Quality of AA and American Eagle aircraft

[MikeG]

On my recent flight to the states, I had the displeasure to hop the same aircraft twice between TRI and CLT, a Dash-8 aircraft in American Eagle colours, and the interior looked like it was out of a museum. The rattles and shakes inside the cabin were a cacophony and dwarfed the sound of the engines. Someone had stuffed folded boarding cards into the gaps to try and stop the noise.

Is this commonplace, or was I just "lucky"???

Mike

 

[UP4014]

I've certainly never seem an AA plane as bad as this, but if you have over 900 aircraft then you've bound to have some that are on the way out as you would have some with that new car smell.

Flying on old aircraft doesn't excite me at all but better to do it on an airline like AA than Congo Airways.

Matt

 

[robtemt]

We took some American Eagle flights back in January, and had all nice, clean, relatively new aircraft. All of our flights were on the Embraer (E75) though,not Dash-8. I think ours were operated by Compass as American Eagle.... American contracts out to at least 5 or 6 other airlines to operate their flights, some may or may not be owned by American at least in part, as they buy up some little guys...

 

[Mattg]

I've flown on quite a few AA aircraft that were older than me!

The worst was probably a 767 I took on an overnight flight from MIA to CNF (Brazil). This aircraft looked and felt ancient, and didn't even have in-flight entertainment. This was an 8+ hour flight! The same aircraft had flown DFW to CDG the previous day - I couldn't believe it.

 

[Himeno]

We took some American Eagle flights back in January, and had all nice, clean, relatively new aircraft. All of our flights were on the Embraer (E75) though,not Dash-8. I think ours were operated by Compass as American Eagle.... American contracts out to at least 5 or 6 other airlines to operate their flights, some may or may not be owned by American at least in part, as they buy up some little guys...

AA owns Envoy (which used to be called American Eagle before the merger) while Piedmont and PSA came along with US. The other airlines (Air Wisconsin, Compass, Mesa, Republic, SkyWest, Trans States and ExpressJet) flying as Eagle are contracted and also fly for the other US majors.

The dash-8s are operated by Piedmont.

 

[serfty]

Compass was interesting - last year I flew them between LAX & DEN earning QF points (AA) and later in the week between AUS & LAX earning Velocity points (DL).

But they were reasonably clean Embraer.

 

[moa999]

AA is still operating the Maddog (aka the MD80)..
Although they will all go in 2017.

For a compare contrast see this 787 v MD80 trip report - Flight Review - Dreamliner vs. Mad Dog on American Airlines - The Road More Traveled

A recentish update on AA fleet is here:
American Airlines' 2016 Fleet Plan

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is this commonplace, or was I just "lucky"???

Mike

I flew on some Dash-8s operated on behalf of US Airways about 7 or 8 years ago. They were fairly beat up then! Dunno if it's the same company now operating on behalf of AA?

 

[Moindardt]

2 basic rules I try to follow. Avoid CLT and avoid old US airways planes. Both seem to go hand in hand. Also domestic 757. Other than that, most are excellent.

 

[Groundhog]

AA is still operating the Maddog (aka the MD80)..
Although they will all go in 2017.
n

I will miss the Super 80's, every time i see one it seems quintessentially American. I know they are dated etc but still a lot of fun.

 

[yohy?!]

Been on a few md80s in similar condition - threadbare and broken down cabins coupled with noisey engines and landing gear. not pleasant particularly with a hangover

 

[TomVexille]

Been on a few md80s in similar condition - threadbare and broken down cabins coupled with noisey engines and landing gear. not pleasant particularly with a hangover

They're quiet up the front

 

[serfty]

They're quiet up the front

Never been further back than front row of 'main cabin' on an AA Mad dog

 

[TomVexille]

Never been further back than front row of 'main cabin' on an AA Mad dog

I've had more flights than most in the last row. Safe to say I prefer row 3.

 

[UP4014]

I think if you're on an old clunker it might be safer in the back end :shock:

 

[juddles]

Yes, I have been on some of their older aircraft. But at the same time, IMHO one of the most awe-inspiring planes on the planet currently is a spiffy new 777 in AA colours - absolutely magnificent!!

Probably the most "deceptively decrepit" planes I ever flew in was an australian airforce C130 - looked like a bucket of sh_t - and was just as uncomfortable. But was I worried? To coin a yank term: "Hell no!"

 

[Captain Halliday]

I scored an angry puppy on an AA flight DFW to MSP last year. It was a type I'd not flown so I enjoyed the novelty. However from a comfort perspectove it's not a type I'll seek out in future.

 

[24601]

Recently did a bunch of AA flights, some old aircraft, some new, one was a 737 on its first commercial flight. Old aircraft were ok; MD80 was very quiet and had super-comfy seats in first. 3-class 767 was very nice and 777 was just great. I think the OP was just "lucky".

I was also surprised to see a number of planes still in US Airways livery, though none that I flew.

 

[Himeno]

I was also surprised to see a number of planes still in US Airways livery, though none that I flew.

They've repainted about 75% of the combined AA/US fleet to the new AA livery. They aren't painting the MD80s. https://sites.google.com/site/newamericanfleet/