Review of American Airlines flight Los Angeles → Chicago in Domestic First

Greetings Flight Report community and thanks for stopping by. In this series I will present a really fun round-the-world party including Lufthansa, JAL, and ANA. While these are all familiar and sought after experiences for me I was able to bring a friend along this time and groom a new airline geek and Flight Report follower. We visited some fantastic lounges, saw some wonderful cities and were spoiled with culinary delights and divine intoxicants the entire way.

Carrier, route, equipment, class, lounge, and procurement method:

American Airlines - LAX-ORD - A321 - First - No Lounge - Cash (This Report)
Lufthansa - ORD-FRA - 747-8i - First - United Polaris Lounge - United Mileageplus
Lufthansa - FRA - PEK - A340-600 - First - Lufthansa First Class Terminal - United Mileageplus
Japan Airlines - PEK-HND - 787-8 - Business - BGS Premium Lounge (No Review) - United Mileageplus
ANA - NRT-LAX - 777-300ER - First - ANA Suite Lounges - Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

AA2452 LAX-ORD

I must say it was rather strange not visiting a lounge before departure. We could have hopped over to T6 and visited the Alaska Airlines Boardroom but at this early hour our goal was to get to the airport as late as possible and not miss our flight to maximize sleep at home. It was the day after Independence Day (July 4th) in the USA so it was a late night prior. We summoned a Lyft at around 0430 from Orange County and we made it to LAX in 45 minutes as traffic was non-existent. The airport itself was surprisingly busy and traffic to get around to T4 was thick. With the help of TSA Pre-check we were at the gate just prior to boarding. My travel companion is a newly minted "Trusted Traveler" (Global Entry and TSA Precheck "member") and began kicking himself for not doing this sooner once he experienced the Pre-check life.

Boarding began on time and I joined the Group 1 queue. I was wished good morning at the door and I found my seat. The aircraft was LAA and had a very nice interior with IFE. Of course these are no more. I really appreciate the design of this F seat with the extra table that folds out from the back of the arm rest in the row in front of us and also the small drink table that folds out in addition to your tray table. Of course there were no drinks offered to put on all of these nifty tables because, well, AA. There were no extenuating circumstances that prevented a PDB service such as a delay or some other issue on board with late catering, etc. They just didn't feel like it. It's incredibly minor but there are very few service opportunities to differentiate F from Y these days and PDB is one of them.


We pushed back on time and experienced a 26 minute taxi mostly just in Queue for 25R.



No drinks but we were thrown some earbuds, so that's nice.



Nice day for flying out of LAX.



I was dozing off for all of this flight but managed to awake at the offer of the first drink service where I requested a bloody mary and ice water.



It was possible to see the meal prep in the galley from my seat.



I admired the view out the window and wondered where we were but he moving map was INOP at that time. Eventually this would be corrected.



The flight attendant was pleasant and used my name when she was manifesting meals. She noted correctly that I had per-ordered the egg dish and confirmed this. Meals were distributed shortly there after. It was a fine meal for breakfast on an airplane. The omelette was hot and filled with cheese, the biscuit was warm and soft and the fruit was especially vibrant. I enjoyed everything I tasted.



After the trays were cleared the cabin was darkened and many napped but some worked of course. I conked out until we were over Iowa.



Drinks were offered again and I stuck with the water.



More dozing ensued until the announcements from the cockpit that we're close and the flight attendants should prepare the cabin for arrival. I always enjoy the tight turn over Lake Michigan and the city view on approach.



I suspect we landed on 27R because our taxi over to T3 was lengthy but a gate was avialable straight away and we arrived on time.



This is where the real party gets started.