American Airlines for the first time

Hi all,

Had to book indirect flights for the first time ever on my latest trip to WDW in October. I'm also flying from Birmingham for the first time aswell. Does anyone know what AA are like compared to Virgin Atlantic I usually fly with? AA were £1200 cheaper and couldn't resist the value.

I've flown American Airlines internal flights and they're generally okay. You may want to check if you have to pay for alcohol and food on the internal leg (I can't remember the policy if you're flying economy). Watch out for delays and without wishing to freak you out, I'm currently going back and forth with them after getting food poisoning on my last flight with them so if you can eat at the airport, I'd recommend it.

1F

Pretty standard if you're flying economy. Customer service (our experience, anyway) was above average. Are you asking about the planes or the experience as a whole? One thing to remember with US airlines is that you pay for alcohol on the flight if you are not in Business or First Class and they take cards only - no cash. Not sure if this is helpful to you. Do you have specific questions or concerns? I wouldn't hesitate to book with AA if the price is right.

They're fine. No worse than any other airline and - perhaps through luck rather than intent - we have never had a bad flight with them. Flew them a couple of weeks ago - domestic flight on a brand new jet, international flight on a very tired jet (was actually a U.S. Airways booking - but a nice shiny American Airlines plane was at the gate...sadly they had only smartened up the outside as the inside was still US Airways and very very tired!). Both were on time (unlike our BA flight which was several hours late).

You do have to pay for food, and for some "premium" (as in, stuff you'd want to watch) tv and movies on the internal flights - we have never bothered with either. Entertainment is as good as any other airline on international flights - on demand etc.

They will feed you on the international leg - they used to roll out pizza which is actually pretty decent but didn't see it this trip. The food was actually edible though - DH's comment when I expressed my surprise was: "I know, it's like they've tried really hard to ruin it but haven't quite managed it...!" We still try to eat at the airport for all airlines. There was wine with the meal on the international leg at no charge.

We've flown AA a few times, when i was little we flew with them all the time, and I had loads of the little badges they gave out that looked like a pair of wings...

Last time we flew was about 5 years ago as I felt the planes where getting a little worn inside,and showing age.
But if you can get it that much cheaper and happy with a seat on a plane I'd go for it,we would if price was right.

tinkerpea said:

Last time we flew was about 5 years ago as I felt the planes where getting a little worn inside,and showing age.
But if you can get it that much cheaper and happy with a seat on a plane I'd go for it,we would if price was right.

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They have upgraded their fleet and merged with US airways so totally different experience now compared to 5 years ago.

We used them for our last trip to Atlanta (from MAN) a month ago. No problems at all, as said food is not great and you have to pay for alcohol. I don't rate Virgin so whoever is the cheaper we go with.
We fly with them again in August, picked up Business class from Dublin cheaper than economy from Manchester.

Also remember to claim your airmiles, a round trip in economy can give you enough airmiles for a free night in an budget hotel.

wayneg said:

Also remember to claim your airmiles, a round trip in economy can give you enough airmiles for a free night in an budget hotel.

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Good point. Also, AA is a partner airline with BA, so if you are an Avios/Executive Club member, you can insert that and collect miles that way too. We used ours for a nice hotel in Chicago in January, which saved us nearly $200.