AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  29 June 2009 : by G Riches   (UK)

Was travelling first time on this airline from Barbados to Miami with my wife who isn't a very confident flyer. We were one of the first to check in at Barbados and then boarding the plane, we got to our seats and a couple was sitting it them - we said we thought they had the wrong seats, and with that they got their tickets out. We had duplicate seats, we contacted a steward who said you will have to ask the lady in the hi-vis jacket - so back up the plane we went and she said okay, you sit there and your wife will have to sit at the back. I replied "this isnt right" and she simply said "well you might be able to sort something after you take off", and with that she walked off the plane. We managed to find seats ourselves - but what a terrible attitude.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  29 June 2009 : by S Srinivasan   (USA)

DEL-ORD-DFW and DFW-MAD, all in Business except for ORD-DFW, which was domestic First. Bought the tickets in Y, but used miles to upgrade. We had the dreaded "trainee" when checking in at DEL, and though it took ages to get checked in, he and the person helping him were friendly. Boarding at DEL was the usual chaos due to queue jumping and crowding the gate, but at least priority was given to premium passengers, and the gate agents were enforcing this. Service was on a standard B777-300 with the new angled-flat business seats. I know some people don't like the new seats, but I found them fine, and managed a little more than 9 hours sleep. The FA was somewhat rude, but the AVOD choices were much improved over my last AA flight, with several recent movies and TV shows. Dinner out of DEL was terrible, wines were fine, and breakfast was decent. ORD-DFW your typical AA domestic hop on an MD-80. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible, with another breakfast service. Crew didn't bend over backwards for you, but were at least polite. Bags were out on the carousel within about 15 minutes. DFW-MAD on a B767. Ground agents at DFW were good, especially the lady at the Admirals Club. FAs on this leg were also quite good. Dinner was much better than out of DEL, though still not great, and breakfast was again alright. Usual semi-flat business seat on this leg, and again, I found them fine, and got a good sleep. IFE was again AVOD, this time on portable DVD players. The selection was fine, but the sound quality was poor, and made the shows difficult to hear. Bags took forever - almost an hour - to come out at Barajas, though I suspect this is a problem with the airport and not AA. All fights on time, if not a little early. AA's staff seem to be getting better, though still not up to the mark of Asian carriers, and they need to work on their food in biz class.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  23 June 2009 : by Ron Miller   (USA)

BOS-STL Econ/First. Due to a mechanical failure was re-routed Boston - Washington DC - STL. I don't much care for AA Connections or what ever it's called because the planes are too small for someone my size - but the flight was not entirely unpleasant - the flight attendant was attentive and the equipment clean. The DCA - STL was perfectly adequate the drinks flowing freely as well as snacks - no meal though. Again, equipment clean even though the flight had just arrived from DFW.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  21 June 2009 : by L Dudley   (USA)

AA service has deteriorated a lot recently. None of the staff care and it is very evident whether it's check in, baggage or even the Admirals Club. Was upgraded to first class on my last flight and even the service there was fair at best. Flight attendants read their magazines and did the crossword puzzle. Baggage claim told me to "wait until the next flight and see if my bag is on it" when my luggage was lost - this was at 1:30am! Admirals Club rep told me to wait while she concluded her personal phone call. I could go on and on. They have lost sight of who the customer is.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  18 June 2009 : by S Silk   (France)

CDG-MIA, MIA-ORL. A flexible Coach class ticket cost over 1600eurs, was very surprised when asked to pay $5 for a beer. In Miami all AA passengers were kept in the baggage hall, our flight, for over 4 hours, the ramp crew would not unload the aircraft due to storms, yet passengers were calling friends who were collecting from the arrivals building were saying what storm, eventually AA ground staff told us that no other airlines were taking of or landing and that the airfield was closed, however this was not the case, after our flight had arrived two other non AA flights a British Aiways and Virgin Atlantic flight arrived, fortunately they use a different ramp contracting company and all their bags were unloaded and passengers left the airport baggage hall in good time, it was only the AA passengers stranded, with no food or water being available in the hall. Asking AA staff in the baggage hall about my connecting flight to Orlando, they told me that there were many flights to Orlando that evening so would not have a problem reaching my destination. All AA flights to Orlando except the last one that day was cancelled. After I had collected my bags I was told to queue (another 1 hour) to arrange an alternative connection, AA had just transferred me to a flight the following day. I asked to standby for the last flight of the day which they let me do, and found out that I was 1 of 120 other people. Fortunately I eventually got on the flight which was due to take off at around 2200, it eventually took off at 2400. I reached my hotel at 02hr00, 10 hours later than I should have. The return journey was almost as bad, arrived at Orlando Airport at 1230 to checkin for a 1545 departure for Miami. I waited in line for 2 hours before eventually reaching the desk, my departure was delayed which meant that I would not make my connecting flight from Mia-CDG. AA agent transferred me to Continental Airlines and I got on a flight to Newark and then Newark to CDG. Once Continental took over there were no long queues and staff were friendly and seemed organised, they still charged for drinks however. The only down side was that as I was a late passenger on the flight I had a seat infront of an exit row which do not recline, so 7 hours sat upright through the night is a long time. Apart from one AA person at the Miami airport departure gate who seemed caring and helpful, I found the AA staff unhelpful and disorganised. If it can be at all avoided, I will not be travelling with AA again. I can honestly say that my recent trips with AA have been the worst ever.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  14 June 2009 : by S Stock   (USA)

STL-SAN return on MD-80 series. It was very cramped and older looking inside. Some of the seats were frayed and faded. When the person in front of you reclines and you have your tray down, things can and will end up in your lap, not fun! The ride was fine, flight crew were average.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  14 June 2009 : by Peter Pomeranze   (USA)

Honolulu-LAX F Class. A great cabin crew can make up for a multitude of shortcomings and that was the case with this flight. Overcoming all the service cutbacks the 2 person senior crew was gracious, available and efficient during this 5 hour flight. Food quality, selection and portion size was 3rd rate. The 757 was slightly cramped and a little tattered but was acceptable for this flight. IFE was overhead moniters and poor quality.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  14 June 2009 : by M Dorrell   (New Zealand)

Just completed 5 trips on American Airlines within a week or so in Coach/Business and First. All good fares booked online in advance and ontime departures and arrivals - helpful and pleasant check-in staff and friendly and obliging crew. Food ranged from the inedible to the just bearable.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  14 June 2009 : by Ron Miller   (USA)

STL-BOS. American does not always perform to the level they should, but when they get it right the really do. Really good breakfast, pleasant flight attendant and gate personnel, and the Admiral Club personnel both in St. Louis and Boston were great.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  10 June 2009 : by D Schmeisser   (USA)

GRB-BRU return in May. Three of four segments on time; final delayed one hour; Planes clean, 777s had individual screens and enough movies and sitcoms to keep me amused. Flight attendants pleasant, efficient; The hot entrees are still awful, but the pizza snack and the cold foods are quite tasty.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  10 June 2009 : by Jeff Harris   (USA)

I have never had such a horrible trip by such unprofessional and unconcerned individuals. Our horrible service began at check in while employees at least 4 of their employees congregated and enjoyed each others company while a long line of people both ahead of me and behind me waited for assistance to correct a problem their first delay was going to cause us at or connecting flight. Same type of problem with the flight attendants that were enjoying each other's company for 75 to 80% of our flight without asking us how we were or if we needed anything. Then after another delay and rude check in persons at Miami we finally arrive 8 hours behind schedule to Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson airport to find that the promise that our luggage would arrive on the plane that we were changed to in our port of origin was broken, we were then personally verbally insulted by a claims representative when we explained our situation and got another taste of this airlines unprofessional, disrespectful and uncaring employees. I have flown many times over many years and have never had such a horrible experience.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  9 June 2009 : by A Thoen   (Belgium)

Puerto Vallarto to Brussels took 3 planes. From Puerto Vallarta to Dallas Fort Worth, then to O'Hare Chicago and then Brussels. First two planes were the worst I've ever been in. (both MD- 80) no leg room, hard seats (could feel the hard structure of the plastic) I just thought it was my seat but the second was as bad as the first one. Nothing for entertainment, no food (it was an early morning flight) was served, not even a choice of snacks available. Staff was ok. Timing was ok, arrived on time. Surprised at how the once mighty American Airlines have such an old interior (it probably has never been updated after they bought it). Third flight towards Brussels, even worse. Better seats but still not much space, especially not for someone who is 186cm tall. I was lucky to sit at the second row, so I could watch the overhead screen, they had one 22inch screen in front of everybody (like in the old days but smaller screen and terrible quality), then for the left and right rows they had 6inch screens, so people from the 6th row could not even watch it anymore. Luckily I had a headset because you had to pay for it (never been asked to pay for a terrible headset before on any airline). Then I decided to read - I noticed the light didnt work (it was an overnight flight). Later on it was getting quite warm in the plane, I noticed the airvent didnt work either (too much chewing gum was probably the cause why nothing came out). Food and staff were ok, but just average.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  9 June 2009 : by Stuart Reay   (Australia)

Honolulu to SFO - and LAX - Honolulu. At check in at HNL we were offered an upgrade to first class for USD$250pp which we accepted. No lounge access was included. Onboard service was very good - lovely crew and comfortable older style leather seat. Lunch was very impressive and tasty. LAX-HNL no upgrades available so managed to get 2 seats on exit row. Again crew were nice and friendly - food for purchase was fine and overall very impressed with AA. I didnt have high expectations based on previous reviews but they were exceeded.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  9 June 2009 : by Davide Greco   (Italy)

MIA-GRU-MIA, economy class. This trip confirmed that AA is a barely 3 stars airline having very basic if non-existent service. Flight to GRU operated by old B767-300ER with small monitors to watch the movie (to be honest that is not even a problem since they played ones were horrible). Food was bad, but at least I felt confortable since the main cabin was only 1/3 full. Return leg on a B777-200 with PTV and adequate entertainment system. I find the 2-5-2 seat configuration they use for economy class to be crazy: all other triple B777s I have flown have a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration, which I to be much more reasonable and confortable for passengers. Food again barely edible (some beef, rice and salad plus a very small breakfast for an 8h flight!). The worst aspect of the GRU-MIA leg was the freezing temperature they were keeping into the cabin. FAs difficult to judge since you never see them, except when serving"dinner/lunch - when this happens, you can bet they are not smiling at you! I rate my trip a 6 star because I had no inconvenience and flights were on time.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  9 June 2009 : by S Powell   (USA)

PHX-LHR-PHX. Chose AA because of the low price. MD-80 to ORD then a 777 to LHR - returned on the same type plane. All planes were clean even if they were a little older. 8 inch personal screen IFE was old but okay - on demand should be standard on international flights. Food was as expected in economy - par with other airlines economy meals. Drink service adequate and FA, while not spectacular, were efficient and friendly.

AMERICAN AIRLINES review :  1 June 2009 : by S McMillan   (USA)

SFO-MIA, CDG-MIA, MIA-SFO and on each leg, you would have assumed you were on a different airline. When we first boarded the SFO-MIA leg, we were not particularly impressed with the cabin crew as they all seemed to avoid any attempts to request a seatbelt extender. However, once the flight got underway, the crew was friendly. B767-300, and although the aircraft was old, the cabin was clean and moderately comfortable, although the box under the seat did cut into legroom. (We did have power under our seat, but no personal IFE.) CDG-MIA the aircraft was filthy - there were food stains on the seats and garbage on the floors. The flight crew could not have been more unpleasant. Again on a B767-300. MIA-SFO was a 757. One would think that economy seats should be the same - not so. While the two of us were comfortable on the 767, we felt crushed on the 757. The flight crew was almost as unfriendly as the crew from CDG to MIA. Boarding was a total cluster. Now that airlines are charging passengers to check bags, everyone is attempting to bring everything onboard with them. Our departure was delayed at 20 minutes while the flight attendants attempted to sort out the luggage situation. (Not effectively I might add.) AA would be better off including the cost of checking one bag in the cost of your ticket and charging passengers to bring bags on-board. The increase in efficiency of the boarding process would be huge. AA needs to look at some of the better international carriers and learn about customer service. Most of the "budget" US carriers are doing a better job than AA.