Sector - HNL-LAX
Flight number - AA162
Class - First
Equipment - B757
Seat - 2E
I used one EVIP (electronic upgrade certificate) and got both this segment and LAX-LHR a one class upgrade - each EVIP on AA is good for 3 segments on a one way itinerary (so you must be traveling in one continuous direction for an itinerary like a RTW) and allows stopovers in between.
Checked in quickly and easily - there was no one at the F check in desk. I was eligible to use the Gold Lane at security which had no one in it at the time, though it still leads to the same security screening point and so I'd to cut the queue and endure some dirty looks. The TSA staff here are some of the nicest people in the system.
I love HNL airport - its open air features adds to the relaxing holiday feel.
Even though I had top tier status with AA AND flying premium, I was not a member of their Admirals Club program and so I had no lounge access on this purely domestic itinerary (ie not connecting to/from intl flight). Ironically I'd have had access had I held
oneworld sapphire/emerald status on their partners. This seems a common practise amongst the US-based carriers as I'd experienced the same with UA when I had UA 1P status. So i spent a few minutes getting some beer at a restaurant airside. Got to the gate in the midst of general boarding but not much queuing as I arrived just as boarding for the particular group that was called was winding up. GA recognised me from check in and was v friendly.
I'd booked this flight when it was a 763, which had meant the NGBC angled lie flat seats operating as F on this domestic segment. However there'd been an EQP CHG and I got the 757 instead, which had seats that weren't nearly as nice - they don't even have footrests.
Preflight drinks were served - I went for some sparkling wine which were actually quite pleasant.
As the flight was boarding I was reminded of how much stuff people in the US bring onboard. Short of the kitchen sink. The overhead lockers were choked. There were even bags that clearly don't fit into the overheads, and the crew had to stuff them into any nook and cranny they could find. Despite all that we managed to have an early departure.
My seatmate didn't seem like the talkative type, so I left him alone after the obligatory nod and smile. I simply put on the ear pieces and watched the IFE intermittently.
A bar service was performed after take off, we were served a drink and the customary warm nuts. I went for the sauv blanc which was foul. Dinner was served shortly after, it was called dinner but really felt like lunch to me due to the early afternoon departure time. I guess it could count as an early dinner for LA time. The salad was nice. The purser missed my seatmate and I in the bread rolls and drinks refill service, but was most apologetic when I pointed this out. I shrugged it off but he truly appeared to be ashamed of himself, citing that he was unacceptably inattentive and that there was 'simply no excuse.'
The main of pasta was edible but nothing to write home about - the other choice of salmon looked heaps nicer but neither crew could confirm whether any shellfish ingredients were used in the dish and so I'd wanted to be safe even though I've never enjoyed pasta on planes. I accompanied my main with the chardonnay which tasted really nice and certainly a far better choice than the sauv blanc. Dinner concluded with the famous sundAAe - yummy!
Contd in post 40.
