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American Airlines First Class
American Airlines Flagship Class - Elegant Cabin Decor
This is a continuation of our First Class trip to India, a journey where we had Big Travel with Small Money!
Trip Report Index:
- Introduction
- American Airlines Admirals Club Lounge and Flagship Lounge – Kansas City & Chicago
- American Airlines Flagship/First Class – Chicago to London
- British Airways Concorde Room – London Heathrow
- British Airways – (New) First Class – London to Mumbai, India
- An Indian Wedding Extravaganza
- Lalit InterContinental – Mumbai, India
- Park Hyatt – Goa, India
- Jet Airways, First Class – Mumbai, India to London
- Jet Airways, Business Class – Mumbai, India to London
- American Airlines, First Class – London to Chicago
- American Airlines, Business Class – London to Chicago
Emily: We arrived in London, and I proceeded to my gate to get on my American Airlines flight. After my first class experience with Jet, I was expecting to be personally escorted through security and on to my gate. But that did not happen. I had to make a beeline to get to my new gate where my American Airlines flight was.
My American Airlines flight was disappointing compared to the Jet Airways flight. First class was packed, unlike Jet where there were only two of us. Also, the staff didn’t treat my fish allergy seriously, and I was very taken aback to find a bag of garbage hanging on the back of one gentleman’s seat.
I wanted to send a complaint about the trash bag hanging by the seats, so I decided to take a picture. Right after I took a picture, the staff yelled at me to delete the picture immediately and that it was against policy. Fumbling with the camera, I “deleted” the picture, but somehow it stayed on my memory stick!
I slept through most of the flight, but it was very similar to our earlier experience on American Airlines First Class except that the service seemed slightly worse. If I had to do it again, I would rather spend the same amount of miles for a flight on British Airways or Jet Airways instead of American Airlines.
Daraius: Emily is extremely easy-to-please and doesn’t ask for much so the service on her flight must have been poor.
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I have earned and redeemed millions of airline miles and hotel points to travel the world for free. Now I'm blogging to help more people do the same! 
It’s so sad to fly U.S. carriers internationally… the “culture” of disservice has been so ingrained with many of the flight attendants that I don’t think it will ever change. It seems to be a right of passage for many of them to finally hold an international line so they can relax and stop working.
I have to agree with Darren. I flew United from Denver to Newark and Newark to Mumbai and the flight attendants were extremely rude and indifferent. I have never flown a International carrier before but generally heard they are better at service.
@Darren - On the one hand I can understand why a culture of cost-cutting and seniority makes US First Class cabins so unattractive. But on the other hand, the airlines which are known for great service (all non-US airlines) also pay their employees more. If you pay peanuts, you’ll get monkeys. I’ve had much better service in Business Class on American Airlines than in their First Class cabin.
@David Gutierrez - In general, I’ve found that foreign airlines have better service. I remember my first business class trip to Australia on United, and I left the plane thinking, “wow, this certainly was a waste of money if I had to pay for it myself.”
I second both Darren and David. International first class on legacy carriers is so bad I tell people stories about my experiences. A few months ago, I grudgingly flew United F from Frankfurt to Dulles. The so called “suite” was alright, but the service was terrible. I couldn’t pick more than one entree for dinner. Actually I think it was a good thing now that I look back as they were whitefish, bland chicken, or buffet steak. The snacks they served midflight were kit kat, snickers bars, and bananas which you had to peel yourself. No kiwis or berries. Also, drinks were poured in styrofoam cups. I was actually thinking about asking the FA if I could move back to the business cabin as it truly looked better…Thankfully I was redeeming Onepass miles.
Regarding taking the picture thing, is it allowed to photograph or video record the cabin?? I’ve seen quite a few youtube videos of travelers journeys during takeoff, landing, and also inflight but never knew if they had to do it covertly.
The decor photo is too funny
We are flying American F/Business (two-cabin plane) to Peru this Christmas. But, it was fewer miles than economy class so hey
Why did you fly AA metal using an award? Was there no award seats on BA?.
Can’t wait for my UA First Class from Brussels to Newark on Tuesday! Flew over to Paris on Lufthansa and while the food is the least attractive I’ve had since my FT and MP days, the service was absolutely stellar and just the way I like it – professional yet warm and friendly. They nailed it.
Looks like the trip home will just be extra room!
@Charles – Umm…I’m on a United F flight very soon so thanks for letting me know what I have in store! I’ve always found AA’s international business class to be much better (in terms of service) than First, so I totally agree about moving back to business!
I believe that you have to comply with crew member instructions, but the policy of photography varies by airline. Most airlines have no issue with your taking pictures if you feature in them. I can see why they’d be upset about taking a picture of hanging garbage bag!
@KateFromCA - Merry Christmas and safe travels! Hopefully you won’t get to see such cabin decor on your flight…
@Jason - I didn’t want to pay the taxes and surcharges especially since we paid it on our way to India.
@Steve Schwartz – Safe travels and Happy Holidays! I agree – Lufthansa has very good service.
Thanks for the photo! That’s exactly one of the reasons why I’d rather spend my AA miles on CX instead.
That’s disgraceful but then again become the norm of our airlines. I just do not understand how our airlines simply do not ‘get it’. Anyone I know who flies on airlines like Emirates, Singapore, Qantas etc are shocked to board any US airline.
You’d think the management and senior air crew would take a flight on foreign airlines every now and then to see what the competition is like, evidently not.
From old worn out planes, to zero inflight service, zero inflight entertainment, and staff that you’d think should be working at walmart or a gas station.
A solid meal on an hour flight abroad is not uncommon, versus a cup of soda and the possibility of a pack of pretzels on a cross-country flight here. Three to four meals in economy and unlimited snacks from the actual snack bar is also not uncommon abroad.
Then you have our airports, like LAX, which are literally stuck in the 80s and prior. Once again the airports abroad leave our airports in the dust.
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Well to all of you who complain about the service on the US airlines (all of them and mostly on AA today)…
This particular company has treated its employees very badly. If they made a decent salary that would permit them to live decently and not be forced to fly so many hours till they actually fall on their faces in order to make a decent living we would be able to provide a better service.
Also don’t forget that if the grey plastic bags are so offending that is what the “staff” is provided to work with so don’t point your finger at the staff but to the airline who gives them those very tool to work with and no place to actually put those bags either so they are creative.
If you have any food allergy please contact the airline in advance and they will be happy to provide you with a special meal.
Also stop pointing finger at the staff which is actually a term used for chamber maids and not flight attendants.
Have a good day !
One more thing… Do not compare any US airlines with a Asian company… Please be sure to count their number of “staff” or crew members against the numbers of crew members on the same airplane type on a US airlines. Maybe then will you stop complaining. Are you so incompetent that you need someone to take you by the hand to your next gate as well ?
Wow, someone got up on the wrong foot.
It doesn’t matter what the situation is. The typical service and equipment that you get on american carriers is sub par to international ones. All starting from check in time, to the lounge, to the trip.
I feel all carriers are in a downward spiral to cut costs… You know you can raise some prices no? I would definitely spend 10 or more% for a better experience (on a 3+ hour flight).
WHAT? We could raise fares??? That’s an idea. Ummmm, have you read ANY business or travel articles in the past 10 years? If we could raise fares, without passengers jumping to another carrier, we would. The fact is, unless all carriers do it, the carrier has to lower their prices back down to preserve market share. The “book away factor” is very real. If you raise the fares 20$ on a 150 seat plane, that’s $3000. If 10 people “book away” with another carrier because they are cheaper, you have lost the $3000. That’s why airlines have started charging ancillary fees for checked bags, etc…..these fees are not yet taxed like other airline revenue, so are pure profit. Until there is a complete overhaul in management at the major airlines, and possibly re-regulation, nothing will change. It is interesting to note that Southwest, which is a low-cost carrier, routinely posts profits, has happy employees, which are the among the highest paid, if not the highest paid in the industry. Oh, and did I mention they only offer peanuts and drinks? It starts with management and it works downward. Treat employees with respect, and fairness and you have happy employees, and happy passengers.
Maybe carriers need to identify their kinds travel where this is feasible. I’d say people are willing to spend an extra 10-15% more on the 3+ hour flights. I definitely prefer to flu Lan over AA when going on those routes.
How tough would it be to reintroduce a section of regular economy – in lieu of 2000s economy? Charge a little extra and give a few more amenities (just the regular stuff we had in the 90s…) Nothing fancy and not so expensive that money becomes the decision factor.
Someone said said to not compare the carriers in America vs other continents based on the number of crew members. Do they have more crew members? If so, they are still viable airlines offering better services on average. Modes the US have more crew? Then why do we get so little love? I think the unions are taking over completely here and ruining travel to all.