U.S. Airways or American Airlines First Class?

[93Revisited]

Need to book some short haul first class flights in the U.S. and have the option of either US or AA metal. Virtually no difference in price or flight duration so is there a preference for either? US hubs through PHX and AA via LAX. Is lounge access for QF WP an issue at either?

 

[Hvr]

No issue at all for a QFWP. However the lounge at LAX will be the Flagship lounge with real food so if that is the only reason for choosing a flight then go via LAX.

But, if the real reason is to accrue SCs then take which flight gives you the best value for money.

Oh and good to see you posting after five years, don't wait so long for the next post.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Need to book some short haul first class flights in the U.S. and have the option of either US or AA metal. Virtually no difference in price or flight duration so is there a preference for either? US hubs through PHX and AA via LAX. Is lounge access for QF WP an issue at either?

I prefer AA metal and crews. US kinda got rid of first class for all intents and purposes for a long time... they had the cabin and seats, but everything else was pretty much 'coach service' (amenities and food). I did a couple of flights on US last year and they were 'ok', but not to the same standard as AA. That might have improved slightly in the meantime.

 

[serfty]

Book AA flight numbers ... while they still exist US flight numbers may earn less points / credits than if you use AA numbers for the same metal.

 

[anna2103]

I prefer AA metal and crews. US kinda got rid of first class for all intents and purposes for a long time... they had the cabin and seats, but everything else was pretty much 'coach service' (amenities and food). I did a couple of flights on US last year and they were 'ok', but not to the same standard as AA. That might have improved slightly in the meantime.

+ 1, AA also have more flights if something happens to our original flight - the amalgamation is not 100% ironed out in terms of rerouting issues as I learnt the hard way last month

 

[drron]

Another for AA.If things go pear shaped US is hopeless.

 

[SYD]

Another for AA. Just completed six sectors. LAX-ORD-LGA / JFK-BOS / BOS-PHX-SFO / SFO-LAX. 4 on AA metal and 2 on US.

Seats are better/newer on AA. Service/selection of food/drinks seemed better on AA.

Lounge at PHX is tiny.

 

[exceladdict]

Took 2x US F and 6x AA F sectors this Feb/Mar - newer planes on the AA routes but much of a muchness between the service; food was the same on both (quite literally, I had the same meal on US that I later did on an AA metal flight).

 

[DC3]

No need for any bad comments about the aircraft, food or service on AA. It's all about the SCs.

Having said that, I love those flights even if things don't go too well sometimes. I'm a crazy fan of AA, regardless.

 

[RooFlyer]

Another vote for AA! US crews much inferior when I took a mixed AA/US itinerary recently.

 

[serfty]

Food on US/AA has been the same since September 9th.

 

[Blackswan]

Food on US/AA has been the same since September 9th.

Yes. Terrible.

 

[SYD]

Food on US/AA has been the same since September 9th.

But not booze. Got some 'bubbles' (domestic sparkling) on AA. When asked for some on US, was told we don't do that...

 

[serfty]

Yes. Terrible.

Apparently it has improved a little and more of such on the way.

Anyhoo:

- With US flight number a QF Frequent Flyer will possibly earn less that with the same travel on the same operating aircraft but with an AA flight number.

- With US metal one is more likely to get a drink before deparure in First class than on AA Metal.

- So, if you are into PDB's then book First on US metal but with AA flight numbers.

 

[serfty]

But not booze. Got some 'bubbles' (domestic sparkling) on AA. When asked for some on US, was told we don't do that...

You will find the catering varies with route. What was the origin and destination for the AA flight and that for the US flight.

e.g. Bubbles are available on HNL flight to/from mainland USA flights (e.g,. HNL-LAX/PHX) but not internal (e.g. LAX-DFW/PHX)