Avis du vol entre Miami et New Orleans en classe Economique avec American Airlines

Let’s continue this return journey from FDF to Paris with a short layover in NOLA.

END OF TRANSIT & AIRSIDE WANDERING

We left off at the FIDS while I was checking the gate and departure time for the next flight.
In the end, my destination is Concourse E.

But first, I need to part ways with my luggage.
Just beyond the exit, I’m directed towards two agents scanning bags at an impressive pace before having them dropped onto the adjacent belt with no further formalities. The whole process takes barely a moment.
It does make one wonder about the purpose of this so-called “customs” procedure, as there isn’t a customs officer in sight.
But, who can really claim not to be watched?

After one more security check, I’m back on the departures side of the terminal.

The walk to the E gates looks perfectly reasonable.
The urge to explore was certainly there, but by now I’m battling fatigue (it’s 20:40 when I take this picture of the map), hunger, and a somewhat underwhelming impression of MIA, which feels rather low-ceilinged and surprisingly cramped.
In short, the Flight-Reporter spirit is beginning to fade.

I stop by a small currency exchange booth, but the rather prohibitive rates do little to change my view of MIA…
The problem is quickly solved thanks to a nearby ATM.
On the way to the gate, I do pass through a somewhat more spacious area.

The gate is not so far.

At 20:55, I’m standing in front of the beast.
I still have about 1h30 to kill, and no lounge in sight for the AAdvantage newbe.

Before going any further, I notice that my plane is on par with its predecessor, also clocking in at 27 years of age.

I take the time to go through a few messages and other bits of information before capturing the gate.
With 48 minutes left before boarding, I’m well ahead of schedule.

I head back for a quick pepperoni pizza, nothing memorable, and a rather questionable milkshake with a serious calorie load (and to be fair, the default size is pretty much a "bucket" ! LOL).

BOARDING

Boarding starts at 22:10, with once again strict respect for the priority groups in this rather long list.

That said, it is all properly respected and, more importantly, efficient.
Even as group 6, I’m at the jetbridge by 22:20.

Time for door shot but no fuselage one as the night has fallen and there are no options to see anything.

After the four rows of “DomFirst”, the AA Y seats once again look very good.
Far from what you’d expect from a 27-year-old cabin.
I had already noted being at the back on the previous sector, and here I am again in row 28!

An aisle seat this time (but at night, it doesn’t really matter).
Good point: seat B will be empty.

What immediately stands out is the consistency of the AA product, even though we’re on two different aircraft types (737 vs A319), both of similar age.
First of all, seat pitch remains comfortable. If anything, it even feels slightly more generous here. 

The inflight literature is very consistent and homogeneous, with the obvious exception of the safety card content.

We also find the same power outlets at the seat base, as well as the same IFE/Wi-Fi system (see previous FDF-MIA Flight Report for details of the leaflet).

This final view also shows that the seats are slightly more modern than on our previous A319, notably with a small smartphone holder.

TAXI, WAITING & FLIGHT

The cabin is quite full for a late-night flight, though there is still some space. I’m not the only lucky one with no neighbour.
It takes about fifteen minutes before pushback, then another seven minutes before taxi begins (22:57).
Taxiing is then quickly, and for a long time, interrupted.
At 23:05, the captain explains why: traffic congestion.
And FR24 will later confirm this is far from an exaggeration.

At 23:44, we can finally get underway (luckily, there was Wi-Fi to pass the time).
We take our time on the runway, very much in “I’ve paid for it, so I’m going all the way” mode.

Unfortunately, the excitement of discovery fades, as fatigue sets in and it’s getting cold! (no blanket provided, and my sweat is… in the checked bag).
At 00:20, some activity finally begins with the start of service.
It’s not done via trolley, but through back-and-forth trips by the FA between the galley and passengers.
A slightly riskier setup, as I end up being splashed by the glass of water intended for my neighbour.
Fortunately, it wasn’t my tea…
The snack is more basic as well, with no pretzels here.

After that, I doze off, trying to ignore the classic “are we there yet?” question.
At 01:10, the cabin lights come on, annoucing that landing is close.
We land smoothly at 01:27 (00:27 local time), followed by a fairly strong braking phase.
We reach the gate three minutes later, likely related to that braking in an attempt to catch a more convenient taxiway.
It then takes me about ten more minutes to leave the aircraft.

The jetbridge feels rather uninspiring.

But the terminal is much more "glossy".
It makes a much better impression on me than MIA did.

Now this is what you’d call generous volumes.

A small mix-up at baggage claim: the belt was first shown as number 8, but the correct one is actually number 4.
By the time I get there, my suitcase is already on the carousel.
Very efficient.

At 00:48, I leave the terminal in search of the Uber pick-up area.

In fact, it just means going straight ahead to reach the second-level sidewalk in the background.

The clue? The Uber pickup sign. Simple as that.
Five minutes later, I’m already on my way to the hotel (arguably a bit too fast).

End of a smooth and rather straightforward journey.
That said, I now have close to 14 hours of travel behind me, and at this point a shower and a king bed are my only priorities as I part ways with my local “driver”.
One last look at today’s route, and it’s time to head off and discover NOLA.