Prologue:

Welcome to the continuation of this trip to ATL on AA.

As a Platinum Pro member I get automatic upgrade requests on all domestic flights and these can clear as early as 72 hrs. before as it happened in this case.

I received an email from AA advising me that I am confirmed in F on the LAX-ATL segment at 72 hrs. before dept. I was originally assigned an aisle seat but decided to get a window by the bulkhead - 1F.

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I pull my reservation and can also pre-order my meal. I opted for the grilled chicken dish. This is a great feature on AA since it allows pax to get the meals they want (provided that it is requested at least 24 hrs) before dept. and gauges how many meals are needed for the flight. This feature is not only reserved for F but for Y pax as well but they can only pay aboard.

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I learn that my flight has been delayed by 30 min. and upon checking my email I received a message from AA about it. At the gate the agents are very professional and in good spirits. Boarding began in an orderly fashion.

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Entering the plane I am greeted by a FA.

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My seat.

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I expected more legroom for a bulkhead seat but it was fine.

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Pre-dept. drinks were offered. I asked for water.

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Taxiing out.

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Gorgeous HA livery.

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Bye LAX.

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After we reached cruising altitude the service began with hot towels.

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The FA was courteous and efficient. I ordered a ginger ale and it was accompanied by warm nuts.

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Sunset on the horizon.

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Grilled chicken with shitake mushroom sauce and twice baked potato served with a prosciutto appetizer and side salad.

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Main chicken dish.

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Prosciutto appetizer.

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Warm breads served from a basket - wheat or sourdough.

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After the trays were cleared another FA offered strawberry ice cream for dessert.

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Flying over Forth Worth TX.

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Doubletree Hotel by ATL airport. After I arrived I waited for the hotel shuttle which took about 15 min. The driver was a friendly and chatty fellow and once we arrived at the hotel I was checked in quickly.

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Comfortable room.

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========== Los Angeles Intl Arpt (LAX) - ==========



Security/Immigration efficiency: 8/10
Access and parking: 8/10
Services and activities: 9/10
General cleanliness: 9/10

========== American Airlines - Airline ==========



Cabine comfort: 9/10
Crew: 9/10
Entertainment: 9/10
On-time performance: 7/10
Appetizer: 8/10
Starter: 0/10
Main Meal: 8/10
Main Meal-2: 0/10
Cheese: 0/10
Desserts: 8/10
Alcohols: 0/10
Mid-flight snack: 0/10
Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Hartsfield Jackson Intl Arpt (ATL) - ==========



Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10
Access and parking: 9/10
Services and activities: 8/10
General cleanliness: 9/10

Summary:

Despite the delay I enjoyed my flight on AA. The staff at the gate and aboard were polite and did their job efficiently.

I appreciate the pre-order meal feature offered by AA on all classes. This allows the airline to calculate a more accurate number of meals to be served aboard and hopefully eliminate waste.

Meal was tasty and well presented. I wish the dessert would offer customized sundaes but LAX-ATL is not really considered a true transcon route.

16 Comments

  • Casper


    Thanks Panda for this review, it's a pity that you can't get a lounge access. Nice pictures and meal.
    Casper

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Hi Casper,

    In the US we do not get lounge access when flying F, not even top elite members if they belong to a U.S. frequent flyer program. However if you are top elite from another non-US airline then you are allowed to access the lounges on domestic itineraries.

    I guess due to the volume of frequent flyers within the US coupled with the sheer size of the domestic market it is not feasible to extend lounge benefits.
  • Thomas


    For once the meal does not look bad. Yeah, a shame not to get into the nice lounges of lax.
    FYI AA is putting 777 on the lax jfk as far as I know. A good opportunity to get upgraded.
    Thanks Adan for your great review!

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Hi Thomas,

    Thanks for the advice although I don't think that I will fly to JFK anytime soon. ;)
  • AAFlyer


    Thank you Adan for your review, the possibility to pre-order the meal is not new but it's the best way to have your desired meal. A pleasure reading you. See you soon for the return trip.

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Hi AAFlyer,

    Thanks for your kind words. See you very soon.
  • Emile


    Merci for your report Adan. I'm always skeptical about airlines not offering lounge access for a FC ticket. Nice meal thought. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Salut Emile,

    Yes only in the US. ;P Not a bad meal at all but they should have offered a more neutral flavor for the ice cream like chocolate or vanilla. My neighbor flat out refused it saying that he didn't like strawberries. Maybe he was allergic.
  • Capoune


    Hello Adan and thank you for this review!
    it is still a shame that AA does not give access to its premium passengers but it is the case for all the US airlines.... However, the upgrade system rewards passengers rather than employees and that's a very good thing!
    The meal looks good.
    Very nice pics.

    Thank you and see you soon.

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Hi Seb,

    Yep it's a shame that lounge access is not included. The upgrade process seemed pretty smooth. Glad you liked the pics.
  • GG_007


    Thanks for sharing this TR

    Congratulations to the Platinum Panda !

    "Entering the plane I am greeted by a FA."
    Oh AA is a Five Stars Airline !

    "but it was fine"
    You're so kind

    Gorgeous pictures during take off

    "Main chicken dish"
    With a lot of sauce of course

    "Prosciutto appetizer."
    It looks yummy. Is this a tomato purée ?

    All in all a good flight

    See you soon for another report

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Hi Gilbert,

    "Congratulations to the Platinum Panda !"
    - Merci but I'm Plat Pro to be precise. :P

    "Oh AA is a Five Stars Airline !"
    - Just like LH. ;) It's posted at the door of the plane to remind you.

    "You're so kind"
    - It's a good character to develop, don't you think? :P

    "With a lot of sauce of course"
    - That is why you have bread.

    "It looks yummy. Is this a tomato purée ?"
    - I think they were strips of sundried tomatoes. The flavor is more intense.

    Thanks for your nice compliments.





  • AntoinePil


    very nice YTR! Thanks a lot for sharing! =) nice pics also !

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Hi Antoine,

    Thank you for stopping by.
  • Vendredi13


    Ouaf ! JetSet' !

    You should have had access to the lounge. You deserve it;)
    Catering is correct. legroom could be better for this quite long flight.. Crew did the job. Did you catch up the 30 mn delay during the flight ?
    In the end, this F flight is close to a business flight in Europe.
    Beautiful pictures at take off.

    A great thanks, Panda, for this instructive ytr. See you soon !

    Reply
    jetsetpanda
    Oauf mon ami,

    We all deserve access but whether it is given or not is another story. :) We ended up arriving close to 12 midnight.

    See you around.

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