The "Things AA is getting right" thread
 

It's so easy to find negative impressions and reviews here, but I haven't found a singular thread to chronicle the things that AA actually does well, so I figured I'd start one here.

I'll get us started with my list:

1. Nothing

Hoping to see the list grow as we enjoy the premium push together!

I give them credit for rolling out usable WiFi on the regional fleet. Delta does not have this so I avoid the DL 175s when able.

It's still easy to check in with a human (staffed priority desks) who will tag your bags and print your boarding pass, and the kiosk will easily print boarding passes. UA and AS really annoy me on both of those fronts.

The way to get assistance at the AC has not changed and most agents are still great.

Miles still have value (note to AA: this is the reason I continue to stick around the last 5-10 years)

Free light meal on premium transcons (AA is the last airline to offer a complimentary light meal on any CONUS route in Y, which is advertised nowhere.)

When I redeem miles on AA intl, I always get a good value. Club access, edible food in F and J and friendly enough cabin crew. Also check in is decent at my home airport.

if I were paying cash, I would be on another carrier

Very good additions to the list, especially the AC staff which is generally very helpful.

I’m in the same boat as you re: value of miles - I’d have been gone long ago. However, being in a small city out west, I’m just kidding myself now. A good deal is to pay $400 for a reposition, an hotel, and the privilege to shell out another $800 + 57.5k for a 2 connection flight to anywhere over the pond. Still can’t believe RNO-DFW-DOH-JNB in J, or RNO-LAX-HND in F was ever actually a thing. I’m just not seeing the value anymore unless you’re in CLT, PHL or ORD.

I appreciate this too...not being able to print paper boarding passes at the AS kiosks is super annoying...the self service checked baggage machines are a close second as they easily double the time it takes to simply drop off a checked bag.

Okay I’ll add a serious one to my own thread: the employee store at DFW is always a lot of fun. I reward myself with a Gemini Jet or a couple coasters or luggage tags each pass through when I have time.

uh-oh.

you’re not gonna like the news

Wife and I had a great one-stopover flight LAS-SCL in domestic first and international business class for 75,000 award miles each. We do value AA miles.

While it's as basic as you can get it's also the most important. They're generally a safe airline.

A lot but hesitate to mention in case they decide to get rid of him (one thing I DONT like about any airline - any advantage seems like something they will take away)

- AA mile redemption for international travel
- Free wifi especially on regionals which I have to fly a lot
- upgrade availability flying into smaller markets is great
- increase of first class on regionals
- Lounge AAngels and EXP line are SO important when things go sideways. They are able to hold seats and do reroutings that other airlines dont seem to be able to do
I did a status match to United last year due to a couple of flights coming up and the service to a top tier flyer was practically non-existent in comparison. Unfortunately we had to test it out
- Lounges. Only had to wait to enter once unlike Centurion, Delta etc. Food continues to rotate and improve, bartenders friendly. Like the newer decor - seems to be quieter as well
- yes safety. Had some delays due to equipment issues but I'd rather be safe
- Last flights out for the night do tend to wait for connecting passengers especially on regionals

Smaller but noticeable
- Major increase in PDB on most of my flights in the last 6 months
-improvement in service overall on domestic flights lately. Have I just been lucky?

Since the pay increase including boarding pay has gone into effect I've noticed a definite increase in chances of pdbs. AA seems to be trying to do a better job of communicating delays whether by app (technology) or by human (gate agents). That being said the tools are generally there for self help or at least to determine what your best alternative is during irregular operations. But even experience FF will depend upon a stressed out, overloaded gate agent or lounge staff to figure out their alternative. And since their time is limited (a line behind you) they are going to give you the first thing that pops up on their computer screen.

From my perspective on what AA gets right as an EXP:

1. IRROPS support - AA has almost always found ways for me to get home or get where I am going when operations break down. This includes forcing positive space on full flights, protecting me on later flights, or confirmed changes on other flights.
2. Value for miles - Partner rewards (when available) are of great value, particularly in First/Business; last minute redemptions in Business on AA can be very good; value in economy award tickets booked in advance with the ability to cancel and redeposit without a fee. For example, I recently booked a ticket to AXA for 24,000 miles round-trip next spring in economy on a flight that costs over $1000 before taxes.
3. EXP line - recently have rarely had to wait on hold, and the service here is very good.
4. Newly renovated lounges are great (e.g., DCA and LGA) and lounge membership via credit card does not impose visit limitations (e.g. number of visits per year or only X hours in advance of a flight).
5. While elite upgrades have declined amongst all 3 majors due to monetization of first class, I am still have a very good domestic upgrade % and worse case I am in an extra legroom seat in economy. Complimentary upgrades to premium economy on international routes for myself and companions is also a fantastic benefit.

Few things:
- Route network works for me
- Miles have good value compared to others
- Loyalty points for status from more sources than just flying
- Flights being on time is far better than 2 years ago when it seemed 75% of my flights were delayed.

Do you have a problem with the DL Hughes systems? The Hughes installations on the DL RJ fleet have been progressing pretty quickly. A significant majority of the fleet now have it and your odds of getting one without it installed are getting pretty slim. The installations are being tracked on DL Air Lines Fleet thread at anet.

During IRROPs two weeks ago due to weather, I was offered a hotel despite it being a weather delay (not sure if it's due to my EP status?). AC agents generally good at rebooking and helpful, the FL agent also double booked me to give me a back up plan in case the first option falls through.

AA mileage amounts for Caribbean travel are really cheap. Many destinations from MIA to many Caribbean airports are 8k-12k miles each way.

A few things come to mind (not meant to be exhaustive, I didn't want to repeat a bunch of things, though there will be some repeats)
- Solid global network with partners/Oneworld. AA has a less robust Europe/Asia network on their own metal, but they offset that quite well by having ideally located partners in LHR and TYO for connections
- They've been investing in clubs and it shows in places. The E club at DCA is great. The joint lounges at JFK are excellent. Work to do still on a number of existing clubs, but they are making effort
- Diversification of the LP earning system allows a level of flexibility in qualification, for those who need/want it.
- Warm, mixed nuts. This is immaterial, but I do just love those little ramekins on domestic meal flights.(UA has them, DL does not)

Ongoing/Historical Wins:

• EXP desk and AAngels continue to be a good resource durring IRROPS - they take care of elites pretty well. Just got saved over Memorial Day weekend in DFW with bad weather. Got protected on the last seats out of an alternate flight to get home, after originally sched flight went CX.
• AA clubs are solid for the price - Decent respite from the terminal, food and bev is ok and free, can catch a shower when needed.
• FL lounges are very nice for a US based "premium" offering, and I very much enjoy the FFD passes- 20K miles for 3 people to eat and drink about $300+ worth of food, plus you get to hang out in FL.... a long layover no brainer.
• Network is pretty strong in US, can get pretty much anywhere I need to be. Has fringe benefits of alternate routes for IRROPS
• OneWorld partners continue to be solid for Int'l
• AA miles still have pretty good value.... example: got a booking next week for 4 people from FL to CA in First for about 35k each 1 way, when cash was $1500+ a person.

New Wins?

• Wifi availability is good, getting better with free wifi rollout here in 2026
• Change in boarding time to 40 min before departure is a welcome change.
• LP program is good for my needs, I can earn both flying and spending. LP rewards are not bad either.
• App "improvements" are a welcome sight.... still room for some upgrades there.

This is interesting. Are you sure your flight wasn't officially cancelled/delay for a different reason, even if there was general weather chaos when you were flying?

…and to think that this is the first thing that came to mind that AA gets right.

OKAY - TAKE DOWN THE THREAD. AA will use this to find out what to strip back first.

I didn't think agents could even do that anymore. Even for CK. There was a time 15 years ago EXP would be offered a hotel in the event of a weather delay but no more. Now of course there's a grey area, for example no crew because they may be stuck due to weather issues. Possibly one could get traction in that scenario, but I wouldn't count on it.

Other then a rough rollout the first couple of weeks free WI-FI has been pretty reliable and I have had it on almost all of my flights since March, including many ERJ175 and CR7 and CR9 flights. It is amazing how quickly it has become the norm.

I think American handles IRROPs really well. I had a flight delay YYZ-CLT- AVL a few weeks ago and after a quick phone call they were able to reroute me on a delayed YYZ-ORD flight then on to AVL, still keep me in first, and I actually got in about an hour earlier than scheduled.

People complain about the Admirals clubs but I find them to be well worth the annual (CC) fee, especially the clubs in DCA and LGA.

I agree with all of these, and I really value the staffed priority desks. Beyond preferring not to tag my own bag, I find the AA agents at the priority check-in desks to be helpful and courteous. I see this as a big advantage over UA -- some of the most unpleasant people I have ever interacted with are United's outsourced check-in and bag drop agents.

THIS!

I rarely check bags but want a paper bp for a variety of reasons, and to get the doc check done for INTL. With AA or DL, I can walk up the (Sky)Priority counter and hand over my passport, and be done in less than a minute assuming there’s no line.

Once on UA flying EWR-HND-SGN, OLCI didn’t work so was forced to go to the check in area. The Polaris/1K section only had kiosks which I then had to swipe my passport and and wait for a human to clear the visa check screen… Annoys me to no end as well.

Main Cabin Extra at booking for Platinum and higher is a phenomenal perk. The extra legroom + free drinks makes all the difference in comfort compared to a normal economy seat.

Agreed. Which makes you wonder why ULCC has so few MCE seats on mainline than UA or DL? Seriously on 737s it's only one real row of MCE right? I don't count row 8 (or whatever the bulkhead is, it's fraudulent that the bulkhead row is sold as extra legroom), and we can't use the exit rows with young kids. So that's just one real row of MCE.

Thankfully most of our flying is on E75s with plentiful MCE so I am thankful for that. And for lounges that rarely ever are crowded. The staff at the Eagle's Nest AC is so great, always giving our kids juice boxes and little treats to keep them happy. The best. Too bad Isom sucks at his job.

I was following this story and find it really shameful on the AA Corp Real Estate department.

I think the new J product in the 787-9P fleet (whether you get the bulkhead extra space or not) and (some day) the 777-300 fleet is a welcome fleet upgrade that shows AA hasn't forgotten about their real bread and butter passengers.

AA is gilded around the edges with some really nice premium features, but fundamentally fails at the points that matter most to good airlines (operational reliability and customer service/employee quality).

There are a few premium aspects that I wish UA would adopt, but United runs a good operation that is almost always on time, and that’s what matters most to me.

Flagship First dining and showers in most clubs are great, but don’t matter much when the entire departure board is delayed.

Former EXP member here (more than 20 consecutive years). I finally gave up on AA about 24 months ago and now fly almost exclusively on DL. Had the opportunity to fly AA again 10 days ago on an IAH-DFW-LAS trip. A few things stood out to me when comparing AA to DL where AA does it better:

* Warm nuts before lunch were nice. DL does not do this.
* A side salad is served with the entree on AA. Delta cut the side salad 6-12 months ago. However, DL does offer warm bread with the meal which AA does not.
* AA puts a tray-cloth on the food tray and the food tray is then placed on the tray-table. DL puts the food dishes directly on the food tray with no cloth underneath but they do put a tablecloth on the tray-table. To me, Delta's method seems less sanitary. I prefer AA's approach.

Irrops options. Was heading home Aus-phx thru DFW. Storms caused a meltdown at DFW. Sat on tarmac in Austin for 2 hours before heading back to different gate. Said 'screw it' to myself, booked an airport hotel and called the EXP line. Rebooked on tomorrow mornings nonstop in about 10 mins. The only reason it took that long is it had to be 'pushed through'. This is what hit DFW today - Airport is in the center of the pic.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...36a8bd67bc.png

AA staff at ATL including Admirals club...
irrops.. AA are very good
Award travel tickets good value\
Lounges and access around the world

The entire aadvantage program including the range of methods to earn status and the relative low cost of doing so, as well as the redemption options and cost, make the entire program better than mileage plus or sky miles.

if you were really well optimized, you could be become executive platinum for well under $6000. It would take many times that on Delta or United.

has others have said you can get to Europe or Asia for less than 60,000 miles in business class. You would also take many times that on Delta or united.

unlike United, they haven’t introduced un bundled business class yet.

System wide upgrades don’t have inventory requirements. Other than that you can’t use them on basic economy. If I remember correctly, United has an inventory requirements.

American Airlines is the only domestic carrier that I am aware of that made an attempt at doing a beef Wellington in flight. Irrespective of the actual quality of the beef, Wellington, you have to respect them for trying.

They serve pretty good champagne.

They actually have a pretty decent international business class product. Train cones from New York to JFK and San Francisco are actually relatively competitive.

They actually have marginally edible food in their admirals club now. Food at the Dallas flagship lounge is actually pretty good.

They have Woodford reserve in flight.

Agree on this one. ATL AC also has complimentary Sweetwater 420 which I love.

Many good opportunities for miles redemptions.
Except for CLT, clubs are not ridiculously overcrowded. (Anxiously waiting for new AUS club.)
Warm nuts during meals on mainline flights.
Free inflight Wi-Fi.
Rebooking process via the app during irrops ("golden ticket").
Reasonably transparent about delay reasons via comments on ExpertFlyer and (now) via messages in the app and on the website.

AA does plenty to offset these positives (sloppy operations, uncomfortable seats, indifferent onboard service, poor IFE, useless SDC process) but they do some things right.

The ability to book an award ticket in advance to secure your seat, and then change it closer to the flight date when the "price" inevitably drops. The miles are redeposited instantly with no fee.
The companion upgrade process (on different PNR) reliability has improved over the years
The "twitter team"

I think AA has the best (surely the largest portions) food in domestic F and premium transcon routes. And as a foreign OWE, having FL/Soho lounge access is a true value add and is probably the biggest reason I still book AA flights.

I'm not aware of this - you get MCE on international flights but I'm Plat Pro and never seen complimentary upgrades to PE

I'm not positive, but I believe OWE are automatically requested upgrades into PE in the event there are open seats available. I.e., not during seat selection.