Yankees From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 86 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
New York JFK - Los Angeles
I recently took a trip to Los Angeles and San Francisco and my only option was to fly American Airlines in business class because my dad has thousands of miles and he wouldn't have to pay that much. I got to Terminal 9 around 10:00am for the 12:00PM flight to Los Angeles. Check in was easy at the first class desk and I headed through secruity in no time. Since I have no Admirals Club pass I headed directly to the gate. The gate was 44 and the aircraft had not even arrived.
Empty Gate 44
After about 10 minutes of waiting our B762 was pulled into the gate. The plane was already cleaned inside and the flight crew of 11 was ready to board. On this flight there were nine FA's and 2 pilots.
Our B762 being pulled into the gate
It took about 15 more minutes till they were ready to board. When boarding started at 11:30am for the First Class cabin it seemed as if no one got up, but once they called the Business Class cabin people started getting up and walking to the gate. Once I got inside the aircraft it seemed really cramped. For a 767-200 3 classes is a bit small compared to the 2 class on the 763. Anyway I took my seat in 7A and settled down for the 5.5 hour trip. Also at my seat was a pillow and one of the new duvets they give out on all 767 flights.
Flight:
Airline: American Airlines
Flight: 3
Sectors: New York JFK - Los Angeles
Date: March 14, 2007
Scheduled Departure Time: 12:00PM
Actual Departure Time: 12:00PM
Scheduled Arrival Time: 3:20PM
Actual Arrival Time: 2:50PM
Aircraft: Boeing 767-200ER (N339AA)
Seat: 7A Business Class
Departure Gate: 44
Arrival Gate: 37A
After settling into my seat, the 3 business class flight attendants came around with orange juice, champagne, and water. After 1L was closed we began our taxi in which the FA's passed out menus for lunch and what is interesting is that on the 762 they have to flip the tv screen for takeoff on the bulkhead. We made our way quickly to im not sure which runway to takeoff. Behind us was an Emirates B777-300W bound for either Hamburg or Dubai.
Takeoff was very quick and soon we were at 39,000ft our cruising altitude for the flight. About 30 minutes after we were airborne Wendy the FA who was working the left side came around with the beverage service and of course AA's famous warm nuts. I had a cranapple and soon the movie for the flight Happy Feet was turned on. Now if you ask me this was a good five months after it had ended playing in theaters and they are still showing it on west bound flights? O well. Soon Wendy came around taking orders for lunch.
The Menu
The choices were either Buffalo BBQ Chicken Sandwich or Antipasto. I choose the sandwich as did most people and about 20 minutes later is was on my tray table. It came with the bread of your choice and two choices of salad. The food was ok and I would rate it 7/10 (better than it used to be). Then the desert cart came and the choice was either ice cream or cheese. I of course had ice cream. After lunch I settled back into my seat and dozed off for about 3 hours. To me the business class seats are very uncomfortable. I actually prefer the 757 first class seats because they are wider and I like the leather more. Although I do like how they have foot rests on them even on domestic flights for the 767's and the comforters. When I woke up the captain was making announcements on how we would arrive into LAX early and he was also pointing out the sights along the way.
I think we were over Las Vegas at this point and about 1 hour from landing the CBS Eye on American was getting ready to end. About twenty minutes before we touched down the flight attendants came around with milk and cookies and also to pick anything up.
Right before landing we flew over these mountains any guesses?
Right before we were parked an AA S80 bound for STL
We touched down and it was less than 3 minutes till we were at the gate. We had arrived about 30 minutes ahead of schedule and the surprising this was that they were ready. We parked at Gate 37A and that was the end of the flight. In all I have heard bad things about American's JFK-LAX service but in all I would give it a 7.5/10.
Dimoko From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 307 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
this really is a gorgeous shot...
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be." -- Douglas Adams
Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 4022 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Great pics and great trip report - thanks for sharing!
(BTW: looks like you took off from 13R at JFK. Not sure on the mountains but you do cross over a few between Las Vegas and the LA area.)
Jsnww81 From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 1855 posts, RR: 17 Reply 3, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting Yankees (Thread starter): I actually prefer the 757 first class seats because they are wider and I like the leather more.
Amen! They might not be as high-tech looking, but the old leather seats on the AA 757s are IMHO some of the most comfortable around. Compared to the business class seats on the 767 or the first-class seats on the MD80s and 737s, I just find them so much more comfortable - and yes, they're *much* wider.
Quoting Yankees (Thread starter): The choices were either Buffalo BBQ Chicken Sandwich or Antipasto.
Was the sandwich served hot? If not, that's pretty sad that American didn't offer a hot entree on a six-hour flight.
Yankees From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 86 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
767noa From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 28 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Wow, you have some amazing pictures from that flight! It seems like AA has a good trans-con service. But I'd much rather fly the UA one. :]
Yankees From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 86 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
The head FA said that we would be at 39,000 or maybe she meant 360
B707Stu From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 918 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
A chicken sandwich or salad for a Business Class trip trans-con? AA should be ashamed. I'm continually shocked at how little the offer in food, and apparently not just in economy.
EXAAUADL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting Yankees (Thread starter): I recently took a trip to Los Angeles and San Francisco and my only option was to fly American Airlines in business class because my dad has thousands of miles and he wouldn't have to pay that much.
EXAAUADL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting B707Stu (Reply 11): A chicken sandwich or salad for a Business Class trip trans-con? AA should be ashamed. I'm continually shocked at how little the offer in food, and apparently not just in economy.
I agree their meal option is a total disgrace. It is what I would expect flying from LGA-ORD
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1748 posts, RR: 26 Reply 14, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3687 posts, RR: 31 Reply 15, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Nice pictures and report. Is the seat any different to the regular J seat (on 2 class 763 for example) with the exception it is 50" pitch instead of 60"?
Quoting B707Stu (Reply 11): A chicken sandwich or salad for a Business Class trip trans-con?
The service in First Class isn't much different, I had a sandwich when I flew JFK-LAX last year. By all accounts the dinner flights are much better but for $2300 one way I'd expect something much better in the front cabin regardless of the time of day. If you are interested I did write a report on that flight, do a search for 'Flagship' and it should come up. I''ve been lambasted by a few people for linking my reports in other threads. Oh well.
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 16, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting Yankees (Thread starter):
Right before landing we flew over these mountains any guesses?
San Bernardino Mountains is the name of the range.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
PRAirbus From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2005, 1012 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
AA will refurbish all 762 planes and 757 too...seats will be better and nicer look inside. Also both types will get enhanced entertainment systems. AVOD in FC and file servers digital in Coach 2007/2008.
GoAllegheny From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 340 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 32767 times:
Good report and great pictures. Others are right - the meal options are just plain sad.
UAPremierGuy From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 206 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
As somebody who solely flies United, and sticks to the UA pages on FT, I thought UA's trans-con C service was poor. But after reading this Trip Report, and looking at your excellent pictures from AA's "Flagship" service, maybe the grass IS greener on my side...hmm..
Thanks for the great trip report, and for opening my eyes!
LACA773 From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3746 posts, RR: 2 Reply 20, posted (5 years 11 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting B707Stu (Reply 11): A chicken sandwich or salad for a Business Class trip trans-con? AA should be ashamed. I'm continually shocked at how little the offer in food, and apparently not just in economy.
So what happened to the all the so called upgrades that AA put out press releases for in regards to their "premium cabins" improved/enhanced meal service. What a sad sad story. Actually quite pathetic. AS will serve something like that on a flight that's just under two hours i.e., LAX--PDX in F.
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 15): The service in First Class isn't much different, I had a sandwich when I flew JFK-LAX last year. By all accounts the dinner flights are much better but for $2300 one way I'd expect something much better in the front cabin regardless of the time of day. If you are interested I did write a report on that flight, do a search for 'Flagship' and it should come up. I''ve been lambasted by a few people for linking my reports in other threads. Oh well.
FBG, why are people landblasting you for putting links to your TR's? That's ludicrious matey. You have some of the most well written TR's. I still remember your AA Flagship transcon JFK-LAX then you transfered to AS to go up to SEA if I'm not mistaken. It looks like nothing has changed in regards to catering, and it was shocking as you were sitting in F. A few of my friends have told me that have flown both F & J that the meal is basically identical except for the salad cart.
Where will your travels be taking to you next FBG?
In my opinion, UA's p.s. service wins the LAX/SFO-JFK routes hands down over AA.
Davescj From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 2244 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (5 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting B707Stu (Reply 11): A chicken sandwich or salad for a Business Class trip trans-con? AA should be ashamed. I'm continually shocked at how little the offer in food, and apparently not just in economy.
AA has sadly lost major ground in the J and F cabin both transcon. I don't see how they can go up against a UAPS product. While I like the duvet, it isn't necessary on a day flight, but good food is. I found it interesting looking at the menu that the sandwich was the same as my 2nd meal from FCO to ORD.......which is fine as a 2nd meal internationally.....it's not fine as a J meal when it is the only meal
Golftango From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 314 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (5 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Quoting CXB744 (Reply 6): That's the Banning Pass heading towards Palm Springs.
No, I believe that is the Cajon Pass that separates the San Bernardino and Mt. Baldy. Banning Pass is way to south for an LAX approach. Most LAX and ONT traffic is routed over these ranges. What is great is spotting the UPS 742s from these mountains on approach to ONT!
DALCE From Netherlands, joined Feb 2007, 1581 posts, RR: 7 Reply 23, posted (5 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Nice trip report about your AA transcon experience. It seems that AA has a lot to improve with their catering.
This is the kind of food you expect on a short hop but not on a 5,5hr flight.
I must say I really loved your pictures, very sharp and impressive!
Thanks for sharing and giving an insight on AA's transcon ops.
Brgds,
Joost (DALCE)
flown on : F50,F70,CR1,CR2,CR9,E75,143,AR8,AR1,733,735,736,73G,738,753,744,319,320,321,AB6. Next flights AMS-ZRH-AMS on
Crdaus From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 142 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (5 years 11 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 32767 times:
Thank you for this report. Once again it confirms for me the appalling food service and seat comfort on AA's transcontinental flights on what is supposed to be a premium service. I think it is such a joke for AA to provide a menu using language to excite your taste buds only to then deliver food bordering on the inedible. And the idea of "Dine on Request"! Someone at AA has a wicked sense of humour. In other words, 'we can serve crap a la carte or all at once - your choice'. BA, QF, and CX should have AA expelled from the Oneworld alliance for having such low standards.
25 Planetime: Nonstop Dubai flight. The Hamburg flight is at 11:10pm or so. Great TR!!!!!!
26 Corey07850: Cookie dough ice cream over peach puree??? That sounds disgusting
27 Womack17: I was thinking exactly the same thing!!
28 AA767LOVER: Thanks for the TR. I still have my boarding pass for Jan 22 06 from LAX-JFK! It was a night flight so hardly any service at all. I must have slept so
29 Joemugg: I fly this route quite often and can attest to both its superior schedule and its rather average onboard amentities. AA has recently changed out the F
30 A340600: No Lounge at all for J?! AA seem to have this bizarre fetish with ice cream, they think of something different to serve it with but end up with that
31 AA767LOVER: A340600, The OP mentioned that he had no pass. However, yes, there is a Lounge. I'm not sure if just for J, or what. You can buy a pass, or you can us
32 Ikramerica: I agree. They serve that same crappy buffalo chicken sandwich in F on the three class 762 and 777 transcons! What a joke. All you are paying for on t
33 AA767LOVER: You mean the 757's F seats don't recline?? I noticed that they are flat, upright, but how far do they actually recline? I have a redeye from SEA-DFW.
34 Fbgdavidson: Some of us get access to the Flagship Lounge anyway...even in Y There's no doubt the F seat is quite a step up and I thought the service level was pr
35 B747forever: Really great TR. The pics are amazing. Thank you for sharing. B747forever.
36 AA767LOVER: Another one to try to avoid is TACA. Their 319 and 320's new leather seats are a joke. Even the old cloth seats are better. I was trying to find a co
37 Semsem: The menu looks beautiful but the food served is very unimpressive.
38 Ramprat74: Nice trip report. That is Banning Pass. That's Mt. San Gorgonio and Mt. San Jacinto to the south.
39 Andriyko: Thanks for the report. Now I do know that Transcon First Class is not that much different from Biz. In fact, apart from the seat there is no real diff
40 Super80DFW: Probably the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
41 BA319-131: Good report, thanks, would have been nice to have pictures of the 'meal' service. - In Europe, all Business Class pax get lounge access, you'd think t
42 LACA773: Have they improved the premium cabin catering yet on these premium JFK-LAX-JFK flights? LACA773
43 Jyatlantic: Wow, the food selection for this "Flagship/premium" transcon is appalling. I mean, a cold plate and a sandwich? Wow, terrible, terrible, terrible. Ce
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