Review of US Airways flight Vancouver Phoenix in First

Airline US Airways
Flight US239
Class First
Seat 1A
Aircraft Airbus A319
Flight time 02:30
Take-off 08 Jun 13, 14:35
Arrival at 08 Jun 13, 17:05
US 52 reviews
Quirrow
By 4151
Published on 23rd January 2014
US239 Vancouver YVR - Phoenix Sky Harbor PHX
STD-STA: 1429-1736
Actual: 1433-1706
A319-100 N834AW
Seat 1C to 1A

With the online check in completed at home, I was able to print the boarding passes using the automated kiosk just by scanning my passport. There was a queue to check the baggage and during security with only 2 lines open while the Nexus lane was closed. It was about a 15 minute wait before I crossed security, and it was only after the security officers opened another lane during the middle of the wait for Nexus card holders.

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Maple Leaf lounge at YVR

Immigration clearance was fast as is usually the case every time I travel to the States from YVR, so I was into the departure concourse in less than 20 minutes after depositing my bags, leaving me with more than an hour to spare in the Maple Leaf lounge. This is perhaps worth the premium for flying into the States from Canada since US immigration in their own airports are usually so crowded that waits of more than 30 minutes to clear immigration is common. Meanwhile at the lounge, the US Airways plane has not even arrived when I got myself some cookies and iced tea. Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounge is a pleasant place to be in and have a variety of magazines, more than my last visit.

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US Airways Airbus A319

Last call for boarding was called at around 2:10pm and I proceeded to gate 86 which is just one gate away from the lounge, so it was an easy walk. Upon boarding, the senior flight attendant asked very nicely if I could switch my aisle seats to allow a couple to be seated together and I obliged. The first class cabin is full at this time and there was one more pax in 2D who arrived last. When I enquired for space to put my carry on items, they mentioned it was packed but upon understanding my seat in First and given that I agreed to switch my seats, the senior FA ushered me to the overhead bins above row 3.

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Take-off from Richmond, BC

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Columbia river in Washington State

The FA even mentioned that she could bring my bag out once we took off and the service in this flight was one of the best I have experienced. Seats are like any other domestic first class and it was very well maintained. The FA asked me what I wanted for drinks and I got water without ice. There was a couple more passengers before the crew closed the door early and proceeded to the runway. It was an early departure and we took off on time if not for the long taxi time.

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Snacks and ginger ale onboard US Airways

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Bulkhead First Class on the Airbus A319

Service in this flight was just a choice of snack packs which included chips, mini pretzels and almonds. The FA would come back with the tray again later in the flight. Passengers were also asked for drink orders and I ordered one ginger ale. I have to say the FA catering the First cabin was very attentive, all the while offering passengers drinks and encouraging me to take more than one pack of snacks.

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Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah

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Aerial view of Grand Canyon, Arizona

Another positive to the flight was the views from the snow capped mountains of Washington to the salt flats in Utah and finally passing Grand Canyon. The view out of the window made me glad I had the window seat. The pilot also mentioned it while we were going to fly by Grand Canyon which I appreciated since three was no inflight monitors or moving map in the cabin. All things considered, this was perhaps my favourite intra-America flight to date.

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Sunset at Phoenix Sky Harbor
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Verdict

US Airways

6.3/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew9.0
Entertainment/wifi4.0
Meal/catering5.0

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Trans-Border

6.6/10
Comfort7.5
Meal/catering7.5
Entertainment/wifi6.5
Services5.0

Vancouver - YVR

8.0/10
Efficiency9.0
Access6.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness9.0

Phoenix - PHX

7.8/10
Efficiency8.0
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness8.0

Conclusion

Related

6 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 97776 by
    marathon GOLD 10117 Comments
    That is a case where a picture of the cabin is really missing, at least until you mention that there is no IFE and therefore no geovision (my favorite tool to keep track of potential sights).
    The shot of the Grand Canyon is amazing - only over deserts can you get such a crisp picture. Thanks for sharing !
  • Comment 97798 by
    Chibcha SILVER 540 Comments
    It seems like the service made up for what would have been a rather mediocre product, great views BTW!

    Thanks for sharing!
  • Comment 97802 by
    KévinDC TEAM SILVER 6668 Comments
    Thanks for sharing. Hopefully the new AA will bring the service levels up a bit on US...plastic cups in F have got to go...soooo cheap. Beautiful aerial pics, esp the Grand Canyon, wow!
  • Comment 97814 by
    KL651 TEAM 4534 Comments
    Thanks for this FR.
    That flight was memorable because of the views and the nice FA because otherwise US Airways sur has nothing to be excited about.
  • Comment 97875 by
    jetsetpanda 2283 Comments
    Thanks for this beautiful report.

    US catering in F for this flight is right down cheap and shameful when their competition serves a meal on flights that are about the same length in F with glassware and chinaware. For example, VX from SEA-LAX even offers printed menus. It's good to know that they intend to adopt AA's standards because their present policy of not serving a meal in F under 3.5 hrs is ridiculous. At least you got great service.
  • Comment 97930 by
    lagentsecret 12186 Comments
    Thanks for sharing this FR

    A great service halps to forget the cheap catering offer

    Great aerial views

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