REVIEW: American Airlines 787-9 Flagship Business Class (LHR-ORD)

Revised: November 14, 2024

First of my comped cruises aboard the MSC Poesia was complete and it was time to head back to the US. This focuses on how I was able to fly from Copenhagen to Philadelphia for $500 in business class! Note: while info about the entire itinerary will be shared, the post will be mainly focused on the Transatlantic AA Flagship Business flight.

FLIGHTS INFO

HOW I BOOKED 

_{Beautiful Tip: It is important to keep up to date on miles/points expiry as it was a use or lose situation with my SQ miles. For example, you can pay to extend KrisFlyer miles only ONCE.  While not the most convenient routing, the sale gave me a great option to use those miles.}

HOW TO EARN THE POINTS FOR REDEMPTION

Note that this exact itinerary was available as a reward flight for 57.5K AA miles + $92.80.

AMERICAN AIRLINE TRANSFER PARTNERS: NONE (Bilt is losing AA as a transfer partner on June 24, 2024)

CREDIT CARDS: You can earn 60,000 AA miles with just ONE purchase and paying the $99 annual fee with this Barclays card ~ you must apply and be approved by July 1, 2024! So you could also could  fly AA flagship for $200 (taxes were $92.80 for this exact awards itinerary.)

• Barclays Aviator Card 

_{Beautiful Tip: While I love that many more people are now in the miles + points games, a basic econ principle has started to come into play. Inflation happens when too many people with too much money (or in this case (miles and points) are trying to buy too few goods (award redemptions). Even when AA had a transfer partner, their miles were incredibly valuable since they were harder to come by and why you can get such great deals (points AND taxes/fees being reasonable)}.

CHECK IN/SECURITY

Some great perks when booking business class tickets are the extras that help make the entire flying experience better, smoother and more luxurious.  

I wasn’t able to check in online for all of my flights so I did visit the BA Club World check in counter at CPH.   The rep was pleasant and was proactive in asking if I knew about the premier security lane + where the lounge was! Welp I should have known what the issue was + didn’t even look at the boarding passes until I was in the lounge. 

_{Beautiful Tip: When you are booking an itinerary that includes flights on different airlines, there is a different confirmation number for each. This is helpful to know and typically how you can pick seats if you’re not able to with the booking airline. I always add the flights to the partner’s app and in this case is what allowed me to check in for the first flight.}  

Typically there is also higher baggage allowance with increased number of bags and weight limits with these tickets. For this flight, business class allows two pieces of luggage up to 32 kg/70.5 lb each. My AA status allows for an even higher limit of three checked bags. 

Once checked in, getting through security is easier since I was able to use the CPH Express Fast Track security lane which is really great when one is traveling internationally. This was before the normal security line so I have no basis of comparison for how much faster it was (or if it even was since I had such an early flight!) 

LHR: For this itinerary, I landed in Terminal 5 (T5) and was departing from Terminal 3 (T3).  Luckily, I started chatting with the person in the aisle seat from the BA flight who does the CPH-US flight often so I was able to tag along as he expertly navigated thru LHR.  We had to take a bus to get to T3 but the wait was minimal.  Note that you will need to go through security again at T3.  

_{Beautiful Tip: If you haven’t flown through a London airport recently, the warning that is given to you about liquids when in line should not be taken lightly.  All liquids need to fit in the plastic bag provided and also MUST close (plus it’s smaller than the quart sized bag I always travel with).  (As me how I know),  if your items set off a screening, be prepared for a long wait and a very thorough screening. The plastic bag didn’t stay closed so that’s what flagged my stuff unfortunately.  Cautionary tale as all in all, it was about 30-40 minutes extra for this and EVERY person in that line was there because of liquids.  PS do not yell at the agent – they are just doing their job and you were informed about the requirements.}

^{I also was flagged for SSSS – which when I see, I immediately think  sh*******t secondary security (I think the last S is actually for selection).  I have had this SSSS screening done at an airport upon arrival (I did have a connecting flight) but it’s typically done prior to boarding the plane.  You need to plan for additional time for this as it is a very thorough screening.  I had to take off my shoes and those along with the bottom and tops of my socks were swabbed and tested along with all my electronics and the bags. It did take another 35-45 minutes. Both agents were really nice for my additional screenings and we had some pretty funny conversations. But all of that time greatly cut into my ability to thoroughly enjoy the lounges (and visit the third lounge I had been planning on!)}

LOUNGE ACCESS

CPH – Carlsberg Aviator  Lounge in Terminal 2. Open, airy Scandi modern design + floor to ceiling windows for avgeeks to check out the planes and runway.  Lounge access is nice not only that it offers a respite from the chaos of airports and boarding gates but they are also a way to save money on food and drinks.  I always appreciate when there is a working espresso machine + hot foods available especially for a 7:05 flight but it was especially welcomed since my morning had started at 3:45.  For those holding Priority pass memberships, you would be able to access this lounge as well!

LHR: AA has an Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge (plus Arrivals Lounge) in T3. Note that when you are flying AA biz class, you are able to use ALL of the one world lounges so skip the AA lounges and head on over to the Qantas (QF) or Cathay Pacific (CX) if you only have time for one lounge.  

I purposely picked the flight with a longer layover in LHR to give myself time to get through the airport and security but also because I was hoping to check out both the CF and CX lounges if time allowed.  I started in CX because I knew that they had showers and was hoping that there wasn’t a long wait.  While I am typically a one shower per day person, travel days can be brutal so I am all about lounges with shower access – it’s definitely a vibe.  Perhaps TMI, lugging around my North Face duffel is hard work and I was sweating bullets during the security screening so I was literally a hot mess!

The CX First and Business lounges are accessed through the same check-in area and share bathrooms, shower and locker storage spaces.  The shower rooms are large, well appointed, immaculately clean and each is stocked with toiletries items and I was able to become presentable in short order. 

The business lounge is notable for the ability to get made to order Asian dishes directly from a noodle bar (you’ll get a buzzer to let you know that your food is ready).  You can enjoy your food at the stools overlooking the noodle bar or the numerous booths available.  Further back, there’s armchairs with small coffee tables and a separate bar area.  

The first class lounge is more intimate in size and benefits from the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the runaway.  Here you’ll find leather armchairs with individual foot rests and side tables.  There’s a few self-serve areas – a bar with beers, wines, spirits and Champagne and a pantry area that had Western offerings for breakfast.  But if you have the time, head to the dining area for sit down service. 

The things that really stood out about the CX lounges were the delicious food (one of the reasons why I am trying to figure out how to fly through LHR again so I can have some of those dishes again!) and the service.  The level of service that is typical of Asian airlines was extended to both lounges with attentive and gracious service from everyone I encountered.  

But there was one experience that really blew me away.  As I was gathering and consolidating my bags from the gratis lockers, the woman who had checked me in noticed and came quickly down the hallway.  Addressing me by name, she wanted to make sure that I had a chance to eat after showering.  Once satisfied that I had indeed been well fed, she informed me which gate my flight was departing from and also when boarding would begin. She proceeded to tell me where the gate was in relation to the lounge and how even with that walk, I still had nearly 25 minutes before boarding.  I was floored – the lounges had started filling up while I was there and she still somehow recalled my name and flight info!  I let her know that I was headed to the gate early due to the dreaded SSSS situation and she sadly agreed that I should indeed start heading to the gate.  Definitely want to return with some nice chocolates for the staff but especially for her! 

_{Beautiful Tip: The lounge set up for LHR works to your advantage if you have the time and desire to lounge hop.  I would recommend going in order of AA lounges (Area H), BA Galleries or Galleries First Lounge (Area F), ending at Cathay Pacific (Area C) and/or Qantas (Area D)  to end on a high note rather than be disappointed after experiencing either the Qantas or Cathay lounges.}

ORD – AA Flagship Lounge:  Shared space with the Admiral Club – at check in, I was given a black “invitation card” that granted me access to this floor.  I was warned that it would be crowded but I was able to get in right away (as opposed to the Centurion Lounge waits I typically experience) and able to locate multiple places to sit. 

Ample food and drink selection!  

CABIN CONFIGURATION/SEAT:

As is typical for European flights, BA’s A321neo business class’s eight rows were arranged in a 3-3 configuration with the middle seat blocked.  The seats are 17.7” across with 30.4” pitch (how much space between rows/seat backs) and recline back 3” (vs seats in row 15 and back do not recline).

AA’s 737-823 domestic first class cabin has 8 Collins MIQ seats (manufacturer + what type of seat) arranged over four rows in a 2-2 configuration.  The seats are 20” across with 37” pitch and recline back 5”.  In lieu of an IFE, there is a flip up tablet/phone holder, in arm storage space with charging  sockets + individual tray tables.

AA’s 787-9 Flagship business cabin has 30 Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats arranged over eight rows in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. What this means for non-avgeeks is this is who manufactures and what type of seats + that every seat has direct aisle access with the window seats being angled with the footwells towards the window (rather than those seats alternating towards the aisle and window). 

_{Beautiful Tip:  If you are traveling solo, the center seats may or may not have center dividers so it’s best to select a window seat.  The AA cabin configuration allows for the shell to offer an ample amount of privacy for the windows seats.}

The seats are 21” across with 60-61” pitch and convert into a 77” fully lie-flat bed.  Preset of upright, reclined and lie-flat positions with the ability to electronically adjust the leg rest, lumbar and back from those positions.

The configuration is set up with the footwell directly in front of the seat underneath the IFE.  While the size of the tray table is generous at 18.5” wide and 17” long, it does retract and thus compromises the space in between the IFE and footwell.  

A Casper branded pillow and blanket wrapped in plastic were placed at every seat along with an amenity kit: an AA Flagship branded cardboard box containing a dental kit, earplugs, eye masks, pen, disposable oshibori towel, socks and (notably for me as I love their scents!) D.S. & Durga scented lotion + lip balm.

It was a well designed space with the amount of storage space, the large tray table, reading light place in the shell (vs overhead which can be distracting for other seats) as welcomed + useful features.  There were two cubbies along the window with thoughtful design such as cables being able to run from them (where the headphones plug into) when closed.  The aisle armrest could be lowered + provided an additional compartment that closed for storage.  Also notable was the amount of overhead bin space with most seats getting their own bin.

_{Beautiful tip is to keep slippers or shoes accessible when converting to lie-flat bed mode.  Otherwise trying to dig for them when going to the restroom can make for a frustrating experience!}

IFE/WIFI

Great resolution on the TV with a very large library of movies, TV shows (including Apple TV) to choose from and also offered Rosetta Stone and Skillshare if you wanted to pass your flight time learning.

AA provides Bang & Olufsen headphones in their premium cabins which is really great but also aggravating in that they are so valuable, the flight attendants gather the headphones about an hour before landing vs other airlines that collect their headphones when the plane is descending or taxiing. 

Wi-fi was available for a fee but I forgot to check on the pricing.

FOOD/DRINK

Note that I only ate on the AA’s 787-9 Flagship business LHR – ORD route but was offered meals on all three flights.  Note AA does not make the menus available until 30 days before your flight.  I forgot to check the menu when it came out and I wonder what I missed out on by not ordering ahead. 

Warm nuts were served along drinks prior to the start of the meal service.  Then starter plates of chicken tikka and crispy salad mix were served.  I opted for the pasta dish which was overcooked and a bit bland.  And no surprise with an ice cream sundae for my dessert.

FLIGHT EXPERIENCE 

Three flights and three wildly different onboard experiences

CPH-LHR/BA 811: The service was quite lovely and unexpectedly warm. I had grabbed a bite at the he lounge in CPH and knew that I would be visiting LHR lounges, so I declined breakfast and their assortment of pastries. But I found it charming that the inflight lead came back to ask me (and by name) as she came by doing service if I was sure there wasn’t something she could bring me. And asked a second time as I was heading to the WC. I joked with her that I was definitely not wasting away at all – I was merely saving my gluttony for the CX food.

LHR-ORD/AA 47: After having such personalized service during the BA flight and at the Cathay Pacific lounge, I was curious how the next flight would be. And it was good/fine.  Pre departure drinks were served (I know that the FAs are paid until the door shut so I never expect these but appreciate when it happens).  The meal service was timely and friendly but once that concluded, the FAs were not present. Small bottles of water and snacks were placed at the front of the cabin but no one came around until the 

ORD-PHL/AA 588: This was a very, very interesting flight/service experience. The two FAs working the first class cabin were very vocal about their annoyance with gate agents “not doing their job” with the bags being too big and should have been gate checked. And then went further and rearranged/moved luggage when (imo), it wasn’t necessary as all the bags fit.  It was very strange and caused quite a bit of an uproar when we landed and people couldn’t locate their bags.  

BUT this was also a flight in which AA went above and beyond and as a team as the flight was delayed by nearly an hour.  I was thoroughly impressed with how proactive the staff was to inform the flight about 14 passengers with tight connections and ask those without connections to please stay seated when the doors open to allow those others to try to make their flights.  This happened first at the gate right as boarding was about to commence, secondly when the captain reiterated this request during the flight and a third time when FAs made the descent announcements.  But even more amazingly was that the rest of the flight (including the front of the plane, IYKYK) stayed seated to let those connecting customers rush to their flights – I hope that they did were able to catch them and enjoyed Portugal!

OVERALL IMPRESSION 

While the service between the flights was very  uneven, each flight was pleasant enough that I am looking at the reverse for one of my return flights to Europe this year!  Plus I still have an SWU to burn….

Just a reminder that this booking showcases how loyalty can pay off handsomely with the ability to apply a SWU at booking.  But also important to note that by being AA Executive Platinum I am also granted one world emerald status (which you also get with Platinum Pro) and I would have had access to those great airport lounges even if I was flying economy.  While my knee currently requires a bit more babying and the extra TLC from lie-flat seats, it is great to know that my travels would still have some luxury no matter what class I am flying!