mileshound

Thanks. What routes are left with 1st internationally? Is it only LHR and GRU?

FlyerBeek

Yes. Off the top of my head, I think the only international routes currently with Flagship F are JFK/MIA/DFW/LAX-LHR and JFK/MIA-GRU. I might be missing one - but I think that’s pretty much the extent of international 77W flying right now.

-FlyerBeek

beachfan

A late response , but since no one else has responded I would say it’s a great deal if you’re talking round-trip for 100 K. The J seat is fantastic, that’s what you’re paying for. The rest is incidental.

The marginal difference between J and F is not as big on the hard product, and seemingly nonexistent in the soft product (I’m too much of a wine snob for their F offerings and can usually find something at the BA lounge of interest.).

but between PE and J or even more, Y and J, ir
ts the difference of a comfortable flight or not going because I can’t handle the flight in AAs crappy Y seats. The PE seats are tolerable for me when I go lax-Mia, but TATL, you want a lie flat seat.

mileshound

I booked an award ticket for FF JFK-LAX in October. It is the 9pm flight and got it for a low number of miles. What are the chances they let me go standby for an earlier flight? I will only have a carryon. Based on my schedule, I may be at the airport several hours early. Is it better to ask in the lounge or at the gate, or both?

FlyerBeek

Very good chance you'll be able to standby for an earlier flight. This cabin tends to be largely filled with NRSAs, so there's frequently last minute F space available. Almost all the times I've flown JFK-LAX in F, the Flagship First checkin or Flagship Lounge staff have proactively asked if I wanted to switch to an earlier flight when there has been time available to do so.

-FlyerBeek

Brandinho1

Often find the J prices are much cheaper if your able to book GRU-US-GRU. Obviously this won’t work for everyone but the J price seems to hover form $1200-$1400 from GRU-DFW/MIA.

sam2k2002

Just booked two tickets LAX-MIA in FF @ 37,500 miles a piece.

At this point, Flagship Check-in / Admirals Club are the only airport perks I’m expecting, does that sound about right? Have full meals returned onboard?

Also, can anyone confirm the baggage allowance for an EP+companion in domestic 3-cabin flagship first is 4 bags per person (total of 8)? Using this flight to move…

cmd320

There is a meal on board, though it's more of a one tray affair, not full service like what it used to be.

FlyerBeek

Full meals have always been available on this route for the last year. Not quite at pre-COVID levels (no PDBs, hot nuts, ice cream sundaes, glassware, or multi-course service), but perfectly sufficient for the flight length (especially compared with the competition).

I'm no expert on AA baggage limits but I think you'll get at least 7 checked bags for free (4 for EXP in 3-cabin F, and at least 3 for the companion in 3-cabin F)... I'm not certain whether your companion will also get your 4 bag allowance.

-FlyerBeek

sam2k2002

EP Desk says companion always gets same baggage allowance, so looks like 4 each for 8 total.

Carfield

I booked myself a roundtrip ticket for November 2 to mid-December! There has been one schedule change so far and American thinks that it can turn around a 77W in an hour and twenty minutes in Hong Kong.

I presume it depends on the rules of Hong Kong government regarding crew stays and the quarantine rules...

Fingers crossed!

Carfield

marnold3

I was aboard flight 32 from LAX to JFK yesterday and thought I would share the experience. The flight had a scheduled departure time of 1330, and I was dropped off at Flagship Check-In at 1145. The check in process went quite smoothly. A new boarding pass was printed, and I was escorted to the front of the TSA Pre-Check line. Spent about an hour in the Admirals Club and left for gate 42B at 1255. Boarding started right at 1300 and I quickly deposited myself in seat 1A. At the seat were a printed menu, a bottle of water, Bang & Olufsen headphones, an amenity kit, and Casper bedding.






Pushback occurred at 1325 and we were soon on our way to New York. The route on the interactive map looked like the usual direct route and not the more southerly route the flight had taken last week due to the inclement weather.



Drinks and prepackaged nuts were served soon after take-off. Approximately one hour into the flight, the purser commenced the lunch service. I had pre-selected the beef short ribs and they were surprisingly good. The entire lunch (small plate, entrée, and dessert) was served on one tray.



After lunch, I napped for about an hour and a half and then read the rest of the way to JFK. Touchdown occurred at 2148 well ahead of our scheduled arrival time. All in all, it was quite a pleasant flight especially in the time of Covid.

Ty Vil

Nice! I got the double upgrade to 1A on AA238 on 7.3.21 and had no joke the best flight attendant I've EVER had on AA. Steve was awesome.

PointsPanda

Any updates on flagship first from LHR to JFK or MAD MIA? Does flagship first leave from any other airport/country other then UK/LHR?

I'm flying to Europe in 2 weeks managed to snag MEX to CPH via FRA in F with Lufthansa on their 747-8i for only 70k capone/brex points took advantage of promotion to lifemiles last month, obviously super excited, was thinking maybe its a good idea to book the ticket back speculatively so I can show a "return ticket"

I need to get to either SRQ or TPA, do you guys think its worth the extra points and extra cash vs J? Almost certainly going to use AA miles have a big balance now and their 57.5k price is very fair. United has a few very limit 66k but with the shorter legs in Y, I hate how they do that now, its so hard to redeem United .... Anyways, It seem American's J seats are pretty nice reverse herringbone on most jets.

J flights are mostly 57.5k whereas the F flights start at around 75k, but only from London so you have to pay very high taxes anywhere from $300 - $600, plus almost always require a overnight layover in London, not even sure if thats allowed the rules are ambiguous, seems you are allowed a landside layover without all the tests and quarantine, but I wouldn't wanna risk it arriving and something goes wrong.

Also seems the flagship first lounge in london is closed.

Maybe just take J fly direct from Spain to Florida for 57.5k and minimal taxes, or do you guys think its worth the extra hassle? I have a blog and it would be a chance to review a F product for my blog and youtube but I have my limits... when you're talking about 20k extra points + $300 more in taxes + overnight layover if its worth the hassle or not end up showing up exhausted to this wedding i'm heading too ..... I mean doesn't seem like this product is a once in life time F experience like Emirates, Korean Air Cathay, but I am curious about it.

Thoughts? Take the J and save the points, taxes and hassle etc? Or go for flagship first? If I could get the LHR MIA flight in flaship first now that would be a timesaver but seem they are all 140k+ cannot justify that amount of points .... thats almost triple the biz class price for many routes!

Another possibility is there are some dates there is F with BAEC for similar price but i've already done that one on the 777, want to try somehting new, how does AA F compare to BAEC F, I'd imagine BA a bit better no?

FlyerBeek

AA international Flagship F is offered on any of AA's 77W routes (it'sa relatively small fleet). Besides LHR, there is also currently 77W service to GRU and EZE.

BA F has a substantially better soft product - especially in this COVID-era of catering. I slightly prefer AA's F seart, but overall BA is a far more preferable option in F.

-FlyerBeek