Recreating AA first class for the last time
 

Dear fellow AA flyers, I have been flying AA from London to DFW for about 30 years, used to love the Admirals club team at LGW.

Most years at least 2 or 3 times and on many occasions, I have been lucky enough to have flown business and first.

I am flying first in December and realistically think this will be my last first AA transatlantic experience based on my travel plans for next year and had I thought I would like your opinions on,

While I am not going to be able to get lobster salad served from a cart on my return from LHR I was thinking of trying to make it a little more special. Having talked to the first crew on my February flight, they were telling me how much they missed the old days and rue the end of a true first class service, so here is my plan.

Stop at the caviar bar in T3 and order 30 grams of Oscietra and whatever fixings they will give me to go. I then buy a bottle of champagne from duty free, thinking Bolli as they don't seem to have much when I look online. I have some of the AA recognition certificates which I always give prior to take off, as " i know they will provide me excellent service" and will also give the crew a sealed card with a little gift inside.

I will then ask them if there is any way they could please serve my caviar and champagne to remind me of the good old days as part of the lunch service.

One, do you think this will work and two, any other thoughts on what else I could do to make this more special.

Of course, I will visit the Cathay lounge and might even try the BA first dining for the Grand Siècle.

Thanks in advance

Justin

Highly doubt that even a friendly crew would be willing to take food that you bring on board and then serve it to you. Not only would it disrupt their normal service flow, but I'm sure the other pax would inquire when they see a nice tub of caviar going out to you (and only you), not to mention liability issues, etc.

If you want to bring your own caviar and fixings and eat it yourself, without the crews involvement, then of course that shouldn't be an issue. No different than if you picked up Burger King before boarding and brought it on.

And while I think it's legal (?) for a flight crew to serve alcohol brought on board by a pax I'd say it's doubtful they'd be ok with opening a sealed duty free bag.

i bet you'll have less of an issue with the caviar, but i think serving your champange will really depend on the crew and their mood. that said, american has been offering better champange in F lately

Wishful thinking however will never happen

Well from what I have seen over the last 30 years I am going to think the best of the people who work this route and keep my fingers crossed.

Any other ideas anyone has to make it memorable?

In the distant past, AA used to have a corkage program and served wine brought onboard by the passenger in the premium cabin. I don't believe it's SOP to do so anymore.

As an AA Captain, I would suggest lowering your expectations. While the idea sound wonderful, the crew will not be able to serve you food brought on board. As to the champagne, perhaps find a split. Opening a bottle brought on board may create an issue. A split would allow you to be a bit more discrete.

Good luck, and safe travels!

Thanks for the advice from the inside.

Any other thoughts on how I could make it special for both me and the crew.

cheers

Especially this. I don't blame AA for not doing this as they would probably be asked by every customer in the cabin "why is he getting that and we're not". Not fair to the flight attendants to be put through that.

Turn and face out the window.

That's the only unique feature of a generally substandard product. You'll have a lot more fun in hindsight (IMO) if you enjoy the few unique aspects of it vs trying to make AA F something it isn't. If you want the good old days, fly LHR/LGW-DXB-DFW on EK F.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure. You can certainly bring food on board, but I doubt the FA's will serve it to you. This is probably one of those cases where what was once, will sadly never be again. At least not on a domestic carrier. :(

I can understand the OP idea of trying to re-crate times go by... but for me the good old
days were actually because I had a great crew.. they typically could make or break my journey.
Over time I can learnt to expect very little from AA in air.. so that way its never a disappointment.
Now the ladies at the AA lounge in ATL.. always make a last impression for all my trips

Come to peace with the high likelihood that the crew will hide in the galley and provide the most minimal service dictated by their contract. Accept that as the most probable experience and allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised if you receive anything more than that.

Don't bring the champagne.....as other posters mentioned, not allowed....Just have what AA is serving that day....

You can bring the tin(s) of caviar, just don't forget to ask for the caviar key (and if you never used it before, learn before hand; its a turning a door knob action, not the typical pry open method...), and just do self serve. Usually if you purchase caviar, they'll get you side condiments (blinis, sour cream, shives, eggs, onions..etc) and keep it in a bag with a ice-cooler device to keep the caviar cold.....

I wouldn't ask the FA to get involved, just bring your little picnic basket of goodies and do it yourself......

Unfortunately, we are no longer allowed to serve you alcohol that you have brought onboard.:(