AA's SYD-LAX flight

[Ewing]

Flew AA72 in First the other day.

It was absolutely superb in all (but one) aspects - the only fault was at check-in which took about 15 minutes because the Qantas staff doing check-in couldn't figure out how to stop the system from trying to charge me for a checked bag.

Once checked in I was met by a First Host who offered an escort but I declined as I'm pretty quick at navigating the smart-gate and security anyway. She then found me in the lounge to let me know it was time to board and I can be escorted if I like (I declined) and then came to find me onboard to see if I needed any assistance in LAX.

At LAX I was approached once I grabbed my bags to offer an escort to the T4 Flagship lounge for my connection. I'm not sure how they knew who I was - I guess they have a photo from somewhere. The host actually walked up to me and said: "Mr Ewing?". Unfortunately as I was travelling with a few others who weren't through yet I declined again - but also as I planned on going to the TBIT QF First lounge anyway.

Onboard the service was impeccable. The catering was excellent, and drink refills were offered without requesting. I found the bed quite comfortable (but the suite not as private as I usually like) and had a solid 6 hours or so sleep despite the very heavy turbulence.

I couldn't fault it. Service and catering was in fact far superior to my recent QF First flights (both across the Pacific and over to Dubai) - I had no idea American could be this good.

I have photos but I'm on roaming data at the moment so will post when I get access to decent wifi.

 

[maz1]

wow Ewing- that's a great review. And, First must be so much better than Business-- unless we flew on an 'off day'

 

[Croupier]

I recently flew AA return to LA. I scored a super cheap fare in Y $670 AUD from Expedia. I was unsuccessful for the upgrade to LA but with a few G&T"s and a 10mg Valuum the flight was quite enjoyable and I slept most of the way. I found the staff pretty good and they were happy to give me the 3 drinks at the one time ))
The return was even better as my upgrade cleared at the gate, J cabin was full, I got the last seat, I have no status with AA. My card was deducted $489 AUD but my 25k points were not touched, it's been 3 weeks

One cabin crew in particular Monica, was amazing.

Great experience for under $1200 return to LA mixed Y and J ))))

 

[cjd600]

Is anyone booked to fly from November which will see the switch to a 789?
We are a couple of months early

https://www.ausbt.com.au/american-airlines-brings-boeing-787-onto-sydney-la-route

 

[get me outta here]

On AA72 in a coupla weeks. Is the grilled beef fillet ex SYD any good? There's not much of a choice:


Grilled Beef Filet Grilled Beef Filet selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
red wine sauce, twice-baked potato, broccolini, carrots

Bone-in Paprika Pork Chop Bone-in Paprika Pork Chop selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
shallot sauce, seared polenta, asparagus, blistered tomato

Mixed Seafood Risotto Mixed Seafood Risotto selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
Goat cheese, lemon myrtle

Deconstructed Lasagna Deconstructed Lasagna selected for SYD to LAX
Fava bean, pesto

 

[cjd600]

Please update on the flight and the food...we go in August

 

[BriarFlyer]

I flew the reverse, LAX-SYD, so my experiences are not much help foodwise. For the record, I chose a seafood/shrimp something which sounded lighter for the late-night supper. It was just okay. Best part of either meal (dinner/breakfast) was the ice-cream. Service was average but I found the seat/bed very comfortable and slept well.

 

[PaulybGC]

On AA72 in a coupla weeks. Is the grilled beef fillet ex SYD any good? There's not much of a choice:


Grilled Beef Filet Grilled Beef Filet selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
red wine sauce, twice-baked potato, broccolini, carrots

Bone-in Paprika Pork Chop Bone-in Paprika Pork Chop selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
shallot sauce, seared polenta, asparagus, blistered tomato

Mixed Seafood Risotto Mixed Seafood Risotto selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
Goat cheese, lemon myrtle

Deconstructed Lasagna Deconstructed Lasagna selected for SYD to LAX
Fava bean, pesto

Been a while now but i chose the beef on the way over & back. I really enjoyed it

 

[get me outta here]

I shall try to remember. I read up thread that the rice dishes were pretty bad.

Please update on the flight and the food...we go in August

Goodo, the most important thing to me is the sleeping ability. I have the mini cabin, so could be a good start.

I flew the reverse, LAX-SYD, so my experiences are not much help foodwise. For the record, I chose a seafood/shrimp something which sounded lighter for the late-night supper. It was just okay. Best part of either meal (dinner/breakfast) was the ice-cream. Service was average but I found the seat/bed very comfortable and slept well.

 

[snabbu]

On AA72 in a coupla weeks. Is the grilled beef fillet ex SYD any good? There's not much of a choice:


Grilled Beef Filet Grilled Beef Filet selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
red wine sauce, twice-baked potato, broccolini, carrots

Bone-in Paprika Pork Chop Bone-in Paprika Pork Chop selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
shallot sauce, seared polenta, asparagus, blistered tomato

Mixed Seafood Risotto Mixed Seafood Risotto selected for GMOH for SYD to LAX
Goat cheese, lemon myrtle

Deconstructed Lasagna Deconstructed Lasagna selected for SYD to LAX
Fava bean, pesto

Mine was tender last week however overcooked. The sauce was 95% oil and quite gross. Fill up in the lounge.

 

[serfty]

I flew LAX-SYD in business a couple of weeks ago and had the beef.

I asked for it to be heated as little as possible and they did a reasonable job given it was precooked

The meat was slightly tough but still edible.

 

[Limewood]

Doesn't look to inviting

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks. Yes, not appetising. Shall fill up in lounge. As I'm in J, which lounge as only a LTS will I get into? (AA 72 departs at 1015).

Mine was tender last week however overcooked. The sauce was 95% oil and quite gross. Fill up in the lounge.

I flew LAX-SYD in business a couple of weeks ago and had the beef.

I asked for it to be heated as little as possible and they did a reasonable job given it was precooked

The meat was slightly tough but still edible.

Doesn't look to inviting

 

[get me outta here]

AA 72 - anyone have more photos of the food?

 

[Ipilgrim]

We do AA73 in J this Sept,(qf codeshare - how cheap are those taxes and charges) as newbies, so following the discussions with great interest.

 

[maz1]

Please update on the flight and the food...we go in August

it was average at best- I can eat almost anything and I could not finish that beef.
The Ice Cream sundae was so rock hard couldn't get a spoon into it- and no taste whatsoever- :shock:

Like someone else mentioned, fill up in the Qantas Lounge

flat bed was very comfy though and that's a great thing.

 

[get me outta here]

Just got off AA72 in LAX. Took off late but arrive on time at the same time as a QF and Korean flight and a few others. Best you don't order the lasagna it was insipid in taste and appearenace. The service was fine. The thing I first noticed was that the FAs all had their hair down and free, whereas QF are coiffed to the last hair and therefore project have at least the appearance of being more professional, made up and 'cleaner'. One AA FA even wore a puffy jacket later in the flight as she must have been cold, at the same time as I felt hot as usual and I wondered if she'd forgotten her jacket uniform.

I found the AA FAs sufficiently friendly and helpful with Ms puffy jacket being a bit perfunctory. I never push the call button in flight and whenever I got up to go ask for anything, it was always quickly satisfied.

We got PJs which I haven't opened as I was wearing my QF ones. I recommend row 3 in the mini cabin as there is very little foot traffic through to F, and gets service first. The most important thing to me is the quality of the sleep and it was fine. Got a thin mattress and a thin doona, but it was OK. There is also a good lot of storage especially under the foot rest when the bed is flat. Very secure.

 

[maz1]

Just got off AA72 in LAX. Took off late but arrive on time at the same time as a QF and Korean flight and a few others. Best you don't order the lasagna it was insipid in taste and appearenace. The service was fine. The thing I first noticed was that the FAs all had their hair down and free, whereas QF are coiffed to the last hair and therefore project have at least the appearance of being more professional, made up and 'cleaner'. One AA FA even wore a puffy jacket later in the flight as she must have been cold, at the same time as I felt hot as usual and I wondered if she'd forgotten her jacket uniform.

I found the AA FAs sufficiently friendly and helpful with Ms puffy jacket being a bit perfunctory. I never push the call button in flight and whenever I got up to go ask for anything, it was always quickly satisfied.

We got PJs which I haven't opened as I was wearing my QF ones. I recommend row 3 in the mini cabin as there is very little foot traffic through to F, and gets service first. The most important thing to me is the quality of the sleep and it was fine. Got a thin mattress and a thin doona, but it was OK. There is also a good lot of storage especially under the foot rest when the bed is flat. Very secure.

I agree, the AA FAs are not quite as well turned out as any other airlines I've flown. Added, on our flight one of the FAs was absolutely dosed up on Perfume - it was so strong it made me feel quite sick. I kept praying for her not to come too close to me.

For myself, I'd really think twice before I used my miles to fly with AA again longhaul - and would look for any other option if it were at all possible.

 

[Ipilgrim]

AA73 last weekend, Mrs p had the shrimp penang, jasmine rice, sauteed veges - gave it the thumbs up. I didn't read the menu correctly and had the cauliflower steak - yep it was caully shaped as a christmas tree. However ice cream was solid but ok and the we both slept well on the flat beds.
Oneworld lounge at TBIT was relaxing with zero security checks between T4 and TBIT.

 

[cjd600]

Flew AA72/73 with Mrs CJD600 and Miss 8 and Miss 6. Both ways we had the right side of the J forward minicabin which worked well. The two little ones on the window 3J and 4J, parents across aisle from each. Hard product do much better than our previous QF 744 and 388 J experiences. Soft product okay, not too bad (apart from frozen beer lol). Availability aside, we found it a much better spend of our QF points saving $3k or so on charges using AA metal instead of QF for 4 x J return SYD-LAX