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Dallas Fort Worth International
I took the shuttle from the Hilton Arlington to the airport and the shuttle driver dropped me at the entrance closest to my gate A 17. Since I had already my boarding pass - albeit on British Airways paper - I proceeded to security. I was not sure, if I was allowed to pass, as sometimes the personal at the entrance wanted to have a proper boarding pass issued by the airline actually operating the flight, but this time I was allowed to pass. There was a fast track and priority line as well as a TSA pre-check line, but the regular line, which I had joined, was not very long as well.
Security itself took some minutes, but unlike those of other passengers, my hand luggage did not need to be searched manually. After I packed liquid and laptop back and dressed up again, I went to the nearby Admiral’s Club opposite gate A 24, where I was allowed to enter and received a bit to my surprise two drink voucher. I assume, this was, because it was an international ticket, but United was not always this generous in the past.
I decided to exchange my drink voucher against some sparkling wine and took a seat in the main part of the club. The lounge was busy, but not overcrowded and the most guests had at least one free seat next to them.
The time in the lounge passed quickly while chatting with a member of the IT staff updating the tablets for flight information, which had all lost the internet connection. He had lived in Germany for a few years and we chatted about Germany and how it has changed after he had left in the mid 90ies.
Boarding had not started yet, but an announcement was made hat priority boarding would start in approximately five minutes, which was earlier than the time indicated on the board at the gate. Time for me to give the usual information about the plane for the flight to Miami.
At the gate was waiting an Airbus A 321-231 (WL), which was delivered to American Airlines only a couple of months ago, on February 19, 2015. It was powered by 2 IAE V2533-A5 engines and equipped with 16 seats in First Class, 33 seats in Main Cabin Extra and 132 seats in Economy Class.
Boarding started with passenger travelling in First Class before American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinums and Platinum as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire Members could board. Both priority calls were enforced and two passengers were send back as they were not yet entitled to board the plane.
28 October 2015
DFW – MIA
[Dallas Forth Worth – Miami International]
AA 1462 (American Airlines); A321-200 (N131NN)
Gate A 17
11:55 – 15:46 [effective 14:06 – 17:58]
Economy Class (Main Cabin Extra)
Seat 10 C
I was greeted at the entrance to the plane and walked to my seat in the main cabin extra part of the plane. I put my carry on in the overhead bin and the laptop back under the seat in front of me.
I am asked frequently, why I am sometimes so keen to board a plane early as it would be nicer to cut the time in a plane short and board last. The reason is quite simple. If I am travelling with hand luggage, I want to have the bag next to my seat. Not only is it easier to get things out of the bag, it could also safe time, because if the bag had to be brought further to the back, I must wait to get it or even worse it needs to be checked and thus means I had to wait at the airport.
Another advantage of my Sapphire Status, which is only the mid-tier on oneworld, is that it gets me a seat in main cabin extra without paying a fee. Unlike on United, where only United Star Gold Members get Economy Plus free of charge, American allows all oneworld elites of Sapphire Status or higher to reserve Main Cabin Extra seats free of charge.
Main Cabin Extra is in my eyes worth the money to buy for it and over flights of more than 2 hours, I would recommend buying it, especially if one is tall or want to use a laptop during the flight.
American Airlines offers Main Cabin Extra on most of its mainline fleet with more than 50 seats but with the exception of the US Airways planes which are currently re-fitted with Main Cabin Extra. It is comparable with United Economy Plus but could not compare with Premium Economy o British Airways, Lufthansa, LOT and Air France.
The seat width is the same than in Economy Class but the seat pitch is increased between 3 inch and 6 inch to now 34 and 37 inches (86–94 cm). If you need to work with a laptop, this could make a difference. It also offers a power outlet at each seat.
The crew came several times over the intercom while passengers were boarding the plane and requested that larger items should be stored in the overhead compartment while smaller items should be placed under the seat. Of course and not uncommon, a number of passengers had different assumptions of small and place even hand bags in the overhead compartment and refused to take them down to make room for larger items, which did not fit under the seat.
Nevertheless boarding was soon completed and the captain welcomed us on board and informed us about our flight time to Miami, which would be 2:09 minutes and the weather in Miami. We should expect a cloudy sky with temperature of 29 C and thunderstorms later in the afternoon. He also announced the safety video, which was shown a couple of minutes later while we were still at the gate.
We were pushed back at 11:59. Usually there is a small wait during the flight deck performs another checklist and then the planes taxies to the runway. This time, the time was long and finally the captain came over the microphone and mentioned that we had some issues with the hydraulic system for the breaks and the pressure system. He wants to have it fixed in Dallas, which means we would taxi back to the gate and wait for maintenance, which was already on its way. At this time he expected a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
We taxied back to the gate and the APU was used for the power in the plane. A couple of minutes later, the captain came out of the cockpit and talked to maintenance after which he informed us, that we now had another problem and the wait would probably be longer.
In the systems, our flight was now already showing with a delay of 45 minutes and no longer active. After a while, he updated us again, that the problem was much more extensive than expected and he also informed us, that we have the possibility to see for alternative options, but that checked luggage would not be retrieved from the plane. At this time, the later flight to Miami was in its final boarding and it would be highly unlikely for me to rebook me on this flight but I kept an eye on the next flight to Miami.
During the time we were at the gate, the crew offered water and the entertainment system, which usually had to be paid except for some free channels, was completely free of charge for this flight. The crew offered headphones and the gate agent informed us about connections. A few passengers were rebooked on other planes and left this plane, while other passengers boarded this plane. This was at least a sign, that the flight was not expected to become cancelled.
Finally and after what seems like many hours, the captain came over the intercom and informed us that the problem had been solved and after the paperwork had be done, we would be on our way.
Finally the doors were closed and at 14:06 we were pushed back a second time, while the safety video was again shown. We taxied to runway 35 C, where we had to queue for some time before it finally at 14:34 left DFW in Northern direction before turning towards the south and the Gulf of Mexico.
After the seat belt signs were switched off, the crew began the beverage service and offered food for purchase. I opted for tonic water and read in my magazine and worked with the laptop while listening to music. The plane was equipped with the Thales entertainment system offering an extensive selection of music, videos and games, a few free of charge and the most for a fee. On this delayed flight, everything was free.
The flight was smooth and as expected we were not able to safe some time while airborne. The captain came over the microphone approximately forty minutes prior to landing and updated us about our progress towards Miami and also the weather. As the thunderstorms were already in the Miami area, he expected turbulence during the approach and therefore as a precaution wanted the crew be seated for the last 30 minutes and switched the fasten seat belt signs on. He asked the crew to prepare the cabin for arrival earlier.
The crew did so and collected all remaining items from the service and prepared the cabin.
The approach was a bit bumpy but nothing really serious.
We touched town on runway 12 of Miami International Airport at 17:49 and taxied to our gate D24 at Miami’s Terminal D, which is used by AA. Finally at 17:58 with a delay of 132 minutes the jet-bridge was attached to the gate and we could leave it.
It took a couple of more minutes before I could leave the plane and walk over to the People Mover to the rental car outlets.