Glad I'm a Qantas boy...

[sydflyer]

Traveling in the US at moment and have had a number of flights with American Airlines. As per my previous experiences with AA, I am not particularly impressed with the standard of service. There are certainly a small number of individuals who do try to provide a very good service, but they have been very much in the minority in my experience. There is no way I could ever imagine a Qantas cabin crew or ground crew member speaking to a passenger the way I have seen some AA crew speak. The quality of the Qantas clubs is far superior to the Admirals Lounges.

Qantas is not perfect, no doubt about that, but I have to say I am happy to be someone who flies Qantas a lot more than American.

 

[KitKat]

I know class of service should not be an excuse but in my small and limited experience flying "First" in AA, I have been more than happy with the service.
Although friends have said that Y on AA is bad....

 

[fjc]

You can never tell. Last year, flying Boise - LAX - SYD, on 2 PNRs (first with AA, 2nd with WF), the guy at the check in desk did everything he could to get my bag checked all the way through to SYD. After what seemed 10 minutes, he achieved it, which saved me having to collect the bag in LAX, go through security, etc etc.

Needless to say, I wrote to AA and complimented them on his excellent service.

But I agree re general AA service, except I might add, for LAX - BOI - LAX on American Eagle. But then, they've got stiff competition on that route from South West.

 

[sydflyer]

I know class of service should not be an excuse but in my small and limited experience flying "First" in AA, I have been more than happy with the service.
Although friends have said that Y on AA is bad....

I've been in First and Business this trip - still not great. Maybe my expectations are too high?!

 

[Mal]

I know class of service should not be an excuse but in my small and limited experience flying "First" in AA, I have been more than happy with the service.
Although friends have said that Y on AA is bad....

I'm well over 30 sectors in first on AA domestic, a few business sectors and probably 6 or so in economy.

None of these have been special. However they have been fine. In fact the service and food on some sectors have been much better than Qantas domestic for a comparable flight.

Each to their own I suppose. I travel in various cabins with various airlines so hope I have a credible comparison base.

 

[VHOEJ]

Travelling in the US domestically makes you appreciate how good we have it here.

In saying that, I have had plenty of good experiences with AA, so like anything, you have the good and the bad.

 

[gpr49697]

i have had great experience at having my QF platinum treated as VIP by AA, but agree flgiht service is sub standard.

 

[JohnK]

And to add further weight that we are all different and have different experiences I have had 8 economy flights on AA and I cannot complain about any of them. In fact on a few of those I received a soft drink and on one of them a sandwich and a soft drink. Not bad for an airline notorious for bad service.

Still waiting for the bad flight.

 

[Noob]

Think that's the case with most American carriers - except Virgin America

 

[Kefci2000]

I know class of service should not be an excuse but in my small and limited experience flying "First" in AA, I have been more than happy with the service.
Although friends have said that Y on AA is bad....

Did 5 sectors on a recent DONE4 which meant F class, and had no complaints about service.

Agree that lounges are very sub standard with the exception of JFK, ORD and LAX F lounges.....

 

[TonyHancock]

Six flights with AA last year, all in Y, and other than the planes feeling a little worn I can't complain at all.

 

[Mal]

Agree that lounges are very sub standard with the exception of JFK, ORD and LAX F lounges.....

I agree, Australians are spoilt with the existence of DJ lounges and QF lounges. American lounges are nowhere near as good... I accept this in the US, and I do love the JFK, ORD, LAX Flagship lounges. Still OW equivalents are treated well (eg the drink vouchers).

 

[casanovawa]

I thought the AC in Miami was ok as far as facilities, just lacked the free food you'd get in a QP except for these little muffins and a few pretzels during the 5 hours i was there in the morning, you can only eat so many little muffins, think i got a free spirits drink?? But yes in general we don't have it too bad here...

 

[Kefci2000]

I agree, Australians are spoilt with the existence of DJ lounges and QF lounges. American lounges are nowhere near as good... I accept this in the US, and I do love the JFK, ORD, LAX Flagship lounges. Still OW equivalents are treated well (eg the drink vouchers).

No drink vouchers for AC, just a selection of free basic beers (tap), house wines and very basic spirits.

Also maybe change thread name to "glad Iam OWE"

F Lounges were great with large selection of food and beverages (equiv to QF, but not as good as BA) but no order on demand food ( just a reasonable buffet).

 

[serfty]

No drink vouchers for AC, just a selection of free basic beers (tap), house wines and very basic spirits.
...

I have always received drink vouchers in A/C's. I also have gone back for more when the first are used.

You can use them for "premium" drinks - e.g. the 'free' beer may be Bud (Yech!), but a premium like "Sam Adams" (better than Bud) may be available.

 

[JohnK]

From memory the Admirals Club lounges in STL, MIA, DFW, ORD (not the Flagship lounge) were all quite good. It would be nice if they had food (DFW lounge had peanuts which came in handy ) but good to have somewhere to sit down, have a drink and use the desktops.

 

[dajop]

and on one of them a sandwich and a soft drink.

Where to and when was that? I thought they only offer food for sale in Y. My most recent experience was ORD-LAX, I got my soft drink, but there was no food anywhere to be seen - for sale or gratis, on the 4 hr flight. Outside of meal times, it left at 4:30pm....

 

[Kefci2000]

I have always received drink vouchers in A/C's. I also have gone back for more when the first are used.

You can use them for "premium" drinks - e.g. the 'free' beer may be Bud (Yech!), but a premium like "Sam Adams" (better than Bud) may be available.

No vouchers were offered at all.

Yes I am a Sam Adams fan, and did ask if I could access this on tap (free).....this was October just gone

Will have to remember for next trip to actually ask for vouchers.

 

[serfty]

Yes, I always politely request vouchers when not immediately offered.

FWIW, I was declined once, in bOS, as it was explained to me the Bar did not open 'till noon that Sunday and my flight was scheduled to depart around 11am.

... In fact on a few of those I received a soft drink and on one of them a sandwich and a soft drink. ...

Where to and when was that? I thought they only offer food for sale in Y. My most recent experience was ORD-LAX, I got my soft drink, but there was no food anywhere to be seen - for sale or gratis, on the 4 hr flight. Outside of meal times, it left at 4:30pm....

EXP in economy are entitled to one free drink and one free food item.

The dated AA systems often show WP as EXP on the manifest rather than non-AA Emerald.

As for food, if you are further down the back you can expect to miss out on the chance to purchase as they often run out - other than that I can't explain no food being available for such a flight (in F they would serve a 'snack' which in the afternoon is often a rather Salady or cheesy meal).

 

[Limewood]

Wondering on our next USA trip using AA domestic should be upgraded to F on two class flights, so what lounges can we use and what to expect in food/drinks in MIA, DFW, NYC and LAS?.