March 17, 2007
----------------------

Pre Flight: After dropping off the rental car at the parking lots I got on the Airtrain and headed to the American Airlines terminal.


International Terminal


Control Tower


AA MD-80's - Anyone know what that B727 is out there?

I was headed back to New York after a three day vacation in California. On March 16 the New York area had a huge snowstorm and many flights out of JFK were cancelled. Anyhow on March 17 it turns out my flight was the only AA flight to JFK that wouldnt be cancelled. The inbound flight had departed terminal 8 so I was hoping that it would be configured with the new business class seats. Check in was easy at the terminal. Is there any plans for American to renovate the terminal because it is old? I headed to the Admirals Club where I took some pictures of AA aircraft and United Aircraft.


Empty gate



AA MD-80 from LAX



At 2:45PM boarding started for the flight and I headed to gate 65 where our 767 was waiting.


Inflight:
Airline: American Airlines
Flight: 178
Route: San Francisco International - New York Kennedy Airport
Boarding Time: 2:45PM
Departure Time: 3:15PM
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Seat: 5A (First Class)
Deaprture Gate: 65
Arrival Gate: 38
Crew: San Francisco Based

View Large View Medium Photo © Carlos Aleman - PR Planespotters

View Large View Medium Photo © Manas Barooah

After walking down the jetway and into the aircraft I was really happy because it was the new configuration.

New Business Seats:







I sat down in seat 5A and right after that one of the coach FA's came by to take our coats even before people in coach started boarding.

Views of the wing





The usual orange juice, champange, and water was passed out after the door was closed along with menus. The menu read:

LUNCH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To Start:

Warm mixed nuts

SALAD:

Seasonal mized greens offered with a creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing or Castello Monte Vibiano Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.

BREAD BASKET:

Assorted gourmet breads

ENTREES:

Seared Salmon:
A seared salmon fillet served cold on a bed of noodles and enhanced by a Jalapeno and Papaya Relish

or

Roasted Chicken and Swiss Sandwich:
Roasted chicken and swiss swiss cheese offered on ciabatta bread accented by Chipotle Ranch Spread, served with fresh seasonal greens and a dressing of your choice

DESSERT:

Dulce de Leche Ice Cream topped with a turtle brownie and raspberry sauce

or

Fruit and cheese: a selection of fruit and fine organic cheeses

TO FINISH

Ghirardelli Chocolates

or

Otis Spunkermeyer cookies baked on a board


PRE ARRIVAL BEVERAGE

Chilled sparking water with a fruit garnish

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2cl's First Lunch-Snack


In all the menu looked a lot better than the one I had coming to LAX. Takeoff was on runway 1R and we climbed over San Francisco Bay and over Oakland.







Twenty minutes after takeoff the three were nice and young FA's came around with a beverage service and the usual American Airlines warm nuts. I had a cranberry ginerale.





The FA's late came around with the meal cart and I choose the sandwich. All I have to say was that it was much better than the horrible one I had coming to LA.



The inflight movie was the new rocky but I choose to sleep instead. The new seats are ok from my point of view. They are a little thin and I dont like how the seat goes flat at an angle. Also I really didnt like it how they took out the IFE screens for domestic flights. In my opinion AA should leave them on all the time.








About two and a half hours outside of New York the FA's came around with dessert. I had ice cream and after that they came around with the chocolate chip cookies but I decided to pass. The air throughout the flight was a tiny bit choppy but nothing to much. About 15 minutes outside of NY the FA's came around to collect any trash. Touchdown was smooth and we pulled up to gate 38 at the new terminal. There was only one departing flight left and that was the flight to London. Anyhow the terminal was a ghost down and surprisingly most of the gates were open.

Anyhow I would give the crew a 8/10 and the flight a 9/10. The crew did a good job and made sure the passengers had a good flight. The cabin was clean and the seats were in good shape. Anyhow I would definately flight AA to SFO again but would fly Virgin America to LAX now that they have begun service.

Comments are welcome: