Review of American Airlines flight from Pittsburgh to Dallas/Fort Worth in Economy

Report No: 2022-607

Dear folks,

Welcome to this brand new US domestic series which I would cover 2 different airlines and 6 segments which was a pretty eventful trip as I had multiple interruptions during the trip as my schedule changed more than multiple times.

The third part of the series would be an American Airlines flight from Pittsburgh to Dallas Fort Worth as I needed to be at Austin that specific day after a very last minute call which required to postpone my Boutique Air Pilatus PC-12 plans which I was going to take that specific day.

Since all legacy carriers were at the same price and Southwest, who flies this route direct, was more expensive, the company who bought my flights allowed me to pick the airline and flights that I was going to take and for the purpose of complimentary Main Cabin Extra and better lounges because of my oneworld status I preferred to fly American Airlines via Dallas for this trip to Austin.

The routing for this trip would be revealed part by part

Loads for this flight

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

Around 06:45 that morning, I checked out of my hotel at Pittsburgh and walked to the bus stop which bus 28X to the airport stops at.

That morning the bus to the airport, wasn't crowded and it was easy to find an available seat.

PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - PIT

After a 40 minute bus ride, I have arrived at Pittsburgh Airport which was about 2 hours before our scheduled departure time.

The bus would drop passengers at the check-in level.

And, it is necessary to go downstairs to clear security. Both the Pre Check and general lines had a long queue that morning but the lines moved fast and multiple lanes were open so I was airside within 10-15 minutes.

After clearing security, taking the transit to the concourse is a must since there is no walkway at Pittsburgh.

I did realize that the last carriage was empty so I went there for the 2-3 minute transit ride.

After reaching the concourse, it was time to go upstairs

I looked for signage to the Admirals Club but I didn't spot find any so decided to go towards the AA gates, expecting it to be near there.

After not founding the lounge at the B concourse, I ended up asking an American Airlines ground agent which told me that the club was located at the central hall.

So, I went all the way back and discovered a sign, and eventually it was me who initially missed the signage since the directions were clearly labelled after leaving the transit.

AMERICAN AIRLINES ADMIRALS CLUB - PITTSBURGH AIRPORT

Because of my British Airways Gold status which is the equivalent of oneworld Emerald, I was admitted to the Admirals Club. As a side note, American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska MileagePlan elites do not get lounge access when flying solely domestic without any membership.

The lounge had a decent amount of people inside since there was a weather incident in New York causing some flights bound to NYC airports to divert at Pittsburgh, as well as leading to PIT-LGA and PIT-JFK flights to be delayed.

However, I was easily able to find a seat for myself. 

The buffet had nothing special but Admirals Club breakfast offerings as usual.

My selection for the day

I am not sure if this was a specific issue for the day I was flying but there was only one person responsible from the bar, the buffet and dishwashing at the back so it was really hard to get something from the bar

In addition, there were some speciality cocktails available that day

The lounge also has a small business corner.

GATE AREA & BOARDING

FIDS for the day

I was at the gate about 30 minutes before departure just before boarding was starting.

N836AW was ready at the gate after arriving from Charlotte that morning. It would be my first time on this specific airframe.

Boarding started a bit delayed at gate B36 and then passengers were called according to their boarding group. There were also announcements that passengers with higher group numbers to gate check their baggage since they expected to ran out of overhead space.

AA 443 PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT

After boarding the plane, I have headed to my seat 14A which is located at the exit row.

This is the reason why I prefer exit rows over MCE rows in the front since exit rows have the most legroom.

Every seat on this aircraft was equipped with a power outlet but no USB ports were available. 

The overhead panel

Our neighbor was another American A319

Boarding was completed earlier than scheduled so we started our push back earlier than expected. At that time the cabin crew came and verified that if we are familiar with the exit row criteria and responsibilities. Shortly later, the crew performed the safety demo.

The A319 next door was pushing back at the same time with us. That bird was heading to Charlotte that morning.

N134HQ was parked at gate B26 since the aircraft diverted back to PIT due to the inclement weather at LGA that morning. Interestingly, that aircraft attempted to operates it's LGA flight later during the day but was again diverted back to PIT. In the end, that afternoon that aircraft made its way to LaGuardia under a different flight number after its third attempt flying PIT-LGA.

N832AW pushed back for its flight to Charlotte as AA 1751

A view of the terminal

N138HQ parked at gate B38 which was also supposed to go to LGA that morning

Allegiant A319/320 at gate B42

American Eagle maintenance hangar

Some Republic Airways jets at a remote stand

A Delta Connection CRJ waiting at line to take off

Military jets

After a taxi of 5 minutes, it was our turn to depart and we were in the air

Some photos after takeoff

After take-off, I have connected to the AA Inflight Wi-Fi network.
Weather in Texas that day was extremely hot and considering that I was going even souther that day, I needed to get ready for more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.

These were the Wi-Fi options for the flight

Free mobile entertainment was also available

Alongside with complimentary live TV

Something interesting was that Flightradar24 showed us as diverting to Charlotte but nothing like that happened and we were on our way to Dallas at that time.

Service started about 30-35 minutes after takeoff, I have opted for a cranberry juice, alongside with vodka which was served with Biscoff cookies. As a side note, American Airlines provides free alcoholic beverages for their Main Cabin Extra passengers.

Also since this flight is under 1500 miles, there was no buy on board available to purchase more food items

After the meal service, I have visited one of the rear lavatories which ended up to be clean.

After returning to my seat, I have slept for the remainder of the flight and when I woke up, we were really close to landing

Shortly later, we have landed at Dallas Fort Worth Airport.

Our taxi that day was going to be slightly longer than usual

Despite DFW is the main hub of American Airlines, it's also the hub of Spirit Airlines which lead me to spot multiple Spirit aircraft at remote stands.

This Spirit A320 had pushed back for its flight to Phoenix that morning

American Eagle jets at Terminal E

N610AE, an American ERJ-145 passing by

Delta A319 getting ready for its flight to Detroit as DL 1621

Another Delta A319 was its neighbor, but heading to Minneapolis

United A320 at a remote stand

This United 737-900ER would fly to Washington Dulles that morning as UA 245

American aircraft at Terminal C

American A319 in the Allegheny livery was heading to the runway before its flight to Little Rock, AR

American A321 parked at gate A39

American 737-800 just arrived from Boise as AA1892 and heading to its gate like us

Another American Airlines 737-800 at gate C8

A more detailed photo of N144AN alongside with the Skylink

We were going to park at gate A37

At the moment we stopped, the captain has switched off the seatbelt signs and passengers have started to gather their belongings.

DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT - DFW

After leaving the aircraft, I have headed towards the Connecting Flight monitors and checked my gate for my onward flight which was D20.
Despite there was an earlier AUS flight, I didn't attempt asking for a same-day change since I needed to be at Austin by 6pm and Dallas has decent lounges to have a proper lunch.

Since I had plenty of time, I decided to walk to Concourse D where the American Airlines Flagship Lounge is located.

While walking, I took this final photo of N836AW.

And, the rest of the journey to Austin would be covered in the next episode as this report has come to an end.
Thanks for reading this report and stay tuned for the upcoming parts of the series, here at Flight-Report.