Excellent trip report. Really interested in going to Alaska but note your comments that it might be difficult doing your own thing. Just back myself from an AA multi trip from Edinburgh. Agree with your comments on them. Was pleasantly surprised how good they were having read some comments on here before.

Gatwick Alan ... interesting input on accommodation ... thanks for that. But - how do I get HHons points and stays? Come on - this is FT

However, details apart, I'm glad you relate to the area. That's reassuring for us [I'm coming up to 72, and with a child bride a few years younger ] It seems to do it for me, somehow, but then we both like suburban America [NoVA for 2 weeks in September, again]. I do agree about watching for the operating aircraft, though ... no way are we doing TATL in a 757!

martin102 ... I think FT gives AA a hard time. We've done 16 sectors in the last year or so, and have never been 'annoyed' by anything. Solidly competent, and some FA's are wonderful. Why have we switched most of our westbound travel to AA?

Wow was waiting for this one to pop up thanks for taking the time and effort to produce as always a detailed and interesting read. Really like the style, photos and pace. Just right.

I've done Phoenix - but that was only a diversion and didn't leave the plane. Look forward to the next one in five weeks

I share your sentiment re the LGW to LHR 'shuffle'. When I was living in NAP for two years, I was able to do three round trips to the States before I said enough is enough and just started connecting through MUC with LH.

Beautiful pictures and certainly a diverse sampling of locations in NA. As always, thanks so much for sharing! I probably should have been billing clients for the last half hour, but your TR was far more enjoyable.

Fantastic TR as ever, Uncle T. A pleasure to read!

I'm working my way around 'tourist America' slowly but this really makes me want to get off the beaten track, so to speak.

On my last DUB USPC I was seen to by an ex-USAF agent who saw Bury St Edmunds as the birthplace on my passport and was telling me he was stationed there - I wonder if it's the same guy? He was brilliant.

Great TR as always, thanks T8191 ^

An enjoyable trip report.
Apart from the UK Alaska is one of the few places left in the world that would entice me on to a long haul flight although I wouldn't fancy spending so much time in Anchorage. As for Arizona with temperatures like that no ruddy way!!

Good to see the flights went well but judging by your CLT-DUB sector food photo either AA have very large forks or their steaks are a miserably small size.

Really enjoyed this report - almost fell off my chair at the size of the steak! I can totally empathise with you regarding PHX as I have just got back from there and it was very hot. It certainly felt hotter than Las Vegas where it's currently a balmy 45C.

Can't believe the schoolboy error on the CLT - PHX miles though. Tut tut

I love reading your trip reports Uncle T, they're always interesting and informative, thank you! (I must finish my AA TR from May... it's the photos, Photobucket hates me... )

I lived in Tempe, one of the big towns like Chandler (close to Phoenix; and actually PHX is super close to ASU & Tempe). Went to grad school there (ASU; woohhooo Sun Devils).

Your TR hit home, and beautifully presented. Thank you T8191 (might I say Uncle-T?!)

Might I add, Sixt PHX location has some amazing selection of premium vehicles, often at costs that are cheaper than what you pay for an 'Intermediate' category of car at Hertz. And, usually if you are an elite, you get an upgrade: One class upgrade for Golds, Two class upgrades for Plats.

Great TR, T8191!

Thank you.

Having travelled on AA recently, the photos of the cabins and some of the meals bring back memories.

Generally, I enjoyed my AA flights, if not always the long flights in Domestic First class with, sometimes, limited leg room and recline and often no IFE.

I was surprised by the wide variety of uniforms (legacy issues with US I suppose) and the often "casual" dress of the male cabin crew members. Uniform standards not quite up to that of BA or most other airlines,

I thought this happens only in TLV Great TR, thank you very much.

I really enjoyed your TR and all those photos are great. We also like to fly out of Dublin but get there with BA via LHR. I was pleased to see that you enjoyed your pulled pork roll at the Hilton as we'd only seen poor reports about their food, although I agree that their breakfast is really very acceptable. We will be returning to the USA again later this year and our flights are outbound with BA & inbound via AA (which we prefer now). Your TR reminded me that the AA baggage tracker is a bonus as we can check that the luggage is transferred at each connection. I hope that you enjoy your next trip as much as this one - all that food

Katie

Great TR as always T! I always prioritise reading about your trips - nice, easy going, humorous style. Plus pics are always a bonus.

Whilst neither Pheonix nor Alaska are on my "to do" list, it's good to hear on your AA experiences (particularly from a BA Gold).

Now, when's the next report due ....

great stuff Uncle T.

See you saturday^