TWA 350 from Ontario, CA to St. Louis.

Check-in at the newly remodeled Ontario airport (what an improvement) is fast and easy. Travelling in seat 2A in F/C thanks to Aviators Elite and a Y-ticket. MD-80 is packed, but boarding is orderly and the plane leaves on time. Nice Fajita wrap for lunch, but unfortunately, no in-flight entertainment. TWA should really equip some of their MD-80s with audio systems for the long-haul routes to the West Coast. Service in-flight is excellent, with the lead F/A personally thanking all the people in F for flying with TWA. The F/C seats are decent enough, with adjustable headrests. As usual, we are right on-time into STL.

Have to fly back into Orange County on the way back, but get a 757 for my trouble. Again upgraded to first- the unlimited upgrades as an Elite is really nice. Late evening departure out of is pretty empty. Bulkhead seat- 1A on the 757, which has plenty of legroom. A bit dissapointed with the snack service of a small, pretzel sandwich, but most of the passengers seem to be sleeping, anyways. A smooth flight a few minutes early into SNA.

Extremely uneventful and on-time flights. What I've come to expect from TWA these days. Now, if only I could get more flights from the LA area.

Not too many TWA folks making trip reports, it seems.

Just curious, how did you become a TWA Aviators elite? From LA area, aren't logical choices United/AA?

BTW, excellent trip report! Thanks.

Thanks socalterp- Just took TWA on the SNA-STL-EWR route last month (5C straight through). Uneventful is the word!! But olders 757's and MD'80's sure don't excite me!!! And I wish they would improve the food/service at Ambassador Clubs somewhat.

Very good report...

Your FT name intrigues me. Are you a U of M alumni?

Hi all, first post here on the boards. I'm Aviator elite on TWA and really enjoy the easy upgrades. Since becomming elite in June I've upgraded on every single flight I've been on. However, I thought the comments about TWA's FC service being "nondescript" being right on target. It seems to be nothing special, but just enough to pass as first class. I agree that it would be nice for entertainment on all the longer flights (I do quite a bit of STL-PDX and STL-SEA).

Some of my more enjoyable recent flights were JFK-SJU and SJU-STL. It's nice being the only person up front on the flight back from sunny San Juan. I'm considering a series of trips around Veterans Day to take advantage of the double miles offers down to SJU.

Jim

Dunno about socalterp, but I got Elite by taking 1 flight in February MCO-STL-LGW. Biz class ticket was around $5600. Got me Elite on TW until December 2000. (TW gives Elite for 5K in fares, Elite 1 for 10K and Platinum for 20K) Figured it was worth it for that as I do fly TW a bit, but not enough to qualify with miles or segments.

Cheers,

'toad

I guess I fly TWA out of loyalty. As a recent college grad w/ a history degree, I admire the great past of the airline. I also grew up flying TWA, and have very fond memories of trips across the Atlantic on the old 747s and L1011s from the Saarinen terminals at JFK.

Now, I have a bunch of miles, and a lot of my travel takes me to the St. Louis area. Out of LA, United is the most convenient option, but I still enjoy the more personal touch of TWA. I do wish that there were some more options on TWA out of here- the new SJU nonstop is nice, but I will still go out of my way to fly with them.

Having unlimited upgrades is also a nice benefit- especially on the transcons, where TWA has 2-class service. With 2-class upgrades gone on other carriers, TWA's F/C comfort and service makes it worth the less convenient schedules. In addition, the fact that they have made great strides in on-time performance is important as well. I can count on getting to my destination on-time and without hassle.

As for my screen name, I grew up in the Baltimore area and have been a long suffering Maryland fan.