Review of American Airlines flight Raleigh → Charlotte in Domestic First

Report No: 2020-1010

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.

The tenth report of this series would be a flight onboard the American Airlines 737-800 from Raleigh Durham to Charlotte. As the AA Admirals Club in Raleigh Durham was closed, there would be no lounge review in this report.

Here is the routing
Part 1 

Part 2

Part 3

Loads for this flight

Domestic First: 100%
Main Cabin: 95-100%  

RALEIGH DURHAM AIRPORT - RDU

After arriving from my previous flight from CLT, it was time to spend a couple of hours in RDU.

Here are the departure FIDS

As the American Airlines Admirals Club is closed for lounge services.

I decided to have a coffee at Starbucks.

Although there were people waiting, I have received my drink within 5 minutes after I ordered.

GATE AREA & BOARDING

After enjoying my coffee and making some phone calls at the seating area near Starbucks, it was time to head to our gate C15.

As the American Airlines protocol for 737-800 aircraft, boarding had started 35 minutes before scheduled departure time.

AA 508 RALEIGH DURHAM AIRPORT TO CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT

While entering the aircraft, two members of the cabin crew were talking by themselves and when I said "Hi", they responded to me but later on they continued to talk between each other. It's indeed not the best way to greet passengers.

Here is the Oasis seat, that you might be familiar with if you read the previous reports of this series.

Great legroom as usual

Same seat pocket content as usual

This aircraft was equipped with power outlets and USB ports.

After boarding was completed, we had pushed back

And after a short taxi, we were at the runway

Then we took off

UPS aircraft at the cargo apron of the airport

After we were in the air, the flight was pretty uneventful. The crew didn't appear other than collecting trash and landing checks; no service as usual and I slept for the majority of the flight.

This time, I haven't pictured it but mobile IFE and Wi-Fi by Viasat was available on this flight.

And we've landed at CLT on time.

American aircraft at Concourse D

Some more at Concourse C

The A320 that would operate the my next flight: CLT-PHL. By the way, that flight would be more eventful than this one.

And we have parked at Concourse B.

CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT - CLT

After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft and entered to the crowded CLT terminal.

It was now time to head towards the Admirals Club for my next flight.

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