Nathan's Insights

American Airlines
Date: 05 December 2024
Flight Number: AA473
Gate: 46 (Terminal D) 
Seat: 12C & 12D (Economy)
Plane: Boeing 737 Max-8
Boarded: 18:30 
Pushback: 19:11 (Scheduled 18:51)
Take off: 19:37
Arrived: 23:22 (Scheduled 23:06)
Scheduled Duration: 4 hours 15 minutes
Actual Duration: 4 Hours 11 minutes
Distance: 2,875 km

This flight was from Miami International Airport (MIA – Miami, USA) to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO – Quito, Ecuador).

The Cost

I purchased return economy flights between Miami and Quito as part of a reward booking. Both flights cost 40,000 Qantas points x 2 (80,000 points) and USD 92.00 x 2 (USD 184.00) for two economy-class return flights on American Airlines.

To use cash to purchase economy class seats directly would have cost AUD 1,430.00 each or AUD 2,8560 for us both. 

The Airport Experience

Check-In / Bag Drop / Border Control

Included with the award booking as an Oneworld Sapphire member (Qantas Gold) was up to 2 checked bags per person with a maximum bag weight of 23kgs for a total of 46kgs. 

We checked in at Terminal D and used the Priority area. This was allowed as an Oneworld Sapphire member. The process still took a longer time than expected, over 25 minutes.

A Border Control there were no issues but at security, after screening I was pulled aside for an intensive rub down. Not fun and the second time in the USA. This was not the light pat down you get in Australia.

Lounges

We had access to the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. Access was due to Oneworld Sapphire Status.  The lounge was located near Gate 30. This was an extensive area, there are self-serve drinks and buffet food. Additionally, there was a Chef on site to make some select meals. You could also access showers and toilets. We only used self-serve drink and food options while recharging our devices.

The Flight Experience

Boarding

This flight boarded from Gate 46 in Terminal D. Boarding was done in priority group order according to your boarding pass. First Class and Military were Group 1, high-level American Airlines Group 2, high-level Oneworld members Group 3 (which was me and Erin).

The boarding experience wasn’t great. Boarding was delayed. There were announcements you could not hear and only one staff member scanning boarding passes. 

Overhead bin space went very quickly and a lot of people had to place their carry-on bag under the seat in front of them. As we were one of the first to board in these economy rows we could locate spaces.

The Seat

The American Airlines Boeing 737 Max-8 is a single-aisle aircraft. Each seat has a 30-inch seat pitch. There are 172 seats in 3×3 rows, each with power, a tray table, and an adjustable headrest.

I had selected aisle seats 12C and 12D opposite each other. In the end, the middle seats next to us in 12B and 12E were empty. It felt like these were the only seats not occupied on this flight.

Amenity Kit

No amenity kit is provided for this international flight in economy.

Meals and Drinks

A drink and snack service in the economy cabin commenced at 20:24. Drinks include soft drinks, water and coffee. The snack was two biscuits. 

Facilities and Service

There we two toilets available at the back of the cabin for economy passenger use.

The flight attendants once we were on board did a good job. The drink and meal service operated quickly and there were multiple rubbish collections during the flight. 

Entertainment System

There were no seat back screens. You could use the flight’s wifi to stream content but I couldn’t get it to work. The wifi also did not provide any internet access. 

The Flight

The flight was delayed in boarding and a little chaotic at the gate due to announcements not being audial. We were warned there could be some turbulence at times but there was very little. 

Arrival

We landed at Mariscal Sucre International Airport 16 minutes late. We got through Border Control 31 minutes after landing which I consider good. I was asked our much USD (used for local currency) I was bringing into the country.

We found our bags within minutes of clearing border control. 

Summary

This is an okay option for a points-based flight from Los Angeles to Maimi via Orlando. A direct flight would be better but saving just over AUS 1,000 makes this a viable option even if being an overnight connecting flight is a pain for sleeping.