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Miami International
I returned my rental car at Miami’s Rental Car Centre and took People Mover over to the terminal D, where the counters of American Airlines were located.
The self boarding machines printed my boarding pass without issue and soon I was on the way to the nearest security checkpoint, which was not very busy. A fast track was not in line and the Known Traveller Number was not yet recognized, which means I had to use the regular line, which was short and the waiting time was not long. Without need for a manual search and only a quick patting down at my right arm, which was marked by the body scanner, I was on my way to the nearest American Airlines Admirals Club at gate D 30. With enough time until my flight was boarding and the knowledge, that the club close to gate D 16 was undergoing renovation, this was the better option to spend some time.
My boarding pass was verified and unlike Star Alliance Airlines, there was no need to show my British Airways Executive Club Card to gain access. I was given a drink voucher for a complimentary alcoholic beverage. The club was busy in the main section, but there were additional seating in the back, where it was not difficult to get a free cubicle with four free seats. I exchanged my drink voucher against a glass of white wine and grabbed some olives, noodle salad and vegetables from the buffet. Finishing some work with my laptop, answering some e-mails and making some phone calls were my duties for the hour or so I spend in the club.
Boarding time was approaching but not yet there and so I decided to stretch my legs and walk over to my gate instead of taking the connecting train.
I passed a quick visit at the other Admirals Club, which was busy, but not difficult to find a seat in the open area close to the escalator. It was only a quick visit for some coffee and water before I continued the remaining metres to my gate.
At gate was waiting an Airbus A 319-115 (WL) with the registration N9010R for the short hop over to Tampa International Airport. This Airbus was delivered to American Airlines on September 30, 2013 and leased from CIT. It was powered by two CFM56-5B7/3 engines by CFMI with a thrust of 27,000 llbf or 120 kN each. The cabin was equipped with eight seats in First Class and 120 seats in Economy Class, but had already the main cabin extras seats in the first rows.
Boarding had not started yet, but main boarding should start in approximately ten minutes as indicated on the signboard behind the podium and also mentioned by the gate agent. She also informed us, that priority boarding was available prior to this and would start with First Class before AAdvantage Executive Platinums and Platinums as well as the corresponding elites of oneworld partner airlines were invited to board.
A couple of minutes later, boarding started as announced and after first class had boarded we were allowed to board the plane.
29 October 2015
MIA – TPA
[Miami International – Tampa International]
AA 251 (American Airlines); Airbus A 319-100 (N9010R)
Gate D 8
17:00 – 18:04 [effective 16:55 – 17:57]
Economy Class (Main Cabin Extra
Seat 09 F
At the entrance to the plane I was welcomed by two crew members and passed the small First Class Cabin, which had already boarded and was full and proceeded to my seat in the second row of the Economy Class Cabin. The gentlemen at the aisle had already boarded and while he got off his seat to let me pass, I stored my carry on in the overhead compartment. For this flight I had decided to get a window seat as I hoped to get some views of Miami and / or Tampa. It had rained earlier and there were clouds over Miami, but Tampa should be sunny according to the weather forecast.
Boarding was done quickly and the plane was nearly fully booked. There were only one or two seats left.
The captain came over the microphone after boarding was completed and mentioned that we were nearly ready to depart. There was only the need to store bags from late connections and then we were on our way to Tampa, which was a short 39 minutes flight. The safety video, as usual announced by the captain, was shown soon after he finished his speach. In the meantime the cargo door, which was right at my windows, was closed, and we were pushed back ahead of schedule at 16:55.
We taxied for runway 08 R, where we had to queue after a number of narrow and wide bodies, among those an Iberia plane bound for Madrid and an American Airlines 767, before it was out turn in front of a Air Berlin A 330 bound for Düsseldorf.
At 17:12 the captain powered both engines and we accelerated in Eastern direction towards the Atlantic with another plane taking off at the same time on runway 12.
We turned to the north and continued our flight across Florida. There was only a reduced beverage service announced on this flight and available were water, orange and apple juice.
I passed on this offer.
The Thales flight map was working and so I discover the features. It is possible to adjust the resolution and see the flight track were good. Several different options are available and it is great to be able to identify what is on the ground by the overlaying satellite map. The system was premiered in 2011 on Boeing 777 operated by Air China. Since that it was fitted into a number of other planes of different airlines. Thy system allows view from left and right windows, cockpit views and outside views of the aircraft, which can be rotated 360° in either direction. For sure a nice gimmick ….
We approached Tampa from South-East but passed east of the airport before making a 180 turn and approached Tampa from the North. At 15:53 we touched down on runway 19 R and taxied for our gate at the terminal F, where we arrived at 17:57 ahead of schedule.
It took some time before the jet bridge was attached to the plane as the ground crew seems not to be ready. I left the plane quickly and entered the main terminal to take the connecting train towards the main terminal to take the shuttle to the Sixt Outlet.