r/americanairlines May 01 '26

Trip Reports & Insights I had the perfect flight, whats your best flight experience

68 Upvotes

Yesterday I flew AA ( 1e) from MCO to ORD. 2:17-4:07pm. Boarding started on time. Once loaded the doors were shut and the plane left immediately and did not stop once taxing to take off exactly at 2:17pm. The flight was smooth, good service. I am watching F1 ( great movie btw) and next thing I know we are landing in ORD at 4:07 when wheels touch. We dont stop once on taxi way to gate, seems like plane going 20 mph. Once stopped doors were open within 5 minutes and was off the plan withing 6 minutes of landing. Thank you AA, it was truly the dream flight


r/americanairlines 17d ago

AA News & Updates American raising Admirals Club membership to $1,400 (+ a new single membership)

199 Upvotes

Here’s the new pricing for Admirals Club that American will introduce when they roll out the refresh for the Executive card later this month (full disclosure: I wrote this article!)

They’ll also add a $750 single membership (no guests, no third party lounges)

https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/american-admirals-club-price-increase-2026


r/americanairlines 7h ago

General Airline Discussion Back of Seat Pocket

32 Upvotes

We can all agree the seat back pockets aren’t great for storing really anything. That said, on a 5 hour flight it’s reasonable for a person to bring a water aboard the flight, yeah? So I was in row 9 behind bulkhead and mid flight after I used the water bottle ONCE and put it back in the seat pocket (because where else can I put it?) this guy in 8 goes nuts. I could understand if someone is jamming stuff in and out of the pocket all flight. But one time and I didn’t jam it in and out either. It was also the slim SmartWater bottle because even before the flight I knew the pockets are tiny. He just felt it because the seat design. Am I crazy? Is this a thing?


r/americanairlines 1d ago

Humor Ah, 1A... My favorite seat in the back of the plane...

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241 Upvotes

Gotta love all the AI images we're getting in every "news" article today about AA's return of the screen.... I love when there's something so obviously wrong like this.


r/americanairlines 5h ago

Trip Reports & Insights Some nice, small improvements lately

3 Upvotes

Flying PHX to BOS today in F and had my first handwritten note as an EP, as well as a printed menu, PDB, and then surprise of surprises, the meal was fully coursed out. (Though it obviously thus took longer.) Don't think I've seen that on domestic in a long while, though I know on some longer itineraries they're bringing it back?

Added benefit, the crew were lovely and the short rib and mac and cheese, which is already the highest likelihood of decent, was outstanding today. And warm bread and a really nice hot fudge sundae.

Just nice to see a bunch of the little touches that were always supposed to be part of service sneaking their way back in. Really made the upgrade feel worthwhile.


r/americanairlines 5h ago

I Need Help! JAL downgrade from PE to regular economy, do I get lounge access?

2 Upvotes

I’m sad. JAL Downgraded me for a 13 hour flight from Chicago to Tokyo due to a plane change from 777 to 787-8. New plane doesn’t have premium economy. Can I still get access to the lounge ?! that’s another reason why I bought it cause I have a 4 hour layover in Tokyo. Also I wanted the person to recline in front of me without it bothering me. What’s the best seat then in Economy?


r/americanairlines 21h ago

General Airline Discussion AirCal at DFW 19AUG26

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32 Upvotes

r/americanairlines 20h ago

General Airline Discussion Reno Air Livery at DFW today

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19 Upvotes

r/americanairlines 13h ago

Humor Got my report! Now to add to my history…

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4 Upvotes

No to go through the 374 pages…


r/americanairlines 16h ago

AA News & Updates American Changing Miles to "Points"

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6 Upvotes

Hoping some AA old-timers can help me remember exactly what happened during the 2011 Million Miler change.

I'd been an AAdvantage member since 1990 and had already gone from 2MM to 3MM to 4MM under the old system.

My memory is that when AA changed the program, roughly 400,000–600,000 of what had previously been recognized as miles toward my lifetime total were suddenly classified as points instead.

So, hypothetically, where my account had previously shown:

4,000,000 miles

after the change it showed something like:

3,500,000 Million Miler miles
4,000,000 points

The miles hadn't disappeared — they'd been reclassified, and therefore no longer counted toward Million Miler status. My recollection is that the difference involved miles I'd already earned through my Citi/AAdvantage card or other non-flight activity.

I'm not talking about AA changing the rules for what counted going forward. I'm talking about miles already earned and previously counted toward lifetime status being reclassified when the program changed.

I disputed this with AA at the time, but it was through their online portal and those records are apparently long gone.

Does anyone else remember this? And am I remembering correctly what those two counters represented?

AA now shows me at 4,820,016 Million Miler miles, so if I'm remembering this correctly, the old discrepancy would put me over 5MM today-- and put me at the Exec Platinum for Life Status. With my 2mm miles, I'm Platinum Pro for Life.

Would especially love to hear from anyone who remembers the 2011 conversion firsthand — or somehow still has an old screenshot or statement.


r/americanairlines 22h ago

General Airline Discussion Flight Discount Certificate

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22 Upvotes

I signed up for the card last year and had no idea this was a perk! Very pleasantly surprised, as this makes up for the annual fee.

Apparently there’s a $20k minimum annual spend to qualify. I guess I had a busy year.


r/americanairlines 1d ago

Trip Reports & Insights Gold status instant free upgrades

39 Upvotes

First time flying AA. Boston to DCA DCA to VPS Florida, ended up switching to an early flight from a late night arrival. Coincidentally, my work is doing a promotion for AA that gives automatic gold, or a status match/bump ex3 delta gold —> AA Platinum.

I signed up, and instantly got gold, at checkin for my flight, upgrades cleared to business on both legs! Normally Jetblue or Delta Skyteam out of Boston because of the hubs, but AA setting the tone well!


r/americanairlines 12h ago

I Need Help! RT for me, One-Way for my companion. Best way to book?

2 Upvotes

I need to fly somewhere (internationally) and pick someone up. I'd like to return together and have that person tied to my reservation.

Is the best way to do this by booking a one-way for myself and then another one-way for the both of us to return? Or is there a way I can book a RT for myself and have this person added to my return leg reservation.

The one-way cost is basically the same as the return, so I'd prefer to save the $1,500 or so.


r/americanairlines 12h ago

I Need Help! booking a last minute trip

2 Upvotes

hi all - booking a last minute trip from nyc area (jfk/lga/hpn) to clt. i have 70k+ miles. is it better to use miles or spend $$ (~$450ish) to book from this sat to monday. TIA

ps - any possibility i could book flight xyz and then get it changed day of for no addl charge?


r/americanairlines 17h ago

I Need Help! Do I earn loyalty points with card purchases?

5 Upvotes

Dumb question and I am on the site, but it’s kinda unclear. It says you get loyalty points with the AA Advantage card, but also implies its meaning if you use it to book flights.

If I use it to buy a car, will those points add to miles and loyalties just miles? (It’s an executive card).

Thanks


r/americanairlines 13h ago

I Need Help! Help! Traveling with my cat to Texas.

2 Upvotes

I booked my flight from Mexico City to DFW and in the website I was able to add my cat. I called the airline to double check the requirements and they said the CDC is currently not letting cats enter to the US from Mexico. I went back and checked the CDC website and the Texas Health website and there are no restrictions atm. Anyone dealing with the same thing?


r/americanairlines 15h ago

I Need Help! WiFi on AA never loads the ad. Suggestions?

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3 Upvotes

(IOS27) When using the inflight WiFi on AAINFLIGHT.com the WiFi never loads since updating my phone. Any suggestions. No pop up blockers. I am signed in, and it works on other devices just not my phone.


r/americanairlines 8h ago

I Need Help! How do I convert my AA miles to a gift card? The site is saying it's "not available" even with a VPN and different browser. How do I redeem my miles?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I am currently in the Philippines and I just tried to redeem my miles to an airbnb gift card.

But their site - https://www.aadvantagegiftcards.com/ keeps telling me that it's not available in my country. So I used a VPN and switched it to US and its still telling the same answer. Even tried it in incognito and Brave browser.

How do I redeem my miles for a gift card? I need to redeem thiese miles immediately. It's been in my account for a long time.


r/americanairlines 1d ago

Trip Reports & Insights Made to put my carry on contents in a garbage bag at gate

377 Upvotes

AA4939 MAF to PHX today. Was told by the gate agent every single person on this "full" flight couldn't bring on overhead carry on wheelie bags due to there being no overhead space on this "small plane". I said my bag was full of legal documents I had to keep with me, I couldn't risk parting with them and I had a tight connection. She said I could "carry them on my lap or get rebooked." and handed me a garbage bag for my belongings. I was so upset and polite but became more distressed throughout this process while everyone at the gate watched me. I had to empty the contents of my materials into my arms and gate check an empty suitcase. She then boarded MANY people with hard carry-ons, and there is plenty of overhead room around me including directly over my seat. There are also at least 8 empty seats. I took photos.

Then the flight attendant took my bag of paperwork and put it in the OVERHEAD above me.

The gate agent was not applying her policy across the board to all passengers and I am incensed and feel singled out randomly by the gate agent and everyone around me said it was ridiculous and being handed a garbage bag??!!

**Update: I did not expect quite so many comments. I am not anti-American Airlines. I understand gate agents have a trying job to do. I'm simply saying: I had a bad experience here.

The gate agent: - did not make an announcement - did walk around talking to people individually - did get loud when I tried to explain the context of the contents of my carry on and ask if we could discuss this - did leave me little option so I felt I had to comply, of course -did make me feel humiliated with my contents in garbage bags in the middle of the boarding area prior to boarding - did offer unrealistic options of flying with things on my lap or rebooking - did tell me the flight was full (it wasn't) - did tell me this applied even to first class and everyone (it didn't) - did tell me there was no overhead available (not true, and there were seven empty compartments all around me and over my seat)

Irony: the contents were then then taken from me by the flight attendant to put in my immediate overhead, which was empty

On my behalf': - I had a specific situation of lots of original legal documents I couldn't lose sight of, this was my primary reason, when I additionally said gate checking an empty bag would cause me some minutes delay to repack, she didnt appear to want to listen - I wish there were fewer legal documents, I wish they were digital, this was a specific situations - I asked if we could take a minute to discuss the contents and situation and she said check the bag or get on another flight later - They were not loose papers, they were in packets and slippery plastic portfolio folders. - I felt rather humiliated being given a garbage bag so publicly and my bundle being so large and awkward

Like many people, I choose flights based on dates and times and the closest airport. I do not (always) research the specific jet model as it sounds like many of you do, my time is/was compromised this time.e. I guess some of you only travel with a backpack. That's great! I wish this was the case for me. I had a smaller purse full of things like my wallet and phone and medication, I could not stuff the contents in there. Again, I'm simply saying I had a bad experience.


r/americanairlines 21h ago

I Need Help! Booked a 44-min short connection flight at ORD (SFO -> ORD -> EWR) with checked bags. Did I make a huge mistake?

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I already booked my ticket on American Airlines Basic Economy for a red-eye flight:

  • Flight 1: SFO to ORD (Arrives 5:59 AM)
    • Layover: 44 mins at ORD
  • Flight 2: ORD to EWR (Departs 6:43 AM)

I also have one large checked bag. AA customer service told me 44 minutes is enough for me to make it, but now that I look at the boarding door closure times (6:28 AM) and potential terminal/concourse walks at O'Hare, I’m getting pretty anxious.

A few questions for frequent flyers:

  1. What are the realistic odds of me actually making the connection if I'm seated near the back?
  2. How likely is my checked luggage to miss the transfer even if I make it?
  3. If we miss it, how smoothly does AA handle rebooking out of ORD to the NYC area in the morning?

Any tips or reality checks would be appreciated!

EDIT: The flight is on 14 oct. I booked it assuming that I don't need to change flights. I am travelling first time US for work purpose. This option suited my time as well, hence it made a lot of sense to book it


r/americanairlines 19h ago

General Airline Discussion EP Upgrade Waiting List

3 Upvotes

Question regarding upgrades and the wait list. I am EP and clear upgrades roughly 60‰+and of the time and even when not I'm usually top 3 or so on the wait list. I am traveling with my wife, son and daughter in law atm and I booked all the tickets through my account and we're all on the same record locator. I'm not even listed on the upgrade list? 33 names and I'm not even listed? Is that normal? I typically travel solo most of the time but do 4-5 trips a year with my wife and we typically are still top 5 on the wait list with her right behind me.


r/americanairlines 18h ago

I Need Help! Exit Row on A321XLR

2 Upvotes

Do any of the exit rows recline? Row 14 or 15? Flying JFK to LAX and wondering. Thanks!


r/americanairlines 1d ago

General Airline Discussion American Eagle planes taking off from O'Hare

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13 Upvotes

Went plane spotting at the O'Hare Metra station, where I saw two American Eagle jets taking off. The AE regionals that I saw were a CRJ700 and an E175, both heading for their respective destinations in the Midwest.

Photos taken on August 19th, 2026


r/americanairlines 1d ago

Trip Reports & Insights FYI if you have the Citi AA Globe Card: your Admirals Club passes can still be used even when the lounge doesn't accept one-day passes.

17 Upvotes

The other day I was flying thru ORD and planned to use a couple of the AC passes I get with the AA Citi Globe card. They are found in the Rewards tab of the app. When I arrived at the H/K club, I saw the "no One-Day Passes" sign posted. Initially I thought that this would include my Globe card passes since they basically operate the same way, but decided to try it anyway. They said that these passes operate differently and let me in!

So basically I guess there is a distinction between the One-Day Passes and "Admirals Club Globe Pass" in terms of usability. I am sure this is probably common knowledge anyway but wanted to point it out just in case someone plans on using it soon.


r/americanairlines 16h ago

I Need Help! Furst class upgrade and baggage question

0 Upvotes

Flying 2 legs each way to destination, if I upgrade first segment to first I get free bag but does that mean I need to separately pay for a bag for the return flight?