Review of American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Phoenix in Domestic First

Report No: 2020-1205

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the second part of this series where I would be on another mileage-run, this time originating from the West Coast on another route other than DCA-RDU. To keep some mystery, I would reveal the routing part-by-part

The fifth report of this series would be an American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Phoenix Sky Harbor onboard their Airbus A321 aircraft. Also, this report would be the first time that the brand new American Airlines Admirals Club in SFO Terminal 1 is covered here in Flight-Report.

Here is the routing ( the remaining parts would be revealed soon )
Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Loads for this flight

Domestic First: 50%
Main Cabin: 15-20%

San Francisco AIRPORT - SFO

As there was a stay-at-home order at the Bay Area, the airport was quite empty and most of the concessions were closed.

FIDS for the day

To spend time until my next flight, I decided to visit the Admirals Club which is the only open oneworld lounge in SFO. There are some other and more premium oneworld lounges in the International Terminal but they are closed and they would require double-security as they are not connected airside with the AA gates.

American Airlines ADMIRALS CLUB SFO - San Francisco AIRPORT

After being welcomed by an agent downstairs, and reminded that the lounge was closing at 15:30; I was welcomed by another agent upstairs which offered me to show me the club. You might not believe it but during my entire stay at the club from 12:00 to 15:30, I was the only customer at the whole American Airlines Admirals Club.

The furniture in this club is brand new as this club was opened on 1 October 2020.

There are some of the Flagship Lounge chairs located at the club.

There is a business corner where you could work.

As well as a photocopy machine and a PC.

There are phone booths available for those who prefer not to disturb anybody.

There is also some sleeper sofas for those who wish to rest before their flight

There is also a conference room at that part of the lounge which is not photographed

On the other part of the lounge, there is the self-service buffet and the espresso/fountain drink machines. Unlike other clubs, cups for drinks must be requested from the bar attendant.

The buffet had the classic post-COVID Admirals Club content

Filter coffee, soup and mac'n cheese is also available at the bar

During my stay, there was a very friendly bar attendant. In addition, all the lounge staff was really nice towards me.

Here is my initial selection. By the way, from the recommendation of one of the AA staff at the club, I've decided to try the bar attendants' special recipe for a Bloody Mary and it tasted really good. By the way, at the SFO club, a cheaper brand of vodka is free while for a premium brand, you would need to pay.

Cathay Pacific A350 passing by; by the way construction at Terminal 1 is still going on and the photographed gate would be one of the new AA wide-body gates at SFO.

During my stay, the toilet was clean and had amenities from CO Bigelow.

After a wonderful 3h30mins at the Admirals Club, it was time to say goodbye to all of the friendly staff and head to the gate area.

GATE AREA & BOARDING

The American gates are located at the end of the terminal

For this flight, gate B24 was assigned. As there were only a few passengers that day, the gate area was almost empty.

Boarding had started on time with the respect of group numbers. I was one of the first passengers to board the aircraft.

A shot of N994AN.

AA 475 San Francisco AIRPORT TO PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT

After being welcomed by the crew, I headed to my seat 4F for this flight.

Here is the legroom which is pretty decent.

For this flight, I wouldn't be having a neighbor so I had the entire row to myself.

Each seat is equipped with an IFE screen.

Which also has a remote

Also, seats are equipped with USB ports and power outlets

The overhead panel

The seatback pocket had the same content as the previous two flights. However, this version of American Way did not have the section in Spanish which was available in the previous two flights.

A view from the window while boarding was going on. Even though boarding was completed a little bit early, we needed to wait until bags were loaded until we pushed back.

Route map for this flight

While waiting for aircraft doors to be closed, I visited the front lavatory. It was clean at that time.

When I returned to my seat, the safety video was being shown from the inflight entertainment monitors

And we were ready for pushing back

At that time, earphones were distributed by one of the cabin crew.

After a very short taxi, we were on our way to Phoenix

Just after taking off

Oakland Airport at the other side of the bay

Downtown Oakland

And Downtown SF

The Golden Gate Recreational Park

The Pacific Coast

While we were gaining altitude, the video about American's Clean Commitment was shown from the personal entertainment screens.

After take-off it was time to browse the personal device entertainment options

Paid Wi-Fi, free entertainment, free TV and access to news websites, and free Apple Music for the duration of the flight 

Phoenix was sunny at that time but as we arrive, there would be no sun visible.

Wi-Fi options for this flight

Apple Music is free

Monthly subscription options

Only two live TV channels are available since the new update.

Access to these news websites does not require Wi-Fi to be purchased

Route map at that time

Shortly after the seatbelt signs have been turned off, the crew came and asked for drink orders. I've asked for a cup of coffee with Bailey's which was promptly served.

During this flight, I decided to watch an episode of Ted Lasso which is an enjoyable TV series.

While enjoying my TV show, one of the attentive cabin attendants have realized that I finished my drink so he immediately provided a refill.

Sunset at the Pacific Coast

After I finished my movie, I browsed at the connecting gates for my next flight. I would give you a hint that it's one of these flights that I would connect at.

Beautiful views of the sunset

Before landing, I also asked for a cup of water through the call button which was promptly served.

A few minutes later, the cabin was prepared for landing and we started our descend.

A strip mall at Phoenix

We're almost there

And we have landed a few minutes earlier than our scheduled arrival time.

Some cargo aircraft was visible while we were leaving the runway

Later on, we started our taxi to Terminal 4.

American Airlines aircraft at Terminal 4

More AA aircraft

American A320

American Airlines A320 that would head to Chicago O'Hare that evening

And we were going to park at gate A3

Next to this A321 that have recently arrived from Charlotte.

PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT - PHX

After the aircraft doors were open, I said goodbye to the crew and left the aircraft. Then, I took this fuselage shot and headed into the terminal.

The journey would continue in the next report. Stay tuned with Flight-Report for the remainder of this series.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.