AA Flagship Transcon First
While United has Polaris and Delta offers Delta One on coast-to-coast flights, these are business class products. American is the last legacy US carrier to offer a true First Class product, both Internationally and on Transcon routes from JFK to select west coast destinations such as Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. I was lucky enough to try this service while returning from New York recently. I purchased a Business Class ticket and was offered a purchased upgrade to First for $169.
I arrived at JFK about 2 hours before my flight and was able to take advantage of the Flagship First check-in area, which is still being remodeled and was in a temporary area, even so, no one was in line when I arrived, and I had my bag checked and my boarding pass in no time. There is a private entrance to security from flagship check-in allowing you to skip the line, and from curb to lounge took about 4 minutes, which is impressive. I entered the lounge and was invited to the Flagship dining room. Flagship dining is reserved for Transcon and International first customers, it is a private sanctuary within the main lounge. The menu is impressive, and the food is restaurant quality. I ordered eggs benedict and a bloody mary, and both were excellent. Along with an excellent menu, premium spirits and a nice wine list are offered. After breakfast, I headed to the main lounge where both flagship business and first passengers are welcome. There is a lovely buffet spread as well as an impressive serve yourself bar and bloody mary station. Piper Heidsieck champagne is also on offer, which is a nice touch.
All too soon it was time to head to the gate. I arrived as boarding began and was able to get right on, upon boarding I realized this is no ordinary single-aisle aircraft. These special configured Airbus A321 aircraft have only 102 seats in a premium heavy configuration. First class has 10 seats in a 1-1 configuration with fully lie-flat beds, there are 20 Business class seats in a 2-2 configuration that also lies flat, and in the back just 72 economy seats. My seat 4A had a plush pillow and duvet waiting as I arrived as well as Bose noise-canceling headphones. The seat is impressive, private, and incredibly comfortable. Once in the air the crew sprang into action, domestic US crews can be hit and miss but this crew was great. I started with a bloody mary that was accompanied by warm nuts, followed by my preselected meal of a toasted bagel and smoked salmon platter, this was delicious.
After breakfast I decided to take a nap as I had a bit of a late night the day before, the seat reclines into a spacious and comfortable bed and the bedding is plush and comfortable and I was able to manage about 3 hours of sleep. About an hour before arrival warm cookies are passed out with a beverage service a great touch.
We arrived a few minutes early and I was off the plane and headed home within minutes. AA Transcon First is in my opinion the most luxurious way to fly across the country and the only true First class product in the US domestic market. If you would like to experience AA flagship first for yourself please contact us at Lux Jet Set where we can handle all of your luxury travel needs.