How is American Airlines?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I am thinking of changing carriers to American Airlines. Any comments on their service, flights, etc? We usually only fly with Midwest.

Thanks

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

They go more places than Midwest. You won't get a freshly baked cookie onboard unless you're in first class. Some people love AA, some people hate them. I happen to like them but I am biased as several will no doubt pipe up and tell you.

They have the best FF program in the business with more available awards seats than any other carrier or alliance program. There is a $15 fee for the first checked bag now, but there is no fee to pick your seats, which you may do during the booking process.

They are a longtime legacy carrier in the US and (for the time being) the biggest US airline.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I like American. No complaints.

 

[NancyIL]

I prefer American Airlines, because they have been serving my local airport for many years, and that's where most of our FF miles are earned. I have two flights this year on AirTran from an airport an hour away - due to really great fares. But when the fares are close - I go with American.

By the way - I got an e-mail today about a schedule change on one of my flights in August - although I noticed it yesterday when checking my reservations online.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

There is a $15 fee for the first checked bag now, but there is no fee to pick your seats, which you may do during the booking process.

What happens if you have 2 checked bags?

 

[NancyIL]

What happens if you have 2 checked bags?

The 2nd checked bag fee is $25. http://www.aa.com/aa/viewPromotionD...motionContentRepository&repositoryId=16075429

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

The 2nd checked bag fee is $25. http://www.aa.com/aa/viewPromotionD...motionContentRepository&repositoryId=16075429

Thanks!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Another question...

When do you pay the checked baggage fee?

 

[DisneyNDecember]

I have used them for the past 7 years. They have never lost my luggage, they have great service, clean planes, & I have never been delayed or had my flights changed. I always fly nonstop with them from DFW to MCO during December.

From DFW to MCO it is usually $240 roundtrip, but this year it was $330 round trip. Considering the gas price increase, I was okay with paying this since AirTran (who was $210 currently roundtrip) was having way too many problems changing nonstops to 1 stops/2stops and also changing flight times too drastically.

Also, if you booked/paid for your flight with American Airlines BEFORE
06/15/08, your first bag is FREE & your 2nd bag is $25.

If you book AFTER 06/15/08, your first bag is $15 & your 2nd is $25.
I kept my confirmation page stating this exact information.

I hope this information helps someone make their decision.

 

[bicker]

I've noted that American Airlines seems to attract the least ire of any of the legacy domestic carriers.

 

[CarolA]

Here's the deal...

ANY airline in the US can have a bad day. And you could get lucky and get them on the bad day.

There are very few out there where EVERYONE loves them. Even SW and JB have people who hate them. (Lots of people who were trapped all of the US a few years ago won't ever risk JB again for example)

Sometimes the "bad day" is not the airlines fault and sometimes it is. But in every instance I have eventually gotten to my destination!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

The last time I flew AA was a couple years ago. Our United flight was canceled due to mechanical problems and they switched us to AA.
I have never encountered such horrible customer service and blatantly rude employees as that day on AA.
Will never fly them again. JMO

 

[susie6505]

Have only flown AA when we have gone to Hawaii. Twice on freq flyer miles, this time, had to purchaes 2 tickets and got 1 ticket freq flyer miles. I have never really had any problems, and am looking forward to flying them when we go to Hawaii in December 2008.

 

[Jeanne B]

I've only flown AA twice, once about 8 years ago to MCO and again two summers ago (to St Thomas) and had no problems either time. We'll be flying them to St Thomas again in December.

 

[bab31]

I just returned from my family reunion - flying both midwest and AA. My summury- I flew out of Green Bay on a small jet Midwest connected in Milwaukee - just after all boarded we were told we were delayed due to weather in Dallas- about an hour - we could get off if we wanted- we choose to catch a catnap- the FA did check on my connection with AA in Dallas for terminal changes etc and informed me of the skylink- Thankyou Midwest for I had no idea about skylink as I have never flown thru Dallas. We probably would have missed our connection.- Seats on Midwest flight to Dallas were the double wide leather seats with foot rest. almost like flying first class. We got to Dallas and hurried to see if we could make our connection as we were landing at the same time as our connection was to depart. got over to AA connection- they were delayed because of needing a parts board- The flight on AA was a regional jet that I needed to wear earplugs for- the plane had a loud whiney noise coming from somewhere for the hour long flight.
Return flight was uneventful. Other than in Milwaukee Midwest was holding our flight to Green Bay for the luggage from connecting flights. And was told we would still arrive on time - which we did. Dallas to Mke same double wide leather seats with foot rest plus cookies!

I personnally think Midwest has great customer service.

I wondered why you are thinking of switching to AA?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I wondered why you are thinking of switching to AA?

Thanks for your report. As to why we are switching... I came about for 2 reasons. first is that midwest is grounding all of their MD80's by fall and it will more than likely affect our flights. We also wanted to up our departure date. AA has a better timed flight for us... i.e. get into Orlando faster!