AA flights with no air conditioning on ground becoming regular occurrence?
Jul 15, 2019, 2:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 100
AA flights with no air conditioning on ground becoming regular occurrence?
Third time in as many weeks on a flight (mainline, not RJ) with no air conditioning on a 90+ day. With the move off the gate and sit maneuver to fake on-time departure, sitting in ground traffic, and then atc holds the planes were all well over 100 degrees. One was deplaned at 105 when they knew we wouldn’t depart for another 30 and the temps were way over 110 before we got off.
Previously I was really annoyed. Today was with my pregnant wife and a toddler who were both not dealing with the heat we’ll. The crew tried their ‘we’ve got it turned up’ speech but there was literally no air coming out, and the plane only cooled to what I would guess is the 80s while in flight. They offered no water while waiting, no updates, and when paged, treated me like I was the problem when the whole plane was complaining.
How can this be considered safe? Is this the norm this summer?
Previously I was really annoyed. Today was with my pregnant wife and a toddler who were both not dealing with the heat we’ll. The crew tried their ‘we’ve got it turned up’ speech but there was literally no air coming out, and the plane only cooled to what I would guess is the 80s while in flight. They offered no water while waiting, no updates, and when paged, treated me like I was the problem when the whole plane was complaining.
How can this be considered safe? Is this the norm this summer?
Jul 15, 2019, 5:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
This is 99% the fault of the captain, either for not turning on the APU and air conditioning packs, or ensuring that ground air is connected for a cooling source. I would complain during and after the flight if it is not corrected. Captains are afraid of retribution from the company for fuel savings and are not turning on the APU when needed
Jul 15, 2019, 5:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 398
I have no idea how common this is, but it did happen to me about maybe three flights ago. Boarded from DCA gate 35X, sat in plane for a while because they "could not find working starter cart", no AC. Deplaned by bus after about half an hour on hot plane. Sat around in terminal for an hour, reboarded, taxied out to tarmac in hot plane, sat for about an hour, returned to gate due to "hydraulics problem" and deplaned via bus. Sat around in terminal for an hour or so until AA cancelled flight. Hey, the AC on the multiple bus rides worked great, so AA must be doing something right!
saunders111
saunders111
Jul 15, 2019, 5:42 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The time to deal with this is on the spot. Hit the call button and ask why the AC isn't on. Do it loud enough that others join the chorus. Unless both units are out or there is some extraordinary reason, you'll find it on soon enough.
Complaining afterwards does nothing.
Complaining afterwards does nothing.
Jul 15, 2019, 7:13 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,066
At 8am in PHL today when it was already pushing 80 outside, the E175 I boarded had no AC. First time I can recall this happening in...well, I can't recall a time when AC wasn't functional at the gate on a hot day.
The FA and Captain told us the AC isn't working until the engines start. It wasn't to the point of unbearable, and sure enough when we pushed back and the engines spooled up the AC was a welcome Arctic blast.
The FA and Captain told us the AC isn't working until the engines start. It wasn't to the point of unbearable, and sure enough when we pushed back and the engines spooled up the AC was a welcome Arctic blast.
Jul 16, 2019, 3:55 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 46
Perhaps only additional circumstantial evidence but AA020 DFW>LHR on 7/15 delayed nearly two hours and required a plane swap due to an A/C maintenance issue according to the notes on EF. Surprisingly, the notes didn’t indicate the new metal but I watched the original bird sit at D23 unmoving while pax were moved to a different plane at D27. Should’ve checked the tail numbers before and after the announcement, I suppose, but considered myself lucky there was another 772 hanging around with the right load package or the delay may have been much longer.
Jul 16, 2019, 6:17 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
At 8am in PHL today when it was already pushing 80 outside, the E175 I boarded had no AC. First time I can recall this happening in...well, I can't recall a time when AC wasn't functional at the gate on a hot day.
The FA and Captain told us the AC isn't working until the engines start. It wasn't to the point of unbearable, and sure enough when we pushed back and the engines spooled up the AC was a welcome Arctic blast.
The FA and Captain told us the AC isn't working until the engines start. It wasn't to the point of unbearable, and sure enough when we pushed back and the engines spooled up the AC was a welcome Arctic blast.
that would be true if the APU is inoperative, however, cold air should be available at the gate via a conditioned air cart or dedicated hose at the jetway. The captain's responsibility is to make sure the aircraft is a reasonable (i.e. safe) temperature for passengers. If it is not, then do not permit boarding.
Jul 16, 2019, 7:06 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
Message conveyed: "folks if you would please close your shades to ensure the cabin remains cool"
True meaning message: "folks if you would please close your shades to ensure the cabin remains cool because the captain/company is too cheap to hook up the a/c".
True meaning message: "folks if you would please close your shades to ensure the cabin remains cool because the captain/company is too cheap to hook up the a/c".