Airline review: This is the ‘Toyota Corolla’ of airline seats

Airline

American Airlines

Route

New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Washington DC, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), flight AA2174.

American Airlines is the largest operator of the Airbus A319.Credit: iStock

Frequency

Four to six flights daily

Aircraft

Airbus A319. American Airlines is the largest operator of this narrow-body, short-to-medium-range aircraft.

Class

Main Cabin (economy), aisle seat 21C. At the check-in kiosk, I decline the for-fee upgrade option to Main Cabin Extra or Main Cabin Preferred.

Flight time

Scheduled one hour, 25 minutes. Take-off is delayed 30 minutes due to a maintenance issue. We land 20 minutes past the scheduled arrival time. Minutes up in the air – just 39.

Checking in

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.Credit: iStock

New York’s LaGuardia Airport isn’t crowded when I arrive. I check in and pay to check a bag at a self-serve kiosk, then drop my tagged bag at a service counter. The line for security screening moves swiftly and I’m at the gate with time to spare. Then comes the announcement of a 30-minute delay.

Baggage

I pay $US30 to check one bag, up to 50 pounds (23kg). Main Cabin passengers may bring one carry-on bag (no larger than 56 x 36 x 23 centimetres, including handles and wheels) and a personal item into the cabin.

I spot a passenger holding three carry-on bags at the gate. She’s told she must check one in. The flight is not full and there is plenty of overhead bin space.

Loyalty scheme

AAdvantage, part of oneworld Alliance (includes Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and more). Members earn points on American, oneworld and other participating airlines as well as travel and retail partners.

The seat

American Airlines’ economy class: the “Toyota Corolla” of seats.

I’m in aisle seat 21C; there are 120 Main Cabin seats in a 3-3 one-aisle configuration. My seat is 17.3-inches (44cm) wide, with a 30-inch (76.2cm) pitch. It’s the “Toyota Corolla” of airline seats: Comfortable enough, but no whiz-bang, remarkable features.

The flight is half-empty, so I enjoy stretching out, with two empty seats next to mine.

Power outlets for charging devices are on the base of the seats in front – two outlets for three seats.

Entertainment + tech

There are no seatback screens. Wi-Fi is available for $US10 ($15.55), which I decide isn’t worth it for less than 40 minutes in the air. Passengers who connect to the Wi-Fi on personal devices are able to scan a QR code to watch a selection of complimentary movies and TV shows.

Service

American’s attendants on the flight are efficient and friendly. With no meal or drinks to serve, they have a light load on this short-hop sector. After boarding and the safety demonstration, I don’t see them again until we land.

Food

It’s announced that there isn’t enough time to offer a beverage service. Note to self: Always BYO water and snacks.

Carbon emissions

For one Main Cabin passenger flying New York City (LGA) to Washington DC (DCA), the emission is 127kg. Customers can calculate the emissions of their flight and pay to offset them at Cool Effect, an organisation American Airlines has partnered with on sustainability initiatives.

The airline says it’s committed to finding ways to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics. There are plans to expand the use of renewable energy and food-waste composting.

One more thing

Is it better to fly or take the train between NYC and DC? It depends. The high-speed Acela train reaches DC’s Union Station from NYC’s Penn Station in under three hours. If you’re staying in Manhattan, it’s a good option, though it can be pricey unless you book it a few weeks in advance.

Travelling by air can be faster door-to-door, assuming no flight delays. Most DC hotels can be reached in under 15 minutes from Washington Reagan airport (add an extra 45 minutes if coming from Dulles International).

The price

From $US89 ($138) one way.

The verdict

Thumbs-down for the delay and lack of refreshments. Thumbs-up for the short flight time.

Our rating out of five

★★★

The writer flew courtesy of Destination DC. See washington.org

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