Domestic AA Experience
 

I've got a few J/F segments on AA, specifically: JFK-MIA-MEX-DFW-YVR-DFW-LAX. any comments on the AA "experience" and how to make it the most comfortable (apart from the obvious ambien&scotch liver destroyer...) Also what lounges can an SG sneak in to? would it make a difference if plat was achieved part way through http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

1. As an SG you can use any AC when travelling on AA.

2. J/F is best on wide bodies - 767s you may have. On 757s it is pretty bleak although the seats are wider than QF dom/int J seats.

3. If you have preferences or research the best seats call AAdv with you record locator and ask to be reserved those seats.

4. Best advice I can give is don't set expectations too high.

5. You can use Business Class (or First when Business not available) check in as an SG. As WP you can use First Class check in whenever you fly.

6. As an SG you are always in Group 1 for boarding - but you won't have that issue since you're in F/J

7. Both as SG and as J/F pax you should use the elite security lines where available.


8. DFW-LAX try and get on the one flight a day operated by 777 - this is 3 class sold as 2 - so on F ticket you will actually get Int F seat - which is much nicer

9. In AC as an SG you are entitled to 2 or more drink coupons (opinions differ) from the front desk when you come in.

10. As a WP, you could use any Flagship Lounge - but I think the only one to be found in your itinerary is in LAX.

11. Keep all your boarding passes until your QF miles post to ensure correct mileage posts - sometimes errors occur due to AA's fare codes and the way you're checked in.


[This message has been edited by alect (edited Jan 09, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by alect (edited Jan 09, 2004).]

If you are booked on a S80 in Business/First (ie north of economy/coach), avoid the front row if you do enjoy legroom. The bulkhead might appear spacious, but no leg stretching room. Oh, and take the ear plugs.

I would avoid the 757's where possible. The so called First Class Seats on these aircraft are much older and more uncomfortable than the seats on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

But then again compared to flying Qantas in Australia, flying in the US on American Airlines is a relatively poor experience.

Remember FEBO - Front Even Back Odd. This is that on even numbered flights thay start the "meal" service from the front, on odd numbered flights they start from the back. Since they pack enough meals for everyone, but not enough of the one choice to satisfy everyone, they often run out of one of the choices before they have finished, so if you remember FEBO you will always get a choice.

Dave

AA still has very few 737's. Most of the planes are MD80's and the seats are the same as the 757's.

An add on question http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

In a few weeks I am flying MEL - LAX - DAL(Ticketed with Qantas, QF93 D class & AA2434 A class) and continuing DAL - MCO (Ticketed with AA, AA1074 N class). Return is PBI - DAL (Ticketed with AA, AA1855 N class) and continuing DAL - LAX - MEL (Ticketed with Qantas, AA2427 A class & QF94 D class)
The strange ticketing breakdown is due to my company having a negotiated fare MEL - DAL, yet nothing beyond.
I currently only have QC/FF Silver membership as I don't travel a lot these days.
As per the post from dashman, what advice does anyone have to offer and what lounges am I entitled (or sneak) into. Will I have any guest entitlements? (I have someone else travelling with me who is QF FF member but not QC)
I'll gladely accept all positive ideas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ideasmilie.gif

thanks,
Bill.

I hate US domestic travel http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

I agree, that's why I'm asking for advise http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

From www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/qantasClub/benefits:- You ought to be able to get into Admirals Clubs at LAX and DFW but there isn't one at PBI - see www.aa.com/content/aboutAA/AAProducts/admiralsClub.jhtml. Don't forget your entitlement to free booze - ask for vouchers and ask again when you've run out of the first lot.

[This message has been edited by Globaliser (edited Jan 10, 2004).]

Actually, upgraded seats were installed on the MD80's when more room throughout coach was introduced. 757's kept the old style seats.

thanks for the post Alect - I'll aim to sniff out that 777 DFW-LAX run I think.

A very nice way to see the world. Recommended for A seats (left hand side - the sun aims directly in the right hand windows. We had 2A and 3A reserved for months - and miraculously they changed to 2J and 3J a week out from flight date. Suppose someone worth more to AA than us also didn't want the sun!

Remember also that the seats won't recline until they are rotated halfway towards the windows.

We have seat allocations for the MD80 so I think we are stuck with it. On the other hand the AA schedule says its a 777. Interesting??? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif