Dec 20, 2015, 10:41 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
AA 73 & 72 LAX / Los Angeles <--> SYD / Sydney (as of 17 Dec 2015)
Was operated with Boeing 77W / 777-323ER to 8 Nov 2017
Changed to Boeing 787-9 in November 2017.
Including lounge, connections information
Was operated with Boeing 77W / 777-323ER to 8 Nov 2017
Changed to Boeing 787-9 in November 2017.
Including lounge, connections information
Initial schedule:
LAX-SYD: 17 Dec 2015 AA 73 Flight duration 15:05
Lv LAX 21:50 Dec 17 PST / 05:50 18 Dec GMT
Ar SYD 07:55 Dec 19 AEDT / 20:55 18 Dec GMT (same day)
SYD-LAX: 19 Dec 2015 AA 72 Flight duration 13:50Ar SYD 07:55 Dec 19 AEDT / 20:55 18 Dec GMT (same day)
Lv SYD 12:00 Dec 19 AEDT / 01:00 19 Dec GMT
Ar LAX 06:50 Dec 19 PST / 14:50 19 Dec GMT
Inaugural flight AA73, operated by Boeing 777-323ER ("77W") N720AN:Ar LAX 06:50 Dec 19 PST / 14:50 19 Dec GMT
2015-12-17 - AA73 - Los Angeles (LAX) STD 21:50 PST ATD 22:15 - Sydney (SYD) STA 07:55 AEDT ATA 07:30 AEDT
From Source Aust BT
American Airlines will shift its Sydney-Los Angeles flights to a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from November 8, 2017. The advanced jet replaces the larger Boeing 777-300ER and will see first class dropped from the trans-Pacific route, although business travellers on a budget will appreciate the introduction of American Airlines' new premium economy seating on the Boeing 787.
Link to Australian Aviation article
Older archived thread relating to announcement of new LAX-SYD-LAX flight (June 9, 2015) here.
Lounges: by oneworld status, or by class of service - and Admirals Club members flying out on AA (or an AA marketed flight) get to use the QANTAS Business Lounge.
Qantas First Lounge - spa, restaurant: First or oneworld Emerald passengers
Qantas Business Lounge: Business, oneworld Sapphire pax and Admirals Club members
On arrival
Link to Airport info SYDNEY (SYD) - amenities, transfers, transport to FlyerTalk Oceania Forum SYD master thread with extensive wiki.
Connections:
International- no need to collect baggage if allowed by your airline(s), follow flight connections signs to immigration, flight connections desk. If you are not allowed to through check your bags you must process immigration, collect bags, process customs, proceed to the airline Check in areas and process security to get back airside.
Domestic: the domestic terminals 2 and 3 are 2.5 miles / 4 km away. Figure on a half hour at least to transfer, and if you use landside road transfers during high traffic times, longer (airside plan minimum half an hour). Talking about peak times, it can take two hours with queues waiting to board shuttle busses.
If traveling on via Qantas once you're landside after the Duty Free gantlet, follow the signs and go right. You'll eventually arrive at the baggage check facility, process security and take an airside shuttle that will end up with you're being at Gate 15 airside in the QF domestic terminal. It's called "Qantas seamless transfer".
If traveling with other airlines see Here
Link to SYD airport maps, etc.
Link to SYD airport FAQ.
If you wish to overnight close to international terminal 1, see here for a Rydges Sydney Airport stay report and tips.
Historical note: Pan American World Airways was the first American airline offering commercial passenger service to Australia, beginning Feb 1947 to SYD (with several stops), adding MEL in 1958. United acquired Pan Am's Pacific routes, operating them as of Feb 1986.
American Airlines initially operated to Sydney (and later also Melbourne between August 1970 through to March 1974. AA reestablished service with a DC-10 LAX-HNL-SYD return 4x weekly in Feb 1990, but ended that service March 1992.
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AA LAX-SYD-LAX AA73 / AA72 (17 Dec 2015)
Dec 22, 2015, 3:58 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Just FYI, my full write-up on the inaugural events at the gate last week, and I even got a gift bag to give away:
Wheels up for Down Under: American Launches Nonstop Service to Sydney
Kangaroo, reptiles, meat pies. Lamingtons, didgeridoos... it was a fun time. The first passenger I spoke with happened to be JDiver, just after he took his first pic with "Sydney" the joey.
I did prod a little on which other routes were going to pop up, but of course they all sidestepped the question, as to be expected.
Overall, a very decent launch shindig. They really need to bring that kangaroo out for every new flight, even if it's not to Australia (heck, the kangaroo should be there every day).
Disclosure per FT rules: the link above leads to AirlineReporter, to which I am a regular contributor.
Wheels up for Down Under: American Launches Nonstop Service to Sydney
Kangaroo, reptiles, meat pies. Lamingtons, didgeridoos... it was a fun time. The first passenger I spoke with happened to be JDiver, just after he took his first pic with "Sydney" the joey.
With critters, music, food, gifts, and didgeridoos on hand, American Airlines celebrated its inaugural flight from Los Angeles to Sydney last Thursday, marking the first time the airline has directly flown to Australia from the contiguous 48 states with its own aircraft, this route featuring its flagship Boeing 777-300ER.
But even hard-core AvGeeks would be hard pressed to focus on the 777 on the other side of the windows when there was a baby kangaroo (WHAT?!)…
...
“We want to build a really robust hub,” [Kyle] Mabry [Managing Director of Global Sales for AA's West Region] continued. “Where we’ll go next, we’re not sure… right now, we’re looking at a lot of opportunities. The new aircraft that are coming on board our fleet are actually great additions because they allow us to fly to places economically that might not have worked before, so it opens a whole new set of horizons that we’re really still evaluating right now. The opportunities are limitless.”
But even hard-core AvGeeks would be hard pressed to focus on the 777 on the other side of the windows when there was a baby kangaroo (WHAT?!)…
...
“We want to build a really robust hub,” [Kyle] Mabry [Managing Director of Global Sales for AA's West Region] continued. “Where we’ll go next, we’re not sure… right now, we’re looking at a lot of opportunities. The new aircraft that are coming on board our fleet are actually great additions because they allow us to fly to places economically that might not have worked before, so it opens a whole new set of horizons that we’re really still evaluating right now. The opportunities are limitless.”
Overall, a very decent launch shindig. They really need to bring that kangaroo out for every new flight, even if it's not to Australia (heck, the kangaroo should be there every day).
Disclosure per FT rules: the link above leads to AirlineReporter, to which I am a regular contributor.
Dec 22, 2015, 4:53 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Dec 22, 2015, 6:33 pm
#78
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 474
Dec 23, 2015, 12:37 am
#80
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
In ur article u say aa is turning over lax NRT flying to JL when they launch HND svc.
Is this true?
It is still showing up as bookable lax NRT (say jun 23rd).
Marc
Is this true?
It is still showing up as bookable lax NRT (say jun 23rd).
Marc
Just FYI, my full write-up on the inaugural events at the gate last week, and I even got a gift bag to give away:
Wheels up for Down Under: American Launches Nonstop Service to Sydney
Kangaroo, reptiles, meat pies. Lamingtons, didgeridoos... it was a fun time. The first passenger I spoke with happened to be JDiver, just after he took his first pic with "Sydney" the joey.
I did prod a little on which other routes were going to pop up, but of course they all sidestepped the question, as to be expected.
Overall, a very decent launch shindig. They really need to bring that kangaroo out for every new flight, even if it's not to Australia (heck, the kangaroo should be there every day).
Disclosure per FT rules: the link above leads to AirlineReporter, to which I am a regular contributor.
Wheels up for Down Under: American Launches Nonstop Service to Sydney
Kangaroo, reptiles, meat pies. Lamingtons, didgeridoos... it was a fun time. The first passenger I spoke with happened to be JDiver, just after he took his first pic with "Sydney" the joey.
I did prod a little on which other routes were going to pop up, but of course they all sidestepped the question, as to be expected.
Overall, a very decent launch shindig. They really need to bring that kangaroo out for every new flight, even if it's not to Australia (heck, the kangaroo should be there every day).
Disclosure per FT rules: the link above leads to AirlineReporter, to which I am a regular contributor.
Dec 23, 2015, 11:13 am
#82
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Upon checking in at the position assigned for AA check in, I was introduced to a Premium Service chap who offered to escort me to the Qantas First lounge and / or the gate. Nice gesture, which I declined as I know my way pretty well. I used Express services queue through security, dropped my departure card into a plastic cube and navigated the SYD version of Cairo's Khan el-Khalili market to the escalator to the Lounges for some brekkies.
Some Perrier-Jouët, fruit plate and egg Benedict made with Australian leg ham was just the ticket. I really enjoy this lounge with its restaurant (service can be slow and they occasionally mishandle or forget orders). I love the click-clacking flights display board - it reminds me of some older European rail stations.
AA 72 apparently arrived a bit late at SYD the 23rd, and once they disembarked everyone they removed the aircraft to the "parking lot". They towed it in AFTER we were told in the Qantas First Lounge the aircraft was boarding... Even cabin crew hadn't boarded when I arrived at Gate 9 - they were still cleaning the aircraft from arrival, then security had to clean the aircraft, so we boarded at 12:45 for a 12:00 departure. Wheels up was an hour late.
Seat 1A was working perfectly, and Purser Jamie and FA Cheryl took good care of us throughout the flight. I took a cockpit tour, and sat in the jump seat as they programmed the outbound routing into the FMC (and took notice that in fact we did not hold initial altitude at 5,000 MSL, but rather continuously climbed to our initial cruise altitude of FL 310).
Our pre-departure beverage order was taken, and I got a nice glass (not plastic cup) of Champagne and a ramekin of almonds. After take off, drinks orders were taken and cabin crew took care to keep the Nicolas Feuillatte coming, with canapés including Ossetia caviar. By ten, navy pyjamas in a scarlet cloth bag had been offered (same ones handed out in Business).
I'll post the menu later after I get home, as well as more flight details.
AA is serious about extending Five Star Premium Services to First passengers. As we arrived at TBIT Gate 155 at 7:00, "Christine" (not the exact name) was waiting for me. She walked with me through Global Entry and customs down to Terminal 4 to the ground level entry to Flagship Checkin, which we didn't meet to get a boarding pass because "Christine" already had a new BP for me.
"Christine" continued with me through PreCheck, placing me at the head of the queue and escorted me to the Flagship Lounge and did a handoff. She also told me her colleague would be by to chat about transfer time to the remote "44" Eagle terminal.
I took a shower, using the courtesy razor and shaving cream packets and "pre-loaded" tooth brush they offered. Afterward, "Christine's" colleague came and asked me if 10:30 was OK for me so she could fetch me as that was the time P.S. had arranged the driver for.
At 10:20 "Margaret" was there for me. We exited near gate 41 down stairs to the open ramp to the black Cadillac SUV (they were quite insistent the driver take the carry-on for safety reasons) and off we were to the remote Eagle 44s gates, where I was escorted to the mini-Club and introduced to the staff.
It's getting to be time and I want an extra cup of coffee, so I'll continue this later. But I'm happy to report that it does appear AA is committed to extending Five Star Services to the new Australia flight passengers in First, even if they're cheapo guys using a SWU from Business.
Of course, I'm pretty familiar with LAX and at no time did I feel I needed the Premium Services treatment - but I decided to take this hit for the team so I could report back.
Some Perrier-Jouët, fruit plate and egg Benedict made with Australian leg ham was just the ticket. I really enjoy this lounge with its restaurant (service can be slow and they occasionally mishandle or forget orders). I love the click-clacking flights display board - it reminds me of some older European rail stations.
AA 72 apparently arrived a bit late at SYD the 23rd, and once they disembarked everyone they removed the aircraft to the "parking lot". They towed it in AFTER we were told in the Qantas First Lounge the aircraft was boarding... Even cabin crew hadn't boarded when I arrived at Gate 9 - they were still cleaning the aircraft from arrival, then security had to clean the aircraft, so we boarded at 12:45 for a 12:00 departure. Wheels up was an hour late.
Seat 1A was working perfectly, and Purser Jamie and FA Cheryl took good care of us throughout the flight. I took a cockpit tour, and sat in the jump seat as they programmed the outbound routing into the FMC (and took notice that in fact we did not hold initial altitude at 5,000 MSL, but rather continuously climbed to our initial cruise altitude of FL 310).
Our pre-departure beverage order was taken, and I got a nice glass (not plastic cup) of Champagne and a ramekin of almonds. After take off, drinks orders were taken and cabin crew took care to keep the Nicolas Feuillatte coming, with canapés including Ossetia caviar. By ten, navy pyjamas in a scarlet cloth bag had been offered (same ones handed out in Business).
I'll post the menu later after I get home, as well as more flight details.
AA is serious about extending Five Star Premium Services to First passengers. As we arrived at TBIT Gate 155 at 7:00, "Christine" (not the exact name) was waiting for me. She walked with me through Global Entry and customs down to Terminal 4 to the ground level entry to Flagship Checkin, which we didn't meet to get a boarding pass because "Christine" already had a new BP for me.
"Christine" continued with me through PreCheck, placing me at the head of the queue and escorted me to the Flagship Lounge and did a handoff. She also told me her colleague would be by to chat about transfer time to the remote "44" Eagle terminal.
I took a shower, using the courtesy razor and shaving cream packets and "pre-loaded" tooth brush they offered. Afterward, "Christine's" colleague came and asked me if 10:30 was OK for me so she could fetch me as that was the time P.S. had arranged the driver for.
At 10:20 "Margaret" was there for me. We exited near gate 41 down stairs to the open ramp to the black Cadillac SUV (they were quite insistent the driver take the carry-on for safety reasons) and off we were to the remote Eagle 44s gates, where I was escorted to the mini-Club and introduced to the staff.
It's getting to be time and I want an extra cup of coffee, so I'll continue this later. But I'm happy to report that it does appear AA is committed to extending Five Star Services to the new Australia flight passengers in First, even if they're cheapo guys using a SWU from Business.
Of course, I'm pretty familiar with LAX and at no time did I feel I needed the Premium Services treatment - but I decided to take this hit for the team so I could report back.
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 8, 2016 at 1:18 am Reason: Typoe
Dec 23, 2015, 5:47 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
American's new service to New Zealand from Los Angeles will commence in June of 2016 using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The new LAX-Tokyo Haneda service will begin on February 11, making it twice daily flights to Toyko from Los Angeles, with the other flight servicing Tokyo Narita from LAX. Uncorroborated rumors suggest that American may the cease LAX-Tokyo Narita flight at some point, with access to Narita continuing to be available through oneworld partner Japan Airlines.
Dec 24, 2015, 10:43 am
#84
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
So they're apparently flying with a lot of seats in the premium cabin empty rather than releasing low awards or upgrades:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....5/12/24/42880/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....5/12/24/42880/
Dec 24, 2015, 1:36 pm
#85
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG/Marriott Plat, WOH Diamond, IHG Plat Ambassador, HHonors Gold, jetBlue Mosaic
Posts: 170
American LAX-SYD-LAX 77W AA73 / AA72 (as of 17 Dec 2015)
To clarify @wco81, last night's LAX-SYD flight was C7, A3, so no issues clearing an upgrade. Award inventory, however, is another (sad) story altogether. I actually called the EXP Desk about 4 hours before departure last night and was rebuffed at getting even 1 sAAver J award ticket. Agent was nice and helpful and actually put me on hold to speak with RM and she came back with a big fat no from them, only AAnytime for 215K ow. No thanks. Poor agent was clearly frustrated and even commented how she couldn't understand it as there were 40+ J seats for sale. Checking EF it seems they are opening C inventory and clearing UGs about 24 hrs before departure. But no sAAver award seats in J or F. Ever. Not. A. Single. One.
Dec 24, 2015, 2:24 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
No, AA has always used different inventory buckets for upgrades and award tickets. In this case, business class award tickets come from U inventory and upgrades to business class come from C.
All upgrades come from the same inventory - SWUs can be used by anyone with access to SWUs and mileage + copays may also be used by anyone with miles and cash.
All upgrades come from the same inventory - SWUs can be used by anyone with access to SWUs and mileage + copays may also be used by anyone with miles and cash.
Dec 24, 2015, 2:31 pm
#90
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,606
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