American Airlines Flight

Hi

I am considering booking an American Airlines flight from LHR - JFK, LGA - MCO. Has anybody used this route before, if so how did you transfer between airports in New York and how long does it normally take. It says that it's a 777 plane, would this have seat back tv's? How is the flight with AA generally?

Also any ideas which are the best seats, as the flight is fairly empty and I have reserved bulk head seats.

Any help would be appreciated.

Claire

I fly with AA quite a lot and like it. It is a good 'no frills' airline with efficient, if not special service. The staff give out necessary info clearly and quickly on the ground, something not always the case with all airlines. In the air, they are reasonably helpful and the seating seems adequate on most planes. The 777 is rather roomier than its older cousins.

I have also connected flights between JFK and La Guardia, though not on the MCO route. There are shuttles between the airports, but we used our friends' car. The journey depends on the time of the day and can be quite slow at working hours, even if it is not peak time. We travelled the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) between the two airports at around 2pm on a weekday afternoon and the traffic was on the heavy side, taking about an hour if I remember right.

I fly AA to Orlando all the time from Heathrow. However I always change in Chicago or Boston as it's the same airport and much easier. Check if this option is open for you.

Dave

Claire,
I flew LHR-MIA-MCO out and MCO-BOS-LHR return in 2003. The bulkhead seats on 777 are fine and have flip-up TV screens with the downside being fixed armrests. The BOS gateway for us was better as it splits the flight up quite nicely assuming that the stopover time is quite short. Don't forget that the 777 will only be on the transatlantic leg and the internal US flight will be either an MD-80 or 767 with no entertainment (take a good book!!), although the legroom on the internal flight is still far better with AA than you will ever get on a European flight. I had no issues and I am 6'4". We got a great deal with this routing, however this was 2003. We thought that AA were great and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again if the gateway/stopover was good - as Dave says maybe Boston or Chicago might be better than having to cross 'town' in NY! Have a good one whatever you end up doing.......

Flying out is ok....however if you check my 'bumped' thread, you will see i had great difficulty in getting home again. So double double check that you actually have a reserved seat number, because if you have a definite date to get home again you might have problems, because i just returned yesterday and i did.

Only Flown with AA twice, in my experience, FANTASTIC airline! I think we also change at Chicargo, it was , not done the LHR - JFK, LGA - MCO though so can't comment on that. But we were very impressed with leg room, seat sizes, large screens at back of seats, food....everything actually!!!:)

Thanks everyone for your help.

I have looked at the Manchester - Boston route but it's on a 757, does that make any difference to the leg room? Will all flights have seat back tv's.

Thanks again.

Claire

The MAN-BOS is a new route starting later this year (in May I think). American are using a domestic 757 with a 3-3 configuration. I am pretty sure that it isn't 1 of the newer planes because it is only offering economy fares but there are few of the old first class seats at the front of the plane which can't normally be booked in advance.

I would be very surprised if there are seat back TV's (or indeed any visual entertainment). I am also pretty sure it won't be 1 of the 'More Room' planes.

The only attraction for me is that I think this route must be the shortest transatlantic trip available (under 6 hours on the return).

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Claire M
Thanks everyone for your help.

I have looked at the Manchester - Boston route but it's on a 757, does that make any difference to the leg room? Will all flights have seat back tv's.

Thanks again.

Claire
[/quote]

In my view the 757 is not a good aircraft for any transatlantic route, I used to be cabin crew and have operated the New York route on a 757, is it not good for passengers and crew alike.[msnscared]

I agree completely - what are American doing with this new route? I don't see many people being impressed with it using such an unsuitable aircraft.