Apr 30, 2016, 12:36 pm
Last edit by: Server
OCTOBER 2016 UPDATE
LAX-JFK TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS:
1. Same day turns possible on the E-jets and morning 738s.
2. Bonuses now based on fare paid.
3. As of OCTOBER 2016, best fares are now around $1000. Fare tends to rise a few hundred for 2 pax. Fares can also occasionally rise for no discernible reason, but the price spikes have thus far proven to be temporary. Fares have the trend to drop during the year. Keep checking for fares in the $700-$800 ranges for best possible pricing.
4. Airport hotels with shuttles - Crowne Plaza Panama Airport & Riande Aeropuerto. The CP is slightly closer; the Riande is slightly nicer. The CP shuttle leaves the hotel every :00 and :30 and runs 24 hours but they seem to leave a few minutes early as it had left when I went down at 4:00AM on the dot. Also, note UberX charges a US$14 surcharge on top of the ~US$2 fare. CP has poor sound isolation, I could hear my neighbors on both sides including talking, crying baby etc. Had to wear earplugs to sleep.
5. Lounges:
Please refer to this thread for more detailed and accurate information on lounge access in general: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1656378-help-desk-will-i-have-lounge-access-access-rules-2016-a.html
6. PTY Customs:
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
If you want the transcon bonus, enter the search with a connection in JFK. (e.g. LAX-JFK,JFK-MIA,MIA-PTY,PTY-JFK,JFK-SFO.) You can play around from there to get the best deal. Some of the better deals do not start and end in the same city (e.g. start in LAX, end in SFO may be cheaper than start/end in LAX).
Also, it's possible on the outbound portion to time it so you have no more than a 60-minute layover at JFK or MIA (though note that some of these flights aren't available on weekends). While yes, JFK is notorious for delays, this rarely applies for inbound red-eye flights. Also, note that AA 28 below is sometimes "hidden" if you're looking on Google Flights inside a much more expensive trip; that does not necessarily mean, however, that you can't get it for one of the trips under $1,000 (in other words, try it out to see).
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
Below is the shortest-possible outbound itinerary that has the LAX-JFK transcon on AA's A321T with flat-bed seats:
LAX-JFK on AA 28
10:45pm - 7:22am
JFK-MIA on AA 200
8:15am - 11:24am
(Note: AA has now switched all of the metal it used on this leg - on all JFK-MIA nonstops - to 757s instead of the 767s with international-style F & J seating.)***767 and 772 are back. Flight 200 is a 772**
MIA-PTY on AA 4434
12:33pm - 2:48pm
(Note: Even more distressingly, AA switched from using a 737 on this leg to an RJ, presumably because summer is off-peak season in Central America. The 6:05pm flight still uses a 737 if a full-size aircraft is a must.)
LAX-JFK TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS:
Recent fare rule inclusions, effective October 2016, now prevent any routing via JFK on the non-stop transcontinental A321T aircraft. Any future booking will demand a significantly higher fare to route on the non-stops via JFK. Unless the fare rules are modified and these clauses are removed (highly doubtful), the ability to fly on the transcons via JFK is a thing of the past.
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN LAX AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN SFO AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
AND
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL BETWEEN SFO AND NYC
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AA
BUT NOT ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321 (SHARKLETS) AIRCRAFT.
1. Same day turns possible on the E-jets and morning 738s.
2. Bonuses now based on fare paid.
3. As of OCTOBER 2016, best fares are now around $1000. Fare tends to rise a few hundred for 2 pax. Fares can also occasionally rise for no discernible reason, but the price spikes have thus far proven to be temporary. Fares have the trend to drop during the year. Keep checking for fares in the $700-$800 ranges for best possible pricing.
4. Airport hotels with shuttles - Crowne Plaza Panama Airport & Riande Aeropuerto. The CP is slightly closer; the Riande is slightly nicer. The CP shuttle leaves the hotel every :00 and :30 and runs 24 hours but they seem to leave a few minutes early as it had left when I went down at 4:00AM on the dot. Also, note UberX charges a US$14 surcharge on top of the ~US$2 fare. CP has poor sound isolation, I could hear my neighbors on both sides including talking, crying baby etc. Had to wear earplugs to sleep.
5. Lounges:
Please refer to this thread for more detailed and accurate information on lounge access in general: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1656378-help-desk-will-i-have-lounge-access-access-rules-2016-a.html
LAX AIRPORT
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on status, it is simply departing/connecting/arriving at any point on same ticket to and from an eligible international destination. PTY is eligible and not excluded regardless of length.
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on class of service disregarding status, it is the international long haul clause that applies. Therefore, no "oneworld/QF lounge" access for non-elites for trips to and from PTY unless booking transcons since PTY is under 5 hours. BUT AA doesn't enforce this in their own lounges so Admirals Club access is expected.
AA GOLDs(RUBYs)/NON-ELITES
Admirals Club access is granted regardless of routing as AA does not enforce international long haul rule. However, the oneworld J lounge does for Golds(rubys)/non-elites as they are aware the PTY flights are under 5 hours. Booking transcon flights in J/F gains access to the OWJ/QFF lounges.
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Technically NONE (PTY under 5 hours therefore class of service rule applies) BUT AA still opens Admirals Club doors to all customers because they dont enforce the long-haul rule>
AA PLATINUMs
Platinums gain access to all AC/Business lounges regardless of routing due to flying to and from PTY. They gain access to First/Flagship lounges when traveling in F 3-class transcon
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + LAX oneworld J>
AA EXPs
EXPs have access to all lounges at all airports regardless of routing so long as they are traveling to and from PTY on the same itinerary (an international destination neither excluded from AA's list of ineligible regions nor limited by the flight length rule)
<EXPs Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in Y = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in J = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
NON-AA ONEWORLD ELITES
All sapphires and emeralds have some form of lounge access on any flight systemwide
<non-AA sapphires on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX>
<non-AA emeralds on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX + Flagship Lounge + QF F lounge LAX>
OTHER AIRPORTS
SFO - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
JFK - Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge for EXP/First 3-class/Emerald
MIA - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee), Oneworld Premium Lounge for EXP/First 3-Class/Emerald
PTY - No lounge access (Copa with PP, or for a fee, for 7am or later flights)
YVR - No lounge access (PP for a fee)
DFW - Admiral's Club (with F/C Dining for EXP/Emerald) (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on status, it is simply departing/connecting/arriving at any point on same ticket to and from an eligible international destination. PTY is eligible and not excluded regardless of length.
= When trying to gain oneworld J / QF F access based on class of service disregarding status, it is the international long haul clause that applies. Therefore, no "oneworld/QF lounge" access for non-elites for trips to and from PTY unless booking transcons since PTY is under 5 hours. BUT AA doesn't enforce this in their own lounges so Admirals Club access is expected.
AA GOLDs(RUBYs)/NON-ELITES
Admirals Club access is granted regardless of routing as AA does not enforce international long haul rule. However, the oneworld J lounge does for Golds(rubys)/non-elites as they are aware the PTY flights are under 5 hours. Booking transcon flights in J/F gains access to the OWJ/QFF lounges.
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Technically NONE (PTY under 5 hours therefore class of service rule applies) BUT AA still opens Admirals Club doors to all customers because they dont enforce the long-haul rule>
AA PLATINUMs
Platinums gain access to all AC/Business lounges regardless of routing due to flying to and from PTY. They gain access to First/Flagship lounges when traveling in F 3-class transcon
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J lounge + QF F Lounge LAX>
<Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA) in J = Admirals + LAX oneworld J lounge>
<Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + LAX oneworld J>
AA EXPs
EXPs have access to all lounges at all airports regardless of routing so long as they are traveling to and from PTY on the same itinerary (an international destination neither excluded from AA's list of ineligible regions nor limited by the flight length rule)
<EXPs Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs Non-Transcon F (2-class) + PTY = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in Y = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in J = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
<EXPs on Transcon 3-class (JFK/MIA + PTY) in F = Admirals + Flagship + LAX oneworld J + QF F lounge LAX>
NON-AA ONEWORLD ELITES
All sapphires and emeralds have some form of lounge access on any flight systemwide
<non-AA sapphires on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX>
<non-AA emeralds on ALL AA FLIGHTS = Admirals Club + oneworld J lounge LAX + Flagship Lounge + QF F lounge LAX>
OTHER AIRPORTS
SFO - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
JFK - Admirals Club & Flagship Lounge for EXP/First 3-class/Emerald
MIA - Admiral's Club (Centurion Lounge for a fee), Oneworld Premium Lounge for EXP/First 3-Class/Emerald
PTY - No lounge access (Copa with PP, or for a fee, for 7am or later flights)
YVR - No lounge access (PP for a fee)
DFW - Admiral's Club (with F/C Dining for EXP/Emerald) (Centurion Lounge for a fee)
6. PTY Customs:
Inbound to PTY -
Outbound to MIA -
7. Finding flights: - 12 noon - no lines reported
- 8PM Fri (5/27/16) - ~10 min line
Outbound to MIA -
- 4:40am - no lines reported
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
If you want the transcon bonus, enter the search with a connection in JFK. (e.g. LAX-JFK,JFK-MIA,MIA-PTY,PTY-JFK,JFK-SFO.) You can play around from there to get the best deal. Some of the better deals do not start and end in the same city (e.g. start in LAX, end in SFO may be cheaper than start/end in LAX).
Also, it's possible on the outbound portion to time it so you have no more than a 60-minute layover at JFK or MIA (though note that some of these flights aren't available on weekends). While yes, JFK is notorious for delays, this rarely applies for inbound red-eye flights. Also, note that AA 28 below is sometimes "hidden" if you're looking on Google Flights inside a much more expensive trip; that does not necessarily mean, however, that you can't get it for one of the trips under $1,000 (in other words, try it out to see).
NOTE: LAX-JFK NO LONGER VALID FOR LOWEST FARES (effective OCT 2016)
Below is the shortest-possible outbound itinerary that has the LAX-JFK transcon on AA's A321T with flat-bed seats:
LAX-JFK on AA 28
10:45pm - 7:22am
JFK-MIA on AA 200
8:15am - 11:24am
(Note: AA has now switched all of the metal it used on this leg - on all JFK-MIA nonstops - to 757s instead of the 767s with international-style F & J seating.)***767 and 772 are back. Flight 200 is a 772**
MIA-PTY on AA 4434
12:33pm - 2:48pm
(Note: Even more distressingly, AA switched from using a 737 on this leg to an RJ, presumably because summer is off-peak season in Central America. The 6:05pm flight still uses a 737 if a full-size aircraft is a must.)
AA: LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY RT $702 in A/J 18.9K EQMs
Mar 29, 2016, 5:56 am
#496
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
As best I can tell it was confirmed by you...once (post #69), another poster was asking as well, and as things can change given the state of security "enhancements" I'd rather be prudent and enlist the knowledge of other FTers prior to making this particular MR. Cheers!
Please post your experiences after your flight.
Mar 29, 2016, 3:53 pm
#501
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 118
Mar 29, 2016, 6:36 pm
#502
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SFO/OAK/SJC/SEA
Programs: AS MVPG75K, HHonors Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 9
I read the same thing elsewhere in this thread that arrivals and departures are from same area and you do not need to clear customs and immigration in PTY if doing a quick turnaround.
Can anyone shed more current info on this and confirm that this is the case? I am in at 2:23 pm and out at 3:40 pm on the same aircraft on 5/29. American let me book it so hopefully I haven't put myself in a pinch.
Can anyone shed more current info on this and confirm that this is the case? I am in at 2:23 pm and out at 3:40 pm on the same aircraft on 5/29. American let me book it so hopefully I haven't put myself in a pinch.
If folks are doing this run this week, be careful that it is spring break for most of NYC and Miami families, so lots of oversold flights. I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon while I was in PTY offering to reroute me as to not go to JFK via MIA...it took her a full minute to understand why I did not want MIA-SFO direct or DFW-SFO...LOL. With that said, the staff at the gates in MIA were eagerly watching the clock to release seats so make sure you get to the gate no later than 10 minutes from departure.
it should also be noted that I was on the 6AM ex-PTY and I showed up at 5:05AM and was told that I was lucky that I only had carry-ons because the flight had already closed for luggage!
Mar 29, 2016, 7:47 pm
#503
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Flyover Country
Posts: 157
PM'ing you both with my details.
Mar 29, 2016, 9:56 pm
#504
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 291
I just got back from this run (SFO-LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY version) yesterday. You will not have any problems clearing immigrations. It's a small airport and so you can do a fast turnaround. The only thing that might slow you down is the security screenings, the general screening and a rescreening at the gate before boarding the plane. You should also give yourself plenty of time to make it to the gate as the AA gates are on the other side of the airport. If you can get your tickets printed out for your return before you get to PTY that will save you time for having to go to the AA ticket counter. I was unable to fully check-in for PTY-MIA online so needed to go to the ticket counter.
If folks are doing this run this week, be careful that it is spring break for most of NYC and Miami families, so lots of oversold flights. I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon while I was in PTY offering to reroute me as to not go to JFK via MIA...it took her a full minute to understand why I did not want MIA-SFO direct or DFW-SFO...LOL. With that said, the staff at the gates in MIA were eagerly watching the clock to release seats so make sure you get to the gate no later than 10 minutes from departure.
it should also be noted that I was on the 6AM ex-PTY and I showed up at 5:05AM and was told that I was lucky that I only had carry-ons because the flight had already closed for luggage!
If folks are doing this run this week, be careful that it is spring break for most of NYC and Miami families, so lots of oversold flights. I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon while I was in PTY offering to reroute me as to not go to JFK via MIA...it took her a full minute to understand why I did not want MIA-SFO direct or DFW-SFO...LOL. With that said, the staff at the gates in MIA were eagerly watching the clock to release seats so make sure you get to the gate no later than 10 minutes from departure.
it should also be noted that I was on the 6AM ex-PTY and I showed up at 5:05AM and was told that I was lucky that I only had carry-ons because the flight had already closed for luggage!
I arrive at noon on Saturday and I'm wondering if I should make a trip to the city or just stay at the CP near the airport and catch up on work. I still can't decide which plan to go with
Do you have any recommendation for a few hours in the city? If I go to the city, I might stay at the Waldorf Astoria. The deal with Amex FHR there is just awesome. $129/night with 100$ property credit
Mar 29, 2016, 10:08 pm
#505
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
If folks are doing this run this week, be careful that it is spring break for most of NYC and Miami families, so lots of oversold flights. I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon while I was in PTY offering to reroute me as to not go to JFK via MIA...it took her a full minute to understand why I did not want MIA-SFO direct or DFW-SFO...LOL.
Mar 30, 2016, 12:02 am
#506
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,975
I just got back from this run (SFO-LAX-JFK-MIA-PTY version) yesterday. You will not have any problems clearing immigrations. It's a small airport and so you can do a fast turnaround. The only thing that might slow you down is the security screenings, the general screening and a rescreening at the gate before boarding the plane. You should also give yourself plenty of time to make it to the gate as the AA gates are on the other side of the airport. If you can get your tickets printed out for your return before you get to PTY that will save you time for having to go to the AA ticket counter. I was unable to fully check-in for PTY-MIA online so needed to go to the ticket counter.
If folks are doing this run this week, be careful that it is spring break for most of NYC and Miami families, so lots of oversold flights. I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon while I was in PTY offering to reroute me as to not go to JFK via MIA...it took her a full minute to understand why I did not want MIA-SFO direct or DFW-SFO...LOL. With that said, the staff at the gates in MIA were eagerly watching the clock to release seats so make sure you get to the gate no later than 10 minutes from departure.
it should also be noted that I was on the 6AM ex-PTY and I showed up at 5:05AM and was told that I was lucky that I only had carry-ons because the flight had already closed for luggage!
If folks are doing this run this week, be careful that it is spring break for most of NYC and Miami families, so lots of oversold flights. I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon while I was in PTY offering to reroute me as to not go to JFK via MIA...it took her a full minute to understand why I did not want MIA-SFO direct or DFW-SFO...LOL. With that said, the staff at the gates in MIA were eagerly watching the clock to release seats so make sure you get to the gate no later than 10 minutes from departure.
it should also be noted that I was on the 6AM ex-PTY and I showed up at 5:05AM and was told that I was lucky that I only had carry-ons because the flight had already closed for luggage!
Mar 30, 2016, 6:30 am
#507
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SNA
Posts: 928
Thanks a lot man! I will watch out for the rerouting thing.
I arrive at noon on Saturday and I'm wondering if I should make a trip to the city or just stay at the CP near the airport and catch up on work. I still can't decide which plan to go with
Do you have any recommendation for a few hours in the city? If I go to the city, I might stay at the Waldorf Astoria. The deal with Amex FHR there is just awesome. $129/night with 100$ property credit
I arrive at noon on Saturday and I'm wondering if I should make a trip to the city or just stay at the CP near the airport and catch up on work. I still can't decide which plan to go with
Do you have any recommendation for a few hours in the city? If I go to the city, I might stay at the Waldorf Astoria. The deal with Amex FHR there is just awesome. $129/night with 100$ property credit
I did this run a couple times last year, but always arrived in the eve and departed early the following morning. I've stayed both downtown and at the airport CP. I found the CP to be perfectly adequate and very convenient (walkable to and from the airport if you want some fresh air).
This time around I, too, arrive around noon and will stay overnight downtown (Financial District). Figured I'd amble around the Casco Viejo for a lazy afternoon of sites, food and beverages.
Mar 30, 2016, 9:43 am
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Currently in Bloomington, IN, but Normally NYC, CDG, and even POZ or wherever FT takes me.
Programs: Northwest Airlines. MTA pay-per-ride Metrocard; zero-balance Oyster card.
Posts: 14,022
Mar 30, 2016, 9:49 am
#509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Mar 30, 2016, 9:58 am
#510
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: BG
Programs: BAEC Silver, TK Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 827
If you start in SMF, you can still get the LAX-JFK direct option. Try searching for SMF-LAX-JFK-PTY. Its also a bit cheaper than starting from LAX.