Fly Coast-to-Coast in Comfort.
Travel Concierge Names American Airlines Flagship
“The Best Transcon Service in North America.”
It was 1959 when Captain C.A. McAtee made aviation history by flying the first transcontinental commercial jet from Los Angeles to New York. For that inaugural flight, it was an American Airlines Boeing 707 that pierced the sky with 112 passengers aboard the aircraft, landing in the Big Apple in just over four hours.
Today, that same transcon route flies coast-to-coast almost hourly. The best part is that now, champagne is part of the journey.
Trust me, I know.
With over 30 years in the travel industry, I’ve racked up countless air miles and reward points from my jaunts between Los Angeles and New York. During those five confined hours, I choose not to suffer. From my days as a 16-year-old teenager in Economy Class, to now my “Concierge Key” status with American Airlines, I’ve learned that the travel experience is as much about the journey as it is the destination.
Airlines know this, bringing out their best in their fight for your business. Historically, transcon has always been one of the premier routes. Today, American Airlines, along with Delta and United, are making this same trip hourly for business commuters. Without a doubt, this is a powerful market to snag, but no one does transcon travel better than American Airlines.
Just last week I flew coast-to-coast on American’s fabled Flagship A321T, their aircraft that is specifically designed for transcontinental flights. Available for travel to/from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Ana, as well as flights between Boston and Los Angeles, the ticket offers access to AA’s most exclusive, personalized amenities and services.
My five-star experience started with private check-in at the exclusive Flagship First check-in area. Although I had purchased a Business Class ticket, my Concierge Key status gave me access to all the Flagship First services, including onboard elevated dining, cocktails, and spacious flatbeds. The experience, however, started right away at LAX, where I was promptly greeted and introduced to my personal assistant who expedited me through security.
“Mr. Lavender, we want to make sure you have access to the least-congested areas of the airport. Simply follow the ‘Priority’ signs from here on out.”
Without a doubt, I felt very “priority” with a promise that I’d be the first to receive my bags upon landing. At that very moment, I didn’t care about my bags because I was too busy drinking champagne.
I blame it on American’s Los Angeles Flagship Lounge, a premium pampering hub that boasts chef-inspired cuisine, shower suites, a specialty cocktail bar, and a wine-tasting table. In partnership with the James Beard Foundation, the fine-dining experience features locally sourced ingredients and dishes that celebrate America's food culture.
Honestly, I didn’t make it beyond the hand-crafted cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. With Flagship status, I also had the freedom to access International First-Class Lounges and Admirals Club lounges which I kept in mind for my upcoming international travels.
With so many choices, so little time, it was clear that Flagship services started on the ground. When they announced my flight, I had visions of diving into pools of imported champagne. But alas, it was time to fly.
American Airlines recently renewed their fleet with hundreds of new planes. Modern and sleek in design, every Flagship seat laid flat. At my beck and call was a senior cabin crew that reminded me of servers at The Four Seasons.
Of course, there was Wi-Fi, plus power outlets and USB ports at every seat. During the flight, I could browse the Internet, check emails, and stream videos on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. Included were movies, TV shows, music, and games, all enjoyed with complimentary Bang & Olufsen headphones.
Normally, I don't encourage dining in front of a screen, but how could I not under these circumstances? Beautifully plated was my three-course meal designed by award-winning chefs Sarah Grueneberg and Sam Choy.
Next on my wish list was “sleep,” but sadly, work had the best of me. Gazing at pampered passengers around me, I envied their freedom to nap on the journey, while I responded to one email after another.
So maybe I didn’t use my feather pillow, sleep mask, earplugs, socks, or lip balm, but trust me, I definitely took home my Shinola and D.S. & Durga amenity kit. I also left the flight with a feeling of value, prestige, and significance.
Every step of the way, my experience was seamless and elegant, with just the right amount of handholding to make me feel VIP. On this transcon flight, American Airlines hit every touchpoint imaginable, making it the closest thing to a private-jet experience.
In the words of the world-famous poet Carl Sandburg who witnessed that first American Airlines flight, “We salute the intelligence and the daring of man that was wrought this strange and blessed device, now so familiarly known as the passenger jet plane . . . we all know this is only a beginning and a promise.”
Clearly, a great deal has changed since that inaugural transcon flight of 1959. As a leading pioneer, American Airlines was the first to make the coast-to-coast journey, the first to offer three classes of service, and the first to unveil a program exclusively for transcontinental travelers.
Needless to say, they have my stamp of approval.
— Jeff