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

Report No: 2020-1016

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 sixteenth report of this series would be a flight from Raleigh Durham to Charlotte onboard the American Airlines Airbus A319. As expected, the AA Club in RDU was closed so I was unable to report it through the entire series. If I need to take the same/similar mileage run in the future, I hope to see the AA Club in RDU open so I could review it for the first time here in Flight-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, I had about 2h15mins to spend in RDU.

The American Airlines Admirals Club was closed so,

Similar to last time, I had decided to have a drink at Starbucks while I use the seating area over there which have power outlets and enjoy the time on my laptop.

This time, I've opted for a cold drink as it was warm

FIDS

GATE AREA & BOARDING

It wasn't surprising that our flight was departing from gate C15 and the gate area was occupied before the flight. All my 3 arrivals and 3 departures at RDU in this mileage run series have arrived/departed at/from gate C15.

Boarding had started 30 minutes before departure with priorities being respected. I was one of the first ones to board.

AA 508 RALEIGH DURHAM AIRPORT TO CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT

After being recognized by the same crew from my previous flight, I was welcomed back, handed a hand sanitizing wipe and headed to my seat 02A for this flight.

Although, as a couple was seated separately, one of them have asked me to swap seats. I have agreed to swap 2A for 1A.

The seat pocket content in 1A isn't different

Such as the power options, no USB though onboard this aircraft

The hand sanitizing wipe that was provided

Our neighbor was this AA A319 that was going to head to Philadelphia later in the day.

By the way, during the boarding process, the lead FA made the mistake of starting her announcement like "Welcome to this American Airlines flight to Raleigh Durham". After her fifth mistake, she took back the PA system and used these exact words: "Folks, we're going to Charlotte."

We have pushed back on time as the safety demo was performed

American Airlines aircraft at the terminal

And after a short taxi, we were going to take off from runway 23R.

And we're taking off

The terminal

The other part of the terminal

We're gaining altitude

Onboard this flight Wi-Fi and free entertainment were available

That day, Charlotte was also sunny like Raleigh Durham

Interestingly, the Wi-Fi was cheaper on this RDU-CLT flight compared to the previous CLT-RDU; IMO, still not worth the 30min flight

Movies & TV shows menu

During the flight, I have used the front lavatory which was clean during my visit

Later on, I have went back to my seat and started enjoying the view. Downtown Charlotte

While we were preparing for our descend, one of the crew members have made an announcement wishing good luck to the NCAA women soccer team onboard this flight.

CLT

From another angle

Shortly later, we have landed at CLT

American Airlines and Eagle aircraft at remote stands

Southwest and United aircraft at Terminal A

Delta and American aircraft

More American aircraft

And we were going to park at gate B16.

CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT - CLT

After saying goodbye and thank you to the lead FA that was nice throughout my last two flights, I have left the aircraft and headed into the crowded CLT terminal.

It was now time to head towards the Admirals Club during my layover before my flight to Philadelphia.

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