Report No: 2021-501
Dear Flight-Report members and visitors,
Welcome to this brand new US domestic series which would be a short American Airlines series from Washington to Tampa onboard American Airlines.
Due to my busy schedule within the last few months, I wasn't able to post Flight-Reports of most of the flights that I have taken recently, however, I luckily realized that this short series was already ready for publishing so I am going ahead and sharing it with the community. If time permits I would be happy to prepare and share more Flight-Report's in due course.
The first report of this series would be covering an American Airlines domestic flight from Washington Reagan Airport to Charlotte onboard the ex-US Airways A320 in the Main Cabin Extra Cabin. The report would also include a visit to the American Airlines Admirals Club in DCA Terminal C.
The routing for this series would be revealed part by part,
Flight routing
- 1AA 798 Washington Reagan to Charlotte ( Main Cabin Extra ), Airbus A320, American Airlines Admirals Club DCA C
- 2
Loads for this flight
Domestic First: 100%
Main Cabin & Main Cabin Extra: 95-100%
ONLINE CHECK-IN
About 24 hours before departure, I have checked-in online for this flight through the AA website.
As there were no better seats, I have sticked with 10A which is located in the first emergency exit row and a Main Cabin Extra seat.
For the second flight, I had a better seat.
Washington Reagan AIRPORT - DCA
About 1h35mins before departure, I have arrived at DCA.
That day, the airport was much crowded compared to my previous visits in the winter and spring.
For security, there was a 5 minute wait, however, with 3 lanes open for non TSA Pre passengers, the line was flowing really fast.
I would mention this again but still there is no Priority security at DCA offered for American Airlines passengers. This is the general practice since COVID-19 at American Airlines hubs.
American Airlines ADMIRALS CLUB DCA C - Washington Reagan AIRPORT
After clearing security, I have headed upstairs to the American Airlines Admirals Club located in Terminal C.
Despite the terminal itself being too crowded, the Admirals Club was quiet that morning.
After being welcomed by a friendly club agent, I have taken a seat near the window.
I was able to spot N109UW which was the aircraft going to take us to Charlotte that morning.
For the offerings, I could tell that the offerings are really close to what was offered pre-COVID. Self serve oatmeal, self-serve orange juice is back.
As well as fruits and bagels are not individually wrapped anymore
The guac bar was open that morning and I have opted for a guac toast with salmon.
By the way, porcelain cups for hot beverages and real glassware for those drinks available through the bar have returned. However, passengers could still request paper/plastic cups if they wish to.
I wasn't able to take a photo of the bar on this occasion but the bar was operating as regular.
Just as a datapoint, American Airlines still doesn't offer the free premium drink perk for non-AAdvantage oneworld Sapphire / Emerald members as they did pre-COVID.
GATE AREA & BOARDING
I have arrived at the gate a few minutes earlier than boarding time and asked about overbooking alternatives as the flight was almost booked. The gate agent told me that the flight wasn't overbooked that day. At that time, a passenger jumped to the podium and told that she doesn't have a seat assignment and the agent replied that the passenger is on stand-by and all confirmed passengers had seat assignments at that time.
Boarding had started on time at gate 36 with the respect of priorities.
During boarding, volunteers were asked to gate-check their carry-ons for free as the flight would be a full flight.
AA 798 WASHINGTON REAGAN AIRPORT TO CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT
After being welcomed by the crew and being handed an hand sanitizing wipe, I have went to my seat 10A which was located in the first emergency exit row of the A320.
The legroom is quite generous on this aircraft. Also each seat is equipped with power outlets and USB ports.
A view from the wing
Hand sanitizing wipe which was distributed upon boarding.
Since COVID case numbers are decreasing in the USA, the percentage of passengers sanitizing their seats themselves with wipes have significantly decreased.
The aircraft still had a headphone jack installed at each seat but AA doesn't offer any audio entertainment through these panels anymore.
After boarding was completed and all cabin checks were made, we have pushed back on time.
American Airlines A321neo. I have flown this specific airframe ( N427AN ) twice and Flight-Report's of both of the flights are available here and here.
American Airlines Boeing 737-MAX-8
American Airlines aircraft at Terminal C
American Airlines Regional Terminal at DCA
While passengers were thinking that we were going to take-off, the captain has made an announcement that due to the air traffic being very crowded in the Charlotte area, we were going to wait for 37 minutes at the tarmac. The captain apologized for the delay and switched off the fasten seat belt signs during the wait.
At that time, I did look at the seatback pocket content; nothing exceptional.
However, as 1 July 2021, the American Way magazine is discontinued and is not being offered as a choice of entertainment at the seatback pocket.
American Airlines fleet
Terminal maps of airports involved in this trip
American Airlines route map
Entertainment options
After a 30 minute wait, the captain has announced that we were ready to depart and asked connecting passengers not to worry about their connection as the flight time would be shorter than usual that day.
The Washington Monument was visible when making the turn to the runway
Shortly later we have took off towards the south.
MGM Casino at National Harbor, MD
Some photos over the air
We have reached our cruising altitude
Personal device entertainment was offered onboard this flight. However, live TV was not available on this flight.
Entertainment main menu
Wi-Fi options for this flight.
Although I find $15 expensive for a 1 hour flight, the T-Mobile free Wi-Fi option is a very nice perk and I have benefitted from that.
I have entertained myself browsing the web through this short flight and here is a screenshot from Flightradar24. Despite the delay, we were going to arrive on time.
As you might expect in the USA, there was no-service in the Main Cabin on this flight so this flight was quite uneventful.
Here is a photo before arriving at CLT
And we have landed at CLT on time.
At CLT, it's almost impossible to spot any other aircraft other than AA ones.
More American Airlines aircraft at concourse B
We were going to park at gate B4.
Next to this American Airlines 737-800
After we have parked to our gate, the seatbelt signs have been switched off and everyone stood up.
There was no respect to social distancing when deboarding the aircraft.
CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AIRPORT - CLT
After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft and took this fuselage shot.
Another photo of N109UW, this time from the terminal
And, it was time to head to the Admirals Club until my next flight.
This report has come to an end.
The series would continue in the next report.
Once again thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.
Hi ISTFlyer, thanks for sharing this report!
Same here, I have a bunch of domestic flights to post that i never seem to get around to since I prioritise long-haul with the limited time i have, but will try to catch up shortly and we can compare our AA domestic experiences.
It's nice to FINALLY see power/usb ports on these Pre-merger US Airways aircraft! I'm not a huge fan of these interiors...just a post-merger seat cover slapped over the old seats, which looks cheap. I hate to say that the Oasis cabins have pretty decent seats with headrests--the legroom is another story. At least the PMUS config remains relatively spacious compared to the Oasis birds, especially with the wider seats on the 32S family.
Yeah, it was hit or miss back in the spring, but it should be back fleetwide now. I've had it on all my flights recently.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kévin and thanks for stopping by,
- You're at least lucky. :) Sad thing, I also have some unwritten long-haul experiences that might be interesting.
- I'll agree with you on this part where the seats look cheap. I am already missing the old AA 737-800 seats ( RIP ) which were really comfortable in the Main Cabin and getting used to these seats.
- Yes, the Oasis seats are pretty comfortable in Y, however, AA reducing the legroom, especially in MCE is not a customer friendly move. I really hope that there is no further refurbishment plans of pmUS A319, A320 and LAA A319's like the entire A321 fleet which are being Oasis'ed.
- I also realized that was working on most of my AA Domestic Flights at Q3, it looks like they have a new agreement with DirecTV so the channel options available have increased.
Once again, thanks for your comments and take care!