Continuing my reports of my trip in the US with several domestic flights combining mostly AA and UA with the first one stronger in the south and the second one in the midwest.
After a few days in New Orleans I have to head for work to Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Not a major city in the country, but nicer than mostly think about it. Well… we are mid march and I will have to face a snow storm and temperatures close to 0F… not a place for me to live :(
Flight routing
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New Orleans is not known for good infrastructure and I took therefore a Lyft to reach the airport. No congestion on the I10 to go there.
I had no bag to check this time as I was coming back to New Orleans just a few days later.
So I headed directly to security. With my BA Executive Club Gold membership (OW Emerald) I have access to the Main Cabin Extra for free, I can checkin a 50lbs bag for free and there is a priority lane at security in MSY that can be crowded at times.
I really like that airport which offers a lot of natural light and good views to the tarmac. AA is together with Southwest in the B concourse.
Boarding started ontime by zones and I was in zone 3.
The A321 is my favourite AA airplane with a cabine equipped with the latest AA mainline seat but this version is larger compared to the B738.
As you can see I could stretch completely with my backpack under my legs and my suitcase in the overhead bins. There is a USB-A and 110V socket at every seat. Good job AA.
The bins are the larger ones that can fit a cabin luggage on the shorter edge. The seat has a tablet / smartphone holder to use it a private IFE. There is a IFE online offer with live TV, a movies selection and apple music.
I was lucky this time to make my first take off to the west, towards downtown and Mississipi / Alabama.
Well this is downtown. New Orleans has lost a lot in population after the recent hurricanes and floodings.
We then made a left turn at the border to Mississippi to head to the north before another one to the east.
Lake Pontchartrain with a mix of sweet and salty water
The bridge to Mandeville
Pass Manchac between Lake Ponchartain and Lake Maurepas (many french words!!!)
The I10 continuing to Baton Rouge and Houston.
I use the WIFI to consult the local weather forecast for Sioux Falls… it was not a lye ;) (the unit is °C though)
Service is coming and the Main Cabin Extra has access to free alcool. I use the opportunity to go for my favorite combination.
Weather in Dallas was not good with fog.
Nothing though to stop us landing and park next to… another AA aircraft. That airport is in my opinion the most impressive airline base with Atlanta as well.
As we arrived with some advance I had time to head to the Flagship lounge in Terminal D to grad a decent late lunch as it's known that AAdmiral Clubs offer the worst food out of the US3.
If I have to fly Y domestically on AA, I much prefer the A321 and A321neo to the 737-800 and 737 MAX, not only for the wider seats, but there are much more Main Cabin Extra seats on the 321/321neo. There are only 2 rows on the 737 (aside from the exit rows which I couldn't do with my kid), so I was unable to get Main Can Extra seats even booking 2 months prior!
Thanks for sharing!