Chicago XV – Tiers and Dreams
AA1180 Dallas Fort Worth to San Juan
Contents:
- Tiers? And Dreams? Huh?
- Off to Heathrow, American Airlines FlAAgship Lounge
- American Airlines AA99 London – Chicago
- Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Back to O’Hare, AA AAdmrials Club
- American Airlines AA1380 Chicago to St Louis, St Louis AAdmirals Club, AA1685 St Louis to Dallas Fort Worth
- DFW and AAn CEO encounter…
- American Airlines AA1180 – Dallas Fort Worth to San Juan – THIS SECTION
- The Intercontinental San Juan and #Rucksackgate
- San Juan International Airport
- American Airlines AA1591 San Juan to Dallas Forth Worth
- More messing around DFW
- American Airlines AA1618 Dallas Fort Worth to St Louis International, A quick STL Stop, American Airlines AA1186 St Louis to Chicago
- The Hyatt Regency O’Hare with a Rucksack gate update
- One Time Exception: A Chicago Photographic Interlude
- O’Hare Take 3, AA AAdmirals Club
- AA3360 Chicago O’Hare to Toronto Pearson
- Toronto Airport Omnishambles – The Long Wait, BA Toronto Lounge
- BA96 Toronto to London Heathrow featuring the British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Homeward bound
- The long and winding road
AA1180 Dallas Fort Worth – San Juan
American Airlines Boeing 757-200, Seat 1A, First Class
140 Tier Points Earned, 2,165 Base Avios, 541 Avios Cabin Bonus 2,165 Tier Bonus
The photos:
- Set 1 http://www.photoblog.com/kevincm/2013/10/20/aa-dallas-fort-worth-san-jaun-1.html
- Set 2 http://www.photoblog.com/kevincm/2013/10/21/aa-dallas-fort-worth-san-juan-2.html
After heading down the jetway, there was a short delay as the crew were still getting ready for boarding.
Once clear, I was welcomed aboard – and headed to 1A as my seat (knowing as this flight was catered, American Airlines normally follows FEBO for food (Front Even, Odd Backward… meaning flights with an even number get food first, with flights with an odd number getting food first).
After managing to trap my bag in the overhead bin (a strap got stuck… something I’d sort out when landing), I settled down to my 1A seat. Again, another bulkhead seat… but this time, a nice LCD screen – indicating this was a refurbished 757.
Boarding took a while as there was a clamour for bag space, but soon enough the plane was under way.
The safety video was shown, and soon enough the 757 begun a long taxi around DFW.
Shock! An airline that isn’t wearing an AA Paintjob at DFW!
Eventually the plane lined up, with the Rolls Royce RB-211s spooling up for a quick take off for this 4 and a bit hour flight.
Soon enough the plane broke free of the grey and into the blue skies.
http://pb-i4.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/6247-1383103690-3.jpg
Climbing out
After a short while, in flight service begun with headphones were given out – and these were the in-ear style ones. Not brilliant quality, but better than the ones given out in long haul economy (which can hurt the ears after a while)
Headphones
Followed by… a Hot towel.. and yes, it was hot – always good to see.
Whilst the IFE system begun to play Star Trek: Into Darkness, I whipped out the tablet and watched something else instead….
Leonard trying to Impress Penny in his lab: The Big Bang Theory
With that service was a bit sluggish to start with, but we started off with the traditional hot nuts… that were served in non-traditional containers with drinks
I went for a Vodka and cola (yes, I’ll get original with my drinks. Just not this trip… and probably not a few more down the line…)
Looks like someone forgot to load the ramekins in the rush to turn the plane around… whilst it doesn’t affect the taste, it does affect the look – and this is important in Business Class.
A short while after, the nuts were cleared away and it was time for the meal service – and I took advantage of the pre-ordered meal (even though I was in the first position to get a meal). I went for the Teriyaki Beef, served with rice, bean, bread, and salad.
Tray
Main
Salad
Posh salt and pepper pack.
Cutlery Detail
Wine was also served too.
It wasn’t that bad for a business class meal, with nothing over-cooked and the beef not too chewy. The rice wasn’t soggy (which helps), whilst the beans did look like they went through the full airline treatment
More drinks were offered after the meal as the mainland of the USA fell behind us and the blues of the Caribbean started to take over
Proper Caribbean Blues…
Day turned into night, as there was minimal service after the meal service. Pity – a few more drinks runs wouldn’t have gone amiss.
During the final hour of the flight, it did get a bit bumpy, requiring seatbelts to be put on (not that many people took notice sadly).
Sun setting through the other side.
Dusk
The plane begun its decent into San Juan, as the crew did a check through the cabin for loose service items.
Soon enough the plane begun going through the night sky, and towards a new territory to me.
New bright lights
The plane touched down with a bit of force from its 4 and 40 flight, taxiing to the end of the runway. Those of you who are not fans of blurry video taking will be happy to know that the video was more out of focus than normal… and I didn’t upload it.
With the clocks going forward an hour, for me – time was becoming more an illusion as this adventure went on.
Eventually, our plane came to a gate, and the plane docked at 1L, bringing my first Caribbean flight to an end.
San Juan… and full of AA Tails here…
With a bong, there was a race to the exit in the cabin – even in First Class. I managed to de-wrangle my bag from the luggage bin that tried to chew the strap off. With that done, I thanked the crew, and headed off to a new adventure.
Except… as I’d shortly discover, not an adventure I’d wanted in the least.
Coming up: #RucksackGate! And The InterContinental San Juan
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