Review of American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Charlotte in Domestic First

Report No: 2020-1014

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 fourteenth report in this series would be the last report onboard a Boeing aircraft in this series. This time I'll be flying the Project Kodiak cabin equipped Boeing 737-800 of American Airlines from Philadelphia to Charlotte. I would be also visiting the American Airlines Admirals Club in Philadelphia during my layover.

Here is the routing
Part 1 

Part 2

Part 3

Loads for this flight

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

PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT - PHL

After arriving from my previous flight, it was time to head towards the AA Admirals Club in Terminal B/C as it was the only oneworld lounge open at Philly at that time.

On the way, I spotted some construction going on at the brand new American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia that would open soon. It was nice to see workers over there as this meant that the project of a premium lounge in PHL is not cancelled.

There is also a British Airways Galleries Club Lounge at PHL but unfortunately, it's closed due to COVID.

FIDS

American Airlines ADMIRALS CLUB B/C - PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT

So I went to the only open oneworld lounge in Philadelphia which was the American Airlines Admirals Club at concourse B/C.

As you could see the lounge is spacious and there was plenty of seating available.

The bar was open such as there was an avocado toast station in the morning as well.

The espresso machine was working 

Here is my selection for breakfast

And here is a view of the apron from the club

GATE AREA & BOARDING

As our flight was going to depart from Terminal A-West which is the international terminal in PHL, I have left the club early as it involves a 10-15 minute walk.

At the entrance of the international concourse, there was a sign that no shops and concessions would be open in this concourse and indeed, all of them were closed.

I don't know what but there was an event in one of the gates in the previous days.

Our gate, A25 was located at the end of the concourse

Today's aircraft was going to be N932NN.

35 minutes before our scheduled departure time, boarding had started with the respect of priorities. During boarding, one of the supervisors were thanking passengers for choosing American while the gate agent was checking boarding passes.

Fuselage shot

AA 847 PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT TO CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT

After being welcomed by the crew, I took my seat 4F in the last row of the Domestic First cabin.

The legroom was great.

This aircraft was equipped with power outlets under the armrest and USB ports in the seatback in front.

The seatback pocket content was always the same

The overhead panel

American A319 passing by

American Eagle ERJ-175 passing through

After boarding was completed, the aircraft doors were shut and we had started our pushback

American 787 at one of the gates

DHL Boeing 767

UPS hangar

American Eagle ERJ-175 taking off

Another AA Eagle aircraft taking off

And another one, after a long taxi, we needed to wait for our turn as the runway queue was long that morning

American Airlines A321

American Eagle E-175

Another American Eagle E-175

The traffic in PHL is not surprising

American Airlines A321

American Eagle E-175

Another one

This time it's a Boeing

Another AA Eagle jet

And finally it's our turn. The runway queue at that time

And about 20-25 minutes after our scheduled departure time, we were gaining speed

And we've took off

Philadelphia downtown in the background

American Airlines A321's at remote stands, although there is one A319 between them

Some residential areas

Some more photos after takeoff

Last shot of PHL

Mobile IFE system provided by Viasat was available on this flight

Free live TV and free Apple Music was available too.

Weather information for Charlotte

Wi-Fi options for this flight

The entertainment menu

Live TV options

About a few minutes after takeoff, the crew came and asked for drink orders, I've opted for a Bloody Mary which was served with a Biscoff cookie.

By the way, I had a really funny neighbor, he attempted to speak on the phone during our taxi in PHL and was warned by the cabin crew and he asked for a chewing gum from the cabin crew during the flight and he was shocked when the crew said they don't have one. That gentleman was flying in First Class for the first time as he told to me.

IAD airport

Tysons, VA

IAD again

And a few minutes later, CLT

Yes, it's CLT

We're descending towards CLT

Downtown CLT

We're almost there

But, unfortunately, due to a reason I don't know, the pilot has skipped the runway and we were going to circle around one more time. The pilot has apologized for any inconvenience that might have been caused.

CLT

And some closer photos of downtown CLT

There is practice going on in the American Football field.

CLT again

And after a couple of minutes, we were back in descent.

And we've safely landed in our second attempt

US military jets

American Eagle CRJ passing by

The A319 that would operate my next flight to RDU was parked at gate D5.

American Airlines aircraft at concourse C

Some more including the A319 that I would fly later that day from Charlotte to Philadelphia.

Yes, here is N732US that would be covered in the seventeenth report of this series.

American Airlines A321 parked at gate C17

More American Airlines aircraft at Concourse B

And we were going to park at gate B13.

Next to this Boeing 737-800

CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT - CLT

After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft and directly headed to my onward departure gate as the delay caused by the runway queue in PHL and the pilot skipping the runway didn't allow me to visit the Admirals Club during this layover.

Also, as you might imagine, CLT was crowded as usual.

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