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

Welcome to this flight report, last my part of my journey between BER and LAX via LHR and DFW. 

Flight information

Aircraft : A321
Registration : N152AA
Aircraft age by the time of travel : 8 years
Flight Number : AA1890
Flight Time : 2h48
Seat : 9A
Departure Gate : B7

Departure Airport

We arrived in terminal D from LHR and unfortunately we didn't arrive directly into the transit zone. So we first had to go through the customs where there was a huge line and a hundreds of people waiting. Have a look at the report linked between LHR and DFW (on the A380 !) to get some details.

Looking for the connecting flight, in Berlin at our departure airport we got told that the luggage would arrive directly in San Diego. Very nice. But after the custom, BY CHANCE ! We saw one of our luggage's on the carrousel. Really by chance, we didn't know that we had to take it back. So we picked it up, like everybody else did. It's actually for just a small "dog security" screening who smells your luggage. You hand it over after directly again to the agent who puts it directly on the belt. Pretty well organized but it would have been good to be informed.. Otherwise we would really have missed it ! 

So now we are outside, in the US and we have to AGAIN through the security control (for the third time today..). There is a lot of people, really a lot but is goes pretty fast, again a dog screening, and then the security check. It is good because nothing has to be taken out of the luggage (no liquids, electronic devices and so so). So it goes pretty fast and we are back air side at terminal D.

We had 2h45 of connection time, and with all of that we end up having only 50 minutes before the boarding. So yes the whole process took us 2 hours to go through. We made a very very quick stop at the Amex Centurion lounge which was packed (not really worth the review), we got a very quick snack and left again to make our way to the terminal B where our next flight was departing from.

The sky train took us towards the terminal B, pretty fast actually. It took us less than 10 minutes to reach it. Somehow this train has a Singapore Changi style. Plus as it's on top of the building, you get a very nice view over the airport ! But no jewel here.. 

And here we are going down towards the gates. 

Boarding

Just 10 minutes before the start of the boarding we are in front of the gate. I like the fact that they write on the screen the waiting time. Doesn't make sense then to wait ages standing in front of the gate.

They started on time at 17:15 by boarding the groups 1 to 3. And there are a lot of people, it's the indeed the end of the spring break so everyone is travelling back. That's why the airport is pretty packed.

After a few minutes the gate agent calls then the group 4 and eventually the number 5 which is hours. The passengers are still waiting in the jet bridge but it's pretty fast until we reach the aircraft.

Full US airline style, the crew are talking to each other in the front galley, not even paying attention to the passengers boarding. You have to say hello and may be you'll get an answer, not the other way around.

I reach my row, number 9 and unfortunately all the overhead bins are already full, so I have to go a bit further to put my hand luggage. Well it's not a big deal, it's finally the last flight of the day, so I won't be rushing out of the plane upon arrival.

The Seat itself is pretty good, rather comfortable and there is a good space for the legs in the main cabin. The are equipped with usb-b sockets and also power sockets. And they have the Phone/iPad holding thing which is a very good point. A sticker also indicates that there is wifi available on board.

Some window view, as you can see we sat in the front part of the aircraft. 

A 737 parked next to us.

The boarding is completed at 17:45 and the captain makes the welcome announcement expecting a few turbulences and a flight time of 2:54 minutes. I love the way Americans are precise about the flying time. Also when booking the flight online. Something you would never see in Europe.

taxi and take off

Doors are closed, slides armed. We push back from the gate on time, and start to taxi towards the runway.

Passing by the A380 which took us here a few hours ago (report is linked above). 

A right turn and we are holding short before the runway. A few minutes later we take off towards San Diego.

This A321 is SO LOUD !! It's 757 like, okay i'm near the engine but still.. I have the feeling that the CFM engines are a bit less noisy.
But thanks god the more we climb the more they reduce the power and the less noisy it gets.

I am amazed by the size of dallas/the region, it is just huge… Look at this highway !

Climbing towards our cruising altitude with a beautiful light and a nice view over the airport. 

Inflight

Some 45 minutes after take off the cabin crew arrive to our seat "What would you like to drink ?" in a very aggressive way.. I go for a coke and she comes back with a normal size can (very positive point) and a plastic glass full of ice. Well US style.. Snacks will be speculoos.

The flight goes in pretty smoothly while we are flying over some nice landscapes but harder and harder to see since it's getting very darker (and I am falling asleep to be honest, the journey has been pretty long).

Truely amazing landscapes 

Approach and Landing

At 19:25 we start the descent and fly through the mountains. They seem to be pretty close even though it's night, so during day time it might be very nice approach !

And we start the famous San Diego approach, through the buildings. (Sorry for the pretty bad quality of the pictures..)

At 6:45pm we touch the ground at San Diego airport. Just a left turn to vacate the runway and we are already at the gate.

The flight attendant welcomes us here in SD screaming into the microphone with the gate number, luggage carrousel and stuff.. Guys it's night come on… Okay I am pretty tired, but still. 

Arrival Airport

The debaording goes pretty fast, and we arrive into the main terminal. Which feels pretty old to be honest.

We walked a few minutes and we arrived afterwards practically directly at the entrance of the airport where the luggage carousels are. Or at least it feels like the entrance since the carrousels are not separated from the outside area.

And that's it for this short report between DFW and SAN ! We finally made it to California !

Thanks for reading me :)