Report on AA LHR to Toronto via Chicago
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Report on AA LHR to Toronto via Chicago
Just thought I'd give some feedback after completing our vacation to Canada.
Using the www.aa.com available seats for our flight web page on a daily basis, I spotted 4 seats together, quickly rang AA and was allocated the seating. It seems a whole load became free a few days before the flight, though they quickly filled up again.
Looked for the upstairs quiet seats at LHR T3, but no upstairs? The lady we spoke to said with the ongoing work it was different each week. Still, quieter seats and not too crowded to the far right after security.
AA to Chicago - on time and friendly captain - Cabin staff efficient but not too many smiles. Best though, 3 inches between my knees and the seat in front (and I'm 6'). AA says 34" pitch in Economy and that makes up for no seatback entertainment. (767-300)
Chicago - what can I say but excellent staff. My daughter came off the flight with stomach cramps, she sat down before immigration. Quickly asked by airport staff if there was a problem and 5 minutes later we were in sickbay (?) with US Medical staff. They arranged pick up of checked bags from carousel and delivery to sick bay, contacted AA to get double booking on later flight. Fortunately after 1/2 hr lie down, daughter recovered. US Med staff then escorted us though US immigration and customs, located baggage transfer drop off, and left us at train to other terminal for flight to Canada. We made original flight. Excellent and very reassuring as it was first time we had medical assistance at an airport.
Return trip, less eventful, just deicing delays, and a very long wait at the head of the q on one side of Chicago runway, whilst 5 planes took off on the other side. Maybe it felt longer because daughter #2 chose that time to sneeze and start a nosebleed. Not impressed with responsiveness of AA cabin staff this time. Even with my wife's and my cabin request light on, no one came to help until 15 minutes after seatbelt light had gone off, during which time I had gone aft to fetch ice and damp towels. Maybe they just hadn't noticed....
Most impressed with baggage at LHR T3, bags were already on carousel even with no queuing at passport control.
Overall, I would use AA for the leg room and the low cost. It was a pain going via Chicago but not bad enough to want to spend £500+ more on the direct flight for a family of 4.
BR
Craig.
oh yes, we had snow on Christmas day in Toronto
Using the www.aa.com available seats for our flight web page on a daily basis, I spotted 4 seats together, quickly rang AA and was allocated the seating. It seems a whole load became free a few days before the flight, though they quickly filled up again.
Looked for the upstairs quiet seats at LHR T3, but no upstairs? The lady we spoke to said with the ongoing work it was different each week. Still, quieter seats and not too crowded to the far right after security.
AA to Chicago - on time and friendly captain - Cabin staff efficient but not too many smiles. Best though, 3 inches between my knees and the seat in front (and I'm 6'). AA says 34" pitch in Economy and that makes up for no seatback entertainment. (767-300)
Chicago - what can I say but excellent staff. My daughter came off the flight with stomach cramps, she sat down before immigration. Quickly asked by airport staff if there was a problem and 5 minutes later we were in sickbay (?) with US Medical staff. They arranged pick up of checked bags from carousel and delivery to sick bay, contacted AA to get double booking on later flight. Fortunately after 1/2 hr lie down, daughter recovered. US Med staff then escorted us though US immigration and customs, located baggage transfer drop off, and left us at train to other terminal for flight to Canada. We made original flight. Excellent and very reassuring as it was first time we had medical assistance at an airport.
Return trip, less eventful, just deicing delays, and a very long wait at the head of the q on one side of Chicago runway, whilst 5 planes took off on the other side. Maybe it felt longer because daughter #2 chose that time to sneeze and start a nosebleed. Not impressed with responsiveness of AA cabin staff this time. Even with my wife's and my cabin request light on, no one came to help until 15 minutes after seatbelt light had gone off, during which time I had gone aft to fetch ice and damp towels. Maybe they just hadn't noticed....
Most impressed with baggage at LHR T3, bags were already on carousel even with no queuing at passport control.
Overall, I would use AA for the leg room and the low cost. It was a pain going via Chicago but not bad enough to want to spend £500+ more on the direct flight for a family of 4.
BR
Craig.
oh yes, we had snow on Christmas day in Toronto
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Craig
good to know AA came through. But with the extra security charges of late, was AA really so much cheaper than BA/AC direct?
or was it just when you were looking for 4 seats?
regards
Mark
good to know AA came through. But with the extra security charges of late, was AA really so much cheaper than BA/AC direct?
or was it just when you were looking for 4 seats?
regards
Mark
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Hi Mark,
AA costs were as follows
£276 x 2 adults
£149 x 2 children
£54.40 x 4 taxes (UK, USA, Canada)
= £1067.60 for family of 4departing Sat 14 dec 02, return Sat 4 Jan 03
At the time I searched using several websites and booked through Trailfinders (Aug 02 I think) this was significantly cheaper than direct routes. I'm sure with more flexibility about dates and booking later I may have been able to get cheaper direct flights, but as it was a family holiday I needed to get it organised sooner rather than later.
What did happen was that several AA flights were cancelled/equipment changed, so the times changed slightly (longer stopover in Chicago on the return), and the original routing was out via Boston, back via Chicago.
I will look for direct anytime, though price and legroom will remain primary factors in the decision.
BR
Craig
AA costs were as follows
£276 x 2 adults
£149 x 2 children
£54.40 x 4 taxes (UK, USA, Canada)
= £1067.60 for family of 4departing Sat 14 dec 02, return Sat 4 Jan 03
At the time I searched using several websites and booked through Trailfinders (Aug 02 I think) this was significantly cheaper than direct routes. I'm sure with more flexibility about dates and booking later I may have been able to get cheaper direct flights, but as it was a family holiday I needed to get it organised sooner rather than later.
What did happen was that several AA flights were cancelled/equipment changed, so the times changed slightly (longer stopover in Chicago on the return), and the original routing was out via Boston, back via Chicago.
I will look for direct anytime, though price and legroom will remain primary factors in the decision.
BR
Craig
