First trip on AA done!

This was my first revenue flight this year on American Airlines since my positioning flight to LAX or the Star MegaDo in November. My upgrades cleared 4 days before departure (unlike United Airlines).


I got up at 3AM got to the airport by 4:40AM. I got precheck again so by the time I made it to gate C12, I had about 30 minutes before boarding. Boarding for my flight to Chicago was at 5:15AM and the Admiral's Club opened at 5:30AM. I waited around until we boarded and based on the seat map in the morning, first class was only half full. The rest were all Non-Revenues since it was an early flight with about 2/3 full of passengers on the ancient MD80 plane (with wifi). Pre-departure beverages of OJ or water were offered.

We had a continental breakfast that was a fruit plate with a side of yogurt and a choice of muffin or biscuit. I had a coffee with baileys to start off the day correct. We arrived at the gate early at Chicago so I had an extra 15 minute I lounge around.

I made my way to the H/K Admiral's Club and got a drink chit (for bottled water) due to my BA Silver status. I stayed for about 20 minutes and chatted for a whole with one of the agents who knew I was on a mileage run.

Fr my flight to Seattle, I was on an old Boeing 737 and there was even two empty seats (including the window seat next to me).  We had a choice of skillet scramble (eggs, bacon, cheese, black beans, and potatoes) with salsa or milk and cereal.  Both served with a fruit plate and a choice of muffin or biscuit. 

We landed into a foggy Seattle Tacoma Airport at Gate A7 and I proceeded to D1 where the Alaska Airlines Board Room lounge was located.

I presented my Priority Pass card (no ID check was required) and granted access the lounge. There were 2 floors available: the main floor for business use with 2 conference rooms, work booths, phone rooms/office space and the men's restroom while the upstairs house a more open area for socializing, the female restroom and bar area.

There is a self serve pancake machine but it was almost lunch time so it was not in use. There was a salad bar and cheese/crackers/pretzels as well. Downstairs had a sofa machine and an espresso/cappuccino machine serving Starbucks coffee while the upstairs area had a soda machine and coffee dispensers found at fast food places.

At noon, soup was brought out with upstairs featuring tomato bisque and ravioli and downstairs offering minestrone. Overall, it was a nice lounge with open bar (3 drink limit) and free wifi. I did find it to be crowded when I got there but I found a spot upstairs in a corner. By the time I left at 1PM, there was not many people left.

This lounge has $45 day passes available. Delta skyclub members can access it if flying on Delta or Alaska airlines flights. Admiral's Club members  can access it if flying on AA that day.

I made my way to Gate A8 when general boarding began. This flight on the MD 80 (with wifi) was very full.  We had hot nuts and drinks to start off. Meal choices were fish taco with rice and a side salad or buffalo chicken salad with ranch. Bread options were cheese, wheat or pretzel varieties. We also had a choice of macadamia nut or double chocolate cookies as well.

 

I used the wifi during the flight to pass the time along with fully charging up my laptop and phone with my DC adapter (cigarette lighter power port). We landed a bit early to Gate A29. I took the shuttle to The Parking Spot 2 and was in my car pretty fast.

I got about 4200 Elite Qualifying miles today. Off to a good start so far the year!  Liking the changes so far to the meals at AA so far.

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Gate upgrade BOS-IAH finally!

Just boarded on my Airbus 319 plane from Boston back to Houston on my quick United turn. On the outbound, my DFW-IAH upgrade cleared in advance (1K on an 5:20am... No competition really). I grabbed a bagel to eat from the United Club to eat on the plane.

My IAH to BOS is a different story. I got seat 8D (economy plus) with an empty seat next to me so it felt more like an Euro Business seat to me. The guy sitting in 8F slept the whole time so it was an uneventful flight. I had some food in the United Club and bought 2 tacos before boarding the plane. It was about 85% full in coach.

I did have Craig (purser from my First Class flight on Jan 3 IAH-BOS) again on the flight but this time in Coach. There were 2 beverage services and a water/orange juice service in between. I did have a chat with him and Nancy while waiting for the lavatory to become vacant. They flew in from SNA (Orange County-John Wayne Airport) last night and were done after the flight.

From Boston to Houston to Dallas... The end of an 16 hours travel day

I ended up #8 on the upgrade list with First class checked in full. Due to the inbound aircraft (that I was on) being 15 minutes late, we had a late departure from Boston of 35 minutes.

The reason we arrived late into Boston was that there was sever weather activity in southeast US so we had to fly north and then east to avoid it causing a late arrival into Boston and we had to wait for them to recalculate to get more fuel as well due to the overflying.

Seeing as my upgrade on the BOS-IAH very unlikely, I went to the United Club to use the Internet/wifi and relax before flying again. I also stopped by Panda Express to grab some food to eat on board.

The new posted departure time was initially 1:13pm but that became 1:36pm because we had to get more fuel since the flight time would be increased to about 5 hours. The weather in Boston was clear.

The service was good even in coach as there were 2 main beverage services, 2 water services, and a coffee service. I even managed to redeem a drink chit from 2010 as well. The subsidiary mainline Continental flights accepted old Continental Currency coupons as well last fall.

The flight was bumpy and the seatbelt sign came on several times for short time periods. The last 40 minutes were very rough. We had to slow down as we got closer to Houston as there was a lot of delays for arriving planes.

Up in the air again

It's great to fly again. I had to take the brother to the airport for his trip to Peru. We ended up on the same flight from DFW-IAH. I got upgraded to First the flight the day before on the CRJ 700.

After a quick stop at the United club, my favorite agent was able to get my brother better seats for his United flights. The 6AM flight was delayed so a lot of passengers were able to get stand by on my flight and we were maxed out at 60 passengers.

Due to expected rough air, we had the beverage service during boarding. The flight was quick and we arrived into Houston on time.

We made our way to the Terminal E United club near the gate where my brother would be departing from for his flight. After guested him in and a brief tour of the facilities, I bid him farewell.

I hustled to Gate C21 and was one of the lat passengers on the plane. I found an overhead space available above the bulkhead coach seat. I got upgraded on the flight the day before and was in seat 3E on the airbus 320. I somehow ended up in 1F on the airbus 319 after an aircraft swap.

First day of flying done!

No upgrade for me on my BOS-IAH as there is only 8 seats on the Airbus 319 in First. No big deal, I got an aisle exit row economy plus 20C for the flight. I managed to catch up on old newspapers I had left over from my trip in November.

My 8PM flight from IAH to DFW was delayed 1 hour due to inbound aircraft. The 7pm was pushed to 8pm. I used a kiosk machine confirm a seat on 6pm flight. Shows on time for now. Lost my first class seat though on the later flight.

Up in the air again!

While 2013 is only 3 days in, I just got off my first flight of the year. UA 2529 from DFW to IAH operates by SkyWest on a Canadair Regional Jet 200 series.

I woke up at 3am and it was freezing outside. A few changes this year, per check now available at E15 (Delta gates), remodel of DFW United Club almost finished, and United drops the amount of Premier Qualifying miles for most partner airlines (those not involved with Joint Business Venture).

It's off to Boston for me after a stop at IAH Terminal C South United club. Best part is that the upgrade cleared 4 days before departure. Bad part is that my return does it look promising. I'm still number 1 on the list (for now).

The route is usually on a Continental 737 with more first class seats (16 or so). Right now, it is a United Airbus 319 with 8 seats. I have an exit row Economy plus seat right now. If not upgraded, it will be lunch from Wendy's or Panda Express for me.

I did book my first fun trip yesterday. I booked the trip on AA/BA next month. DFW-MIA-JFK-ZRH // IST-LHR-DFW. Upgrades waitlisted both ways for the transatlantic portion. Here's to the upgrade clearing sooner than later.

I will have to make my own way between ZRH and IST... Using miles. More on that later.

Safe travels!