I booked this flight on Qantas points, but it wasn’t straightforward

The airline: American Airlines

• The flight: Sydney to Los Angeles, flight AA72
• Frequency: Daily
• Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
• Class: Economy, seat 33E
• Flight time: Scheduled time is 13 hours and 50 minutes, we actually leave earlier than the scheduled 11.15am departure and arrive in Los Angeles at 6.05am local time, 10 minutes early.

An American Airlines Boeing 777 in flight.

Checking in

I book my American Airlines ticket using Qantas points, but can’t manage my booking through the Qantas site. Instead, I have to use the American Airlines website, which requires a different booking code — one I can only retrieve by calling Qantas. It would make sense for partner airlines to include all relevant booking codes upfront. That said, the airport check-in process is quick and hassle-free.

Baggage

The standard checked baggage allowance for economy passengers is one piece up to 23kg, with a carry-on allowance of 7kg.

The loyalty scheme

AAdvantage, American Airlines’ frequent flyer program, offers miles accumulation and redemption across the oneworld alliance, including partners like Qantas and British Airways.

The seat

Inside the economy cabin.

American Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ERs have a tightly packed economy cabin, with a 3-4-3 configuration in the front and a slightly more spacious 2-4-2 layout toward the rear. I book a seat in the back, knowing this section often has more empty seats and hoping for a quieter flight. My plan works. As soon as we’re airborne, passengers scatter, claiming whatever space they can. Already settled in a middle row, I simply lift the armrests and stretch out. Others aren’t so lucky — those who grab two-seat rows in the back section of the plane quickly discover the armrests in that part of the plane are fixed. Despite the tight layout, the economy seats offer a standard 34-inch (86cm) pitch and 17-inch (43cm) width. With four seats to myself, I have more than enough room to relax.

Entertainment + tech

Each seat comes with a touchscreen entertainment system, a USB charging port, and a universal power outlet. The system offers a decent selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games — enough to pass the time. Wi-Fi is available for a fee, with multiple plans to choose from, but I prefer to stay offline when flying. There’s something nostalgic about being unreachable in the sky, so I embrace the rare chance to disconnect.

Service

Cabin cleanliness is maintained to a good standard throughout the flight. After the main meal, passengers can help themselves to water and snacks, which are readily available in the galleys.

Food

Shortly after take-off, meal service begins with a choice of beef stir-fry with rice and Asian vegetables or vegetarian pasta. I choose the beef stir-fry, and the generous portion is surprisingly tasty. However, the meal lacks variety, with only a plain bread roll as the side. On the return leg from Los Angeles, the quality drops — everything feels smaller and less flavoursome. I haven’t considered until now how meals might vary based on the country of origin until I notice this stark difference. Breakfast is either scrambled eggs with tomato, potato, and bacon, or natural yoghurt with granola, and the egg dish is surprisingly good.

Sustainability

American Airlines is working on sustainability initiatives, such as reducing carbon emissions and minimising waste. While I don’t notice specific eco-friendly measures on board during my flight, my research indicates the airline is pursuing several sustainability goals. *

One more thing

The GE90 engines on the Boeing 777-300ER are among the largest and most powerful in commercial aviation, and they play a key role in the aircraft’s efficiency, performance, and overall passenger experience.

The price

Return economy fares from Sydney to Los Angeles vary based on booking time, demand, and airline sales. Qantas has offered fares starting at $1199 during sale periods, while American Airlines’ fares typically begin around $1614.**

The verdict

A solid transpacific service offering decent comfort, service, and amenities for economy travellers. While it doesn’t stand out in every category, it provides satisfactory value for the price.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew at her own expense. See americanairlines.com.au

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.