ydmine03 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 25 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 10096 times:
This is a report for my trip to St. Thomas for spring break. Apologize for the little commentary, but due to time constraints thought posting the pictures will also be very appreciated.
Very early morning ride to JFK
AA's Terminal 8
FEB 5, 2009
AA 769
JFK-SJU
Sch Departure 06:25
Sch Arrival around 11:00
Boeing 757
Very frustrating boarding process. A business class passenger got into a loud argument with a ground handling guy over checking his carry-on bag at the boarding gate. I sneaked on board with equally big bag while this was going on. Cabin crew wasn't not really assisting passengers during boarding, but instead was communicating multiple repeating messages to put large bag on top, and smaller underneath the seat. No jackets on top. Repeating this over and over became really annoying given the early hour. When the economy bins filled in (how wouldn't they with all seat occupied), various passengers and cabin crew got into an argument where should the remaining bags be placed. Cabin crew appeared very stressed over loosing the take off slot at JFK and communicated that we would need to wait for hours if everyone doesn't settle in immediately.
The breakfast available for purchase was pretty good.
The flight was full at 100%.
First sight of Puerto Rico.
It was great seeing ground handling in shorts, and feeling the warm climate upon exiting the aircraft in the middle of February.
FEB 5, 2009
AA 4866
SJU-STT
Sch Departure 11:15
Sch Arrival around 11:49
ATR 72
Originally I had 2 hours to spare in SJU. However, when exiting the aircraft, I saw that the previous flight to STT was delayed and was just now boarding. AA personal was very friendly here and immediately put me on the earlier departure.
Tiny aircraft, very nice cabin crew.
Breathtaking approach into STT airport.
And now on the ground.
Continental jet from Newark had just arrived.
My plane.
This is a tiny airport, with the check-in area in sight.
Passengers are greeted with a shot of rum upon arrival!
The baggage claim area, as well as all other “pre-security” areas are essentially outside.
And here are some cell phone shots on the ride to/from airport.
FEB 8, 2009
AA 4858
STT-SJU
Sch Departure 18:50
Sch Arrival around 19:25
ATR 72
After 3 awesome days, it's time to go back home. Check-in with the AA.
After check-in, one fills out a customs form and goes through immigration as if returning from abroad. I read up on the special status of the USVI. It is a strange procedure nevertheless.
Departure hall.
My plane to SJU.
This time I used the time in SJU wisely and took some shots.
FEB 8, 2009
AA 1692
SJU-JFK
Sch Departure around 20:30
Sch Arrival around 23:30
Boeing 757
Plane to JFK.
I contemplated upgrading for a second, but them remembered the reports on flyertalk that business class to the Caribbean really isn't overrated. Passengers reported no entertainment system was provided. Also, the flight only offered snacks in business. Clearly not worth the miles, if “surviving” economy is an option.
StarAlliance38 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1445 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 10031 times:
Thanks for the TR! Reminds me of my TR to STT with a US award ticket!
Looks like you had a interesting situation with the overhead bags on the first flight. On my last trip, US just checked in the excess baggage to passengers' final destinations.
Lucky that you got rum shots at STT, I didn't haha.
Very cool pics from SJU terminal. Lots of American Airlines "propaganda" haha, kidding . Still, a lot of airline signage for an airport!
phatfarmlines From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1323 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9655 times:
Quoting StarAlliance38 (Reply 1): Very cool pics from SJU terminal. Lots of American Airlines "propaganda" haha, kidding . Still, a lot of airline
signage for an airport!
AA does this at all their hub airports. Have you checked JFK Terminal 8? It's even worse there.
chepos From Puerto Rico, joined Dec 2000, 5990 posts, RR: 12 Reply 3, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 8676 times:
Thank you for sharing your trip report to the Caribbean, nice to see pictures of my home airport (San Juan) while I was growing up.
That used to be quite the little bsutiling terminal, now it is dead. Nonetheless the AA SJU ground staff is usually a nice bunch.
SelcalCheckOK From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 46 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 8406 times:
I just did this trip at the end of February in business. AAL1639 down to SJU is old business class, and AAL1692 is the new one. The new one is great, and definitely worth it if you can score it next time.
BOACCunard From United States of America, joined Dec 2009, 795 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (3 years 3 months 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 7385 times:
Nice TR ... I haven't been to SJU or STT in ages. Used to with some frequency when I was a kid.
Do you know if you flew the same aircraft JFK-SJU and SJU-JFK? Both aircraft have the new interior in Y, which is only on one domestic-configured aircraft. Or is AA using international-configured 757s on these flights? (In that case, the biz seat would have been very nice had you upgraded.)
ydmine03 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 25 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 3 months 20 hours ago) and read 6719 times:
Quoting BOACCunard (Reply 5): Do you know if you flew the same aircraft JFK-SJU and SJU-JFK? Both aircraft have the new interior in Y, which is only on one domestic-configured aircraft. Or is AA using international-configured 757s on these flights? (In that case, the biz seat would have been very nice had you upgraded.)
I am not sure as I didn't check the tail number, but from what I saw they probably are using the international 757's. Business class looked like the NGBC seats heavily advertised. Tend to save up the upgrades for trips w the girl, but will do another time. Glad you liked the report.
SelcalCheckOK From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 46 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 years 3 months 6 hours ago) and read 6386 times:
Three flights daily between JFK-SJU, the first 2 are new business class, with the last one the old. Coming home to JFK, the first flight of the day is the old config, and the other 2 are the new ones.
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From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 25 posts, 
. Still, a lot of airline signage for an airport!
From Puerto Rico, joined Dec 2000, 5990 posts, 
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