Time for another Snapshot – this time, looking at American Airlines AA87 between London Heathrow T3 and Chicago O’Hare
Transit and Security Clearance: Sadly, changing planes at Heathrow can never be a simple task – whilst it is a matter of following the signs and boarding the shuttle bus – there re a couple of complications – namely the American Airlines security and passport check. Those formalities do add time – so allow time for your transit.
Boarding: Boarding was delayed due to inbound flight deciding to arrive late. The net-result is were an hour 30 down by the time we had landed in Chicago. Boarding was doing by Passengers requiring assistance, First and Business, Elites, then everyone else.
The Plane:
- Good news: AA87 is being flown with Boeing 777-200ER.
- Bad news: It’s un-refurnished.
At the gate
2-3-2 Business Class Wedgie Beds
And down the back – the classic 2-5-2 economy seats are every present:
Economy seats – no Main Cabin Extra on these birds.
Oh, and the economy seats recline well… right into your face. I was just over 1 Pikachu iPhone case away from being squished.
Shame the person did this at just over 3,000ft – the only rest-bite was during the main meal service where the person was instructed to bring their seat up.
In-Flight Entertainment: It’s the classic Rockwell-Collins IFE system – so, it’s a loop IFE at seat system. It’s a step up from the big screen system offered aboard the 767’s… but even then – limited in content (although I did get the chance to catch up with Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
This IFE box belongs in the last centenary…
Did I have to create a GhettoIFE System?.… duh.
Food and Drink
Welcome service of drinks and pretzels
The main meal server was offered as “Chicken with Rice” or “Pasta”. No other descriptions offered for the main. I went for the Chicken.
And for second service… the cost-cutting snackbox.
The Cabin: It’s a 777-200 cabin, so it’s the usual cabin with curves everywhere. However, main lights were on between Sections 2 and 3 all the time. Additionally, safety belt lights weren’t working too…
Main cabin lights on all the time, safety lights off all the time.
The full review in the next few weeks!
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Respite, not “rest-bite.”
Business looks to be only marginally better.
It is no wonder people go slightly nuts in this environment. Maybe it is time to file suit against the air lines. It certainly appears as if they are conspiring to make more money at the expense of passengers comfort and mental health. Lab rats in confined cramped spaces will turn and attack their “neighbor”. People do the same as the news media often reports. Greed is distructive in many ways!