For the final segment of our trip to Kyoto, we flew American Airlines’ Boeing 787-8 business class from Los Angeles to Miami, after getting off Japan Airlines’ Boeing 787-9 business class from Osaka to Los Angeles.
Continue reading: Review: American Airlines Business Class Boeing 787 (LAX-MIA)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
AA LOVES using goat cheese, I don’t understand why. On the Flagship transcon J routes, the salad usually has goat cheese, and there are two separate goat cheese based appetizers that have been in the rotation for years now.
I recently flew an AA 788 DFW to HNL.
Seat 2A, a rearward facing window seat connected to 1A.
The window shade controls were odd. I wondered if I was fighting the FAs for control but it was only one of the windows. I learned (from the very upset and rude) passenger in 3A that it was he I was fighting with. I had no idea.
I guess 2A has zero shade control. There's 2 windows. A full window just by my right shoulder, but it's hard to see out as I have to turn my head more than 90 degrees. The other window was partially blocked by the wall between 2A & 3A, but is actually easier to look out of.
From my perspective, the shade controls on these 2 windows worked as I had intuitively thought .. each window had a separate control. But I was WRONG.
When adjusting the shade by my shoulder, I was also adjusting 1A's primary window. Likewise, when adjusting "my" other window I was also changing 3A's primary window. So I guess the windows are "paired"; either button on a pair controls both windows ... and the pairing doesn't match seat assignment since I guess each seat has 1.5 windows. Strange decision if you ask me.
That open footwell area is really nice since you can store your personal item or the bedding there and still have space to stretch your legs. And at least there's the open storage bin and the pocket on the side. Compared with Delta's A330 reverse herringbone which has no storage areas on the side of the seat and a box underneath the foot cubby.
"However, on domestic flights, all passengers can use all lavatories..."
Gee, how "premium" of AA. Not.
And why oh why are AA's flight attendants to useless and eager not to work? Ugh.
"However, on domestic flights, all passengers can use all lavatories, so there’s often a wait to use these"
Wow. That makes it a slightly less premium experience.
Good review. You’re very lucky with the products you have in the USA on Transcon.
Here in Australia we pay double or more. For old 737s and the meal in Business is usually just one tray of slop.
I was told by an AA flight attendant (with a straight face) that the reason they keep the windows dimmed during the flight is that when more passengers are sleeping, the less demand there will be for service.
We always fly American First Class LAX to MIA as we have found that they are the only wide bodies available....BUT are having trouble finding any wide bodies for our next cruise plans for March 2024....any ideas if this will change or any other airlines that offer wide bodies for this domestic itinerary?
AA has a lone 772 flying LAX-MIA (eastbound is a redeye) the last 2 weeks of March.
What do you expect. Typical unionized employees who strive to do as little work as possible. Want peoe to not think of you as waitresses? How about have a little respect for your JOB to start with. Absolute garbage.
Did this same flight early November. Gate changed to Bradley terminal and we were told that we could not go to the terminal with the Flagship lounge, which we had paid extra to have access to. Not happy. The flight itself was great.
"a bit poorly coordinated to have both a salad and appetizer with goat cheese, but that’s just me. "
Not just you. American Airlines puts little thought into the overall effect of their menus. It's box checking, need a salad? need an appetizer? Good enough.
And they love salads. My record is three of them on the same tray.
What’s being in a union got to do with it ? Typical ignorant American Republican response.
Probably because goat cheese has a strong but not off-putting flavor which is desirable for in flight catering due to muted taste buds
BIT and T4 are connected airside. You could have gone to the Flagship Lounge no problem.
@Icarus - Agnes is the same troll as “Darryl” - using the same racial slur in another post. Trolls will be trolls.
I prefer the 77W on that route. Usually great buy ups to business (I've gotten $242 including for last Friday) and as an EXP a greater shot at a complimentary upgrade.
Could you explain how to motivate someone who gets automatic raises regardless of performance?
Perhaps you know something about humanity that we’ve missed.
Also, there are plenty of Republicans that are in a union. Pilots for example?
They are NOT Waitresses and when people such as you demean their job (and they read reviews/diatribes) you get simply a transactional service and nothing more. I have seen more than my share of ungrateful passengers that I would have no qualms tossing their sorry asses right off an aircraft. The travelling public tends to have unreasonable expectations Today and in the US they want to be served a steak yet pay the price of a hamburger. You Lady are a problem in itself is a problem not even worth debating.
Since row 5 is the only one in coffin class that doesn't have the "rocking" issue, I can understand why you'd put yourself there.
But why did you put Ford in row 4? Does he not know or care about being jostled?
Maybe. Search LAX-MIA for the last two weeks of March on AA.com, and AA2805 is shown as a redeye on a 772.
I don’t know how to post screenshots (is it possible on OMAAT?), but AA2805 on Friday 03/24/24 is a 10:00 pm departure from LAX to MIA. Looks like the 772 is flying 5 or 6 nights a week the end of March (not every night).
Sorry - Sunday March 24. (Though the 772 is also on AA2805 on Friday the 22nd.)
You were too kind with this review. 90% of American Airlines flight attendants do the bare minimum, even in the premium cabin. They will never be Jet Blue’s Mint quality as AA are followers rather than leaders.
From my experience on hundreds of AA premium cabins, I have to disagree on that 90% number. Of course I've had some underwhelming experiences on AA, some forgettable experiences, but I've also had plenty of truly wonderful experiences from their cabin crew (often from the more senior crew). They were not polished like Qatar or JAL, but very genuine and kind. JetBlue Mint is great of course.
Two very similar salads on the same tray? What were they thinking?
Oh, that's right, they weren't!
It's surprising to see a 787 on this route. Normally, it's a 321Neo, 737Max or a 772.
Actually, AA is currently in the middle of contentious contract negotiations with their flight attendants, and I have heard (and witnessed) numerous instances of flight attendants slowing down or even not performing certain service elements during negotiations (i.e. bare minimum service; nothing above and beyond, like not offering PDBs for example or not doing the hot sundae service)
Everyone is treated with equal respect , and it is expected to be reciprocal. There is not thing such a first class / business class passenger . They are passengers seating in first / business class cabin . Learn the difference.
The only way you can get this picky is by flying private.
I flew this product on their 777 GRU-DFW in April and I really enjoyed the seat. Seat padding was great, no foot cubbie. What I loved the most was the pre-programmed zero-G(?) seat position....OMG, what an amazingly comfortable position. I almost dozed off completely in that position!!!
FWIW/FYI, AA is currently trialling leaving B&O headphones with biz class customers from gate to gate. (DFW-LHR 01/07/23).
Agree hard product is acceptable but I can never understand why the service is always surely & sparse, maybe its the fact they its one of the few places tipping isn't the norm