warning to anyone booking aa from man

[mackay_j]

Just back from a Caribbean cruise and we booked flights using AA from Manchester via JFK. I thought I would mention about these flights on here as some may be tempted to use them to go to Florida.

These where the worst planes I have been on since I was a child in the late 70's. They are like the old charter flights we took back then to Spain. very very cramped- I could not even put my crossword puzzler mag flat out on the tray when the seat in front was reclined. Nor could you even try and put your head down on the tray even when the seats where upright (not even close). My knees almost touched the seat in front and I am only 5ft 5". My DH had to either have his crossed or overhanging into to the isle. These planes also have no seat back TV and have the old center isle TV which depending on where you are seated you my or may not be able to view. We knew this in advance so took a lap top with us to view movies however as it was a 15" one we could not use it without it getting in the way of the 3rd person in our row.(space was that tight!) and on both legs of the journey the sound systems didn't work.

We are not usually bothered by flights and never pay extra to upgrade to premium or equiv. We even found recent long haul charters OK both Thomascook and Thomson/FC. However we would not use AA again from Manchester even if the cheapest.


They use a different plane from London - so my comments probably do not apply to AA from london

 

[london75]

I think it must be one of those luck of the draw things because we flew AA in August from Manchester (via JFK out and ORD return) and the 'plane, while old and centre TVs etc, was fine. Service was good and the seats were not too bad, certainly not as bad as short haul monarch and the like. I'm 6'5" to put that in context.

Not my favourite flight by a long shot but not uncomfortable so just thought it worth balancing the awful sounding 'plane you got! A lot of people will be booked AA for next year and I don't want them thinking every flight is terrible as all 4 legs of ours were fine. (Except the storm in Tampa that re-routed us to Orlando, only to fly back to Tampa a few hours later, that was a long day but not AAs fault)

 

[disneymotts]

We had a similar experience AA LGW to Boston last year. I'll never fly with them again.

 

[MissPrincess101]

I've just been to JFK with AA from MAN with friends, and the aircraft was a Boeing 757 which while just about doable over the Atlantic is far from ideal. I'm only 5'4 and I found it cramped and uncomfortable. All four of us found the cabin crew to be quite surly and unhelpful, and when asked for something as easy as a cup of hot water replied with sighs and angry faces. Flying from MAN is really convenient - but never again with AA!!

 

[wayneg]

AA probably have the oldest planes transatlantic now. Doesn't bother us that much, we don't use the IFE, anything to get us there at the right price plus their reward scheme is about the best there is, a round trip gives enough miles for a free night in a £60-70/nt hotel. Last year cost us about £450 but the free hotel meant it really cost us under £400, next nearest was over £600 with Virgin around £800.
Not ideal flights but the savings sometimes make it worthwhile for us.

 

[london75]

Wow, we must have got lucky then.

I just wanted to make the point that there are families reading this that have their dream holiday booked for next year with AA flights. Let's not overly stress them out and put them off. As Wayne said, it was a means to an end, got us there and given we usually fly Virgin PE (or used to before really silly prices) I would happily fly AA economy again.

What we saved in flight prices would have paid for all the food/drink we wanted on board and an iPad each for entertainment!

 

[mackay_j]

Wow, we must have got lucky then.

I just wanted to make the point that there are families reading this that have their dream holiday booked for next year with AA flights. Let's not overly stress them out and put them off. As Wayne said, it was a means to an end, got us there and given we usually fly Virgin PE (or used to before really silly prices) I would happily fly AA economy again.

What we saved in flight prices would have paid for all the food/drink we wanted on board and an iPad each for entertainment!

You are probably right in a way, as we may have managed better if we were just going to New York or may be even on to MCO. But we had the onward journey to San Juan (5 1/2hrs in the same type of aircraft ) to do, so may be it was the total of 13 1/2hrs on the plane that caused us to find it so bad.

 

[Shazzie B]

You are probably right in a way, as we may have managed better if we were just going to New York or may be even on to MCO. But we had the onward journey to San Juan (5 1/2hrs in the same type of aircraft ) to do, so may be it was the total of 13 1/2hrs on the plane that caused us to find it so bad.

I'd find that rough too! Fortunately after our cruise we're only using AA to get as far as Miami from San Juan. How did you find San Juan airport, much to do there? Can you get food OK, I'd rather eat before I get on the plane.

 

[mackay_j]

I'd find that rough too! Fortunately after our cruise we're only using AA to get as far as Miami from San Juan. How did you find San Juan airport, much to do there? Can you get food OK, I'd rather eat before I get on the plane.

We had a small problem at the airport my dh's mobile went missing as we went through the passport control area, we spent the rest of our time at the airport trying to first locate it then when we couldn't trying to cancel the contract in case someone tried to use it over there. I did notice that there was a margaritaville there and a few duty free shops. Definitely eat before on the plane as they had very little food available we were starving by the tie we got to New York.

We loved this cruise (2nd ever & 1st child free one)- and only 1 year ago we didn't think we would be cruise types!

 

[Shazzie B]

Thanks it'll be our 1st cruise' 1st child free too ( well for 21 years!)

 

[wayneg]

Thanks it'll be our 1st cruise' 1st child free too ( well for 21 years!)

We were child free on our trip last Nov and again last month but can't get away with a cruise without him, he will be with us for this trip.

 

[mackay_j]

We were child free on our trip last Nov and again last month but can't get away with a cruise without him, he will be with us for this trip.

We still missed our two - a little lol- so plan to take them next xmas(2014) so I have a question that you could may be help me with. I have just spotted a package to a cheep hotel (baymount celebration) in orlando for £658 pp on the 26th dec for 11 nights (£641 12 nights but traveling xmas day). We would only stay in the hotel for 4/5 nights and then add on the cruise on top. That price flying virgin direct from manchester seems quite good over Xmas to me. What do you think should I just jump at this or would I be better off waiting until the flights are released. Last year we paid £698 one stop from glasgow on the 27th dec (flight only) - but we probably booked too late for the best price. Thanks for any advice

 

[wayneg]

We still missed our two - a little lol- so plan to take them next xmas(2014) so I have a question that you could may be help me with. I have just spotted a package to a cheep hotel (baymount celebration) in orlando for £658 pp on the 26th dec for 11 nights (£641 12 nights but traveling xmas day). We would only stay in the hotel for 4/5 nights and then add on the cruise on top. That price flying virgin direct from manchester seems quite good over Xmas to me. What do you think should I just jump at this or would I be better off waiting until the flights are released. Last year we paid £698 one stop from glasgow on the 27th dec (flight only) - but we probably booked too late for the best price. Thanks for any advice

I would be very tempted at those prices. The last time we went at Xmas I did exactly the same, booked a VH package wondering if I had done the right thing, turned out to save me a small fortune, flight only were so expensive.
If you book go via a cashback site, http://www.quidco.com/virgin-holidays/?ac for 2.5%

 

[mackay_j]

I would be very tempted at those prices. The last time we went at Xmas I did exactly the same, booked a VH package wondering if I had done the right thing, turned out to save me a small fortune, flight only were so expensive.
If you book go via a cashback site, http://www.quidco.com/virgin-holidays/?ac for 2.5%

Thought they seemed quite good, we will just have to put up with a not so good hotel but will only be for a few days either side of the cruise. Unfortunately it's through their travel city division and I can't find them on quidco.