Review of American Airlines flight Dallas/Fort Worth San Francisco in Domestic First

Airline American Airlines
Flight AA 1393
Seat 5B
Aircraft Boeing 737-800
Flight time 03:38
Take-off 05 Jan 16, 17:00
Arrival at 05 Jan 16, 18:38
AA   #69 out of 95 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 591 reviews
jetsetpanda
By 1682
Published on 27th February 2016
Hi and welcome to this short DFW-SFO segment of my quick turnaround at the beginning of the year.

After I arrived in DFW from MSY, I headed to the AMEX Centurion Lounge located in terminal D.

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AMEX Centurion Lounge.

I paid my $50 fee upon presenting my AMEX card and requested a shower to freshen up. This particular lounge had 2 shower suites which helped shorten the waiting time in case it got busy.


Exterior.

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Entrance.

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Shower suite.




Looks like the handheld shower needs some repair tightening.

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Lounge interior.

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Hallway to the dining area.

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Buffet with hot dishes by chef Dean Fearing. The meatloaf was delicious with the right amount of heat.




My choices.

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There are a few things wrong with this scene.

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This AMEX lounge seemed a bit busier and more crowded than the SFO one which is the only one that I can compare it to. I personally prefer the aesthetics of the SFO one, but the DFW has more than one shower which is a nice advantage.

I then headed out to the gate to board my flight home.

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Standard greeting at the door and upon sitting down I noticed a piece of trash under the seat in front. How can a cleaning crew miss this?

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Cabin.

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Earphones and blankets were on the seats and the FA made a quick pass with pre-dept. beverages.

After take off, hot towels were distributed followed by warm nuts and beverage of choice. I had the usual 1/2 orange and 1/2 cranberry.

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My pre-ordered meal was acknowledged and I chose the beef filet with lobster macaroni. Finally a meal worthy of F…or so I thought. The piece of beef was small and cooked too well for my liking. However the lobster shreds complemented the creaminess of the macaroni and cheese well. Some will argue that melted cheese is not real cheese but a bastardized version of the original. One must understand that Americans love "gooey" things and this is exemplified by melted cheese in savory things or melted chocolate and caramel in sweets.

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Vegetarian appetizer.

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Salad with bacon and cherry tomato halves accompanied by ranch dressing.

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Sweet and salty ice cream sundae with pretzel pieces and chocolate shavings. Is this supposed to be "experimental"?

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Verdict

American Airlines

8.1/10
Cabin8.0
Cabin crew9.0
Entertainment/wifi7.5
Meal/catering8.0

AMEX Centurion Lounge

8.8/10
Comfort8.0
Meal/catering9.0
Entertainment/wifi9.0
Services9.0

Dallas/Fort Worth - DFW

8.5/10
Efficiency8.0
Access9.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness9.0

San Francisco - SFO

9.0/10
Efficiency9.0
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0

Conclusion

An average flight with AA that had a good meal despite the small size of the beef and and the fact that it was very well done to my liking. The taste was good and the macaroni cheese with lobster was satisfying. The appetizer could be better with a protein side.

Cleaning needs to do a better job, especially in a F cabin. The piece of trash on the seat in front with something red is disgusting.

We left a few minutes late and arrived a couple of minutes late (less than 5 min.) so it wasn't such a big deal.

Information on the route Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) San Francisco (SFO)

18 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 158573 by
    marathon GOLD 10114 Comments
    There are a few things wrong with this scene.
    - A woman with two men ? None of the three watching the game on TV ? The cup of coffee likely to be cold be the time the man has finished eating ? The luggage on the far right not having a name tag ? It can't be the man being barefoot : he had had a shower and was careful not to placing them in unclean socks and shoes ;)

    The stuff which had been melted on the macaroni was not cheese to start with, but so-called American cheese, a gastronomic oxymoron :)

    Thanks for sharing !
  • Comment 158574 by
    jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
    Perhaps I tend to over rationalize things, but this scene in which the two people on the left are so absorbed in their electronics is reflective of the isolation of the individual in today's society with its lack of social skills like interacting with others and most importantly - etiquette.

    The fact that the woman is barefoot and displaying her feet with complete disregard in an exclusive environment is bothersome. Her continuing to do so when the man is eating in front of her shows a lack of courtesy and the sight is less than appetizing. Let alone get into a debate whether her feet are offensive to one's olfactory sense. I can't understand how the man can continue to eat under this setting. I wonder if the U.S. is the only country where the supreme and God giving right of the individual trumps out everything and everyone else. What a stark contrast to other places like Japan where the welfare of the community or society takes precedence over the individual.

    The stuff which had been melted on the macaroni was not cheese to start with, but so-called American cheese, a gastronomic oxymoron :)
    - At least the lobster was not a by-product of fish. :P When in Rome do as the Romans they say.

    Thank you for your comments Marathon.
    • Comment 335617 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Yes and no. Back then with the TV it was a one way communication and people still had to interact with friends and the outside. The technology nowadays has become interactive to the point that the individual can be completely shut down from the outside. We communicate with others through tweets, texts or videos and our self worth can now be measured based on how many followers or replies we get.
    • Comment 335464 by
      marathon GOLD 10114 Comments
      I was trying hard to not understand your hint for humorous reasons, but I had of course full understood what you meant, and I agree with you.
    • Comment 335472 by
      lagentsecret 12186 Comments
      the two people on the left are so absorbed in their electronics
      I disagree : it was the same since a long time ago. The only difference is that the electronics have replaced the TV
  • Comment 158591 by
    lagentsecret 12186 Comments
    Thanks for sharing this FR

    50 usd entrance fee is a bit expensive in my opinion

    Is Dean fearing a famous chef ?

    There are a few things wrong with this scene.
    The TV and maybe the bare feet ? ;)

    the beef filet with lobster macaroni
    Interesting meal for once, except the melted cheese as you said, but anyway it wasn't well executed with this overcooked meat

    The ice cream looks good

    See you soon
    • Comment 335618 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      50 usd entrance fee is a bit expensive in my opinion
      - It could be but you need to factor in how much you get in return. The key is your perception of value. If you feel satisfied with your purchase, then the amount paid was worth every cent. In my case I was able to get a relaxing shower, eat decently and have a new experience under my belt, so I was happy.

      Is Dean fearing a famous chef ?
      - In some circles he is. Do you think many people would know who Serge Gainsbourg is in that lounge? ;)

      The TV and maybe the bare feet ? ;)
      - Maybe it is all in the mind of the viewer. :P What would have Magritte said about this scene? Ceci n'est pas une pipe

      Interesting meal for once, except the melted cheese as you said, but anyway it wasn't well executed with this overcooked meat
      - I agree. On other versions that I have seen, this beef is served with a pesto sauce on top. I then becomes an Italian-American dish, don't you think? ;) Maybe a touch of foie gras will add refinement and it would truly be worthy of a F class meal.

      I don't see any pretzel in the sundae.
      - In this case it was mixed inside the ice cream. I took a bite and was perplexed for a second.

      Merci Gilbert.
    • Comment 335621 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Sorry about the last comment. It was intended for Indianocean. :P
  • Comment 158611 by
    lsmick3 35 Comments
    One must understand that Americans love gooey things and this is exemplified by melted cheese in savory things or melted chocolate and caramel in sweets.
    Thank you so much for that comment! It validates all of my opinions of most mainline American food. Perhaps they should have deep-fried the lobster macaroni...?
    • Comment 335619 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Thank you so much for that comment! It validates all of my opinions of most mainline American food.
      - Glad to be of help.

      Perhaps they should have deep-fried the lobster macaroni...?
      - And also serve fried chocolate bars as dessert to complete the ensemble. ;)

      Thank you Lsmick3 for stopping and commenting.
  • Comment 158617 by
    indianocean SILVER 7572 Comments
    I like this concept of AMEX Centurion Lounge across the US. More enjoyable than the standard US lounges.
    Perhaps more shower booths are needed.

    I thought you were a Platinum member. That's why I was surprised to read that you paid to get in.

    There are a few things wrong with this scene.--> if the guy in a suit likes the smelly feet whilst he's eating, I don't see where is the problem. It adds some taste to the meal (LOL)

    I chose the beef filet with lobster macaroni--> I would have prefered lobster with macaroni, but hey, it's a US airline.

    I don't see any pretzel in the sundae.

    Thank you Adan.
    • Comment 335620 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      I like this concept of AMEX Centurion Lounge across the US. More enjoyable than the standard US lounges.
      - I think AA's Admiral clubs were part of the benefits and every since they pulled out, AMEX decided to give more value to its card members by creating their own lounges. This became a welcome development since it had forced U.S. airlines to rethink their offerings and update their lounges. Nothing like competition to set the bar higher.

      I thought you were a Platinum member. That's why I was surprised to read that you paid to get in.
      - I'm PLT inside, not outside. ;)

      if the guy in a suit likes the smelly feet whilst he's eating, I don't see where is the problem. It adds some taste to the meal (LOL)
      - Maybe you are right, there were other places to sit. To each his own. :P

      I don't see any pretzel in the sundae. Oops, I mistakenly placed in comment in Lagentsecret's reply.
      - In this case it was mixed inside the ice cream. I took a bite and was perplexed for a second.

      Thank you Bernard.
  • Comment 158842 by
    NGO85 SILVER 1963 Comments
    Thanks again Adan for sharing!

    The Centurion Lounge has excellent food offerings, but the $50 entry fee is a little steep IMO especially considering how crowded it is inside (not really an escape from the masses). That said, when you need a shower, you need a shower no matter the cost! The abundance of L'Occitane products is nice.

    There are a few things wrong with this scene.
    - You should have offered to massage those feet...

    How can a cleaning crew miss this?
    - Same observation on a DL flight. A wrapper was right in front of my seat in plain sight. Unacceptable since the plane was on the ground in DTW for 2+ hours between flights.

    Finally a meal worthy of F...or so I thought.
    - At first glance, that looks a pretty generous portion. I think that is a standard beef portion (size of a fist), we just get used to American-sized portions. The lobster pasta is a nice accompaniment. The starter looks good, but the salad looks long-haul Y (if you take away the bacon).

    PS - You got the fancy pink tug^^
    • Comment 335706 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      .. but the $50 entry fee is a little steep IMO especially considering how crowded it is inside (not really an escape from the masses).
      - Paying the $50 fee is less painful here than at AA or UA clubs. I guess everything is relative. L'Occitane products were available in sample size at the SFO AMEX lounge. I guess at DFW they are more cost effective.

      You should have offered to massage those feet...
      - What I should have done is offer to take a picture of them for Foot Fetish Illustrated. :P

      The starter looks good, but the salad looks long-haul Y (if you take away the bacon).
      - The starter and the salad are kind of repetitive. Why not mix them together and call it an appetizer salad.

      You got the fancy pink tug^^ ???

      Thank you Michael for your comments as usual.
    • Comment 335707 by
      NGO85 SILVER 1963 Comments
      Paying the $50 fee is less painful here than at AA or UA clubs. I guess everything is relative.
      - Very true indeed, the value is much greater here than any other domestic lounge I've seen.

      The starter and the salad are kind of repetitive. Why not mix them together and call it an appetizer salad.
      - Well, this problem could be easily solved by serving proteins-based appetizers too ;)

      You got the fancy pink tug^^ ???
      - In the picture of your plane from the jetbridge, there is a pink tug for pushback!
    • Comment 335748 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      In the picture of your plane from the jetbridge, there is a pink tug for pushback!
      - Oh yes...I was pushed by a pink Texan tug. Who would have thought?
  • Comment 158975 by
    socalnow 976 Comments
    Thanks for the report Jetsetpanda.

    There are a few things wrong with this scene.
    -I'll add the man-bun to the list.

    This AMEX lounge seemed a bit busier and more crowded than the SFO one which is the only one that I can compare it to.
    -I was going to comment that it looked like a light crowd by DFW standards. That lounge gets so crowded it's unusable.

    One must understand that Americans love gooey things and this is exemplified by melted cheese in savory things or melted chocolate and caramel in sweets.
    -So true, LOL! How we can take something as beautiful and alive as cheese and reduce it to that is shameful. But we have other good qualities...

    Thank you again and happy flying.
    • Comment 335820 by
      jetsetpanda AUTHOR 2283 Comments
      Thank you Christian for your comments.

      Yes, the man-bun is an eyesore in my humble opinion, but to each his own. ;)

      I was going to comment that it looked like a light crowd by DFW standards. That lounge gets so crowded it's unusable.
      - That defeats the purpose of the lounge, which is supposed to be an oasis of tranquility.

      But we have other good qualities...
      - There are always two sides to a coin. ;)

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