FlyerTalk Forums - First Flight on AA (part one)

Hi,

I thought i'd mark my first AA flight with my first trip report.

12 Jun AA137 LHRLAX

Travelling Coach as usual i was keen to compare the flight with my usual UA one. Just a week before i had managed to get AA to match my UA Prem Exec Status and Armed with a letter confirming my new Platunum status i made my way up to the terminal from the Heathrow Express.

As i walked round the corner past the Economy check-in i noticed that there were three First class desks and one free. My original plan was to wander across to Park Avenue, but i decided not to bother.

The check-in was quick and efficient but my Platunum status hadn't made it into the computer or onto my boarding pass. In fact it was only at the end of the process when i asked about the Admirals club and produced my letter that the agent realised i was a plat. It seems that i had been able to check-in at the first class desk as a non-status AAdvantage member.

The check-in supervisior was called, she looked at my letter and told me that she would call ahead to the club to advise them i was coming. As my Boarding pass had no status shown on it.

Security at Heathrow was slightly better than usual and i was in the club quicker than i might usually have been. It did take me a moment to locate the club because of some building work. The sign was hidden. Once in i had my credentials checked again. They were expecting me and the check-in supervisor had been as good as her word.

The Admirials lounge appears much smarter when you first enter than the UA Red carpet club. The dark wood gives it the feel of a private club from the early 1900's. This also made it seem a little dark and dingy, however. It's much bigger than the RCC but this is offset by the walls seperating the different areas and creating corridors.

What i did like were the large cofortable reclinging seats and the quiete area where people were actually managing to sleep. I'm not sure i'd be able to do that, even on a long connection because i'd be scared of missing the onward flight.

I wandered down to the gate late simply because i knew that with no ststus on my boarding pass there was no point trying to board in group 1. A small queue formed in to the corridior and there was a short wait before i was able to board.

I had always thought UA to be a bright interior. The yellow and brown colours on their 777's gave the cabin a yellow 'sunny' atmosphere. I found the AA blue seats, however, much better. The cabin had a more natural white light atmosphere. Not as bright but much nicer in my view. I noticed the MRIC too, not that i usually have a problem with leg room. I always manage to get the bulkhead on UA. I did find the folding tray table a nice touch. I hate having the whole table open when i just have a drink, so the fact that it folded over was great. A little thing perhaps, but sometimes the little things help.

An on time departure. Another added bonus on my first AA journey was the power points. Not something i have the luxury off on UA. I had specifically booked a seat with one so i could use my laptop for longer if i wanted too. I booked the whole thing on aa.com and was impressed with the facility to book and change and check seats at anytime before departure. The UA seat maps are great when your in the booking process, but once booked... thats it.

The meal service was as acceptable as any economy meal. Slightly less than i get on UA, no cheese and bikkys http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. The crew were polite and friendly but i baulked a bit at paying for my beer. As a result i stuck to coffee and soft drinks, except for a bottle of wine with my meal. £3 was OK for that but excessive for a can of beer i thought.

The rest of the journey was unevetful and worthy of note for that reason perhaps. The only other thing i noticed was that AA had less toilets in Y class. Just two midway through the cabin and two at the back. I'm sure that UA have more midway. Maybe they don't need them with the £3 beer fee http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

How would i rate AA over UA? The power points, website and folding tray table being the only benefits. The only downsides the beer charge and LRTP (less room to pee).

I certainly wouldn't book one over the other based on inflight experience. I suspect that it'll probably come down to seat choice and price, as always