Flight was delayed by 6 hours... the level of incompetence was truly astounding. I won't be flying American Airlines again. I don't care if AA is direct and there is a layover with another airline, I'll take the layover.
Check in was easy. Flights were smooth. Flight attendants were courteous and friendly.
Little time between flight from Dallas to flight to Gainesville. We chose this one, 43 minutes between, because the price for a connection with at least an hour between, was so much higher. Had to ask passengers on the Dallas flight to please allow us to deplane ahead of them. The economy passengers allowed this. We had to walk very fast to the next gate, 35 gates away. Thankfully all in the same terminal. Getting to the small Gainesville plane was a little confusing as you enter an area that is boarding many small planes at the same time. We stood in the wrong line for about 15 seconds before realizing it was not our Gainesville flight. Since I had boarded at this gate in the past, I knew to check the signs carefully so we weren’t lost. The first class seat experience was wonderful. I really enjoyed the upgrade. We were offered an alcohol drink as soon as we sat down. I got something different but it was a great gesture especially since we really had to hurry to make the flight. We had packed expecting we might miss this connection, but made it. Our luggage didn’t miss the flight. American Airlines delivered our bags to our home the next day. That was very convenient!
The plane was large, not full, but one with 3 seats near each window and 4 in a row in the middle of the plane. There were screens on the backs of the seats for entertainment and information. To use the entertainment one needs ear plugs that physically plug into the screen. My husband had some he let me use as I only had blue tooth type. The stewards gave out some headphones to some, but when my neighbor asked for some, the steward said no. So maybe they ran out? Idk. Bring the old kind of headphones or earbuds if you want entertainment in case this is the type of entertainment offered. We had a very tight connection in Miami. 43 minutes. The other economy passengers allowed us to get ahead of them because I asked if we could since we were near boarding time for our next flight and 35 gates away. They were extremely kind. First class wasn’t going to allow us to pass through. We did make the next flight. Our baggage didn’t, but they were delivered to us the next day and we were prepared with essentials in our carry on packs.
We departed early and arrived early The plane was clean and the crew was incredibly efficient another positive experience with American airlines for me.
Flight left on time. Captain provided relevant announcements. We had to wait 45 minutes to desembark due to the ramp closed because of lightening.
So overall the flight was just average and nothing special. They overbooked some of the flights and they ended up running out of overhead storage space so we had to check our carry-ons which wasn't terrible but we were inconvenienced because of the second connecting flight with a long layover we couldn't get our bags until the final destination. Most of the flight attendants were pretty good and overall the meals were not that great because the chicken was dry and overcooked. They also didn't provide butter or any kind of spread with the bread which is cheap and concerning. The American airlines staff at the check-in counter was kind of unprofessional because this lady just started singing in the middle of checking us in and that's weird. The worst part of the flights was the terrible conditions of the bathrooms which were unclean and did not have toilet paper or toilet tissue available which is kind of insane for a 14-hour and 8 and 1/2 hour flight.
Everything was fine except the end of the flight. We spent more than an hour circling around Miami due to weather conditions. That was not good.
They lost my bag. ... And I asked them 3 times to 3 different people if my checked bag will maKe it all the way - they all confirmed and at the end it was left at the connection... Bravo
Cancelled BOYH legs of our flight home 30 min before initial boarding
