AA first class experiment
 

I've flown Delta for years, but last week I needed to go to Grand Cayman and Delta only has 1x per week flights. So, I decided to try AA. I purchased a ticket in first/business IAD-MIA-GCM and return. I thought I'd share my impression of their product vs. Delta.

Seats: Standard 737, but I prefer the cloth seats on AA, opinions may vary.

Drinks: Service on the 4 flights had no consistency for pre-flight beverages. On two, there were none offered, on one, water or orange juice, on the last, full cocktail service. No correlation between domestic and international legs.

Food: Similar to Delta, except they called the "snacks" "light appetizers"

Lounge: Caribbean premium tickets don't qualify for complimentary lounge access, but I bought a day pass just for research. I ordered a bourbon and water. The bartender asked if I wanted their house bourbon, I asked what it was. He showed me a bottle of something I've never even seen before, so I asked for Maker's Mark (which I saw on the shelf behind the bar). I was about to walk away and he called me back and presented me with a bill for $12. Free food was carrots and celery with dip or pretzel mix, but they had chips, sandwiches and so forth for a hefty price. Overall, made me feel like a rube for paying $50 to get in (the cost of a day pass).

In-flight service: One leg was probably the best I've ever experienced, the other three were average to poor.

Overall, I'd say the lounge is where they truly differentiate themselves, and not in a good way. Their service to Caribbean destinations is the positive, although being the only choice for a route is a questionable marketing strategy.

Ta!

DL lounges are a pretty similar experience with the Luxury Bar that's being rolled out... though without the food for sale option.

Which lounge did you access?

Definitely no expert alcoholic here (that's a good thing!) but based on FT comments, seems like DL's free "house" brands are a step above the others. Personally enjoy JD but don't think AA/UA offer it as a free brand. Guess this is really a personal pref thing.

But was the Admirals club as jam packed as the SC's?

For UA depends on the lounge. UC pretty run of the mill. GFL very good selection.

I have been in DL, AA, US, AS, and UA lounges domestically and while none are exceptional, I prefer DL. Until recently AA offered no free booze. Also, if you weren't an admirals club member they charge for Internet. (I access clubs with my Amex so not a club member)

In terms if First class, I used to fly AA almost exclusively until a couple of years ago when I switched to DL. I often found the experience nice, but nothing special. I also don't care for AA's Stone Age fleet. If you think DL planes are bad, try AA.

Thanks for the assessment. I do like AA's frequencies to the Caribbean and wish DL would improve their schedules.

Agree. I think DL's free liquor, while not premium, is certainly more than acceptable, although YMMV. Don't drink wine, but I understand that is highly more subjective.

Yes, certainly. $12 for a Maker's is ridiculous when SkyClubs are serving up Woodford for free.

For $12 he should've given you a pint of it. Pretty absurd to charge that much.

The GFL is a whole apples-to-oranges comparison to the UC. SkyClub is more aligned with UC, given that both sell memberships to it, certain credit card holders and elite status levels get in, etc. GFL only happens if you're in International or p.s. F.

Only one or two SCs (CVG and I've heard rumors of IND but never been there) are serving Woodford for free. The rest are Jim Beam, if it's even available, otherwise Jack.

I fly AA here and there, almost always paid J. I found the rules a bit more nuanced in terms of booze and internet. As Paid J I always received internet and drink certificates. I liked some AA clubs better than some of the DL clubs, in particular some of the converted PMNW clubs. Though I have a disdain for the AA's MIA clubs. Crowded, noisy, no really noisy, plus clearing customs in MIA is a real PITA.

And like DL, a lot of Caribean destinations are considered domestic F. No club, not all that much to differentiate from any other carrier. In true J to central and south america AA has a nicer soft product in my opinion. Hard product will depend on if you're talking narrow body or wide body. In particular if it's a DL route still running the 2x2x2 767s (ugh).

Jim Beam or Jack are still preferable to some of the house brands I've run across on some Caribbean isles. Some of that stuff is just plain nasty.

I much prefer DL Skyclubs as the presentation of the snacks just look nicer to me than say the high school dispensers found at the UC.

Also the oatmeal in the mornings are a nice alternative to the Sarah Lee pre-packaged "checmicalized" muffins and bagels at the UC.

Dan