Report No: 2022-608
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 fourth part of this series would be the continuation of my journey which would cover the American Airlines A319 Main Cabin Extra cabin on a flight from Dallas Fort Worth to Austin. The report would also cover a visit to the American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Dallas Fort Worth Terminal D.
The routing for this trip would be revealed part by part
Flight routing
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4AA 2363 Dallas Fort Worth to Austin ( Main Cabin Extra ), Airbus A319
- 5
- 6
Loads for this flight
Domestic First: 100%
Main Cabin: 95-100%
DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT - DFW
After arriving from my previous flight at Terminal A, I decided to walk at Terminal D since I had plenty of time and it would be a great stretching exercise.
After arriving at Terminal D, the Flagship Lounge is still at 5-10 minute walk from the end of Terminal D.
Still walking
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLAGSHIP LOUNGE - DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT
The AA Flagship Lounge is located at the upper level and requires an elevator ride upstairs. Once arriving at the lounge my phone battery died and couldn't scan my mobile boarding pass, but the AAgent was able to find my reservation on his system and printed me a physical boarding pass
The seating close to the entrance of the were crowded, however, the rear sections were much emptier. As the Japan Airlines flight to Tokyo that day was significantly delayed, there were lot of Japanese passengers at the lounge at that time.
The buffet has various food options which is more than satisfactory
A self-service bar is also available
As well as at the other end of the lounge, there is another drink, coffee and snack section
Here are my selection for the day
In the beginning, I haven't seen the champagne flutes so I ended up pouring my champagne into a wine glass.
Hot chocolate and mini desserts that I had later on.
The lounge has magnificent views that you could spot aircraft.
It was also possible to spot N756US which would be the aircraft taking me to Austin that day. At that time, it was taxiing to gate D20 after arriving from its flight from Montrose, CO.
GATE AREA & BOARDING
Once I arrived at the gate a few minutes before boarding began, the gate area was crowded
N756US was ready for the flight, it would have been my first time on this specific aircraft
Boarding has started on time with the respect of group numbers
Fuselage shot
AA 2363 DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT TO AUSTIN BERGSTROM AIRPORT
After being welcomed by the same lead cabin attendant as my previous flight from Pittsburgh to Dallas, I have headed to my seat 8F which is located at the first row at the Main Cabin. At that time, I realized that the other two cabin attendants were also the same people from my PIT flight.
The legroom at row 8 is still great but not good as the exit row. Since this booking was made last minute, I was lucky to grab this seat since I could have ended up at a middle seat somewhere at the back.
Overhead panel
On this aircraft, every seat had a power outlet but not a USB port
Literature was limited to the safety card and the inflight entertainment guide
The inflight entertainment guide gave options regarding what is available on this flight. Everything except the seatback screen and Apple Music alternatives were available on this flight.
The list of snacks and beverages available were also listed on the same guide
A photo of the outside while boarding was going on
While boarding was going on, the catering truck had arrived for a short visit which I have no idea of the reason since due to the short distance of the flight, there would have been no service on this flight.
And once boarding was completed, it was time pushing back
This Finnair A350 had just arrived from Helsinki at that time
American Airlines A321 heading to Los Cabos, Mexico that afternoon
Qatar Airways 777-200LR at a remote stand
While the safety briefing was going on, I have continued to do some plane spotting
N724AN getting prepared for it's flight to London Heathrow that afternoon
Some more 777's
Which includes N725AN that I have flown before on.
Terminal B
An American Eagle E-170 in the retro livery
N948LR getting ready for its flight to Knoxville, TN that afternoon
Its sibling N955LR had a long wait at DFW, until it operates its next flight to Louisville in the evening
Another shot of Terminal B
N248LR was also taxiing to the runway like us for its flight to Midland, TX as AA 5904
And after we were done with taxiing, we were ready to takeoff for this very short flight down to Austin.
Gaining altitude
The AT&T Stadium at Arlington, TX
A regional airport
Inflight Wi-Fi, mobile entertainment and complimentary live TV was offered onboard this flight
Here were the Wi-Fi options
The personal entertainment menu
The Live TV option
Since the flight was uneventful, I tracked our flight on Flightradar24 and for most of the flight, had a chat with my neighbor which made the 35 minute flight enjoyable.
Passing close to Georgetown Airpark
Descending into Austin
Airport spotted
And landed
At Austin, plane spotting started with this American Eagle Embraer E-175
Continued with this Delta A321
Southwest 737
Another Southwest 737
Another one
Another two
N887NN was at gate 26 getting prepared for its flight to Dallas Fort Worth as AA 665.
Alaska 737-900ER parked at gate 32 bound to Seattle as AS 561 that afternoon
That day, we were going to park at gate 28
The terminal
We were going to park next to N887NN
Once the seatbelt signs were switched off, the cabin crew asked everyone to put their window blinds down so that the aircraft could get air conditioned while at the ground since there was excessive heat and sunlight outside.
AUSTIN BERGSTROM AIRPORT - AUS
After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft and took the final photo of this bird.
It was my first time at Austin Bergstrom Airport so I have followed signs to the exit.
FIDS
Heading towards the exit
After going downstairs to the arrivals level, I have noticed that the rideshare pick-up area is located further ahead thus continued to walk.
After arriving at the rideshare pick-up area I have requested an Uber and left the airport.
At the moment, this report has come to an end. The series would soon continue would the fifth episode.
Thanks for reading this report and I hope to see you at one of my other reports here at Flight-Report.
Thanks for that report. Uneventful flight without service as too short. Just did Dallas / San Antonio. 44min flight time but the same. I tend to prefer the flagship lounge in ORD to the one in DFW. So if MIA and JFK are worse I’ll stick to Chicago then ?
Hi airberlin and thanks for your comment,
- I have never had the chance to visit the one in ORD so far as either my connections there were very tight or when I had a long connection there back in 2020 and 2021, the Flagship Lounge was closed due to COVID. Since the JFK Flagship Lounge is closed, I think the worse among the three remaining lounges I visited is MIA.
I hope to visit the ORD FL soon but not sure when I'll be able to do so.
Being able to go to the Flagship lounge before a mundane domestic flight really makes the experience better! It's always driven me crazy, that I as an AA oneworld Emerald cannot access any AA lounges (much less the Flagship lounge) on domestic itineraries, even flying paid First class, when oneworld Emeralds from every other non-US oneworld programme can access lounges on domestic US itineraries. I get the reasons for it since there are way more US-based elites in the US and because US carriers sell yearly lounge memberships, but it feels inherently unfair not to be able to access your own airline's lounge with whom you have status.
It seems that A319s are the only domestic narrowbodies that still have a real bulkhead wall between F and Y--I was never a fan of those hanging dividers that were installed with Oasis cabins.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kévin and thanks for your comment,
- I totally agree that you should at least have lounge access on domestics ( even if it's the Admirals Club ) as an AA OWE but in the past ( pre-COVID ), people being able to bill club memberships to their employer was pretty common and that's why people didn't complain it in the past.
Also, when comparing AA/AS elites to non-US OW elites, the former group do get complimentary upgrades, complimentary same-day change ( without begging an agent and put into the standby-list ), and much more which some people value a lot.
- The pmUS A320's also have the proper bulkhead walls, but yes it is sad to see AA removing them for the sake of space, devaluing their product, and reducing privacy in First Class.
- Thanks for stopping by!
It’s true that there are also a lot of perks like same day changes and upgrades, though upgrades are very few and far between anymore. But you’re absolutely correct about that