Big changes at LIT
 

When I started flying AA in late 2019, we had far fewer flights than we have now into my home airport (LIT). They were all American Eagle flights. We had directs to DCA, DFW, CLT, and ORD. They promised us a direct to MIA, but it never seems available. Not sure if they killed it off or not.

But now something weird is happening -- we're getting regular AA flights, on A-320s and A-319s. We still have the E-jets and similar, but I'm really surprised to see AA metal. Is that something that comes and goes from markets often, or has something fundamentally changed in LIT?

We also have more flights. Outbound: 4 a day to ORD, 4 to CLT, 8 to DFW, and 1 to DCA.

This is all great for me. They're filling these planes up with non-business travelers. There aren't more elites but there are more flights, so as an EXP I've only had one flight in the last several months where I didn't get upgraded. I know that won't last forever, but my flight choices have definitely never been better here. And I hope that part is here to stay.

Just wait until you get the 77W to NRT!

FYI the MIA flight is on Saturdays. I'm on it tomorrow.

Any day now, I'm sure. 😂

Oh, good to know. Thanks.

do you think they will add Haneda as well?

Only after the LHR flight goes double daily.

maybe they will announce Flagship Lounge in LIT as well.

Lol y'all are the worst.

And get Whole Hog and Faded Rose to cater it!!

Since AmericaWest is still in the DNA, it'll likely be NGO with a 747

🤘

MIA is sat only but with DL moving to A320s, AA probably trying to compete. Their staff at LIT is good though I fly DL more there.

Fly to LIT often. Great airport for business travelers renting a car. Rental cars just 50 yards from baggage carousel. Downtown close by a few few decent restaurants. Marriot downtown is good, and one car park in the street to avoid valet charges- and street parking just steps from hotel entrance.

My routine at LIT for the AA early morning flight to ORD or DFW, park at the meters and check bag, head to the Waffle House one stop light from terminal for breakfast, return rent a car and walk to the gate. Flying in and out of LIT for a business traveler is as easy as eating a Waffle House Waffle!

MIA is sat only but with DL moving to A320s, AA probably trying to compete. Their staff at LIT is good though I fly DL more there.

I've noticed that often the crazy reroutings in the AA app will be through LIT. I've had a few ORD-DFW flights cancelled where they asked me to take a stop in LIT through the app. PIT is another airport they like to reroute through for some reason.

ive seen a lot of those flights via LIT or other small outstations when searching for ORD-MIA on some days where non stops either sold out or very expensive. Eagle to Eagle connection sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Does the app offer ORD-HNL-DFW? And actually the connection time is within 4hrs;)

I would love this reroute when I need missing EQMs/EQDs 😂

Yeah I've seen stops in SCE when trying to book last minute flights from ORD-PHL before. I have no idea why AA would offer this considering I doubt they even have dedicated staff at SCE (at a lot of small outstations all staffers are the same and just rotate between the different check in desks). Imagine getting stuck there on a connection...

It isn't ideal, but AA likely prefers selling you something vs giving no options.

Done several of these before, and largely they go off without a hitch. DFW-PIA-ORD, DFW-MSY-MIA, CLT-EYW-MIA. Only the Key West connection was messy.

There's at least a small cafe airside at SCE...and then a whole lot of nothing
I've seen UA try to connect me at FAT from SFO-LAX as well

I’m sad they replaced the Whole Hog in the airport with a Chili’s

That is truly a crime. I used to go to LIT twice a month for 3 years and the Whole Hog at the airport was a great stop on my way out for a drink, food or even takeaway. Lot's to like in Little Rock. I stayed at the Capital Hotel so much that I just left clothes and a set of golf clubs there. They'd pick me up when I landed and run me around town as I needed. A level of hospitality that is rarely found these days.

I was curious about the LIT airport and surprised they haven't torn down that building and replaced it! Isn't that from the 60s?

I’m very familiar with the Capital Hotel. ;) It’s reopen by the way.

I'd usually be in Little Rock for 3-4 days every other week. It was great service. When I left I would leave my dirty clothes for their laundry. Everything would get done while I was away. When I flew back in, they'd meet me with the Escalade at the airport, my room would be checked-in for me, my bags and clothes would be in the room already. They'd run me around town as I needed. After work in the summer, they'd pick me up with my golf clubs (I kept a second set there) and shuttle me over to the golf course so I could get in a round.

The staff would always greet me as "Mr JMN57" and when my wife was with me they would greet her as "Mrs JMN57" The bar(s) would know what drinks I liked. One time they were apologetic as I couldn't stay at the hotel (Stephens - which owned the hotel - had it completely booked for their annual investor's conference), they shuttled my clothes over to the Marriott for me and brought them back for my next stay.

Best hotel ever. Truly superb service.

AA and DL have very different strategies for serving small and medium sized southern cities. AA tends to go for breadth - using 2-class RJ's to multiple hubs. DL goes for for depth - frequent mainline flights but only to ATL. I probably prefer the AA philosophy because if ATL has issues on your travel day you are in trouble with DL while AA can reroute you through different hubs CLT or DFW goes down.

So, not only will LIT be getting that long-awaited nonstop flight to NRT, it's now being turned into a hub??? :p

it’s new DFW. All flights to all cities are on 77W or 321T

Man, that's gonna be lit.

It’s fairly modern for a regional airport. Close city location- not DEN or MCI for sure. Runways were redone in the 1990’s so it’s actually a great diversion airport given the ability to comfortably land most aircraft types. I wish there were more than 12 gates. Also, either AA or WN should add more destinations. DL needs the DTW flight back or possibly one to SLC with A221. United is there but not mainline. AA and WN pretty much have the lions share.

Oh and the Capital Hotel is amazing. Their grill is legendary- great pours and praline pecans. Glad they are re open.

the pimento cheese… 🤤

The menu has changed but they kept the pimento cheese.