AA's SYD-LAX flight

[_TheTraveller_]

On AA72 at the moment, 3 hours away from LAX. While the appearance of the food served may not look that great, it sure is tasty. Having flown on QF128 from HKG-SYD in J on the A380 2 weeks ago, I would say that I much prefer the reverse herringbone seats on AA's 77W compared to Skybed Mark II. I did not have any issues with my seat padding shifting around when I slept. I was very comfortable and I manage to get 6-7 hours of sleep before I decided to wake up and work.

The only things I would nitpick about is that the blanket provided is too short! I'm only 6 ft and if I stretched out all the way, I wouldn't have anything covering my feet. The other thing is I don't think the seats are as soft as CX's reverse herringbone seats on their 77W and A330s. Didn't wear my PJs but I'll post some pictures later in the night. Currently AA is still providing the standard collectible amenity kits which they have on their TATL services. But I do believe that those who are flying after march might be getting newer ones.

Edit: I went to try to take some pictures and.. I was given a big no no given that it was a 'security risk'. I just read something similar on Ben's OMAT about someone being threatened by FAs for taking pictures of the cabin but I didn't know it was this widespread.

Did some digging around and it looks like the aircraft I'm on was the one that was diverted back to LHR earlier this week.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/world/europe/american-airlines-flight-aa109.html?_r=0

 

[maz1]

Thanks DrRon, good to hear. quite looking forward to this flight, a change is as good as a holiday as they say and I'm feeling a bit "meh" about the Qf skybeds lately (1st world problem I know!).

we leave second week september - approximately 220 days out

 

[Musongman]

I can only comment second hand here, but, a friend of mine flew AA from JFK/LAX/SYD arrival here 30th Jan, a former QF/FF, in J and commented favourably on his experience, considering the product as "quite good". He liked the B777 and slept well on his lie flat.

 

[lakeman]

Review aa72
Flew first class in seat 2G on 6th feb
If you read some of the recent reviews ,the authors have been generally uncomplimentary about the overall experience but given this was my maiden first class flight I was quite excited overall.
The checkin experience was nothing special , there was no diferentiating from business class and we just joined the line.
We checked in at 9 am and it seemed that the desks had been manned for a while so if you wanted to maximize time in the lounge ,with checked baggage you might try earlier.
Had the cooked breakfast in the F lounge and look forward to going back soon.
Our flight wasn't called over the pa but we made our way to the gate at the appropriate time.
Boarding at the gate saw us joining the general queue after scanning our passes then turned left.
My first impression was it was a nice sized cabin but as others have noted the seats arent very private. I dont have a benchmark to compare directly having flown J on MAS ,Air Canada and domestic J on Virgin.
Looking and comparing the size of the suite to the adjacent business class seat , I know I would much prefer the first.
The seat was comfortable to me and on arrival the bedding had been placed there ready for later use.I placed it in the spacious overhead locker ,together with the pyjamas I was offered by the FA.
I wasnt escorted to my seat or formally adressed by the FA to explain the services available but they were interactive at the appropriate times.I have seen a few reports where some were less than communicative.
We were served preflight drinks in a tumbler glass and after clearing these for takeoff were offerred new choices and refills regularly as well as a bottle of water .In regard to this ,I couldn't find a convenient place to store this.
For the meal service , they initially said they had run out of my first choice of the reef and beef ,but were able to rustle it up as well as the lobster entree.I wonder if it had been reserved for a crew member !?
She was trying hard to sell the soup and salad and I relented to try the salad but wish I hadn't bothered . it was ordinary ,just leaves and dressing.
I finished with the pavlova which was fine , but a different interpretation of what I expected.
Finished off with a generous serve of the port and a cognac .
Overall , the meal was better than average and as good as I expected.
After this I changed into pyjamas and made my own bedding.
The bed was quite comfortable and I managed a good sleep.
I tested the desk position of the seat and it was very functional. If you had to work I could see you being quite productive.
I had the continental breakfast with an espresso and it suited me fine.
At the conclusion of the flight I had my best experience of LAX.
We had an escort from the gate who took us to immigration which took about 30 minutes, no priority line. She then helped us check our luggage and had boarding passes for our next flight.
She also took us to the Admirals lounge for our shower and arranged ground transport to our next terminal. Sweet .

 

[maz1]

interesting review Lakeman.
Not sure if I would bother using extra AA miles and $$ for first.
I'll be checking out their J class in Setember and i'm very interested to see how it compares to others I've tried.
Certainly, Virgin Business and Cathay are outstanding in every way imho.

 

[lakeman]

I thought the AA business suite looked cramped after walking back through the minicabin

 

[BriarFlyer]

I've been sweating on inventory appearing on this route before the March deadline to use up some stray points and HUZZAH!!! Today I nabbed a seat on a July flight. Any thoughts on seat selection? Or seats to avoid?

 

[bosox76]

interesting review Lakeman.
Not sure if I would bother using extra AA miles and $$ for first.
I'll be checking out their J class in Setember and i'm very interested to see how it compares to others I've tried.
Certainly, Virgin Business and Cathay are outstanding in every way imho.

If you like the Cathay one then you'll like this as the seat is essentially the same. I didn't find it cramped at all. Loved all the storage space. I thought the compartment where the headphones are kept was perfect for my bottle of water.

 

[lakeman]

If you like the Cathay one then you'll like this as the seat is essentially the same. I didn't find it cramped at all. Loved all the storage space. I thought the compartment where the headphones are kept was perfect for my bottle of water.

I will try that on the way back.
Apparently it will fit in the slipper holder as well.
Thanks for the tip

 

[dfcatch]

Review aa72

We had an escort from the gate who took us to immigration which took about 30 minutes, no priority line. She then helped us check our luggage and had boarding passes for our next flight.
She also took us to the Admirals lounge for our shower and arranged ground transport to our next terminal. Sweet .

So... they escorted you and then dumped you in which line?

- the APC line?
- the express line?
- the standard visitor line?
- the crew/disabled/APEC line?

 

[lakeman]

So... they escorted you and then dumped you in which line?

- the APC line?
- the express line?
- the standard visitor line?
- the crew/disabled/APEC line?

seemed to be the standard visitor line
but we jumped the queue going back through terminal 4.
The priority entry for AA wasnt open
This is consistent with another post on a different website reviewing the concierge service

 

[lakeman]

Staus Points posted to QFF after 4 days

Just to let people know, the status points posted quickly so upgrade in status may appear while you are travelling.
Not relevant to me this time as flying first but may be important to others.

 

[Moindardt]

I thought the AA business suite looked cramped after walking back through the minicabin

Whilst I haven't flown this one yet, we just flew JFK-LHR on the 777-200, which is the older product and it was great, almost Cathay, just a little less. Most have said AA72/AA73 uses the same suites as Cathay and that is excellent. Don't think anyone will be complaining about the hard product, it is the soft product which is lacking at times.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Whilst I haven't flown this one yet, we just flew JFK-LHR on the 777-200, which is the older product and it was great, almost Cathay, just a little less. Most have said AA72/AA73 uses the same suites as Cathay and that is excellent. Don't think anyone will be complaining about the hard product, it is the soft product which is lacking at times.

Having flown the LAX-SYD leg in J and Y, I'll have to say that their soft product is really a hit and miss. I was happier being in Y with friendlier FA's that you could joke and compared to the grumpy FA's in J.

 

[cove]

We came home on QF74 in business class on a Qantas 747. It did not compare too well with the AA 777 plane that was pretty new and more comfortable.

 

[Limewood]

We came home on QF74 in business class on a Qantas 747. It did not compare too well with the AA 777 plane that was pretty new and more comfortable.

I love the QF 747 in upper deck about 18 Mk2 J seats, 2 FA's and own loo.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm just about to pull the trigger on the current QF sale and will try AA J on the way over to LAX. I'm not a fan of Skybeds but I do like CX J class seats. Not too fussed about soft product, except Sundaes. I'd love it if there were sundaes

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm just about to pull the trigger on the current QF sale and will try AA J on the way over to LAX. I'm not a fan of Skybeds but I do like CX J class seats. Not too fussed about soft product, except Sundaes. I'd love it if there were sundaes

Skybeds are so passé.

 

[cove]

Good thinking Limewood...we got knocked out of our first seat selections.
One of the toilets needed a litre of Enviroclear put down it as the smell reminded me of Mumbai in the seventies.
We will go back upstairs.

 

[Musongman]

I love the QF 747 in upper deck about 18 Mk2 J seats, 2 FA's and own loo.[/QUOTE

I always enjoyed QF's 747's on the BKK run. The upper deck was great because you didn't get those damn F/A's running up and down through the main cabin all the time with bits and pieces for the rear cabin!!