We were scheduled to leave on AA 101 at 8:30am. We left our hotel around 530am to ensure that we got to LHR in plenty of time for check in, duty free shopping etc. When we got there we were selected for the extra security before we even checked in. After checking in we proceeded to the security checkpoint that had no lines. Once past security we made our way through the duty free section before grabbing a bite to eat as it was only 630am at this point.
We eventually took the journey out to gate 15 - and yes it’s a journey. Once the gate "opened" we took a seat and waited for them to announce boarding. Around 740 they announced boarding for First Class.
Flying
Flight: AA 101
Aircraft: 777-200
Registration: Unknown
Flying Time: 7 hours +/-
Seat: 4A, First Class
Today boarding was done through 2L. As I boarded I was greeted by the purser who told me to take a left and it was the first seat on the left. Already on my seat was the menu, the amenity kit and a card with a listing of individual movies I could choose to watch at any time during the flight.
While the rest of the plane boarded we were served pre-departure drinks that consisted of OJ, Water, or Mimosas. After downing a few OJ’s the door was shut and we were ready to go. After a short taxi over to runway 27R we were number 3 for departure behind some BA planes. Once airborne you could clearly see the construction of T5.
Shortly after departure the flight attendant took our orders, asked if we wanted Bose Headsets and if we would be watching a movie. I took the Bose headsets but for the time being declined a movie. The choices for breakfast were a Gruyere Omelette, Broccoli and Cheese Blintz, Sourdough French Toast or Asian-Style Shrimp with Noodles. I had the French toast as that was the only choice I had any interest in. The orders were taken using FEBO so I was lucky to still be able to have my choice as I was the last person to choose on the A and D side of the plane. As you can see in the pictures I ate with the seat facing the window.
The Menu
The meal first consisted of fresh fruit followed by corn flakes with fresh raspberries on them. After the cereal came the main course, the French toast with pork leek sausage. The French Toast was ok but I’d still rather have the Spanish Omelette that AA offers in domestic F. Throughout the entire breakfast service assorted breads were available.
After breakfast I reclined the seat to the bed position and I got the movie Taking Lives. The movie just about took the life out of me and I fell asleep for a little while.
Waking up we still had 4 hours and 24 minutes left before our arrival at JFK. For the next couple of hours I spent my time between editing pictures from Farnborough and sleeping. There is no better way to sleep on AA then in their Flagship Suite. Throughout the entire flight the flight attendants were there to fill up my empty glass of coke.
Seventy minutes prior to landing our orders were taken for our light lunch/snack. The choices were Pesto Scallops, Grilled Chicken or Cream of Tomato Soup. I took the Grilled Chicken as I am not a fan of anything that swims. The lunch service started out with your choice of hot nuts or the vegetable dip (both if you wanted). A few minutes later our came our entrees. The chicken was quite good, though a little on the cold side. It consisted of chicken with pita bread and assorted garnishes that you could make your own little sandwich with. After the flight attendants took the plate away the dessert came. Next came one of the highlights of AA First Intl flights - the baked on board cookies. This also came with a fruit bowl but I had enough fruit already on the flight so I decided to pass on it. The cookies however, were good as always.
Our descent brought us over Long Island but it was too hazy to see anything until we were over Jones Beach.
We landed at approximately 12:45EST on 31R. Landing on 31R we were able to see two spots that the local NYC photographers shoot 31R arrivals - The Costco Parking lot at the Boston Market parking lot.
Customs and Immigration wasn’t too bad as it was still early for international arrivals.
Overall the service was everything it should be on AA in International First. The only complaint that I have is that during the flight I was drinking Coke and I was given the can. Normally that’s great but to me in First Class on an International flight the flight attendants should be attentive enough to refill my glass – laziness on their part.
Planecrazy2 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 615 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (7 years 11 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 18706 times:
Amazing report, really enjoyed all the pictures, those make or break a report.
SNATH From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 3232 posts, RR: 25 Reply 4, posted (7 years 11 months 1 week 2 hours ago) and read 18371 times:
Matt,
Yeah, great report!
I had a question. Did I notice plastic cutlery on the pictures? Given all the nice looking bowls / plates / glasses, didn't the plastic cutlery drive you crazy? I had a similar experience in AC Executive First a few weeks back...
Tony
Nikon: we don't want more pixels, we want better pixels.
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3687 posts, RR: 32 Reply 5, posted (7 years 11 months 1 week ago) and read 18253 times:
Nice report and pictures! But why oh why did you fly AA?!?! BA LHR-JFK is so much more civilised!
Thankfully metal cutlery has made a return to aircraft going to and from the UK.
The metal/plastic cutlery debate has been done to death but it sucks using plastic cutlery, especially when BA have managed to cook their steak into a piece of shoe leather Especially demeaning was using plastic on Concorde
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
CaptainTim From Hong Kong, joined Dec 2004, 431 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 11 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 18150 times:
yeh im' a united fan.. and they once served ribs on business from ORD-HKG i swear.. i broke at leat 2 plastic knives on that serving... BUT good things is that untied has finally become more leniant.. they do let metal cutlery now in asian flights.. e.g. HKG-NRT or to other asian cities.. the cutlery are allll metal =D
btw nice pics.. never seen AA first before.. great report
tim
Gulfstream Planeview Cockpit: "why have hundreds of buttons when a CCD does the same thing and more?"
COEWR2587 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 603 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (7 years 11 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 17986 times:
Great job. Glad someone finally did a pic report of AA's transatlantic F class service.
Zone1 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1033 posts, RR: 7 Reply 11, posted (7 years 11 months 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 17396 times:
Quoting Paul (Reply 9): Do UA have metal cutlery on their flights from England to the US? LHR- IAD for example (off to Miami in 3 weeks) yeah boy!
I flew UA from FRA to IAD back in March (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/trip_reports/read.main/55564/) and they used plastic cuttery. I had the filet mignon and it actually wasn't that hard to cut with the plastic. I'm sure they do the same for all US bound flights out of Europe.
AA 777 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 803 posts, RR: 14 Reply 12, posted (7 years 11 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 17030 times:
Thanks guys for all the comments. In regards to the plastic cutlery its not all that bad - although I broke a fork in a chicken pot pie on AA MIA-SXM. Usually what they are giving us isnt too hard to cut with a plastic knife. The biggest let-down is the fact that it just looks REALLY tacky.
Christao17 From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 888 posts, RR: 9 Reply 15, posted (7 years 11 months 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 16783 times:
Quoting CaptainTim (Reply 6): BUT good things is that untied has finally become more leniant.. they do let metal cutlery now in asian flights.. e.g. HKG-NRT or to other asian cities.. the cutlery are allll metal =D
D'oh - bad news: two recent UA NRT-BKK and return trips have been all plastic cutlery. The thing I don't get: isn't a fork a weapon, too?
GREAT trip report and lovely pictures, especially the food. Nice back-lighting from the window.
KLM685 From Mexico, joined May 2005, 1577 posts, RR: 21 Reply 16, posted (7 years 11 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 16346 times:
Great Report! I love the pictures of First Class. I really can't imagine flying that comfortable :P
It was also curious to see first class breakfast and everything with plastic cutlery I still remember many many years ago when they used to be metal. But I think that's part of the charm taken by 9/11.
AA 777 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 803 posts, RR: 14 Reply 17, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 15474 times:
Christao17,
I dont think the plastic forks are weapons at all considering Ive broken a lot of them in the food haha
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8737 posts, RR: 52 Reply 20, posted (7 years 10 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 14739 times:
Thanks for the report. Your experience seems very similar to experiences that I have had in United First. Professional, but not overly attentive service along with a nice flat seat and pretty good food.
I actually like the slightly less attentive service that is provided by US carriers. I find it annoying when flight attendants constantly check on me, and fill up my glass and all that. Sometimes I just want the can and to be left alone. I don't think flight attendants need to act like your personal servant in order to provide good service.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7419 posts, RR: 65 Reply 21, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 13529 times:
hey Matt, good TR. So did you take the AA 777 with F/S both ways?
Forum moderator 2001-2010; He's a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard, a belligerent old fart, a worthless st
JN744 From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 35 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 13449 times:
I always fly business class on AA, but I always wanted to make the left turn to go to the flagship suite. Sounds great. I always break my spoon while attempting to eat my ice cream. That is the only bad thing I can find with AA.
26 F27XXX: OK, you totally contradicted yourself here ... which was it ? Also, enlighten us as to what FEBO is. Great report otherwise ..
27 Triple7man: FEBO is Forward Even, Back Odd. On flights with an even number the flight attendants start the service from the front of the cabin. This means if you
28 ChrisH: Nice report, I dont' know how you afford flying F! I checked fares and oneway was 7000 dollars
29 Mirrodie: its easy when you know the right people Or if you choose your parents wisely
30 Willyj: Which is exactly why I'm wondering why he was the last to order his meal if the flight was #115. He was sitting in 4A, the last row of First, on an o
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Especially demeaning was using plastic on Concorde 
From Hong Kong, joined Dec 2004, 431 posts, 
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Very neat! 
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