By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further.
Flight Overview
The lounge experience for business class passengers at Changi Terminal 3 was disappointing, the plane was old and in need of a refresh but the selection of amenities and onboard food blew U.S. domestic First Class out of the water. Pros- Delicious Onboard Food, Wide Array of Amenities, Business Class Privacy, Attentive Service Cons- Strict Enforcement of Rules, Disappointing Business Class Airport Lounge, Old Plane, Weak In-Flight Entertainment , Mediocre Drink Selection
First Class Honeymoon Trip Report
First Class Honeymoon Overview Delta Sky Club DCA Review Delta CRJ 900 DCA-JFK First Class Review Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK Review Singapore Airlines A380 JFK-FRA Suites Review Singapore Airlines A380 FRA-SIN Suites Review JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach Review Singapore Surprise Singapore Airlines 737-800 SIN-MLE Business Class Review The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Review Etihad Airways A320 MLE-AUH Business Class Review Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Dubai Review The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Review Exploring Abu Dhabi Etihad Apartments A380 AUH-JFK Apartments Review
Check-In
Changi Terminal 2
Our flight to Male, Maldives on Singapore Airline's regional affiliate Silk Air took off from Changi Terminal 2 which prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was the home for the vast majority of Singapore Airline's regional flights. During the pandemic all Singapore Airlines flights have been consolidated in Changi Terminal 3 which allowed for the closure of Terminal 2 for 18 months. This move was done in response to very-low passenger volume and allowed Changi to shave approximately one year off of the time for the renovation of Terminal 2. I found this work was sorely needed. Since our flight in May 2019, Silk Air has ceased operations and had its planes completely folded into Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines is still operating these 737-800 planes on regional flights I am going to share our experience since I think it could be helpful for those looking to fly on Singapore Airlines.
Changi Self-Check Baggage
Our check-in experience for Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) was awkward since it was completely automated including the baggage check. In the United States typically passengers with bags to check have to see the gate agent, however, at Changi the entire process was automated including weighing and scanning baggage. While I found this to be impressive it was also somewhat frustrating since it took us a while to figure out how to work the machine.
Changi Terminal 2
As we headed to the SilverKris lounge, which was used for business class and first class Singapore Airlines passengers leaving out of Terminal 2, we noticed that this terminal was much more dated than Terminal 3, where we arrived on our flight from Frankfurt. However, we really appreciated the lovely flower displays throughout the terminal and it showed us that Singapore takes seriously its nickname the Garden City.
Signs to Terminal 2 Lounges
It took us a while to find the SilverKris lounge since the signage in the terminal was not clear.
SilverKris Lounge Entrance
However, we finally realized that the lounge was on the second level and we headed left to the business class portion of the lounge. The lounge had an array of seating with a small business area, an array of black seats around the television, and seating in the dining room. The lounge was large but nearly completely empty. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, conversations happened only at a whisper, and it felt more like a library than an airport lounge.
The food was set up near the entrance to the lounge and included a special station for Laska which is a spicy Singaporean soup. During our time in the lounge I tried the majority of the hot food and it was a huge disappointment. The Dim Sum lacked in both presentation and taste, the Laska was average, while the apple juice was cheap and not good. The food in the lounge paled in comparison to the culinary adventure we had during the rest of our stay in Singapore.
To add to the disappointing experience at this lounge the business class bathrooms were out of order so I needed to go to the first class lounge to use the bathroom. I found the first class bathrooms to be in good shape, the service in first class lounge to be more attentive, and the first class lounge overall to be much nicer. For example, the bathroom had two bathroom attendants along with complimentary toothbrushes and shaving kits. It is clear that Singapore Airlines needs to renovate the business class lounge and that that they put significantly more resources into the first class ground experience.
Gate Area
Boarding
We headed to the gate about five minutes before boarding. As we approached the gate area I remembered that security checks are performed at the gate area and I got nervous that we would miss the initial boarding call. The gate area was packed and it was clear this was a full flight. We got through the gate quickly and boarding started five minutes late so we ended up being the first people on board. 
Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) 737-800
Plane and Seats
As we entered the plane I was impressed by the color palette of pale yellow and brown along with the light blues and reds on the flight attendants' uniforms. The business class had 12 seats arraigned in a 2-2 configuration with 38 inches of pitch and 22 inches of width. The seats had substantial recline which meant that when the passengers in front of us reclined it was difficult getting in and out of our seats. The seat also had a foot rest which is very rare in US domestic first class. 
737-800 Business Class Seats
Another positive feature of this plane is that it had a hard bulkhead and a thick curtain which really made the business class cabin feel private. One big downside of the plane was its age which showed in the seats. The seats were very difficult to recline because the levers to recline the seat were old and manual. At one point Christina's seat was completely stuck in recline and she had to yank at the lever to move it up or down.
Business Class Curtain
Amenities and In-Flight Entertainment
Waiting at each business class seat was a pillow and a blanket. I found the pillow to be comfortable and much more substantial than the pillows offered on U.S. domestic first class. Shortly after takeoff the flight attendant came by with slippers, various newspapers and magazines, and an iPad pre-loaded with in-flight entertainment (IFE) since there were no seat back screens. I selected the local newspaper and a Time magazine to read. I really appreciated having a pillow, slippers, and footrest on this four-and half-hour flight.
The IFE on the iPad was weak. While the iPads had a ton of content most of it was very old. Initially, the iPad was very annoying to watch because I had to hold it up to see any of the movies. However, I noticed that another passenger had an iPad stand so I asked and received one from the flight attendant. It was frustrating that these were not proactively offered the iPad stand since it would be very annoying to watch the iPad on this long of a flight without one. Another problem about receiving this array of amenities is that the seats did not have sufficient storage space to hold them all when they weren't in use. For example, when we were eating we had to find somewhere to put away the iPad and this is another downside to not having seat back IFE. There were also several additional amenities offered on the flight in the bathroom but these were not at all impressive. The amenities included lotion, mouthwash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. However, these were not at all at the caliber of our Singapore Airlines Suites experience. I utilized the toothpaste and it looked like whiteout and tasted disgusting.
IPAD Inflight Entertainment
Dining
The in-flight dining experience began before takeoff when the flight attendant came by to confirm our food orders, take our in-flight drink order, and offer us pre-departure drinks. The pre-departure drink choices were apple juice or orange juice. I took the apple juice while Christina took the orange juice. The apple juice was bad so I sent it back and instead asked for orange juice which was good. 
Pre-Departure Drinks
Once we were in air the flight attendant brought our drink order of champagne which was really bad. I don't know if the champagne was really that bad or we were spoiled from drinking so much Krug on our Singapore Airlines Suites flight. We were also given hot towel service which included a steaming towel. I wish that airlines would adjust from a hot to a cold towel in climates that are already warm. It was strange that the towel was steaming hot because the cabin was already warm. After this I was served mixed nuts as a starter while Christina had the snack mix both of which were good. Next, we were served a salad with tomatoes, lettuce, and chicken which also good. After we were served the salad we were offered bread and I chose the garlic bread and Christina chose a cracker. My garlic bread was good and Christina liked her cracker and said it had Indian flavors.
For our main courses we pre-ordered from the expanded All Time Favorites Menu which offered meals beyond those listed in the onboard menu. The All Time Favorites Menu offered a massive selection for relatively short flight. I choose the beef brisket noodles and Christina chose the Nasi Goreng. My meal came out piping hot and was delicious. The beef was very tender and the noodles were cooked excellently. The broth was also flavored very well but was really messy so I ended up having to use napkins as a bib. Christina's meal had a chicken satay (kabob) with rice, pickles, and zucchini. While Christina thought the chicken was on the sweet side and the rice was somewhat spicy overall she thought the meal was great though still not at the Singapore Airlines Suites level.
Once the main course was done we were offered a choice between Merlot or Chardonnay wine. I chose the Merlo while Christina selected the Chardonnay. I liked the Merlot while Christina thought the Chardonnay was too sweet.
Maldives Airports Fast Track Passes
At the end of the meal service the flight attendant came by with Maldives Airports Fast Track passes for the business class passengers to clear immigration on an expedited basis. However, they ended up not being necessary as there was no line when we landed in Male.
Pre-Arrival Dessert
As we got closer to the end of the flight the flight attendants brought by a pre-arrival dessert of Double Chocolate ice cream which was really good. Christina had hers with coffee which she said was surprisingly very good for airline coffee. Overall, I found the onboard drink selection, with the exception fo the coffee, to be mediocre on par with American Airlines. This was surprising for a Singapore Airlines affiliate. Finally, as we entered our final decent we got our first glimpse of the beautiful Maldivan water which we had traveled half way around the world to experience.
View of The Maldives
Service
I would say that the service on this flight was a mixed bag. The flight attendants were clearly well trained by Singapore Airlines. They executed on the service very well and they were very attentive constantly looking to see if we needed refills and quickly clearing plates. For example, they were able to complete extensive multi-course meal service in about one hour. However, they were far too strict at enforcing rules. Our flight had a long taxi of about 30 minutes and while we were taxing several people tried to get up to get something from the overhead bins or to use the bathroom and the flight attendants on several occasions got up to reprimand tell these passengers off. While I thought their tone may have been too harsh I didn't think too much of this since this is something that is usually enforced in the U.S. as well. Once we took off and were climbing I tried to use the bathroom and the flight attendant gave me a nasty look and shook her head no. Once again I had an incident relating to flight attendants enforcing the rules about using the bathroom and I felt like this was now a trend after the incidents on our CLT-LHR and LGW-BCN flights. This wasn't the only rule which the flight attendants vigorously enforced. While we were landing the flight attendants came around and asked Christina and I to remove our headphones for landing which is the first time I had ever heard of this rule on any airline. 
Singapore Airlines (Silk Air) 737-800
Take Away
Our experience flying on Singapore Airlines' 737-800 with its regional affiliate Silk Air was a mixed bag. We really enjoyed the privacy of the business class cabin, the wide-array of amenities, and attentive service. Moreover, the onboard food was significantly better than U.S. domestic airlines. However, the plane and seats were old, the flight attendants vigorously enforced the rules, the IFE was weak, and the KrisFlyer business class lounge was very disappointing. I hope that the full integration into Singapore Airlines and renovations at Changi Terminal 2 improves on these weakness and leads to a more consistently positive experience.
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By RamonWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Ramon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further.
Lounge Overview
The food, drink, and service at this lounge was the best I have had at any airport lounge. Pros- Tasty A La Carte Menu, Creative Cocktails, Good Champagne, and Fantastic Service Cons- Dated Decor, Funky Seating, and Dirty Bathrooms First Class Honeymoon Trip Report First Class Honeymoon Overview Delta Sky Club DCA Review Delta CRJ 900 DCA-JFK First Class Review Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK Review Singapore Airlines A380 JFK-FRA Suites Review Singapore Airlines A380 FRA-SIN Suites Review JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach Review Singapore Surprise Singapore Airlines 737-800 SIN-MLE Business Class Review The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Review Etihad Airways A320 MLE-AUH Business Class Review Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Dubai Review The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Review Exploring Abu Dhabi Etihad Apartments A380 AUH-JFK Apartments Review 
Singapore Airlines JFK Check-In
Location and Check-In
Our Delta CRJ900 flight from Washington Regan National (DCA) arrived at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 4. While our flight on Singapore Airlines to Frankfurt (FRA) also departed from JFK Terminal 4. JFK Terminal 4 is known as JFK's international terminal and also houses Delta Airlines long JFK haul flights. Shortly after arriving we collected our bags and headed to the Singapore Airlines check-in desk. We arrived about four and a half hours before our fight to make sure we could soak up the entire Suites experience and enjoy the airport lounge. Singapore Airlines begin online check-in 48 hours in advance unlike the standard 24 hours in advance for U.S. airlines, however, because we were flying from the Untied States we could not access our boarding passes until 24 hours in advance. When we arrived at the check-in desk there was no one waiting in line and only one check-in area was open. Because we were early the Suites specific check-in was closed and there was no one else in line for the general check-in. The woman who served us seemed to be German and was training another check-in agent. The trainer was very matter of fact and not very friendly. The check-in experience was fast but didn't really feel very welcoming. The best part of the check-in was when we received our white and gold colored boarding passes which had Suites written on them. It felt like we just received a golden ticket. 
JFK Terminal 4
Since we were flying in the Singapore Airlines Suites we were invited to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK which serves as Virgin Atlantic's JFK airport lounge. The lounge is located on the upper level of Terminal 4 between gates A4 and A5 next to the Air India Maharaja and Emirates lounges.
International Airline Lounges Sign JFK Terminal 4
On our way to the lounge we spotted the A380 which was going to be our ride to Frankfurt then on to Singapore. We were in awe by the size and design of the aircraft which had a hump like a whale.
Singapore Airlines A380
Access and Hours
All Virgin Atlantic lounges worldwide including the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK are temporarily closed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to COVID-19 this lounge was open daily 4:15-7:15 am and 2:30-10:30pm. This lounge was accessible to a number of passengers including the following passengers:
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Entrance
Decor, Amenities, and Seating
My first impression of the JFK Clubhouse was not a positive one. I found the seating and decor to be dated. The majority of couches and seating in the lounge were worn and in need of refresh. Despite this poor first impression I did like the mood lighting and hip music playing in the lounge which felt very on brand for Virgin Atlantic. The JFK Clubhouse is much larger than the Washington Dulles Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and at the center is a large bar flanked by funky seating and a pool table. 
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK
In addition to the funky seating near the bar the lounge also had strange wallpaper with tractors and apples on it. In general, I found the lounge's decor to be too funky for me.
 Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Wallpaper
Near the windows facing the tarmac was a dining area and additional couches. When we first entered the lounge it was fairly empty, however, as the night went on and the boarding times approached for multiple Virgin Atlantic flights the lounge filled up. Very few people were seated in the dining room and instead most people were seated on the various couches and chairs. We decided to spend our time in seated on a brown leather couch near the windows with a view of the tarmac including the Virgin Atlantic planes. Something we found really annoying was the lack of power plugs. It was hard to find plugs and they were not nearly as accessible as the Delta SkyClub DCA. This was ironic since the Delta SkyClub DCA only serves domestic passengers and this was an international business passenger lounge. This pointed to the need for a renovation. One interesting seating option was a Herman Miller chair. I had never heard of this type of chair but Christina noticed it walking around the lounge. This chair costs around $5,000 and it seemed to be occupied the vast majority of the time we were in the lounge. When I saw the chair was free for a few minutes I decided to try it out. It felt very comfortable but I still didn't think it is worth $5,000.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Seating
The lounge also had several amenities including a wellness spa which offered some complimentary treatments for Virgin Atlantic passengers along with paid treatments for all passengers. Since we were flying Singapore Airlines we didn't have access to the complimentary treatments and decided not to pay for any treatments. The lounge also had a small business area with several computers and printers. Additionally, about half of the bathrooms had showers that were stocked with Cowshed amenities. These bathrooms were dirty and needed repairs.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Bathroom
Food and Drinks
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK serves restaurant style a la carte meals and drinks including non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, champagne, and spirits. When we sat down on the sofa we were immediately greeted by a very friendly server who asked us if we wanted anything to drink. Christina asked for cocktail recommendations and the server recommended we get some tequila cocktails which were a special for Cinco de Mayo. We both took her up on her offer and we loved the creative drinks including the Pink Slipper which had Codigo 1530 Tequila, Rose Wine, agave syrup, and lemon. 
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Menu
The service in the lounge was fantastic and we leaned heavily on our server's recommendations with the exception of any spicy food she recommended. Next up we ordered the ribs which I must say were the best dish I have had in any airport lounge.
Dried Rubbed Beef Spare Ribs
Without us asking our server sent over croquets and a salad. The croquets were great while the salad was okay. I thought the salad we had earlier in the day from the Delta SkyClub DCA was better.
Croquets and Pink Slipper Cocktail
Our server asked us if we wanted anymore food and when we said yes, she ordered us a 50/50 burger which was half beef and half chicken. This was the first time I had such a burger and I only ended up getting to try the chicken half since Christina liked the beef half so much she ate it before I could try it. The burger also came with fries on the side but the best part was the BBQ sauce which came with the fries. The sauce was sweet and we really liked it.
50/50 Burger and Fries
For dessert we ordered the pumpkin pie, Christina's favorite, and a muffin. After this we were stuffed and stopped ordering food and instead turned to champagne for the rest of our time in the lounge. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK served Lanson Black Label champagne which was lovely. We realized that we both really appreciate good champagne and that would be our go to drink on our honeymoon.
Lanson Black Label Champagne
The food and drinks at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK were very impressive featuring a wide variety of options, amazing service, and five-star restaurant quality. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK food and drink service really impressed me and I found it to be the best offering of food and drinks I have ever had at any airport lounge.
Take Away The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK had the best food, drinks, and service of any airport lounge I have ever visited. Despite its dated decor, lack of power plugs, and unimpressive seating I would hesitate to visit the lounge again. Passengers taking off in the Singapore Airlines Suites from JFK have a reason to get to the airport early. I really hope the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK access continues after COVID-19 pandemic has ended. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further.
Lounge Overview
This lounge featured comfortable seating, widely available power outlets, a wide selection of food, terrific decor with odes to and amazing views of Washington D.C., and was the best domestic airport lounge I had ever visited. Pros-Terrific Local Decor, Tranquil Atmosphere, Amazing City Views, Wide Variety of Food Options, Wide Selection of Complimentary Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Comfortable Leather Seating, Widely Available Power Outlets, Private Bathrooms Cons- Bland Food First Class Honeymoon Trip Report First Class Honeymoon Overview Delta Sky Club DCA Review Delta CRJ 900 DCA-JFK First Class Review Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse New York JFK Review Singapore Airlines A380 JFK-FRA Suites Review Singapore Airlines A380 FRA-SIN Suites Review JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach Review Singapore Surprise Singapore Airlines 737-800 SIN-MLE Business Class Review The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Review Etihad Airways A320 MLE-AUH Business Class Review Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Dubai Review The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Review Exploring Abu Dhabi Etihad Apartments A380 AUH-JFK Apartments Review 
DCA Terminal B
Location and Check-In
Christina and I arrived at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) Terminal B in a jubilant mood as we were very excited to start our First Class Honeymoon. This was our first time flying Delta Airlines First Class and our first-time visiting a Delta Sky Club. Because we were flying in Delta First Class we used the Sky Priority check in which was very fast. The one hiccup we had was confusion over how to tag our bags. The Delta agents placed the bag tags on our bags themselves instead of letting the machine do it as we were used at American Airlines. It will be interesting to see if this process continues as Delta takes precautions in the post-COVID-19 era. We breezed through security using TSA pre-check and as we exited security for gates 10-22 we saw the sign for the Delta Sky Club. The Delta Sky Club DCA is located on Level 3 of Terminal B (Gates 10-22). To enter the lounge, we took the elevator up one level and the lounge is right in front of the elevator. 
Elevator to Delta SkyClub DCA
Access and Hours
Delta Sky Clubs are accessible on a unlimited complimentary basis to a number of passengers including:
Delta SkyClub DCA Entrance Sign
Sky Club Decor and Seating
The Delta Sky Club DCA reopened in 2018 after a significant renovation and takes up 9000 square feet. Upon walking into the Delta Sky Club DCA Christina and I were immediately blown away by the decor which featured odes to Washington D.C. To the right of the entrance is a stunning Cherry Blossom chandelier the most impressive piece of decor in the lounge. All over the lounge there were touches of Washington D.C. including pictures of the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol. 
Cherry Blossom Chandelier
The lounge also featured amazing views of Washington D.C. through floor to ceiling windows to the right of the entrance. Through the windows we could see the airplanes on the tarmac, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. This lounge gave a clear sense of place which is often lacking in airport lounges.
Washington D.C. View
Another thing which really impressed me about the lounge was just how tranquil the atmosphere was compared to the hectic airport terminal below. As I have said previously one important part of an airport lounge is the respite from the chaos of the terminal which it provides. On this point the Delta Sky Club DCA shines.
Delta Sky Club DCA
This lounge was much emptier and substantially quieter than the two American Airlines Admirals Clubs I had experienced at DCA. I think this was driven by the fact that Delta has fewer flights out of DCA, we were traveling on a Wednesday, and that the lounge seemed to be primarily full of business travelers. Another reason the lounge was quieter is that the televisions in the lounge could only be accessed through the Tunity app which I thought was a great feature. One of the few noises made in the lounge were boarding announcements which I don't remember American Airlines making in Admirals Clubs.
Delta SkyClub DCA
The lounge also had a wide variety of modern and comfortable leather seating. One of my pet peeves with airport lounges is the lack of sufficient functioning power plugs. Here the Delta Sky Club DCA shined again. Power plugs were available at almost every seat in the lounge and every plug I tried was working. My favorite seats were the ones next to the windows. These seats had high leather backs which made them more private and they featured amazing views of the tarmac and Washington D.C.
Christina in Lounge Seating
One last feature of the lounge which I appreciated was a large private bathroom which I found to be well lite and clean, something I can't say for all airport lounge bathrooms I have visited. The bathroom also offered Malin+Goetz soap and hand lotion, which are also offered onboard Delta, and is a brand I really like.
Sky Club DCA Bathroom Amenities
Food and Drinks
There were a wide variety of food and drinks available when we checked out the Delta Sky Club DCA. The lounge rotated their offerings seasonally and I never have had same dish offered as a part of the menu during multiple subsequent visits. We arrived around 11 am during the transition between breakfast and the all-day menu. I will start by saying that the Delta Sky Club DCA blew American Airline's Admirals Club food options away both in terms of selection and quality. With that said I found the Delta offerings to be a mixed bag with some being really good and others bland. With some of the dishes I felt that Delta tried too hard to make complex dishes instead of nailing the basics. For breakfast I had eggs, which were really bad, with bacon bits, which were okay. 
Delta SkyClub DCA Breakfast
The all day menu was a very healthy affair with the choice of a smoked turkey sandwich with mustard cream, cucumbers, and arugula along with a mushroom sandwich with spinach, and mozzarella baguette. The menu also offered fresh vegetables, including carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery. To accompany these items there were a variety of offerings including seasonal green salad, roasted cauliflower, kale caesar salad, and a quinoa salad. Finally, as a special offering the lounge had Pho, which was another nice local touch because of the Washington D.C. area's large Vietnamese population. I tried the quinoa salad which was great and the smoked turkey sandwich which was boring. The sandwich really needed more mayo and higher quality sandwich meat. Christina choose the Pho and found it to be bland. She felt it lacked sufficient seasoning. For desert we tried one of the mini-cupcakes and I have only one word to describe it, amazing!
Delta Sky Club DCA All-Day Menu
The lounge also offered a wide variety of complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks along with premium wine and spirits available for sale. The non-alcoholic drinks included water, unsweetened ice tea, orange juice, cranberry juice, Starbucks coffee, and a wide variety of sodas available from a soda machine. I really liked that Delta had the option to select from a machine which made it easy to refill, unlike the Admirals Clubs at DCA where typically I had to ask a bartender.
Delta SkyClub DCA Non-Alcoholic Drinks
In terms of alcoholic drinks, the lounge offered two different beers, four wines, and six spirits. The lounge also offered premium wine and spirits for sale using cash or SkyMiles. I tried the unsweetened ice tea and thought it was disgusting while Christina tried the Starbucks coffee which she thought was okay. Even though I didn't like the unsweetened ice tea I was able to try a variety of other drinks which I did like and made me really appreciate the lounge's wide drink selection.
Delta Sky Club DCA Bar
Take Away
The Delta Sky Club DCA left an amazing positive impression on me. This was the best domestic lounge I had ever visited. The lounge delivered stunning views of Washington. D.C., terrific local decor, and a tranquil atmosphere which left me with the feeling that I was at a nice cocktail lounge instead of an airport lounge. It is clear with the Sky Club DCA that Delta is targeting premium business and leisure customers at DCA and this lounge alone is a strong reason to choose Delta over DCA's dominant airline American Airlines. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Lounge Overview This lounge featured great, decor, a relaxing atmosphere, a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, and was the best domestic Priority Pass lounge I had experienced. Pros-Impressive Decor, Relaxing Atmosphere, Great Tarmac Views, Wide Variety of Alcoholic Drink Options, Private Bathrooms Cons-Limited Hot Food Options, Limited Amenities, Restricted Priority Pass Hours Relaxing in Cancun Report Relaxing in Cancun Overview Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Washington Dulles Review Delta 737-800 IAD-CUN Flight Review Hyatt Zilara Cancun Review Location I cleared security quickly and headed towards the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Washington Dulles. This lounge is located next to Gate 22 in the A Concourse. Dulles has four Concourses A, B, C, and D. The A and B Concourses house all non-United Airlines flights. The airport was empty and very quiet as I headed to the lounge and I found the lounge relatively easy to find.  Dulles Airport A Concourse Access and Hours Normally this lounge serves Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers along with some elite members of Virgin Atlantic partner airlines including Delta, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, and Air France/KLM when traveling on a Virgin Atlantic flight. However, I had access to the Lounge through my Priority Pass membership a benefit of my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. The lounge is only open to Priority Pass members from 6 am-1:30 pm. This allows the lounge to bring in additional revenue from the lounge outside of the hours it serves Virgin Atlantic and partner airlines flights.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Entrance Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles The lounge contains two levels all set in a circular pattern with the bar and food stations at one side, a variety of seating at the center, and bathrooms at the end farthest from the check-in desk. The lounge had a few amenities including a luggage storage area and a modest business center with computers, telephones, and a printer.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles I was very impressed with the decor and design of this lounge. Everything in the lounge felt upscale and refined. The lounge also had great views of the tarmac and our group decided to sit down at the comfortable brown leather chair and take in the view of the tarmac. I really appreciated that while the lounge was small it never got cramped and had a relaxing atmosphere.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles Food and Drinks The lounge offered a variety of cold food options for breakfast including fruits such as melon, pineapples, apples, pears, and oranges. Moreover, the lounge offered vanilla yogurt parfaits, packaged cereal, assorted muffins, assorted pastries, assorted bagels, and croissants. Where I think the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse really shined for breakfast was the wide selection of self-serve alcoholic drinks available during the Priority Pass hours. Despite the early hour Virgin Atlantic offered two types of red wine, including my favorite Malbec, sparkling wine, three types of beer. Given the early hour and the fact that the lounge was only serving Priority Pass customers Virgin Atlantic could have skimped on the alcohol and I appreciated that they did not. On the non-alcoholic side the lounge offerings included orange juice, cranberry juice, flavored water, and coffee.  Cold Food Options The lounge also offered one hot option which was a made to order breakfast sandwich. This sandwich came with egg, American cheese, dijon aioli, and the option of sausage on an English muffin.  Breakfast Sandwich Option I ended up ordering the breakfast sandwich without sausage and having a piece of chocolate bread. I enjoyed the chocolate bread and found the breakfast sandwich to be fresh but too spicy for my taste which I believe was due to the dijon aioli. While I wished there were more hot food options I liked that Virgin Atlantic offered a hot made to order option something that it not typical for breakfast in a Priority Pass lounge.  Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Dulles Breakfast Overall, I found the food and drinks options for breakfast to be good for a Priority Pass lounge and above average compared to domestic airport lounge options.
Take Away On my trip to Cancun The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge at Washington Dulles was the best Priority Pass airport lounge I had experienced. The lounge has a relaxing atmosphere, impressive decor and design, great tarmac views, a wide variety of seating, and a relatively large alcoholic drink selection. I would recommend going to this lounge for breakfast and if I pass through Washington Dulles during its Priority Pass hours I plan to check it out again. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. On any flight, the experience begins on the ground and one of the most important ground amenity for me is an airline's airport lounge. If I have access to a lounge it can provide a respite from the chaos of the terminal and a place to recharge and gain access to refreshments. In this post I am going to focus on the upgraded food options offered in American Airlines' airport lounges. American Airlines' lounges are called Admirals Clubs harkening back to the days when these lounges required a membership and flyers could access the lounges regardless of the airline being flown. However, starting November 1, 2019 Admirals Club access was limited to passengers flying on an American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or OneWorld marketed or operated flight. I receive access to the Admiral's Clubs when flying with Christina through the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite card. This card allows access for the cardholder and up to two traveling companions.  Admirals Club/Flagship Lounge Entrance LAX While I appreciate many aspects of the airport lounge experience when flying domestically or on short haul flights the most important amenity are the complimentary food and drinks. This is an area where American Airlines has long lagged. Typically, what you can expect on the drink front is water, orange juice, machine-made hot beverages including coffee, rail liquors, wine, and beer.  Admirals Club Drink Options On the food front Admiral's Club options have been what I can only describe as sad. The options included bagels, unappetizing fruit, yogurt, soup, and cereal.
Beginning in 2018, American Airlines began upgrading its food options introducing both freshly made guacamole in the afternoon and avocado toast in the morning. In 2019, American Airlines extended the food options to include build your own mac-and-cheese bars in the afternoon and breakfast tacos in the morning. During my 2018 travels, I had the opportunity to try both the freshly made guacamole and the Avocado toast. I had the guacamole on several occasions and found it to be boring, tasteless, and the chips to be too salty.  Admirals Club Guacamole However, I must give American Airlines credit for the avocado toast. In 2018 I looked forward to eating the fresh avocado toast during my morning flights.  Made-to-Order Avocado Toast The options for avocado toast toppings included mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, yellow and red onions, ham, and my favorite avocado toast topping salmon.  Avocado Toast Toppings I found the avocado toast to be tasty and better than some of American Airlines domestic First Class breakfasts which I will discuss in my upcoming posts.  Admirals Club Avocado Toast Take Away
Historically, I believe that one of the weakest aspects of the American Airlines' Admirals Club experience was the food. I give American Airlines credit for upgrading the food to provide additional options. My experience with these options has been mixed. I found the freshly made guacamole tasteless while the avocado toast was delicious. I still don't think Admirals Club's food options are great or likely to replace a full meal but it is nice to have more snacks options when waiting between America Airlines flights. My advice would be to have a full meal in the terminal if are hungry but try out the new options if you are flying American Airlines and in need of a snack. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight reviews, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Lounge Overview While the lounge was above average it was still the best domestic Priority Pass lounge I had experienced which was driven by the presence of hot food and good hot drinks. Pros-Good Food, Wide Drink Selection, Good Machine-made Hot Chocolate Cons-Indifferent Service, Empty Food Containers San Juan Condado Trip Report San Juan Condado Trip Overview American Airlines Boeing 767-300 Economy PHL-SJU Review AC Hotel San Juan Condado Avianca VIP Lounge American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Economy SJU-PHL Review American Airlines A319 First Class PHL-DCA Review Location After we cleared security we entered the San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Airport (SJU) duty free shopping area. This duty free area was smaller than the one that we saw in London-Gatwick but similarly required passengers to walk through it is access the gates.  SJU Duty Free Once we excited that duty free area we entered the terminal and saw signs pointing us to the Avianca VIP lounge. The lounge is open from 4 am-8pm, located at the beginning of Terminal C near American Airlines flights, and operated by a contractor Global Lounge Network. SJU has four terminals (A,B,C,D) but three of the terminals B, C, and D share a security check point and Jet Blue operates the majority of the flights out of Terminal so this lounge is easily accessible to all flights back to the U.S. except on Jet Blue. We followed the signs for VIP Lounge and saw a large sign naming all of the memberships that the lounge accepts and airlines that grant select passengers access to the lounge. We had access to this lounge through my Priority Pass membership a benefit of my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.  Lounge We headed up the elevator to the third floor and went through a double doors to enter the lounge. We were checked into the lounge quickly by an agent who seemed bored. The lounge itself is small and had four types of seating. Small white chairs and dining tables at the center of the lounge, high top tables with black chairs near the bar, red chairs and white tables by the windows, and black chairs with white tables in a separate TV viewing area. The lounge had three TVs but they were all on very low volume. The general atmosphere was very casual compared to other lounges I have been seen. However, this makes sense since Puerto Rico is a primarily leisure destination for tourists. The lounge also featured a departures board which is typical of an airport lounge.  Lounge Seating One of the things I appreciated about the lounge were cute signs that were all around to label the different areas of the lounge. For example, one near the food said "Grab a bite to eat" and another in the lounge said "This is just a closet". It is nice to see a little bit of light-heartedness in a airport lounge.  Lounge Sign Food and Drinks The food selection in this lounge was the best I have seen in a U.S. Priority Pass lounge. It was the first time I had seen a U.S Priority Pass lounge with a hot meal option. The lounge served penne pasta, which was average, along with chicken with mushrooms which was very good! The lounge also served a salad with apple vinaigrette, parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette as additions.  The lounge also had signs for a soup and fruit but both were empty during our visit. For dessert the lounge served angel food cake. I am not a fan of angel food cake but Christina is a fan and thought it was very good.  The lounge's drink selection included a self-serve bar with a selection of wine and liquor. Below the self-serve bar were three coolers containing beer and soft drinks. During our visit they also were serving a fresh fruit punch which I throughly enjoyed. Another highlight of the lounge was the two Nescafe machines.  The machines served a variety of coffee, including lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos, along with hot chocolate. I really liked the hot chocolate primarily because it served with real milk unlike most machine hot chocolate which are served with is served with hot water. Am I the only one who hates having hot chocolate with water?  Service
I had limited interaction with the lounge staff here but when I saw the staff at work they seem to be indifferent. As I mentioned at check-in the staff members seemed bored. She was not rude but not give us a friendly greeting. The staff walking around the lounge also did not seem to be a in a rush to help or answer question but no one was rude. Overall I would say the staff here was indifferent to the guests in the lounge. Summary Overall, the Avianca VIP Lounge was an above average lounge which was good enough to make it the best domestic lounge I had experienced. I liked that the lounge's location was near the American Airlines gates and that it had hot food options, some of which were actually good, and a wide selection of alcoholic drinks. If you find yourself waiting for a flight at SJU the Avianca VIP lounge is worth checking out. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Introduction In 2018, I flew over 36,000 miles and there are a few benefits which make traveling more comfortable for Christina and I. I have spoken in the past about the benefits of better seats, upgrades, free baggage, and early boarding provided by our elite status but in this post I want to focus on another benefit which makes our travel more comfortable lounge access through Priority Pass. I remember that when I flew prior to having lounge access I would wait at the gate which was often crowded and struggle to find a plug that was working to charge my phone or laptop. Now I have access to lounges which can provide a respite from the chaos of the terminal and a place to recharge and gain access to refreshments. Recently, airport lounge access has become democratized thanks to memberships provided by various premium travel credit cards. In the past when a passenger wanted to a gain access to an airport lounge the passenger had to have a lounge membership or a business/first class ticket. However, because of partnerships with credit card issuers airlines have opened up access to their lounges to a larger swath of people and getting a premium travel card is the best way to gain lounge access. All of the major U.S. airlines have credit cards that give access to their lounges. For example, Christina receives access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs through the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite card. Additionally, there are a network of independent lounges which grant access to their lounges in the U.S. and around the world through Priority Pass and these lounges are the focus of this post. Priority Pass Membership Members can gain access to Priority Pass lounges by signing up for a Priority Pass membership. The membership prices vary by country but for the U.S. unlimited access costs $429 but does not include complimentary guest access.  Priority Pass Membership Prices Major credit card issuers including Chase, American Express, and Citi grant Priority Pass Select memberships through their premium rewards cards which typically grant the holder of the card complimentary unlimited access to select lounges for themselves and up to two guests with a cost for any additional guests. For example, I have complimentary access through my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card for myself and two guests with a fee of $27 per additional guest. Depending how often you use the lounge network Priority Pass Select membership can have significant value.  Example of Priority Pass Select Membership Card Priority Pass Network The Priority Pass network gives members access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. The vast majority of Priority Pass locations are located outside of the United States. The lounge locations within the United States are typically run by independent operators such as The Club at ATL at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson (ATL) or international airlines who grant access during non-peak hours such as the British Airways Galleries Lounge at Washington Dulles Priority Pass Lounge Quality  The quality of Priority Pass lounges varies significantly. The democratization of lounges has lead to overcrowding at many lounges within the U.S. I experienced this earlier this year at the Club at ATL where the noise was worse than some gate areas at ATL and the food had been picked apart. While other domestic lounges such as the Club at PHX at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) can offer a good break from the airport with decent cold food options. However, where Priority Pass really shines is internationally where members are granted access to lounges typically used by international business and in some cases first class passengers. While there can also be a range of quality internationally many of these lounges offer high-quality food options, complimentary alcohol, and comfortable seating like we experienced at the Joan Miró VIP lounge at Barcelona El Prat (BCN).
Priority Pass Restaurants In response to overcrowding at U.S. Priority Pass lounges and in an attempt to expand the number of options for its U.S. based members Priority Pass added a number of restaurant options primarily at airports within the United States. While these options typically do not offer the quiet and access to power of a traditional lounge they do offer travelers and guests an opportunity to have a complimentary meal. Christina and I tried this benefit for the first time at the Corona House restaurant in the Miami International Airport (MIA) and it was a very simple process. I handed over my Priority Pass card which was scanned and then the $30 credit was deducted from the bill. More recently, we have used it at our home airport Ronald Regan Washington National (DCA) with the restaurant American Tap Room in Terminal C where we receive $28 off of our meal every time we fly. While their meals are average at best it is a nice option to have a free meal option in the airport and this benefit has saved me significant amounts of money when I travel through airports that have Priority Pass restaurants. As of August 1, 2019 access to any Priority Pass restaurants and non-lounge experiences is not available through American Express issued Priority Pass Select memberships. Take Away Priority Pass membership is a nice benefit offered by a number of premium travel rewards cards which offers access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. While the lounge quality can vary significantly I think it can be a very good value for U.S. traveler who: 1) frequently travel internationally, 2) have a Priority Pass restaurant in their home airport, or 3) frequent an airport with a Priority Pass restaurant. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight review, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Flight Summary Delta provided a solid flight experience on this small narrow body jet and AeroMexico provided a terrible lounge experience on the ground in MEX. Pros-Good legroom and seat width for economy, large overhead bins, good in-flight snacks, USB power plug at each seat, updated bathrooms. Cons-Poor Service, Poor Lounge Experience. A Weekend in Mexico City Trip Report A Weekend in Mexico City Trip Overview Delta A321 DCA-ATL Review Delta Boeing 737-800 Economy ATL-MEX Review Hilton Mexico City Reforma Review Exploring Mexico City Delta A319 Economy MEX-ATL Review Delta A320 Economy ATL-DCA Review Aeromexico Salon Premiere Since we had no bags to check we headed straight to the AeroMexico lounge after clearing security. It was difficult to find the AeroMexico lounge since the only signs we saw after security were for the American Express lounge. After searching for a few minutes we looked up and saw the entrance sign for the lounge on the second floor. All of the lounges in Terminal 2 are on the second level above the departure gates. Once we found the lounge we also ran into another issue, we could not find an elevator to the second level. I found it to be ridiculous that there was not an easy to find elevator since many passengers are carrying luggage. We ended up having to climb what seemed like a long flight of stairs to the second floor with our luggage in tow. AeroMexico really needs to improve the ease of finding and accessing this lounge.  AeroMexico Salon Premier The Salon Premier lounge is the lounge for customers flying in AeroMexico's business class called Clase Premier. Christina and I had access to the lounge via my Priority Pass membership. Once we found the lounge we were given a very cold greeting by the check-in agent. He did not say hi or welcome when he saw us. I handed him my electronic Priority Pass card and he asked for my boarding pass which I let him know was also on my phone. After a few minutes he let us into the lounge. AeroMexico's staff really were not friendly at all which was a significant contrast with our amazing experience at the Hilton Mexico City Reforma and throughout our stay in Mexico City. Entering the lounge on the left in a very dimly lit area were newspapers and a wall with clocks showing times from cities around the world. The lounge was very loud with lots of boarding calls, loud conversations, and a soccer match playing on TV. The lounge had two bars one when you entered and one to the right of the entrance at the far end of the lounge. We walked through the lounge looking for seating and ended up in a much quieter area. This area near the Desertika Spa had red chairs in the center with lamps next to each chair and several semi-private areas to the side with eight black chairs each. While we were sitting here I was surprised that the spa was fairly busy with consistent traffic throughout our time in the lounge.  Salon Premier Seating At the rear of the lounge near the second bar was an area with a wide selection of alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks and some snacks. The drink selection included a number of Mexican beers such as Bohemia, soft drinks, bottles of juice, and large containers of water.  Salon Premier Drink Options The food selection at this lounge was pathetic. They had celery, mini-carrots, tortilla chips, and cold ham sandwiches. During our time at the lounge they also brought out some warm mini-hot dogs which were terrible. On the positive side we saw one person ask the staff to bring a drink order to his seat and the staff member did so. However, staff members were difficult to find and in our room took about 20 minutes for a staff member to clear plates. Finally, the lounge made boarding announcements which were loud and nearly incomprehensible because of a muffled microphone.  Lounge Food Selection Overall, this was a poor lounge experience. Even if you have complimentary access through Priority Pass I would recommend grabbing some drinks at this lounge and leaving. I was surprised that this is the ground experience that AeroMexico provides to its business class passengers. Boarding We exited the lounge and headed towards our gate 53 for our flight to Atlanta. Terminal 2 is the newer terminal at MEX and is the home of all Delta and AeroMexico flights along with flights on AeroMar and Copa. I was impressed by the modern look of the terminal which was well lite with light emanating from what looked like polka dots throughout the ceiling. As we walked to our gate the terminal was really warm something I did not like. Boarding started eight minutes late. Check-in agents held up signs to start boarding for the business class cabin something that I had never seen before. Because of our discounted economy tickets we once again boarded in Zone 3.  MEX Gate 53 Plane and Seats This was my third Delta plane type on this trip and it was surprisingly solid for a A319. Generally, the A319 plane is used for short haul flights so the approximately 3 hour journey from MEX-ATL was on the outer limits of a comfortable A319 journey. However, I found this A319 to be a lot more comfortable than American Airline's version of the plane. We were seated in row 13 and despite boarding the plane in Zone 3 there was still space in the overhead bins since this plane featured the new larger overhead bins. The seats are about an inch wider than most of American Airlines A319 seats and the plane felt like it had more legroom and better pitch (space between middle of two seats).  Delta A319 Seats The plane also had shared AC power plugs beneath the set of seats in front of us. Because we were seated in row 13 one row behind Comfort+ (Delta's extra legroom seats) the Comfort+ seats in front of us had a convenient extra pocket which was nice for storing a phone. One additional feature that I appreciated on this plane was the updated bathrooms. There were two bathrooms at the rear of the plane which featured touch-less faucets a nice feature which I wish American Airlines would install on more of their planes.  Comfort+ Seatback Pocket Our flight ended up departing six minutes early but we taxied for about 40 minutes. I am not sure what caused this delay or if it is a typical experience at MEX but it was quite frustrating. Despite the extending taxi on the runway we ended up arriving eight minutes early which indicated to me that Delta a long taxi is normal on this route and Delta plans the scheduling accordingly. In-Flight Entertainment The A319 featured touchscreen in-flight entertainment (IFE) at every economy seat. This entertainment screen was very responsive unlike the one on Delta's 737-800. The IFE also featured a lot more options than the 737-800 and had a USB charger below the screen. My one disappointment was that the Live by Dish did not work on this flight. I wondered if this had to do with the fact that we were outside of the U.S. but even as we approached ATL it still did not work.  Delta A319 IFE Screen Meal Just like my flight from ATL-MEX this flight featured a meal service something which is not typically offered on Delta's flights to/and from Mexico. As I mentioned in my ATL-MEX review I suspect this has to do with Delta's partnership with AeroMexico which has its hub at MEX. The flight attendants came around with a choice of Biscoff cookies and a snack mix to start. I chose the snack mix and Christina chose the Biscoff cookies. This time for a meal we were offered a choice between a turkey sandwich and a fruit and cheese plate. Since I chose a sandwich on the last flight I chose the fruit and cheese plate this time and Christina chose the sandwich. Both came with a Minion sweet roll as desert and my cheese plate had three slices of cheese and some grapes. Overall, the fruit and cheese plate was a solid snack but certainly not a meal as it was advertised. Christina found her sandwich to be more substantial but average in taste. I appreciate that Delta serves a "meal" on this flight at all but I would not come into this flight hungry.  Delta MEX-ATL Meal Service Service
On my four flights with Delta this trip I saw both the highs and low of Delta's service and I would consider this flight a low. While I thought the flight attendant working first class was friendly and even came back to help clean up near the end of the flight. I thought the flight attendants working economy were not friendly. One flight attendant in particular was impatient with passengers. One passenger asked her what the meal options were and she grew frustrated at him and said give me a minute to regroup before she gave him the two options. Then later on as she served another passenger she said thank you for actually knowing the options and not asking me. I just found this to be a rude attitude to have with passengers just asking her a question. Take Away Overall, this was a solid flight on this Delta narrow body jet and a terrible experience at the AeroMexico lounge. After this flight I appreciated the additional overhead bin space, legroom, seat width, updated bathrooms, and inflight snack despite the poor service. I would recommend flying Delta's A319 on this route but spending as little time as possible in the AeroMexico lounge. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight reviews, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Flight Summary My first flight on the American Airlines transcontinental configured A321T and in lie-flat business class seats (sold as Main Cabin Extra) was short but enjoyable. The seats could use a refresh but were the most comfortable seats I have ever flow in. Pros- Comfortable lie-flat seating, amazing legroom, large IFE monitor, easy JFK connection. Cons- Scratched and dented interiors, and unresponsive in-flight entertainment. Trip Overview: European Adventures 2018 Flight Review: American Airlines A330-300 Economy CLT-LHR Hotel Review: London Marriott Regent's Park Food in London Flight Review: British Airways A319 Economy LGW-BCN Hotel Review: AC Hotel Irla Barcelona Train Review: Renfe Clase Turista Barcelona-Valencia Exploring Life in Valencia Exploring Life in Barcelona Flight Review: American Airlines 777-200 Economy BCN-JFK Flight Review: American Airlines A321T Business Class Seats JFK-DCA American Airlines JFK Connection When we landed at New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on our flight from Barcelona I was not looking forward to the connection at JFK. JFK served the largest number of international passengers in the United States in 2017 and I expected long lines at immigration and did not look forward to having to retrieve and re-check our bags. However, the process was relatively quick and simple as we used the Global Entry kiosks and once we exited customs American Airlines had a dedicated airport staff and kiosks to process customers arriving on international flights with JFK connections. We simply dropped off our bags at the counter went back through security and in total were back in the terminal in about 30 minutes from our plane landing. The longest part of the process was waiting for our bags. All American Airlines flights at JFK arrive and depart out of Terminal 8. American Airlines dominance in the terminal is reflected in a timeline outlining the history of the airline which as you enter the terminal is emblazoned on the terminal wall.  AA Terminal 8 JFK Despite this dominance since the merger with U.S. Airways American Airlines has reduced its operations at JFK which once served served as an important hub for the legacy American Airlines. In the past year the airline has cut a large number of routes out of JFK and shifted much of its connecting business in the Northeast to the legacy U.S. Airways hub in Philadelphia (PHL). American Airlines strategy is to focus on high margin business route out of JFK, such as JFK-Los Angeles (LAX) and JFK-London Heathrow (LHR), and shift lower margin traffic to PHL which has cheaper operating costs. As a part of this strategy American Airlines also closed its second Admirals Club serving Concourse B(gates1-16) in JFK on September 1st, leaving only one Admirals Club in Concourse C (gates 31-47), and used this space to expand its Business Class lounge at JFK. Admirals Club JFK After we exited security we headed to the Admirals Club in Terminal C which I found to be large and empty. This was likely due to the American Airlines continued reduction in service, the opening of the Flagship Lounge at JFK which serves international and transcontinental First and Business Class passengers, and that were were flying on a Saturday afternoon.  Admirals Club JFK This was definitely the largest Admirals Club I had seen. The lounge had a wide variety of seating including chairs with a small table attached, high tops, and small chairs for dining.  Admirals Club Seating The lounge also had a large kids playroom, shower stalls, and great views of the tarmac.  The one problem I had with the lounge was the service. Given that the only had a handful of people lounge you would expect the service to be excellent, however, it was not. We were in the lounge for an hour and the staff never cleared away our empty plates or glasses. However, despite the poor service I would recommend using this lounge because I found it to be a peaceful oasis from JFK airport and throughly enjoyed the plane spotting available from the lounge. Plane And Seats  JFK Gate 42 Our flight departed from Gate 42 the closest gate to the Admirals Club. We boarded quickly and passed through the A321T first class cabin into Business Class cabin. JFK-Washington National (DCA) is normally served by a mixture of regional aircraft and a Boeing 737-800, however, sometimes there is a substitute and the aircraft is used on some short haul flights out of JFK such as our flight to DCA. We got a notice of a schedule and equipment change a few months before our flight and I was very happy as the aircraft is normally used on American Airlines premium transcontinental flights from JFK to LAX and San Francisco (SFO). The biggest reason I was happy about this swap was that the first and Business Class cabins feature lie flat seating which is rare on domestic routes. If I was able to get one of the Business or First Class seats it would be my first time ever flying in a lie flat seat. On this flight the Business Class seats were sold as Main Cabin Extra and normally as American Airlines Gold elites we can select these seat free 24 hours before the flight and they can also be purchased in advanced by any Main Cabin passenger for an extra fee. However, on this flight these seats were blocked only for elite and at check-in we were able to select the bulkhead seats 6D and 6F!  A321T Business Class Seat Map The A32T is premium heavy and only has 102 seats compared to 181-187 on other version of American Airlines's A321's. The first class cabin is arranged in a 1-1 configuration while the Business Class cabin is arranged in a 2-2 configuration and the rest of the main cabin is arranged in a 3-3 configuration.  A321T Business Class Seats The first time I saw the lie-flat business class seats it brought a smile to my face because I was so excited to be trying out lie-flat seats for the first time. The 2-2 layout of American Airlines' A321T Business Class seat are great for traveling companions. It allowed us to talk with each other easily by putting down the privacy partition between the seats. It was also nice to have the ability to get up and access the aisle without disturbing a stranger.  The seats already had amazing leg room in the seated position and because we were in the bulkhead the legroom seemed endless even with the seat in the upright mode. Christina was also very excited and as soon as the plane took off turned her seat into lie-flat mode.  A321T Lie Flat Position The seats were very comfortable in lie flat mode and when fully extended my legs fit comfortably into the footwell. However, the seats showed their age. First, the seat controls were not responsive, did not have many pre-set options, and were slow to go into lie flat mode. Second, the table between the seats had a lot of wear and tear. You could clearly see the scratch and dents all over the table. While this was the most comfortable seat I have sat in because of the great leg room, great width, and the ability to lie flat, the seats were clearly showing signs of there age and could use a refresh.  A321T Footwell In-Flight Entertainment All of the seats in Business Class had an in-flight entertainment (IFE) monitor which was about 15 inches wide. The screen was touchscreen but was affixed to the bulkhead so it was very difficult to you the touchscreen while seated. Instead, I relied on the remote which allowed me to select content on the IFE and control the volume. However, the handheld remote did not function well and the whole IFE was glitchy. For example, the remote showed episodes that were unavailable on the main screen. This plane certainly could use a new IFE system as I have seen better functioning systems on American's non-transcontinental configured A321 S aircraft.  A321 T IFE Monitors Take Away
I enjoyed getting a taste of the A321T Business Class on my short JFK-DCA flight. My connection at JFK was simple and painless. While I was unable to experience any of the Business Class amenities since the seat was sold as Main Cabin Extra I still enjoyed my first lie flat seat experience. The seat had amazing legroom, was comfortable both in seated and lie flat positions, and had a large IFE monitor. Despite these positives the A321T Business Class seats had significant wear and tear, the IFE remote was not very responsive, and the IFE system was glitchy. Overall, I would love to connect again at JFK on AA and to have the full A321T Business Class experience including the access to the Flagship Lounge. I believe that the seat would make for a comfortable ride on a transcontinental flight and I hope American Airlines brings a similar transcontinental experience to its DCA-LAX flights. By RamonRamon is the creator of Travelling Companion. He focuses on flight reviews, hotel reviews, and helping stretch your travel dollars, miles, and points further. Flight Summary My first flight on a 777-200 was the best American Airlines I have ever taken. My experience reinforces how stark the differences are in equipment and service American Airlines offers at its various hubs and aircraft. Pros- Great in-flight entertainment, good food, friendly flight attendants, mood lighting, widely available power plugs, efficient boarding. Cons- Low quality wine selection Trip Overview: European Adventures 2018 Flight Review: American Airlines A330-300 Economy CLT-LHR Hotel Review: London Marriott Regent's Park Food in London Flight Review: British Airways A319 Economy LGW-BCN Hotel Review: AC Hotel Irla Barcelona Train Review: Renfe Clase Turista Barcelona-Valencia Exploring Life in Valencia Exploring Life in Barcelona Flight Review: American Airlines 777-200 Economy BCN-JFK Flight Review: American Airlines A321T Business Class Seats JFK-DCA Check In After our terrible stay at the AC Hotel Irla Barcelona we eagerly checked out of the hotel and headed to the Barcelona El Prat airport (BCN). The airport is located on the western edge of Barcelona and we took a taxi to the airport which cost about 41 dollars (35 euros). Barcelona El Prat has two terminals and Terminal Two primarily serves low cost carriers. Our flight departed out of Terminal One which was built in 2009 and I was impressed by the bright, beautiful, and modern terminal. We checked in at the American Airlines desk which was manned by contract workers. As was our experience at London Gatwick, the priority line was longer than the standard check in line but this time we waited in the priority line. After checking in we headed to security. One note of caution, once you clear security at this airport you once again need to pass through passport control to get to your flight at gate C or Gate D.  BCN Duty Free Shopping Joan Miró VIP Lounge Barcelona El Prat has four VIP lounges, three of which are in Terminal One. These lounges serve many of the travelers flying in business or first class leaving on flights in their respective terminals. However, these lounges are all also accessible to passengers with Priority Pass membership. I am going to talk about the benefits of Priority Pass in future post but for frequent international traveling companions it is a potent membership.  Elevator to Joan Miró VIP Lounge We had access to the Joan Miró VIP since we departed on an international flight. We took an elevator down one floor from the departure level to second floor to access the lounge. The check-in agent scanned our boarding passes and we quickly entered the lounge. This was the nicest lounge I have ever been to though I don't have much to compare it to since most of my lounge experience has been Admirals Clubs in the U.S. The lounge had a rest area which was dark and quiet. This was a great place for a weary traveller to take a nap. The lounge also had a small kid's play area with pink and blue chairs though no kids were in the lounge during our visit. Other amenities in the lounge included a shoe shine machine, the first time I have ever seen one, and shower stalls. The main part of the lounge featured worn but comfortable large black leather chairs. This part of the lounge also had views of the terminal and lots of natural light.  Lounge Seating The lounge had a separate dining area which had several food stations. These stations featured cold items such as Iberian ham, various cheeses, bananas, oranges, chocolate cookies, and chocolate croissants. The lounge's drink selection was particularly impressive and included a variety of alcohol and alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, juices, soda, and chocolate milk.
My biggest disappointment was the lounge did not have any hot food items. However, I was able to piece together a decent breakfast from the variety of cold food items. Overall, the lounge was comfortable and a good place to spend time waiting for our flight. The meal and drink selection was extensive enough that we did not buy breakfast or any drinks in the terminal. I would recommend that anyone with a Priority Pass membership departing on an international flight from BCN visit the Joan Miró VIP Lounge. Boarding Our flight departed out of D21 the closest gate to the lounge which was very convenient and allowed us to maximize our time in the lounge. Boarding for our flight began two minutes late and was very efficient even though one boarding machine was broken. No one boarded when group one and two were called and after a small group three we boarded very quickly in group four as this flight was very elite lite in economy.
 AA 777-200 Plane and Seats We boarded the plane through the second door on the left side of the plane walked straight and turned right and passed through the rear business class cabin. I was immediately impressed by how modern this plane felt compared to the A330-300 we flew to London. The business class seats were lie flat and very impressive and I hope to try them on a future flight. We passed through the business class cabin and took our main cabin extra seats 14 J and K on the right side of the plane. The economy cabin had five lavatories. Three of these were at the center of the economy cabin and two were at the rear of the cabin while the business class cabin had two bathrooms at the center of the cabin and one at the front. This design was much more intuitive than the A330-300 and meant that the closest lavatory to someone at the front of the cabin was in the economy cabin and not in business class.  777-200 Economy Cabin Christina and I once again were able to score complimentary main cabin extra seats at check in thanks to our American Airlines Gold status. The main cabin extra seats had about 5-6 inches of additional pitch on the 777-200. The additional legroom made a huge difference on this eight and a half hour flight. However, unlike our flight from Charlotte (CLT) to London Heathrow (LHR) we chose seats in row 14 and not the bulkhead which I think was definitely the right decision on this aircraft. While bulkhead seats offer additional legroom they do not have moveable armrests which prevented us from putting up the armrest on our flight from CLT. This is an annoying feature if you are traveling with a traveling companion. Also, the bulkhead seats had in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens stowed in the arm rest which means that the seat width is reduced and you are unable to watch the in-fight entertainment gate-to-gate. I think we made the right decision choosing row 14 main cabin extra seats.  7770-200 Main Cabin Extra Legroom However, a word of caution if you fly on a future American Airlines 777-200. American Airlines is streamlining its fleet of 777-200 aircraft and plans to install premium economy on all 777-200 aircraft. This means that row 14 will no longer be Main Cabin Extra and instead will have premium economy seats. While it is positive that American Airlines is giving customers a choice between economy and business class on international flights this mean a reduction of the number of main cabin extra seats for elites and other willing to pay for additional legroom. If you fly the 777-200 the plan is to start the economy cabin start at row 17 and feature this seat map.  777-200 Cabin In Flight Entertainment Our seats featured seat back in-flight entertainment (IFE) monitors with one USB and one standard charger below the screen at each seat. This allowed for the charging of multiple devices at each seat and did not require sharing outlets which is common on American Airlines domestic flights.  In-Flight Entertainment System These monitors were touchscreen and similar to the monitors you will find on some American Airlines A321s and 737-300s with a few enhancements. First, they had a remote which could be used to scroll through and select media on the touchscreen. I found the touchscreen easy to use and very responsive so I primarily used the touchscreen to control the IFE but I appreciated having the option to use the remote. Second, the selection of movies and TV shows was significantly expanded over what is an already impressive selection on American Airlines' domestic IFE. Third, the screens allowed for a second person to plug into your IFE monitor and watch the same movie, TV show, or listen to the same music. The ability to share entertainment on the same screen with a traveling companion was a very cool feature. Meals Lunch meal service began with a bag of mini pretzels. Before the entree was served the flight attendants announced the entree choices in English, Spanish, and Catalan. The choices were turkey chorizo meatballs in tomato sauce or pasta penne with yogurt sauce. I appreciated that the flight attendants actually announced the ingredients in the dishes unlike the flight from Charlotte where they simply said chicken or pasta. Given my experience with the pasta dish on the flight from Charlotte I chose the turkey chorizo meatballs and it was a very good decision. The meatballs came with a serving of rice and vegetables including carrots, corn, and green beans. This was a very good entree particularly for an economy meal on a U.S. airline. The meal service also included a side salad which was boring and a piece of bread which was okay. The meal also came with cherry crumble cake for dessert which was good.  AA Economy Lunch BCN-JFK As I mentioned previously, on flights to Europe and select international destinations American Airlines offers free wine and beer in the main cabin. On the flight from Charlotte I selected red wine and I did not enjoy it so this time around I chose white wine and it was just as bad. The wine was way too sharp and after two fails I have learned my lesson in economy on American Airlines flights don't order wine. About four hours into the flight the flight attendants served a snack of vanilla bean ice cream which of course was very good!
Service The biggest surprise of this flight was the great service by the flight attendants. I am so used to dismissive if not mean service from American Airlines flight attendants in economy that this service surprised me. The flight attendants were very efficient and completed meal service for the 215 seat economy cabin in less than one hour. They also worked really hard and passed through the cabin for three drinks services and two snack services. Also, the flight attendants were actually friendly. The flight attendant working our aisle noticed that Christina was cold and asked is she wanted another blanket. I believe that a significant factor in the improved service was that we were served by a New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) based crew. JFK is a legacy American Airlines hub while Charlotte is a legacy U.S. Airways Hub and nearly four and a half years into the merger the flight scheduling for the flight attendants has not been merged. This means that legacy U.S. Airways flight attendants can only work legacy U.S. Airways aircraft and vice versa. I believe this really shows up in the service provided by the legacy U.S. Airways versus legacy American Airlines crew. American Airlines plans to merge it flight attendant scheduling system in October 2018. However, until then I would strongly encourage you to connect through legacy American Airlines hubs to improve your chances of getting better equipment and service. However, flying through JFK in American Airlines is going to be more difficult as American Airlines continues to reduce their presence at JFK. Take Away This flight showed American Airlines at its best and I would definitely take this flight again. I really enjoyed my first flight on the 777-200 and the plane was modern, had ample power, and great in-flight entertainment. The crew surprised me with their friendly and efficient service. This further reinforced the inconsistency of American Airlines fleet and service. I would recommend that you take the flight out of JFK if you are flying to or from Barcelona. |
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