You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
13 Nov 20	AA 1235	12J	777-300ER
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Business Class	89008	English	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Welcome to the return segment of my MIA trip. I could have easily taken a MIA-SFO nonstop but as an avgeek I knew that segment was not considered a premium transcon leg and I wanted to make the most of my experience and fly on a route that had all the "bells and whistles".

The 77W on the MIA-LAX was the obvious choice. Besides being a widebody airplane this was one of the few domestic flights that will feature elements of an international premium cabin like amenity kits, printed menus and bedding.

I returned my rental car with plenty of time and looked forward to this trip eagerly.

I was not able to check in online through my mobile phone and I had to visit the Priority counters to resolve this issue. Besides I had to check in a bag which is something that I rarely do. This time I got a little out of hand shopping for local stuff. ;)

The agent that helped me had to call her supervisor to resolve the issue. As a Platinum Pro I was upgraded from a Basic Economy fare and I suspect that's where the problem began. I paid a fare of $52 (EUR 43.45) one way MIA-LAX and for some reason the system might not have recognized it as an "upgradeable" fare. At the time AA recently changed the rules and allowed elites to receive their benefits like upgrades and ability to reserve seats in Main Cabin Extra flying "Basic Economy" fares which they were not entitled to before. Thankfully everything was quickly resolved and the agent wished me a pleasant trip.

The TSA Pre-Check line was pretty quick and soon I headed to the Admirals Club. Normally I would be entitled to use the Flagship Lounge but since they are all closed I had to be content with using what is available.

I received a friendly welcome by the agent and proceeded to take the elevator to the 2nd floor.

Reception on the 2nd floor.

Children's playroom which was closed.

Bar.

Buffet tables were located on either side of the bar.

Kudos to the Admirals Club for serving more than packaged snacks and making an effort to offer soup (requested from the bar).

View of the terminal from inside the lounge.

Gate with festive decoration. They get an "A" for effort.

My plane.

Friendly attendant at the gate during boarding. For some reason she reminded me of a famous Colombian TV actress.

J cabin.

My seat.

Amenity kit blanket with pillow menu and headphones were already placed by the seat.

One of the FA's handed me a bottle of water.

Seat controls.

Footrest.

Amenity kit.

Headphone.

Magazine and emergency card.

Shoe storage compartment.

Plenty of space to stretch.

View from my window.

Take off.

Bye MIA!

Cabin.

Menu.

Impressive to see 4 choices for main dish.

Wine menu.

Lunch service began quickly after we leveled off. This time the FA came with the cart and asked for our choices. Beverage followed but no pistachios or nuts with your drink.

I almost went for the fish but since I had it when I flew SFO-JFK last month I decided to order the beef. It was quite tender to my surprise and not the leather sole that one receives when meat is overcooked.

Appetizer - tomato slices with goat cheese and a big basil leaf on top.

Dessert - a little piece of cheesecake.

WC.

Full length mirror.

Galley set up with snacks right after the meal service. I saw several FA's pass through the cabin checking if pax needed anything else.

I made several trips to the galley :P

Seat in sleep mode.

Soon we were landing in LA.

========== Miami Intl (MIA) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

========== American Airlines Admirals Club Gate D30 ==========

Staff Service: 10/10

Entertainment: 7/10

Business Center: /10

Food: 7/10

Lounge Design: 8/10

Spa and Bathroom: 8/10

Wifi: 10/10

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

Cabine comfort: 10/10

Crew: 9/10

Entertainment: 9/10

On-time performance: 10/10

Appetizer: 8/10

Starter: 0/10

Main Meal: 9/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 8/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 9/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

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

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 8/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 8/10

Summary:

AA delivered a decent product and flying a widebody on a domestic route is always a treat.

The Admirals Club was fine under the circumstances and I appreciate that they try to offer what they used to serve pre-Covid19. I feel that those pax who had access to the Flagship lounge and that now are stuck with the Admirals Club should be offered a voucher or compensation to get free food at the bar to compensate for the inferior experience.

The onboard product was good with a friendly and efficient crew. Catering is as good as can be with a good variety of choices and a well executed dish. My only complaint is that the dessert was too small and AA should serve something a bit more elaborate. The display of snacks in the galley was a nice touch.

19 Comments

Thomas — Nov 28,2020

Thanks my friend for this review, at this price it's a bargain ! Good experience overall. Can't wait to see you in LAX :)
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 28,2020

Hi Thomas,

You can't beat it. It even feels like a Black Friday special. :P

Me too it will be great if we get together in LAX. :)

Thomas — Nov 28,2020

By then borders should be opened, hopefully.
GG_007 — Nov 28,2020

Thanks for sharing this TR

"Kudos to the Admirals Club for serving more than packaged snacks and making an effort to offer soup "
The only reason to :(
The food offer is pathetic

"For some reason she reminded me of a famous Colombian TV actress."
Jetset Panda ! The nickname is not a choice by chance ^^

"should be offered a voucher or compensation to get free food at the bar to compensate for the inferior experience."
+1

The catering was good in your opinion

See you soon

Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 28,2020

Salut GG,

US lounges have always been a bit deficient when it comes to catering no matter which airline, although pre-Covid19 DL had the edge in my opinion.

You should have tasted the beef. One of the most tender pieces I had on a plane. :)
Casper — Nov 28,2020

You stole me the lastest report !
Your report is far better than me, it felt like flying again. A good looking meal.
Agreed, the voucher is a good idea in the lounge but not given. A missed opportunity.

Thanks Panda.

Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 28,2020

Hola Casper,

I would not dare steal anything from you mon ami. If anything I would hope to complement your TR. It's like the appetizer before the main dish. ;)

Maybe AA will reconsider and offer a voucher in the future for Flagship qualified pax after reading our TR's? One can only hope. :)
AAFlyer — Nov 28,2020

Let's forget the lounge. Nothing to write home about. However the flight itself was a good one with a stunning meal.
It was a pleasant trip and report. Thanks for this review.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 28,2020

Hi AAFlyer,

It seems that a lot of flyers think that AA's catering now is the best of the three legacy carriers. I enjoyed my meal and my flight for sure.
Emile — Nov 28,2020

A superb report Panda. Thanks so much. 2 AA reports in a row. Unsual !
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 28,2020

Hi Emile,

Variety is the spice of life. ;)
samlecorsaire — Nov 29,2020

hello
Hello
have you seen Casper????
I liked the cabin very much and also your socks.
This flight looks more like a long haul than a domestic. the catering is very good.
thanks for this TR
see you
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 29,2020

Hi Sam,

It seems that Casper has eluded me. :P I guess ghosts are good at that.

This cabin is perfect and I personally like it better than the Polaris one in the 787-10.

Thanks for the socks. I think they pair well with my Mephisto shoes. ;)

The flight is the closest thing that you can get to a long haul intl. flight. Since this year I couldn't go abroad I might as well find the closest thing to it.
Vendredi13 — Nov 30,2020

woof ! JetSetPanda !

So you need to play cat and mouse if you want to win the bells !
This lounge looks nice. And the view on the inside terminal looks really appealing.
Too sad, all these individual servings in transparent plastic packaging. We are all waiting eagerly the end of this pandemic.
Beautiful welcome on board ;) This business class looks comfortable. Catering remains correct. and FAs did their job during the flight.

Thanks, Panda for sharing this very informative ytr. See u soon !
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 30,2020

Oauf!!

A little game adds excitement to life, doesn't it? ;)

The catering is pretty good in my opinion taking into account the current circumstances. Yes there are no pre-dept drinks, hot towels, use of glassware or made to order ice cream sundae but personally I can live without these things.

An efficient and friendly crew can make up for the shortfalls.

See you around.
Capoune — Dec 01,2020

Hi Adam!
AA maie great job on its transcon flight onboard a widebody!!
Whar a pity for the lounge but at least it’s still open.
Thank you for sharing with us this very nice report!

Take care my friend.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Dec 01,2020

Hi Seb,

I think AA offers the best premium transcon experience on a domestic flight these days.

Yes the lounge situation is not ideal but given the current crisis it is understandable.

Ciao.
Nomascoach — Nov 28,2020

Many thanks for this report. Always good to have a widebody.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 28,2020

Hi Nomascoach,

Amen for the widebodies.