only making my judgement aesthetically. I haven't flown in F on US yet but will soon on a paid ticket. But the interior is bland and looks tired - and the lack of power is a real Debby Downer. Question is - on new purchases - are they keeping the US style seating or going to the leather AA style on the A321 and A319 seats?

Good question. Leather has proven more durable than synthetics, and that's why it's the choice of WN. Some think it feels upscale, others don't like it - it's the economics that's likely to win this one.

I'm also looking forward (with hope) to MCE in the US fleet. It's not like that requires a full. CIP; it can be done overnight.

Good point. I haven't heard anything about them reconfiguring their planes. I know Parker wasn't a fan of MCE.

Hopefully, the AA style, as I tend to agree with you regarding the US cabins. I'm on US' A319s at least twice a week and the shuttle planes are definitely a bit worse for the wear, especially the center consoles and the arm rests. Moreover, the cabin on US' 319s just feels really cramped. As much as possible, I'll go for the bulkhead. It must just be the bulk of the seat, but rows 2 and 3 aren't at all as spacious as the AA 737s; I can't imagine doing a transcon on one. Given all that, I'd much prefer the AA 737s, or better yet, the MD80s.

Service, well, as an 'AA flyer', I have to hand to US lately, at least in terms of consistency. PDBs are always offered and the lone FA working F has always been looking out for re-fill opportunities after serving the first couple of rows of the main cabin. I've also noticed lately that the US FAs have been using the manifest and addressing pax by name to take drink orders, which I appreciate. Now for the love of god, just get rid of the Canada Club whiskey!

He could easily have eliminated MCE on the AA side last year, and specified new aircraft be delivered without it. I find it somewhat intriguing he did not (though his team has other changes without hesitating).

We'll just have to see what comes with fleet integration.