Review of American Airlines flight Washington → New York in Domestic First

Report No: 2020-1001

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to this long, 18 flight series of US domestic mileage runs that I took in October 2020. After COVID-19, the demand for premium travel within the USA has decreased for short distances so on some occasions Domestic First tickets in the USA could be really cheap if you book in advance. American Airlines had a deal of DCA-RDU r/t for $227 which would have given me 240 British Airways Executive Club Tier Points so I decided to take 3 of these runs to achieve Gold status in British Airways Executive Club.

Although I am a Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum member at the moment, unless things change, I am pretty sure that I would lose it in mid-2022 so I have started working on a back-up plan as oneworld Emerald status is a really valuable status for a frequent traveler.

So, welcome to the first of eighteen reports in this series where I would cover the Domestic First service on the American Airlines Shuttle flight from Washington-DCA to New York La Guardia onboard the Airbus A319.

Here is the routing
Part 1 

Part 2

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Part 3

Loads for this flight

Domestic First: 37.5% ( 3 out of 8 seats occupied )
Main Cabin: 10-15%  

WASHINGTON REAGAN AIRPORT - DCA

Here are the FIDS when I arrived at the airport. Alongside with a Delta flight to Detroit, our flight was one of the first flights of the day.

The main building, The National Hall, is currently under construction for the new Project Journey at the airport. 

The National Hall was empty with mostly construction workers present.

Here are AA aircraft at the apron

Security was a breeze with no wait. As you could see, the airside at Terminal B/C is empty.

Normally, I would have access to the Admirals Club, however, the club in Terminal B/C was closed due to low demand and the C club opened at 5:30 so it was not worth taking the shuttle bus to the C concourse to benefit from the club.

Some of the merchants were closed in the early hour, although some were already open.

The terminal was super empty

GATE AREA & BOARDING

30 minutes before departure, boarding had started with the respect of priorities. After a ConciergeKey passenger boarded, I was the second passenger to board the aircraft.

AA 2115 Washington Reagan AIRPORT TO New York LA GUARDIA AIRPORT

At the aircraft door, I was welcomed by two friendly cabin attendants, was handed a sanitizing wipe and then I took my seat.

This aircraft was equipped with the Oasis seats.

The overhead panel which was still the old Airbus version.

The seat had a power outlet, although did not have a USB port.

Here are the hand sanitizing wipes that the crew provided during boarding.

Just after boarding was completed, the cabin crew asked if we needed anything and offered drinks for those who wish.

Here is the seatback pocket: The American Way magazine and the safety card.

We have started our pushback on time and after a short taxi it was time to takeoff. That day, we were the second flight to takeoff as the Delta flight to Detroit has took off a few minutes before us.

And we're in the air

This aircraft was equipped with the Gogo Wi-Fi and Mobile IFE system.

Weather information for New York

Here are the Wi-Fi options for this flight which is expensive for a 30 minute flight.

AA has a wide variety of movies and TV shows available in their Mobile IFE system, although, as this flight was short, I didn't benefit from it.

After takeoff, I have visited the front lavatory which was clean at that time.

During the remainder of the flight, the crew did ask passengers if they needed anything.

And shortly later we started our descend. Here is New York's JFK airport.

And we had landed to La Guardia before our scheduled arrival time.

Terminal A at La Guardia which is located at an awkward location compared to other terminals.

The American Airlines hangars at LGA

That day, we were going to park at gate D10 at Terminal B.

And here is the first glimpse of the old C concourse which is under renovation

After we had parked, it was time to leave the aircraft and after saying goodbye to the crew I left the aircraft.

The journey would continue in the next report.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.