AvGeek Archives - Benjamin J Travel

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-200 Business Class | Honolulu to DFW

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-200 Business Class | Honolulu to DFW

1 April, 2018 Benjamin J Travel Comments 6 comments

Making our way home from Hawaii, our journey home would be aboard American’s 777-200 from Honolulu to DFW. The 777 is the workhorse between American’s fortress hub in in DFW and Honolulu. American has completed the retrofit of their 777-200s. You can expect a lie-flat seat in Business Class on all of American’s 777s across the fleet. The Cabin: SeatGuru isn’t exactly accurate on their seat maps American’s 772 so unfortunately a bit difficult to predict which Business Class seat…

Read More Read More

Lounge Review: Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX Los Angeles TBIT Blog Review

Lounge Review: Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX

18 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Arriving earlier at LAX for my Swiss Business Class flight to Zurich, I’d have plenty of time to check out the Star Alliance Business Class Lounge at in LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Positioned near the other premium lounges on the 6th floor of TBIT, I headed up the escalators to the lounge entrance. Access is permitted to Star Alliance Gold passengers and those traveling in a premium cabin on a Star Alliance carrier. Check-in was quick and friendly…

Read More Read More

New American Airlines Routes Equals Cuts to Boston, JFK, Manchester, and Paris

New American Airlines Routes Equals Cuts to Boston, JFK, Manchester, and Paris

16 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

As I posted earlier, American is adding transatlantic routes from Philadelphia (PHL) to Budapest (BUD) and Prague (PRG) and from Chicago (ORD) to Venice (VCE). These new routes will be seasonal during the peak summer travel season for 2018. The news has traveled fast across the blog world and American has been quick to promote this exciting news for Philadelphia and Chicago flyers. However, more subtly, American Airlines has released memos that these gains for Budapest, Prague, and Venice come…

Read More Read More

American Airlines Announces New Flights to Budapest, Prague and Venice

American Airlines Announces New Flights to Budapest, Prague and Venice

16 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

Exciting news travelers! for American is launching two new exciting transatlantic routes from Philadelphia (PHL) to Budapest (BUD) and Prague (PRG) and from Chicago (ORD) to Venice (VCE). These new routes will be seasonal during the peak summer travel season. Per the press release from American Airlines: Budapest and Prague will be new destinations on American’s route map. The airline currently offers service to Venice from Philadelphia. This summer, American began service to Amsterdam and Rome from Dallas/Fort Worth, and…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: American Airlines Business Class | 777-300ER | DFW to London Heathrow Blog Review August 2017

Trip Report: American Airlines Business Class | 777-300ER | DFW to London Heathrow

8 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

I’ve written extensively about American’s Business Class product on the 777-300ER on the DFW to London route as well other routes like Sydney to Los Angeles. But I wanted to write-up a “mini review” of my latest journey aboard American Airlines Business Class. Boarding from Gate D23 (which I despise for it’s compact space), the boarding process started right on time for AA 78 from DFW to London Heathrow. Boarding was slow as there was only one agent scanning boarding…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: American Airlines 787-9 Economy Class | Dallas DFW to Paris CDG Blog Airline Review

Trip Report: American Airlines 787-9 Economy Class | DFW to Paris

3 August, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Making my may to Paris for a quick extended weekend, I’d be traveling with American Airlines in 787-9 Economy Class. I was pleased when American “upgraded” this route from an older 777-200 to a 787-9 although now that nearly all 777-200s have been retrofitted, the 787-9 is newer but a slightly smaller passenger capacity. Before departure, I spent about an hour in the DFW Amex Centurion Lounge before heading to my gate about 15 minutes before departure. American loves to…

Read More Read More

Making my way to Nice for a week in Provence, my the final leg of my outbound journey would be in aboard Swiss A320 Business Class. After a nice journey aboard Swiss' 777-300ER in Business Class from Los Angeles to Zurich, I was looking forward to another Swiss flight. My connection in Zurich was just under two hours so I spent most of my time in the SWISS Business Lounge in Terminal A. About 15 minutes before scheduled boarding time, I headed over to Terminal A and to our boarding gate, A81. Boarding started right on time and I boarded with the Priority group for Hon Circle, Miles & More Senator, Business Class, Miles & More Frequent Traveller, and Star Alliance Gold passengers. Boarding was orderly and I was the first passneger to board so I had a chance to snap a couple of quick photos of the cabin. Swiss' Business Class cabin on the A320 is standard for European Business Class cabins with a 3-3 layout just like the Economy Class cabin. However, for extra comfort, the middle seat is blocked in Business Class. The curtain between Economy and Business can be moved to adjust the size of Business Class depending on demand. On Swiss, the middle seat is not blocked with an extra tray table like it is on British Airways in Club Europe. We were served a light afternoon lunch for this short 90 minute flight. To be honest, I did't know exactly what I was eating as there were no menus distributed. It appeared there was an egg quiche, a pate with fish eggs, and a tiramisu style dessert. The food was a tasty but it also helped that I was quite hungry. Our final approach offered a lovely view of the Nice and the surrounding Côte d'Azur.

Trip Report: Swiss A320 Business Class | Zurich to Nice

29 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

Making my way to Nice for a week in Provence, my the final leg of my outbound journey would be in Swiss A320 Business Class. After a nice journey aboard Swiss’ 777-300ER in Business Class from Los Angeles to Zurich, I was looking forward to another Swiss flight. My connection in Zurich was just under two hours so I spent most of my time in the SWISS Business Lounge in Terminal A. About 15 minutes before scheduled boarding time, I headed…

Read More Read More

Lover of Travel and Aviation? 20% Off Gear at 08 Left Promo Code Coupon AvGeek Gear

Lover of Travel and Aviation? 20% Off Gear at 08 Left

27 July, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

As a fan of all things travel and aviation, I am surprised that I hadn’t heard of 08 Left until the end of last year. I cam to discover their site after a good friend and fellow #AvGeek bought me one of their awesome canvas prints. After my first look at their website, I couldn’t decide what to buy first! 08 Left is an #AvGeek shop with aviation and travel-oriented artwork, apparel, household items and accessories. They even have a…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Business Class | Sydney to Los Angeles

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Business Class | Sydney to Los Angeles

19 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Returning home from a fantastic trip in Australia, it was sadly time to head home to Dallas. On the bright side, our ride home would be in comfort in American Airlines’ 777-300ER Business Class from Sydney to Los Angeles. On our outbound journey, we had flown to Sydney in Economy Class which wasn’t quite as comfortable. We would be departing from Sydney’s International Terminal 1. After spending about 45 minutes in the Sydney Qantas First lounge, it was time to head…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class | Los Angeles to Sydney

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class | Los Angeles to Sydney

13 June, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 3 comments

Heading out on a long holiday in Australia, we made the long journey from Dallas to Sydney on American Airlines. We had snagged a steal of a price on a roundtrip Economy ticket from Dallas to Sydney for ~$750 USD. Roundtrip flights from Dallas to Sydney typically average well over $1500 USD. On the outbound, our primary segment was American Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class from Los Angeles to Sydney. We arrived from DFW and found ourselves with a layover just…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-200 Retrofitted Business Class | Dallas to London | 772 Retrofit

Trip Report: American Airlines 777-200 Retrofitted Business Class | Dallas to London

13 April, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 5 comments

Making our way to Berlin for a long weekend trip, we found ourselves in American Airlines’ Business Class from Dallas to London on the 777-200. While this wouldn’t be my first flight on one of American’s retrofitted 777-200s, it would be my first flight in the 777-200 retrofitted Business Class. I’ve had several journeys aboard American’s 777-300ER in Business Class on this same route and others and always enjoyed the reverse herringbone configuration. And while the seat is always a…

Read More Read More

Mini Review: AA 787-9 Premium Economy | DFW to Madrid

Mini Review: AA 787-9 Premium Economy | DFW to Madrid

8 January, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

While I’ve already posted two extensive reviews on AA 787-9 Premium Economy on the 787-9 between Dallas and Madrid and reverse, both trip reports were on the inaugural weekend of the product. I found myself in the same cabin about 2 months after the launch of AA’s international Premium Economy product and though I’d provide a min-update on the service. Full Trip Report: AA 787-9 Premium Economy Dallas to Madrid Full Trip Report: AA 787-9 Premium Economy Madrid to Dallas We…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: Back to DFW From Madrid in AA Premium Economy

11 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 12 comments

After experiencing American Airlines’ Premium Economy on the 787-9 just 2 days prior, it was time to make the same trip home. Same aircraft, same cabin and even the same crew! As a travel blogger, it was an interesting experience to compare identical travel products just 2 days apart. I had a pretty good experience on the outbound so I was hoping for an experience as good or better. The AA Premium Economy product has been introduced on their new…

Read More Read More

Launch of American Airlines 787-9 Premium Economy DFW to Madrid

Trip Report: Launch of American Airlines’ 787-9 Premium Economy | DFW to Madrid

7 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 42 comments

After the fanfare of American Airlines’ first official 787-9 flight domestically from DFW to LAX, it was time for American to take 787-9 for the long haul. I had booked my ticket well in advance in anticipation of the launch of American Airlines’ 787-9 Premium Economy product. Plus, I love Madrid and I’m happy to visit any time! American is currently offering Premium Economy seats complimentary to elite members (Executive Platinum and Platinum at booking) and are being sold as…

Read More Read More

Tomorrow’s Adventure: American Airlines’ Inaugural DFW to Madrid 787-9 Flight

3 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Well the day is almost here and tomorrow, November 4, I’m aboard another inaugural flight with American Airlines. I’m pleased to be on the inaugural DFW to Madrid 787-9 flight with AA, featuring Premium Economy. This tags onto the inaugural domestic 787-9 flight I took from DFW to LAX this last month. It’s quite excited that American is introducing a new aircraft, the 787-9, to their fleet. This is the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. On the DFW to…

Read More Read More

Trip Report: American Airlines’ Brand New 787-9 Premium Economy

7 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 51 comments

I had the pleasure of flying aboard American Airline’s inaugural domestic 787-9 flight this week from Dallas to Los Angeles, as well as the return to Dallas on the same aircract. Sitting in the 787-9 Premium Economy cabin, I was fortunate enough to be one of the first passengers to try American’s Premium Economy seat. American was not only launching a new aircraft type with 787-9, but it’s also the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. There was a little…

Read More Read More

Good Morning from American Airlines’ Inaugural Domestic 787-9 Flight!

6 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 6 comments

Good morning travelers and #avgeeks! I’m currently on board the inaugural domestic 787-9 Flight with American Airlines’. This is American’ first “official’ scheduled 787-9 flight although technically they flew an ETOPs certification flight earlier this month. Not only is it exciting that American is launching a new aircraft type today but the 787-9 is the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. On this DFW to LAX flight, I’m sitting in the new Premium Economy section in seat 11L….

Read More Read More

Vienna Airport Tarmac

Trip Report: Austrian Airlines Economy Class | Krakow to Vienna & Vienna to Budapest

5 July, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

In one trip we managed to experience every airline alliance. OneWorld: British Airways. SkyTeam: Czech Airlines. Star Alliance: LOT Polish and Austrian Airlines. It was quite the camping of experience. We flew a mixture of Business Class and Economy Class. Towards the end of trip, it was time to experience Austrian Airlines. Our two segments that day included Krakow to Vienna aboard a Bombardier Q400 and Vienna to Budapest board a Fokker 100, all in Economy. We had to check…

Read More Read More