This is the first leg of the return portion back to DC. I decided to add an extra leg and go through LAX on the return to maximize mileage earning and have enough time in LAX to go planespotting at the famous LAX In-N-Out Burger.
Washington Reagan DCA - Chicago O'hare ORD, American Airlines, B737-800, First Class
Chicago O'hare ORD - San Francisco SFO, Amercican Airlines, B737-800, First Class
San Francisco SFO - Los Angeles LAX, American Airlines, B737-800. First Class [THIS REPORT]
Los Angeles LAX - Chicago O'hare ORD, American Airlines, B737-800, First Class
[SOON]
Chicago O'hare ORD - Washington Reagan DCA, American Airlines, B737-800, First Class
[SOON]
A few pics of our visit to the Bay Area to start.
We took a day trip to the Napa Valley
Domaine de Chandon
Mumm Napa
The Golden Gate and San Francisco by Night
Early on the morning of departure, we drop of the rental car and then take the Skytrain from the rental car complex to the AA Terminal.
The Priority AAccess desk is not too busy.
The Terminal
Seems like the Thanksgiving crowds don't like to wake up early as the line at security is surprisingly short.
AA shares the Terminal with Virgin America. Having flown mostly DL in and out of SFO in the past, I find this Terminal much nicer than DL's.
Here is our 737-800, the first 738 in this routing in the old colors. I'm expecting that it has an old cabin as well.
An A321T at the gate next door headed to New York JFK
Boarding begins on time and happens in a rather leisurely way. It must be a California thing–normally there are hoards of gate lice blocking the way for First class boarding.
I am surprised to see that this plane is fitted with Boeing Sky Interior. The seats, however, are not the newer seats with PTVs that I had on the DCA-ORD segment.
So, although so far in this routing I've been on 3 737-800s, it's been a mixed bag of cabins and liveries. I've had new livery with new cabin with PTVs on DCA-ORD, New livery with old cabin on ORD-SFO, and now old livery with Boeing Sky Interior but older seats on this SFO-LAX leg. Same plane, many different flavors–you just never know what you'll end up with until you walk onboard.
My seat.
View from my seat.
Another 738 next door
As usual, the welcome message and many announcements are done on the overhead screens.
The boarding music is funky and pleasant. At the time it was Moby and Robert Miles, which reminded me of my teens, lol. All the while, images of natural wonders are played on the screens.
The A321 leaves for JFK
Pre-departure drink: choice of water or orange juice. No sparkling wine offered this time, though it's not surprising as it's early morning and it is a shorter flight.
Unitental
UA B787 in the distance
BSI ceiling with mood lighting.
Pushback is early and the taxi time is relatively short.
Video of takeoff on a typically grey and misty SFO winter day.
We take off as a UA A319 lands on the parallel runway.
Downtown San Francisco hidden by the clouds.
As we head further south, the clouds start to thin out and reveal the beautiful Californian landscape.
Once the FA's are released, they head into the cabin to take drink orders.
Coffee and Baileys for me.
Entertainment is played on the overhead screens, but with these gorgeous landscapes, there's no need for IFE for me!
Our very nice FA passes through the cabin to offer more drinks and snacks. She hangs out to chat for a bit asking me if I'm a photographer, as she saw that I was taking lots of pictures out the window. Not a photographer, just a geek :-)
Although we are flying over the desert interior, you can see the coast.
…And another Coffee and Baileys :-)
San Andreas fault?
Always amazing to see agriculture in the desert.
As we begin out descent, the scenery becomes a little greener.
We make a turn over the Pacific Ocean then turn back towards LAX.
There's a tiny Southwest Airlines 737 somewhere in this pic…
It's like playing Where's Waldo only with a plane with an ugly livery :-P
USC Stadium (University of Southern California).
Los Angeles Aqueduct
Really great views of downtown L.A. on approach to LAX.
Hollywood baby!
We arrive at the gate 10 minutes early
LAX all decked out for the Holidays.
Thanks for reading!
Great pictures of the natural IFE.
Thank you :-)
Thank you for sharing this FR with us!
You were unfortunate to get a 738 with the older seats even though it had BSI, I still think the amazing scenery makes up for that! Fantastic landscape shots!
Fantastic tourism bonus! The shots were impressive!
See you!
Thanks for your comments! Yeah, the old seats is no big deal as they are still very comfortable and no need for PTVs on a short flight like this. Glad you enjoyed the bonus :-)
Awesome shots!
Thanks Chibcha!
Great pictures from your flight down the California coast! Looks like it was a beautiful day for flying.
I like the photos as well of the new Sky Interior on the American 737. Coffee and Baileys also sounds good right about now!
All best,
Matthew
Thanks! Yes, once we got out of the Bay Area fog and rain it turned out to be a gorgeous day for flying! I really like the Boeing Sky Interior. Would be nice if Airbus had something similar. Coffee and Bailey's sounds good anytime :-)
Hope we'll see some reports from you in the future