AA Domestic Business/First

[aus_flyer]

I have heard some bad reports about American Airlines domestic business and first.

Can anyone provide some feedback? How do they compare to Qantas domestic business?

Thanks

 

[Hugh]

Generally, the food, wine, seats and entertainment on AA are not as good. As with Qantas, the service on transcontinental and longer flights is much better than on shorter flights: on one transcontinental flight on a 767 recently (LAX to MIA), the seat pitch in First was amazing and you could order an icecream sundae with a selection of toppings that would sink a battleship. The seating on transcontinental flights on 757s is nowhere near as generous. I do not know if 777s or other larger aircraft operate operate these routes.

 

[aus_flyer]

All the flights that I have booked in First are on MD-80s

 

[Guest]

All the flights that I have booked in Coach are on MD-80s

I hear ya :roll:

 

[duffshot]

From my experience travelling to US Canada, I do what I can to stay on QANTAS as long as possible rather than go to AA precisely because of the big difference in what you get (eg get QF107 to east coast). It's not really a fair comparison of QF107 Vs a AA domestic, but even QF domestic business is 10X better than AA first in my opinion.

Now if only QF would take on some more legs to add beyond LA (like Chicago) it would be perfect.

 

[NM]

All the flights that I have booked in First are on MD-80s

AA's MD80s are nowhere near as nice as the 767 and 777 for travel in F. However, they are better than the dreaded 757 (just). The seat pitch is generally better than QF domestic business class. There is no in-flight entertainment, so take your own.

Food is very predictable. The menu is limited and does not vary much at all between flights. Breakfast is always a choice of cereal or omolette (the same omolette, variously described as Cheese Omolette, Southern Omolette, Salsa Omolette or Vegitarian Omolette). Lunch is always Chicken Strips with Salsa, Pizza (the same pizza, variously described as Mushroom Pizza, Cheese Pizza or Vegetarian Pizza - with lots of garlic) or a cold salad. I have not taken enough dinner flights to know that menu well.

Service is generally good and attentive, but as with most airlines can vary considerably between crews.

Be at the boarding gate 30 mins before flight time. They always call for F passengers to board first. Make sure you do board first since the overhead locker space always fills on AA flights as people carry on much larger cases than in Australia. They will generally offer a drink during boarding and you can request anything they carry, including champagne, wine, beer, spirits, soft drink, coffee etc (not limited to juice or water as with QF domestic).

 

[volley]

Just a couple of more thing on my flight from LAX to AKL on Aug 2 on the AA/QF codeshare in business class. Do you get vouchers from Qantas for drinkies in the TBI terminal lounge? And also is it still the 3 class aircraft flying that route?

 

[NM]

Just a couple of more thing on my flight from LAX to AKL on Aug 2 on the AA/QF codeshare in business class. Do you get vouchers from Qantas for drinkies in the TBI terminal lounge? And also is it still the 3 class aircraft flying that route?

No need for vouchers. This is a real airline. The bar is self-service at the QF lounges at TBI. Just help yourself to whatever and howevermuch you want.

 

[volley]

Thanks NM. I thought it was an AA lounge at TBI and therefore the dreaded cash bar. But maybe that's terminal 4. Do you know if its still the 3 class on that route. I got my seats changed to rows 1a and 2a (wife) so hoping we will get the first class beds.

 

[serfty]

Thanks NM. I thought it was an AA lounge at TBI and therefore the dreaded cash bar. But maybe that's terminal 4. Do you know if its still the 3 class on that route. I got my seats changed to rows 1a and 2a (wife) so hoping we will get the first class beds.

If there's a 2A on your flight then it is a 2 Class 744. 3 Class only have 2 seats (1A & 1K) in the first row.

You may have the newer SkyBed Configuration or the older Dreamtime seats. Check a seat map for your flight; If row 14 exists upstairs then you have the dreamtime configuration, if there is no row 14 you have skybeds.

 

[thadocta]

Thanks NM. I thought it was an AA lounge at TBI and therefore the dreaded cash bar. But maybe that's terminal 4. Do you know if its still the 3 class on that route. I got my seats changed to rows 1a and 2a (wife) so hoping we will get the first class beds.

If there's a 2A on your flight then it is a 2 Class 744. 3 Class only have 2 seats (1A & 1K) in the first row.

I think you misread what was written, Mr. serfty. 1A and 2A is perfectly compatible with a 3-class 744.

Dave

 

[NM]

Thanks NM. I thought it was an AA lounge at TBI and therefore the dreaded cash bar. But maybe that's terminal 4. Do you know if its still the 3 class on that route. I got my seats changed to rows 1a and 2a (wife) so hoping we will get the first class beds.

AA do not operate anything out of TBI, so they have no lounge there. QF use several lounges at TBI, some being joint BA/QF and I think they also use a shared JAL lounge. The AA lounge is at Terminal 4, where QF pax do get vouchers when using the Admirals Club lounge, but no need in the Flagship Lounge as it is self-serve bar also.

 

[serfty]

... I think you misread what was written, Mr. serfty. 1A and 2A is perfectly compatible with a 3-class 744.

Dave

Yep, Dave, I did!

Some confusion elswhere with 1a/2a/3a as well. No worries, all has been resolved.