John Sickels From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (9 years 2 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 335 times:
Once a year, I take a business trip to Phoenix from Kansas City. For the past three years, I've flown America West, flight 2032. It's always been a 737.
This year, I decided to do something different. I decided that I was tired of America West, and tired of 737s, so I decided to take American instead. This would require me to fly through Dallas, but I thought that would be OK since I wanted to try different planes.
I was supposed to take a 727 to DFW, then pick up an MD-80 to Phoenix. I arrived at MCI this morning, only to discover that the American flight to Dallas had been CANCELLED! Apparently, the 727 was held back in Dallas for a repair of some sort and would not fly today.
Result? American booked me on the only seat they could find....America West flight 2032...the exact flight I was trying to avoid!
Boy, I was mad.
But the American airlines people were very nice. They gave me a $50 travel voucher. I had to sit around MCI for two hours, but I was very happy when I saw an Airbus 320 pull up to the terminal...apparently, flight 2032 is no longer a 737, or at least it wasn't today. I've never been on an Airbus, so I was happy about that. The plane was N648AW.
Anyhow, we board the plane. And sit. And sit. After about 30 minutes of sitting, the captain comes on the speaker and says they were having some sort of "maintenance issue" that was delaying them. I felt cursed.
Finally, the plane took off, almost an hour and a half late. We did arrive safe and sound in Phoenix, and I'm sitting here in my hotel room now.
I liked the A320 a lot...more legroom than the 737s I've been on, more comfortable seats, less engine noise. The only weird thing was a loud knocking noise the plane made as we taxied for takeoff. The flight attendant said it was the fuel pump shifting fuel between tanks, but it was still a bit disquieting.
I'm here until Sunday. My flight back is, hopefully, an American 757 to Dallas, then a 727 back to MCI.
Crossair145 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (9 years 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 230 times:
I agree regarding the legroom on America West A320's. It was the most comfortable I have ever felt on a red eye from LAS to PHL. America West on the other hand is a terrible airline...at least my experience with it. Our flight was cancelled in LAS for three consecutive nights with NO explanation. The embassy suites we stayed at was full of America West passengers trying to get to their homes all over the country. Turns out numerous flights were cancelled and embassy suites was the hotel of choice. Every night all the same passengers would travel to the airport each night hoping their respective flight would depart but it was like the movie Groundhog Day, the flights were cancelled night after night until the fourth night. We ended up making friends with numerous America West passengers staying at the hotel with us who were in the same situation. The flights that were cancelled night after night included one to Baltimore, ours to PHL, and one to Newark. All three were cancelled three nights in a row......very strange! Anyway America West wont see me onboard their aircraft anytime soon although i must attest that the A320 seat pitch in economy is wonderful.
John Sickels From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (9 years 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 203 times:
Yes, I don't like America West much. While I've found the actual employees friendly and easy to deal with, there always seems to be something going on...delayed or late flights, extreme overbooking, etc. Sounds like management and organizational problems.
I loved that Airbus, but hopefully my Sunday return flight to MCI will go as scheduled on American Airlines.
Johnboy From United States, joined Aug 1999, 2237 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (9 years 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 131 times:
Try to catch one of the Southwest flights originating in Los Angeles, stopping in PHX, then going onto the East Coast. Those longer flights tend to be in the newer aircraft. For example, LAX-PHX-SDF usually is a 737-700
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