Compare AA first to AS first
 

We used to fly AA a lot, but not since we moved to the Pacific Northwest (more than 20 years ago), where Alaska is king.

Headed to Florida (FLL specifically) from PDX and AA has the most flights, best times, best prices

Just how bad is First on AA? (I did search using "first class" but nothing truly relevant came up).

We'd be connecting in DFW or CLT, depending on the times we choose.

I know Alaska isn't world class, but it's comfortable, and the food is good.

Will we be really disappointed in AA or will it be "fine"?

I'm also interested in this FEBO thing....should we sit in the last row or will the middle be ok? Most of our projected flights are odd numbered. I'm concerned that if there is a schedule change we might be on the wrong end, so the middle seems safest.

1. For all our complaining, I think AA's domestic first/biz offering is pretty darn good (assuming we are talking here about recliner seats in a two-cabin setup, which is what you'll have on your routes). It's certainly better than UA, and although pre-Covid DL was a league ahead, it's a toss-up these days. You'll very likely get a pre-departure beverage (unless there's a delay), the food is fine, the refills are plentiful, and other than crummy wine, the drink selections are good. Wifi is fast, outlets work, seats are reasonably comfortable.

2. Forget FEBO, just pre-order your meals. I'm a bulkhead guy anyhow (I don't like people reclining into me, and I don't miss the underseat storage), so Row 1 has the added benefit of getting served and cleared first.

I don't think there's a meaningful difference, except that Alaska includes lounge access with domestic first class and AA doesn't. On many AA flights you can preorder your meal which renders the whole FEBO question moot. The food on all these airlines is pretty bad I think; AA's is probably marginally worse than Alaska but not enough to pay more $$ for, I don't think...

That's interesting. We also prefer row 1 for the reasons you mentioned. So if you preorder food you get served "not last" on an odd numbered flight? How is the legroom in AA in row one?

Yes, preorder food means you get what you pre-ordered (barring catering screw-ups which, this is AA so...) Every AA domestic flight I recall in recent years has been served from front to rear. I don't know in what direction they take orders post-FEBO because, again, with preorder, it doesn't matter. But the actual delivery of meals is always forward to aft now.

The big difference will likely be in legroom. AA domestic F is not quite as bad as DL but it is less generous than AS. Isn't 40" still standard in AS? AA has gone to 37" on most domestic narrowbodies.

Thanks, Mike. I have our flights on hold until Midnight tonight (which is less than 24 hours, but whatever).

We have a very real choice of returning through DFW or CLT...first segment through CLT is beverage only (between lunch and dinner), then dinner, whereas connecting thru DFW is 2 meals. Same total flight time, same price. I've never been through CLT.

if it’s up to me, everything else being equal, I’d fly thru DFW every time.

You're not missing anything (except congested concourses and aggravation)

Thanks, you all have been VERY helpful.

Alaska only includes lounge access with flights in F that are over 2200 miles, they made that change a year or so ago.

+1

I'd go for connection at DFW as you'd get full meals on both flights and DFW is a good mid point to divide up the long travel journey. Also from my experience of flying Alaska and AA, I'd say AA's meals are more generous (nuts, appetizer, warm bread, salad, main and dessert, and the portions are decent), while Alaska's meals are a bit more creative but definitely Weight Watchers portion controlled.

OK, thanks, I wasn't aware...

FEBO is a thing of the past. There are very limited instances when FAs do this. 98%+ of the time it is front-to-back, at least in my experience.

And even when they do FEBO or something else (occasional rogue FAs do it by status), food comes out front to back 100% of the time.