Petra, Cairo, More Mileage Running

via Lufthansa and Emirates First Class

February 2018

LAX Flagship First Dining and AA First from LAX to JFK

Another gorgeous SoCal morning and I'm off to LAX to continue my CAI-HNL ticket and progress to my BA Gold. But instead of returning to Cairo, I've changed that trip to September and my next year BA qualification. So today, it's LAX-JFK and then JFK-BOS-LAX on a separate ticket to get me over the 1,500 Tier Point threshold for BA Gold.

And yet another LAX traffic bottleneck as a dozen LAPD cops were checking vehicle and profiling passengers driving to the terminals.

Lots of parking spaces on the ground floor of the T4 garage.

A month later, this escalator is still not working.

The PreCheck escalator was clogged with a bunch of mainland Chinese pax who inexplicably had PreCheck access. I exited and used the Flagship check-in where a great porter espcorted me to the from of the PreCheck line and conveyor. That was worth a $20 tip.

I checked in downstairs and received my Dining invite.

Love the period celebrity photos that line the hallway to Flagship First Dining.

Nice first impression with an impressive bar and communal work table.

Not a big fan of the thick partitions and the two tops squeezed against said partition.

More two tops against the wall. And the good seats by the window are too sunny in the morning.

Since I arrived at around 9:15am, it was still breakfast time and the Breakfast Menu.

Service was pleasant... but more friendly and adequate than excellent like JFK.

The Steak, Eggs, Frites sounded great. OK, that sure doesn't look very appetizing. What chef in his right mind would like think this looks good?? And where is the Steak?

OMG, this was disgusting. All I could eat were the eggs, after brushed off the sauce. The short ribs were just plain gross. And the "crispy potatoes" weren't even close to be crispy. They were soft... just you get them on any AA inflight meal. I'm betting that the kitchen made a big batch early in the morning and then just served all morning from that.

I sent it back and with time running out, went with just the House-made Toasted Coconut Granola with apricot guava compote and Greek yogurt. I sure didn't see any granola as this was basically a smoothie. Jeez.

OK, not a good first First Dining impression. Maybe it was the B team in the kitchen for breakfast and maybe it's all still new. Hopefully, the All Day menu is better... or it's back to the QF lounge.

Before I headed to the gate, I checked out the regular part of the crowded Flagship Lounge.

American First Class to JFK

American First Class to JFK

At T-35, I headed downstairs for the short walk to Gate 42B.

Los Angeles LAX to New York JFK

American AA 172

A321T

10:45a-7:19p

March 19, 2018

Seat 3F

After multiple paging of passengers and 4 Concierge Key membets, boarding started at T-25 with Concierge Key, although none of them stepped forward to board.

Multiple pillow/blanket sets at each F seat.

Apparently cabin cleaning no longer includes the exposed counter tops.

Not sure if this was an FA thing or new #GoingForGreat directive, but pre departure beverages are now served in plastic.

Today's menu...

And wine list which shockingly featured two $30 bottles plus a couple of more typicAAl $10 and a $20.

And we're off...

Despite the plastic PDB issue, overall excellent service today by our NY-based First Class FA Beth, who asked whether I'd like the can.

Showtime, AA style.

Nothing says AA First Class than plastic salt and pepper shakers. Hey, at least they're not paper packets.

The sourdough roll was warm and delicious.

The Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Timbale was quite good.

The Drouhin Pouilly-Vinzelles was a meh, although its room temp probably didn't help. It actally tasted better watered down and cooled by ice from my Diet Coke. LOL.

For my main, I chose the Thai Beef Red Curry with stir fried veggies and coconut rice. Nice presentation...

... and was quite tasty despite the beef being pretty well done.

Mid flight snack from the snack basket. Panna from the Flagship Lounge.

And warm chocolate chip cookie about an hour out.

On descent to JFK on a beautiful evening.

American Flagship First Dining JFK

We arrived at Gate 34, so a healthy hike to the Flagship Lounge.

Mrs. SFO777 and I saw Kinky Boots last year and loved it. One of the best musicals in years. I'd highly recommend.

Really cool wall on the hallway to the lounge.

The regular serve yourself offerings for those without First Dining privileges.

And my home for the next hour.

So much nicer than LAX.

And with fabulous service from Karol and Karen at the bar. My first glass of lovely Bollinger.

I started with the Maryland Style Crab Cakes, spicy remoulade with zuchini and cherry tomato salad. Very good.

My Roasted Pork Tenderloin was amazing, with mustard cream escarole and lentils. Yum.

Not on the menu but Karen made me a Spicy Tequila which she served me a couple of times last year.

And my brownie sundae.

What a treat. Great food and service in the best airline lounge in the country.

American A321T First Class to Boston

At T-35, I headed downstairs for the short walk to Gate 7.

Gate 7 is one of those weird gates with a long, long, long walk to the plane. It's pretty much back all the way back to the Flagship Lounge.

Waiting across the concourse for boarding.

New York JFK to Boston BOS

American AA 1105

A321T

9:20p-10:40p

March 19, 2018

Seat 3F

Boarding began around 9pm. The long, long walk to the plane. First passing Gate 5.

Turn right...

Another long passageway...

Another right turn...

Another long passageway...

And a left turn onto a long jetbridge.

Phew, finally. AA operates their transcon 321T once a day to Boston. It sells transcon First as regular First and Business Class as Main Cabin Extra. Pretty cool except for the fact the flight is onlty 20-25 minutes long.

Despite the short flight, excellent service.

Hilton Boston Logan Airport

It was a little more than a month ago that I stayed at the Boston Logan airport Hilton. This Hilton is arguably the worst located "in airport" hotel anywhere... a good 2 mile walk from some gates. Yet here I am again, like a glutton for punishment, booked at the Hilton and planning to walk. Amazingly, tonight's walk was even longer...

The B gates are so far from the hotel that there aren't even signs to the hotel. Jeez, I even has to go outside to get to another part of the B terminal.