After a good Transpacific flight on the AA 787, we had about 2 hours before our connecting flight to Washington, DC.
Unfortunately, just going through immigration and customs ate up about half of that time. It was very slow moving. I keep telling myself that I need to do Global Entry, but never get around to it.
There is a Flagship First Class lounge in Chicago, but given that we didn't have much time before boarding, we just went to the Admirals Club that was closest to our gate. The Admirals Club is in desparate need of some updating. It had a very vintage 80s/90s feel. On the positive side, it was large and spacious and not overly crowded.
And there were some nice views of the tarmac
There is also a view of downtown Chicago, with the Willis Tower dominating the skyline.
The Special World cup livery Lufthansa 748 "Fanhansa" prepares to take off
As we didn't have much time, we just grabbed some sparkling wine and a quick snack. The sparkling wine, a Prosecco, is considered a "premium" drink in the Admirals club, as in most U.S. lounges. As an Executive Platinum/oneworld Emerald, I received premium drink coupons on checking in at the Admirals club.
Pretty soon, it was time to board.
A pleasant surprise to be on a new 738 with the Boeing Sky Interior and new leather seats with IFE. For some reason, I've only gotten these on flights between Chicago and DC.
A look into the Main Cabin Extra section of Economy
Seat pitch is generous at 40" – the best legroom of any Domestic First class product
Nice big PTV–one of the best parts of the new cabins
The IFE is availabe from gate-to-gate so I was was able to continue a movie I didn't get to finish on the last flight.
Some sunset spotting out the window with an Iberia A330 and Unitental A320
The flight was staffed by a DC based crew, who, in my experience, are always super friendly.
Pre-departure drinks were offered, with a choice of full bar. I went for some sparkling wine.
Boarding was completed on time and the safety video was played on the PTVs as we pushed back.
Love that Boeing Sky Interior
Some spotting as we taxied to the runway
Delta 763 in SkyTeam livery heading off to Paris
AA 772ER
Some beautiful sunset colors as we take off over Chicago
About 20 minutes into the flight, there was a hot towel service.
Drink orders were taken. I went for more sparkling wine.
Drinks were served with warm nuts.
Last time I had flown a Chicago to DC flight in the evening, it was just a snack service, but is now a full meal service flight.
The meal choices were Shrimp & grits or Tortellini pasta.
I went for the Shrimp & grits, which I found very original as far as in-flight catering goes.
It was quite tasty, with the perfect level of seasoning and spice. The shrimp were well cooked.
Here's a look at the Tortellini option.
A warm cookie is served for dessert
The flight is only about 600 miles long and less than 1.5 hours of flying time, so it is definitely nice to have a full meal on a short flight like this.
Before I knew it, we had begun our descent, and the cabin was prepared for landing.
Having purposely chosen seats on the left side of the aircraft, I was hoping for the River approach, to see DC's monuments on landing. But we ended up approaching DCA from the South.
So instead, we got a view of Alexandria, a beautiful historic city.
Thanks for reading!
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Verdict
American Airlines
9.2/10
Cabin8.5
Cabin crew9.5
Entertainment/wifi9.5
Meal/catering8.5
American Airlines Admirals Club (Concourses H/K) - 3
5.6/10
Comfort5.5
Meal/catering5.5
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Services5.5
Chicago - ORD
7.0/10
Efficiency5.0
Access8.0
Services8.0
Cleanliness7.0
Washington - DCA
9.1/10
Efficiency9.5
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
A very good short flight onboard one of AA's newer 738s. I really like the new cabin with the Boeing Sky Interior. The service was great with a very friendly and attentive DC-based crew. A full meal on a short 1.5 hour flight is definitely above average by U.S. airline catering standards and AA gets points for creativity with the shrimp & grits.
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Hi! Thanks for your comments. It would definitely be nice if European Business class had real business class seats, but I don't ever see it happening. I'm not sure if I will stay with AA. I've got status through 2017, so I'll fly AA until at least then, but I will probably start flying different carriers from different alliances. With the new devaluation, there's not much point to being loyal anymore. I'm already cheating on AA/oneworld with a flight tonight on B0
Thanks for your comments! The new cabins are nice--AA has stepped up their game on hard product...at least if you're lucky enough to get a new cabin. And it is definitely good to have a meal on such a short flight.
Thank you for stopping by! I don't think UA or DL serve meals on such short flights. At least DL didn't when I was a Medallion. The quality and quantity can be hit or miss, but I'm usually pretty happy with the catering overall. Thanks for your comments!
I'm glad you got one of the newer 738s with a clean, comfortable and modern cabin. The IFE looks great, very similar or identical to the IFE QR uses in their A350s (in Y).
A full meal service on a 1,5 h flight is impressive.
Hej, thanks for your comments! The new cabin is very nice and the IFE is great. Too bad these planes are still very rare--I've flown on tons of AA 738s and have had the new cabin only twice.
"Nice shots before arrival at DCA!" - Thanks! So you don't think they're "repulsive night shots" like NGO85? haha
Hi Kevin and thanks for sharing this last segment of your series.
I think Global Entry would truly make a difference and you get TSA Pre-Check when you apply for it. I have submitted my application a few weeks ago and I am still waiting for them to contact me for the interview.
Great spotting and aerials. Your meals look good and it's always nice to have a friendly crew aboard.
"I need to do Global Entry, but never get around to it. " - LAX has never been a problem for me, but I also finally got around applying last week for GlobalEntry. The TSA PreCheck portion of GlobalEntry is even more valuable lol^^
"As an Executive Platinum/oneworld Emerald, I received premium drink coupons on checking in at the Admirals club. " - How many do Emeralds get? The lounge looks like it is in bad shape, much like most of ORD, lol.
You are lucky to have gotten the new cabin on this flight, I've only seen it once so far and that was LAX-IAD, these cabins are nice even in Y with the IFE. I'm a little dissapointed they kept those super cheesy wing cup holders. I hated those things on the old B738s.
The catering looks empty like on Mick's report. Without a real starter, the the tray looks so naked. I do agree that the mains are getting better and the shrimp and grits would have been my choice too, but overall the meal is not very substantial for a dinner time service.
Thanks for the repulsive night shots^^ I'll forgive you in exchange for your spotting at ORD, the DL B767 in ST livery probably brings back good memories ;)
Thanks for sharing and finishing this series Kevin, next PTY?
Thanks for the comment! Sorry, I guess I missed it before. Considering it's only a 1 hour flight, it's unusual to have a meal at all on such a short flight in the U.S. Normally you only get the snack basket on such short flights. Thanks for stopping by :-)
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15 Comments
I love this cabin. Wish we would have these on our European network...
Are you staying with AA after the last evolution ?
Thanks !
Thanks for this great report, seems that AA product is being upgraded! I would not have expected a full hot meal on a short sector like this.
Thanks for sharing this report. Catering looks great on a short flight; AA really excels in their meals on domestic flights in F.
Best,
Matthew
Great sunset spotting shots at ORD!
I'm glad you got one of the newer 738s with a clean, comfortable and modern cabin. The IFE looks great, very similar or identical to the IFE QR uses in their A350s (in Y).
A full meal service on a 1,5 h flight is impressive.
Nice shots before arrival at DCA!
Have a good one, see you.
"Nice shots before arrival at DCA!"
- Thanks! So you don't think they're "repulsive night shots" like NGO85? haha
I think Global Entry would truly make a difference and you get TSA Pre-Check when you apply for it. I have submitted my application a few weeks ago and I am still waiting for them to contact me for the interview.
Great spotting and aerials. Your meals look good and it's always nice to have a friendly crew aboard.
- LAX has never been a problem for me, but I also finally got around applying last week for GlobalEntry. The TSA PreCheck portion of GlobalEntry is even more valuable lol^^
"As an Executive Platinum/oneworld Emerald, I received premium drink coupons on checking in at the Admirals club. "
- How many do Emeralds get? The lounge looks like it is in bad shape, much like most of ORD, lol.
You are lucky to have gotten the new cabin on this flight, I've only seen it once so far and that was LAX-IAD, these cabins are nice even in Y with the IFE. I'm a little dissapointed they kept those super cheesy wing cup holders. I hated those things on the old B738s.
The catering looks empty like on Mick's report. Without a real starter, the the tray looks so naked. I do agree that the mains are getting better and the shrimp and grits would have been my choice too, but overall the meal is not very substantial for a dinner time service.
Thanks for the repulsive night shots^^ I'll forgive you in exchange for your spotting at ORD, the DL B767 in ST livery probably brings back good memories ;)
Thanks for sharing and finishing this series Kevin, next PTY?
Thanks for the FR, great cabin and meal even if it's too light for an evening one (no starter).
I just booked myself on the same flight in about three weeks, I have my fingers crossed for a new interior bird!
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