Ssides From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, RR: 23 Posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2338 times:
I flew AA in First/Busines this past weekend, going DFW-MIA-LIR and back.
I hadn't flown First in AA in a few years, and I had heard the product had significantly deteriorated, particularly on the 757s. I asked several questions about it on this board, and was pleasantly surprised.
We had a good breakfast on the 757 from DFW to MIA, and a great lunch in business on the MIA-LIR 738 -- much better than I expected. Also had a good lunch from LIR-MIA, but not much on the MIA-DFW leg, which departed MIA after 10:00 pm.
AA definitely impressed me here -- are they making a conscious effort to improve their service up front?
One improvement they definitely need to make: enforcing boarding groups. I usually fly in economy, and I always wait for my group number. Flying in First, I was expecting to get on the plane first, settle in, and have a drink, but twice I was unable to break through the throng of people that just had to be first in line (even when their boarding pass read Group 4).
Other than that, great experience on AA; I am definitely a customer for life.
Daron4000 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 712 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2165 times:
It's strange, as AA is the only US carrier I know to board a 757 always from door 1L. It's much more private in F when UA boards from 2L and this is the way I like it, although this means that sometimes Coach gets off the plane first.
Aeronuts From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2104 times:
It's strange, as AA is the only US carrier I know to board a 757 always from door 1L. It's much more private in F when UA boards from 2L and this is the way I like it, although this means that sometimes Coach gets off the plane first.
I've been on CX where the FA blocked the economy class from getting off until all the F and J class has reasonably exited the aircraft.
B737100 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 131 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2085 times:
2L is perferred whenever possible on AA. 1L is used when the gate or jetbridge cannot accommodate 2L use.
MGASJO From Nicaragua, joined Feb 2005, 449 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2085 times:
Quoting Aeronuts (Reply 3): I've been on CX where the FA blocked the economy class from getting off until all the F and J class has reasonably exited the aircraft
AA's FAs do this as well when they deplane using door 2L. Happens on the A300 sometimes and most of the times with the 777.
Ssides From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, RR: 23 Reply 6, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2074 times:
Quoting B737100 (Reply 4): 2L is perferred whenever possible on AA. 1L is used when the gate or jetbridge cannot accommodate 2L use.
We used 1L when boarding at DFW, deplaning at MIA, boarding at MIA, and deplaning at DFW.
Aa777jr From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2062 times:
I've noticed lately on AA flights they have been boarding the groups that are seated in the rear of the plane first even before the first class passengers. AA gate agents at DFW, SEA, ORD, SNA, and LGA have all made announcements on my most recent flights. "We are gonna board a little differently today folks..."
I think they are just trying to cut time on turn around and are still cleaning the front of the plane. This is my best guess. You'd think a full fare F class ticket would warrant boarding first (aside from handicap).
Aeronuts From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 114 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2029 times:
Boarding the rear of the plane and window seats first make sense... take some time getting back there.
But what really screw the system is the same passengers will put their bags into the F class overhead compartments. I've often seen F class passenger boarding late due to standby upgrade, and not finding any overhead storage left because all the passenger from the rear of the plane packed their suitcases into the F class.
Qqflyboy From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 2198 posts, RR: 14 Reply 9, posted (7 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 1942 times:
A few years ago AA started boarding 757s at 2L. As mentioned above, gate space and jetbridge constraints dictate whether or not the 2L door can be used. Here in LAS, 757s always board and deplane using 2L. For the most part, flight attendants do a good job at holding back pax from coach to let first class pax off first.
Ssides, I'm glad you had an enjoyable trip on AA. Complaints come all too easy, but kudos rarely do, even when they're warranted.
As far as group numbers go, there's been no change recently to the policy. Sometimes aircraft will be boarded differently in the interest of time. For example, it is quicker to board row by row from the back of the plane. Sometimes this happens to avoid a crew illegality or some other critical issue which could cause a lengthy delay or cancellation.
The views expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect my employer’s views.
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