M
Max Samuels
Guest
Over the past 2 years I have been doing quite a lot of domestic flights on American within the USA – more than 30 flights – on a variety of routes, in both First and Economy. So I think I have a large enough sample to make an informed opinion, which I thought I would share with you all.
Like most people, my impression of AA a decade ago was pretty poor; coughpy service, bad attitudes, “flying bus” mentality etc. Since American re-branded a few years ago, however, the experience as a passenger has absolutely improved. And this is even more so if you have oneworld Emerald status – which translates to “AA Executive Platinum”. In fact, I think that every time I fly them (about every 6 months), the continuous improvement is noticeable.
When you book an AA domestic flight, unlike QF that blocks rows for their elite pax, AA allows you to choose to sit in “premium” areas of the cabin for extra $, which includes more leg room and free booze/food. But if you’re a oneworld Emerald, once you enter your FF# into the booking, all these features become available for free – and extends to everyone in the same booking as yourself. Although QF domestic promises “free” booze after 4pm weekdays, we all know that you’re lucky if you get offered a second glass of wine. The FAs on American, however, have this nifty iPad-like device that they use to take payment for food/bev, but it also acts as sophisticated seat map showing where all the “Exec Plats” are sitting – so no matter where you are seated, everything is free. As much as you like. You can keep pressing that call-button and they will keep bringing the Vodkas! Also, on a recent flight from LAX to HNL, I was seated in Economy with an empty seat next to me at an exit row. After take-off someone moved from their seat and sat next to me. When the FAs came through they noticed this, and asked me “is this gentleman traveling with you”? When I said “no”, they quickly made him go back and apologised to me!
American also seem to honour the various rules of the oneworld program better in so far as recognising status. For example, I have been upgraded twice on oversold flights to First, even on the cheapest Economy ticket. It is hard to imagine that there were no American Advantage members on that flight – but there were obviously no “Exec Plats” – and they seem to offer upgrades based on oneworld tiers – something QF definitely doesn’t do. In fact one time, there were 3 of us on a single booking, from SEA to LAX, all in Economy, the other 2 had no FF status at all…. and American upgraded us all at the gate for “operational” reasons. QF has done that once for me, I think…. long ago.
Also, the refurbished Admirals Clubs in the major airports now have separate “Flagship First” lounges, which are open to Emerald and Sapphire members. Whereas the Admirals Clubs are often regarded to be inferior to QF’s domestic clubs in Australia, the Flagship First lounges are far superior to most of the QF lounges, (except the SYD/MEL/LAX First lounges), in my opinion. The food and beverage selection is vast – and the bar includes champagne (was Bollinger recently) – all for free – there is no fee charged for “premium” spirits and wine, like there is in the Admirals Club.
They also operate “Flagship First Check-in” at these airports, which is open to oneworld Emerald members too. These vary from airport to airport, but the one at LAX is on the curb of T4, and after checking in, you are personally escorted to the top of the TSA line – which can literally save you hours. The other day it took me less than 5 mins from curb-side drop-off to departure gate - which is amazing for LAX.
How do they compare with other US airlines? Well, last week I put them to the test! I was travelling with my friend, a lifelong Delta devotee – she has the Delta equivalent of whatever oneworld Emerald is – and I finally convinced her to fly on AA with me from LAX to DFW – in Economy. After years of telling me how terrible AA was, she was able to experience it as my guest. And the verdict? As one of Delta’s TOP fliers, she said the benefits and perks of AA were far superior – best lounge she had ever seen for any US Airline, great inflight service (the continuous free booze & snacks) – and this was all in Economy. She couldn’t believe the turn around that AA has made after years of being near the bottom.
Now, obviously, I have not flown every airline the US has to offer, and this review is anecdotal. But I thought I would share with you all… in case you are wondering, as a QF FF, whether it’s worth it to stick to AA when flying US domestic… If you ask me, I say “yes”.
Like most people, my impression of AA a decade ago was pretty poor; coughpy service, bad attitudes, “flying bus” mentality etc. Since American re-branded a few years ago, however, the experience as a passenger has absolutely improved. And this is even more so if you have oneworld Emerald status – which translates to “AA Executive Platinum”. In fact, I think that every time I fly them (about every 6 months), the continuous improvement is noticeable.
When you book an AA domestic flight, unlike QF that blocks rows for their elite pax, AA allows you to choose to sit in “premium” areas of the cabin for extra $, which includes more leg room and free booze/food. But if you’re a oneworld Emerald, once you enter your FF# into the booking, all these features become available for free – and extends to everyone in the same booking as yourself. Although QF domestic promises “free” booze after 4pm weekdays, we all know that you’re lucky if you get offered a second glass of wine. The FAs on American, however, have this nifty iPad-like device that they use to take payment for food/bev, but it also acts as sophisticated seat map showing where all the “Exec Plats” are sitting – so no matter where you are seated, everything is free. As much as you like. You can keep pressing that call-button and they will keep bringing the Vodkas! Also, on a recent flight from LAX to HNL, I was seated in Economy with an empty seat next to me at an exit row. After take-off someone moved from their seat and sat next to me. When the FAs came through they noticed this, and asked me “is this gentleman traveling with you”? When I said “no”, they quickly made him go back and apologised to me!
American also seem to honour the various rules of the oneworld program better in so far as recognising status. For example, I have been upgraded twice on oversold flights to First, even on the cheapest Economy ticket. It is hard to imagine that there were no American Advantage members on that flight – but there were obviously no “Exec Plats” – and they seem to offer upgrades based on oneworld tiers – something QF definitely doesn’t do. In fact one time, there were 3 of us on a single booking, from SEA to LAX, all in Economy, the other 2 had no FF status at all…. and American upgraded us all at the gate for “operational” reasons. QF has done that once for me, I think…. long ago.
Also, the refurbished Admirals Clubs in the major airports now have separate “Flagship First” lounges, which are open to Emerald and Sapphire members. Whereas the Admirals Clubs are often regarded to be inferior to QF’s domestic clubs in Australia, the Flagship First lounges are far superior to most of the QF lounges, (except the SYD/MEL/LAX First lounges), in my opinion. The food and beverage selection is vast – and the bar includes champagne (was Bollinger recently) – all for free – there is no fee charged for “premium” spirits and wine, like there is in the Admirals Club.
They also operate “Flagship First Check-in” at these airports, which is open to oneworld Emerald members too. These vary from airport to airport, but the one at LAX is on the curb of T4, and after checking in, you are personally escorted to the top of the TSA line – which can literally save you hours. The other day it took me less than 5 mins from curb-side drop-off to departure gate - which is amazing for LAX.
How do they compare with other US airlines? Well, last week I put them to the test! I was travelling with my friend, a lifelong Delta devotee – she has the Delta equivalent of whatever oneworld Emerald is – and I finally convinced her to fly on AA with me from LAX to DFW – in Economy. After years of telling me how terrible AA was, she was able to experience it as my guest. And the verdict? As one of Delta’s TOP fliers, she said the benefits and perks of AA were far superior – best lounge she had ever seen for any US Airline, great inflight service (the continuous free booze & snacks) – and this was all in Economy. She couldn’t believe the turn around that AA has made after years of being near the bottom.
Now, obviously, I have not flown every airline the US has to offer, and this review is anecdotal. But I thought I would share with you all… in case you are wondering, as a QF FF, whether it’s worth it to stick to AA when flying US domestic… If you ask me, I say “yes”.
Oh yes, 2 hours is my normal minimum. I have a relatively non critical AA to AA connection in DFW of 1.25 hrs and a more important one later at DFW of about 3 hours. Will keep an eye on the timings of those flights in the months prior.
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