It’s the little things…
Apr 29, 2022, 10:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
It’s the little things…
Just boarded PHX-OGG….last-minute ticket so FC was sold out and I was #3 on the UG list anyway with my lowly EXP status. Front row of Y is just as good as FC on this plane anyway.
FA Patty just came back and said “Thank you for your business and being an Executive Platinum.”
I fly CX quite a bit (pre-covid, obviously) and they always come say hello as a OWE….but wow…I have never once had an AA FA thank me for being an EXP in Y.
FA Patty just came back and said “Thank you for your business and being an Executive Platinum.”
I fly CX quite a bit (pre-covid, obviously) and they always come say hello as a OWE….but wow…I have never once had an AA FA thank me for being an EXP in Y.
Apr 29, 2022, 1:42 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I'm fairly new to PHX, and haven't been to OGG since I moved here... does AA ever fly planes with lie flats on this route? I could swear that someone told me they did but all I see are A321 neos.
Also, $3500 for first class round trip??? That's just crazy.
Also, $3500 for first class round trip??? That's just crazy.
Apr 29, 2022, 6:15 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
Apr 29, 2022, 6:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,680
Apr 29, 2022, 6:30 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I was looking at random dates in June and saw $3500 or $4000 for a round trip in F, on an A321neo. How much higher does it get??
I can't imagine paying that much to sit up front in a non-lie-flat. Honestly it's a crazy fare even for a lie flat. I guess maybe I need to reset my expectations for post-pandemic times but pre-pandemic when I lived in SF I could get SFO-OGG and back in F for between $600 and $650 on a UA P (deep discount business) fare each way, sometimes with a lie-flat (752). When there was no lie flat I would fly economy for about $200 each way (usually on AS) and hope for an upgrade (which I would usually get). I get that this is a different route and slightly longer but it should be in the same ballpark.
I can't imagine paying that much to sit up front in a non-lie-flat. Honestly it's a crazy fare even for a lie flat. I guess maybe I need to reset my expectations for post-pandemic times but pre-pandemic when I lived in SF I could get SFO-OGG and back in F for between $600 and $650 on a UA P (deep discount business) fare each way, sometimes with a lie-flat (752). When there was no lie flat I would fly economy for about $200 each way (usually on AS) and hope for an upgrade (which I would usually get). I get that this is a different route and slightly longer but it should be in the same ballpark.
Apr 29, 2022, 8:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: CGK/KOA
Programs: AA ExPlat HH Diamond
Posts: 1,683
It is the little things. 30+ years ago on a TW flight, I had an FA walk by my seat as the cabin was getting dark at dusk, and she stopped to flip my reading light on (probably studying their route map on their inflight magazine). As she did, "Honey, you'll hurt your eyes." I still remember that.
Apr 29, 2022, 8:40 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,236
I was looking at random dates in June and saw $3500 or $4000 for a round trip in F, on an A321neo. How much higher does it get??
I can't imagine paying that much to sit up front in a non-lie-flat. Honestly it's a crazy fare even for a lie flat. I guess maybe I need to reset my expectations for post-pandemic times but pre-pandemic when I lived in SF I could get SFO-OGG and back in F for between $600 and $650 on a UA P (deep discount business) fare each way, sometimes with a lie-flat (752). When there was no lie flat I would fly economy for about $200 each way (usually on AS) and hope for an upgrade (which I would usually get). I get that this is a different route and slightly longer but it should be in the same ballpark.
I can't imagine paying that much to sit up front in a non-lie-flat. Honestly it's a crazy fare even for a lie flat. I guess maybe I need to reset my expectations for post-pandemic times but pre-pandemic when I lived in SF I could get SFO-OGG and back in F for between $600 and $650 on a UA P (deep discount business) fare each way, sometimes with a lie-flat (752). When there was no lie flat I would fly economy for about $200 each way (usually on AS) and hope for an upgrade (which I would usually get). I get that this is a different route and slightly longer but it should be in the same ballpark.
Apr 29, 2022, 9:12 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
My usual route is PHL-LAS and back. Pre-pandemic the F fare was pretty regularly about $610. During the pandemic I think I got it for as low as $400, but now it's up to $699 (a little less for connections).
I guess people are flying again! Fortunately for most of us, we're not going to get stuck in a middle seat in the back.
I guess people are flying again! Fortunately for most of us, we're not going to get stuck in a middle seat in the back.
Apr 29, 2022, 9:37 pm
#9
Formerly doc4science
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: CMH/DSM
Programs: United Airlines Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 562
It is the little things. 30+ years ago on a TW flight, I had an FA walk by my seat as the cabin was getting dark at dusk, and she stopped to flip my reading light on (probably studying their route map on their inflight magazine). As she did, "Honey, you'll hurt your eyes." I still remember that.
Last edited by Fly2Connect; Apr 29, 2022 at 9:57 pm
Apr 29, 2022, 9:40 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
30 years later things have not changed! I had a very similar experience with AA flying ATH-ORD. That one is up there with a UA FA walking back to me in the 2nd to last row of Y ~2hr after take off on EWR-FCO a few months ago and saying, "---------- from business thought you'd sleep better with this" and handed me a Polaris pillow. The little things really matter.
Apr 29, 2022, 9:55 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 1,150
30 years later things have not changed! I had a very similar experience with AA flying ATH-ORD. That one is up there with a UA FA walking back to me in the 2nd to last row of Y ~2hr after take off on EWR-FCO a few months ago and saying, "---------- from business thought you'd sleep better with this" and handed me a Polaris pillow. The little things really matter.
That’s so incredibly sweet. That’s why I fly United
Apr 29, 2022, 10:17 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
I was looking at random dates in June and saw $3500 or $4000 for a round trip in F, on an A321neo. How much higher does it get??
I can't imagine paying that much to sit up front in a non-lie-flat. Honestly it's a crazy fare even for a lie flat. I guess maybe I need to reset my expectations for post-pandemic times but pre-pandemic when I lived in SF I could get SFO-OGG and back in F for between $600 and $650 on a UA P (deep discount business) fare each way, sometimes with a lie-flat (752). When there was no lie flat I would fly economy for about $200 each way (usually on AS) and hope for an upgrade (which I would usually get). I get that this is a different route and slightly longer but it should be in the same ballpark.
I can't imagine paying that much to sit up front in a non-lie-flat. Honestly it's a crazy fare even for a lie flat. I guess maybe I need to reset my expectations for post-pandemic times but pre-pandemic when I lived in SF I could get SFO-OGG and back in F for between $600 and $650 on a UA P (deep discount business) fare each way, sometimes with a lie-flat (752). When there was no lie flat I would fly economy for about $200 each way (usually on AS) and hope for an upgrade (which I would usually get). I get that this is a different route and slightly longer but it should be in the same ballpark.
I fly this route a lot. In normal times Y is $600 and J is $1500.
I bought this ticket 2 days ago for $589. Last minute PHX-HAWAII fares are always cheap if the flight isn’t full.
Apr 30, 2022, 5:45 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
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Apr 30, 2022, 5:48 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,065
Speaking of the little things, once as a lowly USAirways DM Gold myself and 2 companions were upgraded with the paper certs on PHL-LAX on a 757 (when it was 24F). On the ground during boarding, the FA came to a few select people in the F cabin and told them the Captain would like to see them. When she got to me and told me the same, I happily went up to the deck. The Captain simply wanted to thank me for my loyalty as a Dividend Miles Gold member. Being a recreational pilot that I was/am, I hung out for a few minutes and talked shop with him and the FO. Nice start to what was a great transscon morning flight.
My other "it's the little things" story is on AF pre 2001. CDG-EWR on a 747-200. I asked the head FA to call the Captain and ask if he was accepting any visitors to the flight deck. European airlines allowed this, at Captain's discretion, back then. The FA led me upstairs to the flight deck where the Captain, FO and Engineer warmly greeted me. Yes, it had the 3rd seat for the engineer. This cockpit was all steam gauges. They seemed like they hadn't seen civilization in months and we're happy to have a visitor. So we talked a bit about flying, etc. as we flew over Greenland. I remember how very bright it was up there from the sunlight pretty much at what would have been about noon.
My other "it's the little things" story is on AF pre 2001. CDG-EWR on a 747-200. I asked the head FA to call the Captain and ask if he was accepting any visitors to the flight deck. European airlines allowed this, at Captain's discretion, back then. The FA led me upstairs to the flight deck where the Captain, FO and Engineer warmly greeted me. Yes, it had the 3rd seat for the engineer. This cockpit was all steam gauges. They seemed like they hadn't seen civilization in months and we're happy to have a visitor. So we talked a bit about flying, etc. as we flew over Greenland. I remember how very bright it was up there from the sunlight pretty much at what would have been about noon.