Review of American Airlines flight Los Angeles Washington in Economy

Airline American Airlines
Flight AA1339
Class Economy
Seat 09A
Aircraft Airbus A321
Flight time 04:56
Take-off 08 Oct 18, 09:50
Arrival at 08 Oct 18, 17:46
AA   #69 out of 96 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 591 reviews
ISTFlyer
By SILVER 1038
Published on 18th October 2018

The class of this flight is considered as Main Cabin Extra and the product is an economy class seat with more legroom so I consider this flight as Economy instead of Premium Economy.



Trip Overview:

This long weekend trip to Los Angeles was my first trip since I moved to the US. I have chosen American Airlines due to my oneworld Sapphire status and its privileges. Flying from DCA to LAX was $100 expensive than flying from IAD for each direction. So, this trip would include two trip reports of American's regular domestic product for a trans continent flight.




Routing



Pax for this flight
Domestic First: %100
Main Cabin: %95-100




ONLINE CHECK-IN



I have checked-in online for this flight 24 hours before scheduled departure time.

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As my prebooked seat was the best seat at the moment, I haven't changed it

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Then, the boarding pass has been created.

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LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - LAX



My gate was changed to 42A instead of 53A so I have arrived to Terminal 4, approximately 55 minutes before scheduled departure time.

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As I didn't have any checked baggage, I have directly proceeded to the priority checkpoint lane.
The security check was cleared in 5-10 minutes

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After the security check, this AA 319 was visible

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Terminal 4

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AMERICAN AIRLINES FLAGSHIP LOUNGE T4 - LAX



I had the goal to both explore the oneworld Lounge in TBIT and the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, but due to the time and being in Terminal 4, today's selection was the American Airlines Flagship Lounge.

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While checking-in to the Admirals Club, the lounge staff gives the passenger a Flagship Lounge invitation if the passenger is eligible to access this lounge. I was able to access this lounge by my oneworld Sapphire card ( British Airways EXEC Silver ). American Airlines domestic First passengers without a OW status ( excluding status from AA ) aren't eligible for this lounge.

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The lounge was busy that day so I could have found a seat at a quiet corner. This AA 787 assigned for the Beijing flight was visible from the lounge.

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And this 787-9 aircraft heading to Tokyo

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A small drink buffet near to the entrance. Fresh orange juice was available during breakfast time.

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Food selections at the main buffet. There were plenty of hot breakfast selections available as well as Asian food selections as passengers in the lounge were mostly passengers traveling to the Far East.

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In addition to the buffets, a personalized breakfast burrito bar was present. Lounge guests can select their ingredients and create their own burrito. This process is similar to TK's personalized omelette service at IST.

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Bar selection

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View near the main buffet

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While I took my food, this LATAM aircraft arrived to gate 159

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Lounge FIDS

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While leaving the lounge, I took a cup of coffee which can be both served in porcelain cups or plastic cups. This is a great service as passengers can drink their coffee during boarding and at the aircraft. Also chocolate is offered at the desk located at the entrance of the Flagship Lounge.

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GATE AREA AND BOARDING



Our aircraft, N131NN was visible from the terminal

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Boarding was made from gate 42A.

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As there wasn't enough seats for everyone people were standing in front of the boarding lanes.

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Boarding had started on time and priorities were respected.

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AA 1339 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT



I was welcomed by the cabin supervisor while boarding the aircraft.

Seat:

The seat was comfortable and the legroom for Main Cabin Extra seats are absolutely good.

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Like the aircraft on the previous flight, this A321 also had personal TV's installed on all seats.

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Advertisements while opening the IFE system

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IFE menu

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Before takeoff, usual announcements were made.

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Our route today

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AA 738 next door at gate 42B

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This A319 was pushed back to serve AA816 to Mexico City

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Then the safety video started to play for the first time but there was no crew at row 11 to demonstrate the safety features at the emergency exit row which IFE screens are stowed away for takeoff. So, the video was played for a second time after the steward came with the demo set.

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This 738 was going to Orlando this morning

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An AA 738 and an AA A321 was parked at T5

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N964JT would operate B6 424 to JFK

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Hawaiian Airlines 757 to Kailua

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Another AA 738

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Another B6 A321, this time to Boston Logan

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Alaska Airlines A319 taxiing to the runway for its flight to Portland

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T5 & T6

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N166SY, United Express flight to Vancouver

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Didn't know that Ethiopian Airlines used Terminal 6

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AC 787-9 had just landed from Toronto

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Terminal 7

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N29961 getting ready to serve UA 32 to Tokyo Narita

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T7 & T8

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AA Regional Terminal

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N989NN is also at the takeoff queue, getting ready to fly to Atlanta

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Alaska 738 parked at the apron, waiting for its flight AS9660 to Vegas

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After seeing that aircraft it was our turn to depart, this AA A321 was landing while we gained speed

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KAL Cargo aircraft

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Cargo aircrafts

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At the runway

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Southern apron

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That A321 has landed

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And we took of

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Another view of LAX

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El Segundo area

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Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant

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Manhattan Beach

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And we're over the clouds, the cabin crew asked passengers to close their window blinds as sunlight was directly targeting the aircraft

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And, the welcome announcement

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Today, instead of AA InflightWifi, gogo Wi-Fi was available.

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At that moment, PTV's were showing the recent IFE additions

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Wi-Fi login portal

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Wi-Fi packages

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When trying to open the mobile entertainment page, there was an error

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Route map at that time

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Shortly after takeoff, the first and the only service for this flight has begun, most of the passengers bought selections from the BoB menu but I wanted to have some of the complimentary pretzels. Unfortunately, no snacks were loaded that day so I only had my apple juice.

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IFE - AA 1339 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT



Today there were many movies and TV programs available to watch, I have chosen only one movie to watch during this flight

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Mobile entertainment still wasn't working

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The seat pocket had the safety card, the inflight menu

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Today's selections from the menu

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Drink selection

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and the American Way and the Nexos magazine

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Our aircraft at the fleet

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AA East Coast destinations

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Some route information

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15 minutes later than I took these photos an electricity error has been occurred and the IFE system and the Wi-Fi was rebooted. I was using the T-Mobile 1 hour complimentary Wi-Fi and free messaging during the flight option but after this reboot I wasn't able to reaccess to my free texting.

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Then I visited the rear lavatory as the one near door 3L had a long queue. This lavatory was cleaner than the last flight but still dirty. When I left the lavatory, I have realized that one of the cabin crews were sleeping at the rear galley.

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While watching my movie, a water run was made and one of the crews served water for those passengers who wished to have one. This was the only drink service except the main service.

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Route map as I finished my movie. The part that we have before the reboot isn't visible on the route map

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After the seatbelt signs had been turned on, I have opened the window blind to take some scenery photos starting with Sugar Grove, WV

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Then, the landing announcement appeared on PTV's

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Timberville, VA

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South Fork Shenandoah River

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Dickey Ridge, VA

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Waterloo, VA

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Last shot from the route map

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Potomac River

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Potomac Falls, VA

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Sterling, VA

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Metro construction

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First view of IAD

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Swiftair 738

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And, we had landed

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Cargo terminal

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B6 E190, BA 744 and EY 789 in sight

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Main building

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Some construction work is being done

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LH 748 getting ready for his flight to Frankfurt

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N462AS would operate AS 849 to Seattle

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WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT - IAD



Then we have arrived to gate B71 which is near to the B concourse AirTrain station.

After disembarking the aircraft, I have directly headed to the AirTrain station.

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The AirTrain wasn't crowded and easily find a spot

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After reaching the main building, I have waited the Silver Line Express Shuttle which would take me to the subway station.

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A shot from the bus

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Later on, I used the subway to reach my address.

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And, this Flight-Report series has came to an end.
See more

Verdict

American Airlines

6.4/10
Cabin8.5
Cabin crew5.5
Entertainment/wifi6.5
Meal/catering5.0

American Airlines Flagship Lounge - 4

9.1/10
Comfort8.5
Meal/catering10.0
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Services9.5

Los Angeles - LAX

7.5/10
Efficiency8.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness8.0

Washington - IAD

8.5/10
Efficiency9.0
Access8.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness8.0

Conclusion

LAX
(+) Wait time at checkpoint
(+) Priorities respected while boarding
(-) Not enough seating at boarding gates
AA Flagship Lounge T4
(+) Food & drink selection
(+) Comfortable furniture
(+) Great ambiance
(+) Great scenery
(+) Personalized breakfast burrito service
(+) Nice idea of plastic coffee cups for passengers who would like to enjoy their drink during the flight
(+) Lounge staff
(-) Difficult to find an empty seat
AA1339
(+) Comfort of seat and legroom
(+) IFE content ( the amount and recent selections )
(-) No snacks were loaded onboard
(-) Drink runs weren't made ( only one water run except the main service )
(-) Mobile IFE system didn't work
(-) gogo Inflight Wi-Fi & IFE issues, no apologize by the crew
(-) Some of the crew were sleeping at the rear galley during the flight
(-) Lavatories weren't clean
IAD
(+) Efficient at domestic arrivals
(+) Access to public transportation

This flight-report series has came to an end and I was satisfied of American's domestic product as it is better than I imagined. First, LAX T4 wasn't crowded that day so I have cleared the security check within 10 minutes from the Priority Line, the waiting time for regular lines seemed to be 15-20 min which isn't that bad. The Flagship Lounge was amazing and I wish I could have stayed more there. There were many food options and beverages than I imagined and the food tasted very well. In addition, the burrito bar seemed perfect but due to the lack of time I couldn't experienced it and I hope to experience in my next morning visit. Also I would like to note that due to the morning flights to Beijing and Shanghai, the lounge was crowded and it's difficult to find seats. Boarding started on time and priorities were respected today. Onboard today's aircraft, the regular Main Cabin Extra rows had got a decent legroom and the seat was comfortable. Also, the entertainment system had a great content in it, but had some issues during the flight. Firstly, the mobile entertainment system didn't worked at all. Secondly, I was able to use the T-Mobile 1 hour free data and unlimited messaging option but after a electrical problem in the cabin the system rebooted and I wasn't able to re-login and the system showed the error "You have already used this service today." Also, the reboot of the entertainment system was annoying that I waited 30 minutes to continue enjoying my movie but the screen automatically continued my movie at the point which the systems were shut down. Another negative point about this flight was that no snacks were loaded and the only option to eat food was buying the three main options, and also the some of the crew were lazy so were sleeping in the galley and haven't done the second drink service, only 2/4 crews were awake at that time ( 1 was in charge of First ) so the only cabin crew, which was in charge of the Main Cabin and was professional & awake during the whole flight, had done a water run by herself. The IAD experience was a regular arrival experience as there was nothing special.

To conclude, not loading snacks to the flight and sleeping crews at the galley were unprofessional movements but I think that this flight experience was exceptional and this won't occur to me again. These unexpected events can occur at any airline and their possibility to happen are very low. Thanks to the experience at the Flagship Lounge and the IAD-LAX flight was perfect so I would definitely use American Airlines again and continue to use my oneworld privileges with them.

Information on the route Los Angeles (LAX) Washington (IAD)

2 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 470786 by
    757Fan 632 Comments
    Thanks for sharing. I am amazed that AA only came through once offering a full service on such a long flight. I would have expected there to be at least more than one!
    • Comment 470789 by
      ISTFlyer SILVER AUTHOR 399 Comments
      Hi 757Fan and thanks for stopping by,

      In normal conditions, the crew should have done food and drink runs during the flight but the some of the crew members were lazy and they hid in the galley and I even saw one of them sleeping in the crew seat at the back galley. Also, they haven't loaded those complimentary snacks which was an unprofessional movement. If regular AA process was followed, I am sure that there would be a second trolley run on this route.

      Also I would like to thank you for your comment and take care.

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