Review of American Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Washington in Economy

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.

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.

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

Then, the boarding pass has been created.

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.

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

After the security check, this AA 319 was visible

Terminal 4

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.

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.

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.

And this 787-9 aircraft heading to Tokyo

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

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.

Bar selection

View near the main buffet

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

Lounge FIDS

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.

GATE AREA AND BOARDING

Our aircraft, N131NN was visible from the terminal

Boarding was made from gate 42A.

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

Boarding had started on time and priorities were respected.

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.

Advertisements while opening the IFE system

IFE menu

Before takeoff, usual announcements were made.

Our route today

AA 738 next door at gate 42B

This A319 was pushed back to serve AA816 to Mexico City

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.

This 738 was going to Orlando this morning

An AA 738 and an AA A321 was parked at T5

N964JT would operate B6 424 to JFK

Hawaiian Airlines 757 to Kailua

Another AA 738

Another B6 A321, this time to Boston Logan

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

T5 & T6

N166SY, United Express flight to Vancouver

Didn't know that Ethiopian Airlines used Terminal 6

AC 787-9 had just landed from Toronto

Terminal 7

N29961 getting ready to serve UA 32 to Tokyo Narita

T7 & T8

AA Regional Terminal

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

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

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

KAL Cargo aircraft

Cargo aircrafts

At the runway

Southern apron

That A321 has landed

And we took of

Another view of LAX

El Segundo area

Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant

Manhattan Beach

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

And, the welcome announcement

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

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

Wi-Fi login portal

Wi-Fi packages

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

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.

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

Mobile entertainment still wasn't working

The seat pocket had the safety card, the inflight menu

Today's selections from the menu

Drink selection

and the American Way and the Nexos magazine

Our aircraft at the fleet

AA East Coast destinations

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.

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

Then, the landing announcement appeared on PTV's

Timberville, VA

South Fork Shenandoah River

Dickey Ridge, VA

Waterloo, VA

Last shot from the route map

Potomac River

Potomac Falls, VA

Sterling, VA

Metro construction

First view of IAD

Swiftair 738

And, we had landed

Cargo terminal

B6 E190, BA 744 and EY 789 in sight

Main building

Some construction work is being done

LH 748 getting ready for his flight to Frankfurt

N462AS would operate AS 849 to Seattle

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.

The AirTrain wasn't crowded and easily find a spot

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

A shot from the bus

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

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