Flagship First Experience at JFK
Jun 4, 2022, 8:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 93
Flagship First Experience at JFK
I don’t have many opportunities to fly out of JFK. So when one came up, it was time to finally try Flagship First. I’m a lightweight when it comes to premium travel so this was a big deal to me. I was really looking forward to it.
This planning involved a lot of contortions as my husband wanted to fly out from EWR. So him and my son did United via EWR while I went through JFK. I also had to stay a night in my brother’s Long Island home as my flight was pretty early- at 6:30 AM.
When my brother dropped me off at the airport on 5/29/22, I saw the Flagship First Checkin sign outside- just as promised by various bloggers and vloggers that I had been reading. Weee! The journey had begun. But well, it was closed.. In its lieu was a Temporary Flagship First checkin counter- which really was just the regular counter to begin with. No worries. Moving on.
Next wrinkle- PreCheck was closed. That’s OK. Just showed boarding pass and still kept shoes and whatnots on. Then I saw my hand carry take alternative track for secondary search. But of course- why would that not happen to me?
In Flagship Lounge, was asked “Is Miss Imbisibol joining us at Flagship First Dining this morning?” Finally! Those were exact words the bloggers and vloggers said I would be greeted with! But I said no.
I said I wanted to take a shower first. So there I went and took a shower. Dyson hair dryer was broken.
I finally reach Flagship First Dining. Pleasant enough greeting. I asked for and received a booth. Asked for a Bellini. They don’t serve alcohol until 10 AM. I wanted to cry. But composure won, of course. Asked for green tea then, I did.
I had the cucumber and compressed watermelon- which was pretty good. And also the carrot and cream cheese sponge. I almost convinced myself that it went pretty well with the green tea.
Onboard, I was on 5F as I don’t like having anyone behind me. I had pre-ordered the salmon frittata. It wasn’t good. Also had two glasses of Cuvée. I managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours.
At SFO, I had to claim my luggage, take Air Train to Terminal 3, wait 3 hours, then board my homeward flight to PDX via United. Yep, all these to experience Flagship First.
But hey, I’m not complaining. I think that yes- I probably would have had a better experience were my flight later in the day. But good, bad, or middle of the road experience- I would never have rested until I actually tried it first hand. And besides, if I had let my saner personality prevail and just flew out of EWR, I would still be fighting with it today.
Bottomline: I’m glad I experienced it- or at least some aspects of it.
This planning involved a lot of contortions as my husband wanted to fly out from EWR. So him and my son did United via EWR while I went through JFK. I also had to stay a night in my brother’s Long Island home as my flight was pretty early- at 6:30 AM.
When my brother dropped me off at the airport on 5/29/22, I saw the Flagship First Checkin sign outside- just as promised by various bloggers and vloggers that I had been reading. Weee! The journey had begun. But well, it was closed.. In its lieu was a Temporary Flagship First checkin counter- which really was just the regular counter to begin with. No worries. Moving on.
Next wrinkle- PreCheck was closed. That’s OK. Just showed boarding pass and still kept shoes and whatnots on. Then I saw my hand carry take alternative track for secondary search. But of course- why would that not happen to me?
In Flagship Lounge, was asked “Is Miss Imbisibol joining us at Flagship First Dining this morning?” Finally! Those were exact words the bloggers and vloggers said I would be greeted with! But I said no.
I said I wanted to take a shower first. So there I went and took a shower. Dyson hair dryer was broken.
I finally reach Flagship First Dining. Pleasant enough greeting. I asked for and received a booth. Asked for a Bellini. They don’t serve alcohol until 10 AM. I wanted to cry. But composure won, of course. Asked for green tea then, I did.
I had the cucumber and compressed watermelon- which was pretty good. And also the carrot and cream cheese sponge. I almost convinced myself that it went pretty well with the green tea.
Onboard, I was on 5F as I don’t like having anyone behind me. I had pre-ordered the salmon frittata. It wasn’t good. Also had two glasses of Cuvée. I managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours.
At SFO, I had to claim my luggage, take Air Train to Terminal 3, wait 3 hours, then board my homeward flight to PDX via United. Yep, all these to experience Flagship First.
But hey, I’m not complaining. I think that yes- I probably would have had a better experience were my flight later in the day. But good, bad, or middle of the road experience- I would never have rested until I actually tried it first hand. And besides, if I had let my saner personality prevail and just flew out of EWR, I would still be fighting with it today.
Bottomline: I’m glad I experienced it- or at least some aspects of it.
Jun 4, 2022, 10:01 pm
#2
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
I've flown FF a few times, JFK-LAX, SFO-LAX, MIA-LAX.
For MIA-LAX they gave me a brief runaround about FF checkin, I'm not sure why. Although it really wasn't that big a deal. What WAS a big deal was that my flight was at 1:35 and FF dining didn't open until 1:00. I actually sat behind someone who said he had scarfed down a lunch after they opened and was the last one on the plane. He was younger and more mobile than me, so I'm glad I didn't try.
I don't really fly for the food, so I can't comment about the onboard food. But there was only a microscopic difference between the J and F seats on the 77W, and really none on the A321T.
The FL was closed in LAX, and I'm not sure whether there even was one in SFO. However I did get FFD on JFK on both the outbound and the return. Like many things I am reminded of the Dom DeLuise line as Caesar from "Mel Brooks History Of The World Part I" when he is presented with a bathtub as a gift from one monarch to another - "Nice. Not thrilling, but nice."
These were all deeply discounted trips, the MIA-LAX was about $1000 and the two from/to JFK around $1200ish. I wouldn't even think of booking them at current prices. I might spend an SWU on one, except that the Flagship Biz tickets I have booked are for red-eyes LAX-MIA,and I'm not sure it's worth it basically just for FFD at LAX - which whenI was there last, wasn't even open.
For MIA-LAX they gave me a brief runaround about FF checkin, I'm not sure why. Although it really wasn't that big a deal. What WAS a big deal was that my flight was at 1:35 and FF dining didn't open until 1:00. I actually sat behind someone who said he had scarfed down a lunch after they opened and was the last one on the plane. He was younger and more mobile than me, so I'm glad I didn't try.
I don't really fly for the food, so I can't comment about the onboard food. But there was only a microscopic difference between the J and F seats on the 77W, and really none on the A321T.
The FL was closed in LAX, and I'm not sure whether there even was one in SFO. However I did get FFD on JFK on both the outbound and the return. Like many things I am reminded of the Dom DeLuise line as Caesar from "Mel Brooks History Of The World Part I" when he is presented with a bathtub as a gift from one monarch to another - "Nice. Not thrilling, but nice."
These were all deeply discounted trips, the MIA-LAX was about $1000 and the two from/to JFK around $1200ish. I wouldn't even think of booking them at current prices. I might spend an SWU on one, except that the Flagship Biz tickets I have booked are for red-eyes LAX-MIA,and I'm not sure it's worth it basically just for FFD at LAX - which whenI was there last, wasn't even open.
Jun 5, 2022, 4:27 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,313
Sorry to hear it. But to be honest, it’s about the lie flat seat and extra room. Occasionally you will be surprised on the upside but don’t expect it. FFD is nowhere nears as good as a better restaurant in NYC
Jun 14, 2022, 4:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 515
I don’t have many opportunities to fly out of JFK. So when one came up, it was time to finally try Flagship First. I’m a lightweight when it comes to premium travel so this was a big deal to me. I was really looking forward to it.
This planning involved a lot of contortions as my husband wanted to fly out from EWR. So him and my son did United via EWR while I went through JFK. I also had to stay a night in my brother’s Long Island home as my flight was pretty early- at 6:30 AM.
When my brother dropped me off at the airport on 5/29/22, I saw the Flagship First Checkin sign outside- just as promised by various bloggers and vloggers that I had been reading. Weee! The journey had begun. But well, it was closed.. In its lieu was a Temporary Flagship First checkin counter- which really was just the regular counter to begin with. No worries. Moving on.
Next wrinkle- PreCheck was closed. That’s OK. Just showed boarding pass and still kept shoes and whatnots on. Then I saw my hand carry take alternative track for secondary search. But of course- why would that not happen to me?
In Flagship Lounge, was asked “Is Miss Imbisibol joining us at Flagship First Dining this morning?” Finally! Those were exact words the bloggers and vloggers said I would be greeted with! But I said no.
I said I wanted to take a shower first. So there I went and took a shower. Dyson hair dryer was broken.
I finally reach Flagship First Dining. Pleasant enough greeting. I asked for and received a booth. Asked for a Bellini. They don’t serve alcohol until 10 AM. I wanted to cry. But composure won, of course. Asked for green tea then, I did.
I had the cucumber and compressed watermelon- which was pretty good. And also the carrot and cream cheese sponge. I almost convinced myself that it went pretty well with the green tea.
Onboard, I was on 5F as I don’t like having anyone behind me. I had pre-ordered the salmon frittata. It wasn’t good. Also had two glasses of Cuvée. I managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours.
At SFO, I had to claim my luggage, take Air Train to Terminal 3, wait 3 hours, then board my homeward flight to PDX via United. Yep, all these to experience Flagship First.
But hey, I’m not complaining. I think that yes- I probably would have had a better experience were my flight later in the day. But good, bad, or middle of the road experience- I would never have rested until I actually tried it first hand. And besides, if I had let my saner personality prevail and just flew out of EWR, I would still be fighting with it today.
Bottomline: I’m glad I experienced it- or at least some aspects of it.
This planning involved a lot of contortions as my husband wanted to fly out from EWR. So him and my son did United via EWR while I went through JFK. I also had to stay a night in my brother’s Long Island home as my flight was pretty early- at 6:30 AM.
When my brother dropped me off at the airport on 5/29/22, I saw the Flagship First Checkin sign outside- just as promised by various bloggers and vloggers that I had been reading. Weee! The journey had begun. But well, it was closed.. In its lieu was a Temporary Flagship First checkin counter- which really was just the regular counter to begin with. No worries. Moving on.
Next wrinkle- PreCheck was closed. That’s OK. Just showed boarding pass and still kept shoes and whatnots on. Then I saw my hand carry take alternative track for secondary search. But of course- why would that not happen to me?
In Flagship Lounge, was asked “Is Miss Imbisibol joining us at Flagship First Dining this morning?” Finally! Those were exact words the bloggers and vloggers said I would be greeted with! But I said no.
I said I wanted to take a shower first. So there I went and took a shower. Dyson hair dryer was broken.
I finally reach Flagship First Dining. Pleasant enough greeting. I asked for and received a booth. Asked for a Bellini. They don’t serve alcohol until 10 AM. I wanted to cry. But composure won, of course. Asked for green tea then, I did.
I had the cucumber and compressed watermelon- which was pretty good. And also the carrot and cream cheese sponge. I almost convinced myself that it went pretty well with the green tea.
Onboard, I was on 5F as I don’t like having anyone behind me. I had pre-ordered the salmon frittata. It wasn’t good. Also had two glasses of Cuvée. I managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours.
At SFO, I had to claim my luggage, take Air Train to Terminal 3, wait 3 hours, then board my homeward flight to PDX via United. Yep, all these to experience Flagship First.
But hey, I’m not complaining. I think that yes- I probably would have had a better experience were my flight later in the day. But good, bad, or middle of the road experience- I would never have rested until I actually tried it first hand. And besides, if I had let my saner personality prevail and just flew out of EWR, I would still be fighting with it today.
Bottomline: I’m glad I experienced it- or at least some aspects of it.
Jun 23, 2022, 10:59 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 93
FFD being open was a non-negotiable that I took into account with that flight. I can’t recall exact time now, but it opens at either 4:00 AM or 4:30 AM.
I was the first one in FFD. After about 20 minutes, a single male came in. Few more minutes and gaggle of quite loud 3 females came in.
I was the first one in FFD. After about 20 minutes, a single male came in. Few more minutes and gaggle of quite loud 3 females came in.
Jun 23, 2022, 3:00 pm
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 58
I don’t have many opportunities to fly out of JFK. So when one came up, it was time to finally try Flagship First. I’m a lightweight when it comes to premium travel so this was a big deal to me. I was really looking forward to it.
This planning involved a lot of contortions as my husband wanted to fly out from EWR. So him and my son did United via EWR while I went through JFK. I also had to stay a night in my brother’s Long Island home as my flight was pretty early- at 6:30 AM.
When my brother dropped me off at the airport on 5/29/22, I saw the Flagship First Checkin sign outside- just as promised by various bloggers and vloggers that I had been reading. Weee! The journey had begun. But well, it was closed.. In its lieu was a Temporary Flagship First checkin counter- which really was just the regular counter to begin with. No worries. Moving on.
Next wrinkle- PreCheck was closed. That’s OK. Just showed boarding pass and still kept shoes and whatnots on. Then I saw my hand carry take alternative track for secondary search. But of course- why would that not happen to me?
In Flagship Lounge, was asked “Is Miss Imbisibol joining us at Flagship First Dining this morning?” Finally! Those were exact words the bloggers and vloggers said I would be greeted with! But I said no.
I said I wanted to take a shower first. So there I went and took a shower. Dyson hair dryer was broken.
I finally reach Flagship First Dining. Pleasant enough greeting. I asked for and received a booth. Asked for a Bellini. They don’t serve alcohol until 10 AM. I wanted to cry. But composure won, of course. Asked for green tea then, I did.
I had the cucumber and compressed watermelon- which was pretty good. And also the carrot and cream cheese sponge. I almost convinced myself that it went pretty well with the green tea.
Onboard, I was on 5F as I don’t like having anyone behind me. I had pre-ordered the salmon frittata. It wasn’t good. Also had two glasses of Cuvée. I managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours.
At SFO, I had to claim my luggage, take Air Train to Terminal 3, wait 3 hours, then board my homeward flight to PDX via United. Yep, all these to experience Flagship First.
But hey, I’m not complaining. I think that yes- I probably would have had a better experience were my flight later in the day. But good, bad, or middle of the road experience- I would never have rested until I actually tried it first hand. And besides, if I had let my saner personality prevail and just flew out of EWR, I would still be fighting with it today.
Bottomline: I’m glad I experienced it- or at least some aspects of it.
This planning involved a lot of contortions as my husband wanted to fly out from EWR. So him and my son did United via EWR while I went through JFK. I also had to stay a night in my brother’s Long Island home as my flight was pretty early- at 6:30 AM.
When my brother dropped me off at the airport on 5/29/22, I saw the Flagship First Checkin sign outside- just as promised by various bloggers and vloggers that I had been reading. Weee! The journey had begun. But well, it was closed.. In its lieu was a Temporary Flagship First checkin counter- which really was just the regular counter to begin with. No worries. Moving on.
Next wrinkle- PreCheck was closed. That’s OK. Just showed boarding pass and still kept shoes and whatnots on. Then I saw my hand carry take alternative track for secondary search. But of course- why would that not happen to me?
In Flagship Lounge, was asked “Is Miss Imbisibol joining us at Flagship First Dining this morning?” Finally! Those were exact words the bloggers and vloggers said I would be greeted with! But I said no.
I said I wanted to take a shower first. So there I went and took a shower. Dyson hair dryer was broken.
I finally reach Flagship First Dining. Pleasant enough greeting. I asked for and received a booth. Asked for a Bellini. They don’t serve alcohol until 10 AM. I wanted to cry. But composure won, of course. Asked for green tea then, I did.
I had the cucumber and compressed watermelon- which was pretty good. And also the carrot and cream cheese sponge. I almost convinced myself that it went pretty well with the green tea.
Onboard, I was on 5F as I don’t like having anyone behind me. I had pre-ordered the salmon frittata. It wasn’t good. Also had two glasses of Cuvée. I managed to fall asleep for a couple of hours.
At SFO, I had to claim my luggage, take Air Train to Terminal 3, wait 3 hours, then board my homeward flight to PDX via United. Yep, all these to experience Flagship First.
But hey, I’m not complaining. I think that yes- I probably would have had a better experience were my flight later in the day. But good, bad, or middle of the road experience- I would never have rested until I actually tried it first hand. And besides, if I had let my saner personality prevail and just flew out of EWR, I would still be fighting with it today.
Bottomline: I’m glad I experienced it- or at least some aspects of it.