Nathan's Insights

American Airlines
Date: 05 January 2025
Flight Number: AA1046
Gate: D45 (Terminal 4)
Seat: 16F (Economy)
Plane: Airbus A319
Boarded: 07:50 
Pushback: 08:15 (Scheduled 08:20)
Take off: 08:35
Arrived: 09:57 (Scheduled 10:25)
Schedule Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes
Actual Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes
Distance: 957 km

This flight was from Miami International Airport (MIA – Miami, USA) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL – Atlanta, USA).

The Cost

I purchased this economy flight as part of a reward ticket that covers Miami to Dallas Fort Worth via Atlanta. It costs 18,000 Qantas points and USD 5.60 for one economy-class flight on American Airlines.

To use cash to purchase the same flights in economy class would have cost 759.00. 

The Airport Experience

Check-In / Bag Drop / Security

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.  

I used the American Airlines Priority Counters to check my main bag which I had access to as an Oneworld Sapphire member. The line moved very slowly so I was glad I got to the airport 2 hours and 20 minutes before my first flight.

My bag was checked through to Dallas so I didn’t have to pick it up in Atlanta. I also didn’t have to pay a checked baggage fee. 

Security at Miami International Airport Terminal D was also very slow even in the Priority Lanes. From lining up for the Priority Counters at 05:59 I didn’t clear Security until 07:04 which is very slow.

Lounges

We had access to the American Airlines Maimi Flagship Lounge near Gate D30. I had access to this lounge due to my Oneworld Sapphire Status. The Flagship Lounge is the best Lounge American Airlines offers, normally you have to use a basic Admirals Club lounge but a few airports have this better lounge for high-status members. I had a light breakfast and an orange juice. 

The Flight Experience

Boarding

This flight boarded from Gate D45. Boarding had already commenced by the time I got to the Gate. The flight was ahead of schedule and this caught a lot of people out. 

The overhead bins are always full on American Airlines and almost every passenger brings on two bags, sometimes even three, to avoid checked baggage fees. I managed to get my bag into a bin while there was still space.

The Seat

American Airlines Airbus A319 aircraft seats 128 passengers. The A319 is a single-aisle aircraft. Each seat has a 30-inch ‘seat pitch’, there is also USB power available and AC outlets.

I selected a window seat for this 2-hour flight for the views.

Amenity Kit

No amenity kit was provided for this domestic flight.

Meal and Drinks

Drinks were offered including water, soft drinks and coffee however I declined the drinks. The provided snack was biscuits.

Facilities and Service

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

The flight attendants did a good job with the boarding and the meal and drink service. 

Entertainment System

There were no seat back screens. You could use the flight’s wifi to stream content which I couldn’t get to work but I noticed others were using it successfully.

The Flight

The flight boarded early, took off early and arrived early. The Captain pointed this out at the end and we got off the plane early as the Gate was still available. The most efficient flight I can recall ever flying.

Arrival

The flight arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at Gate T13 which was right next to my connecting flight which was leaving from Gate T12. However, the next flight was delayed so I went to the Atlanta Admirals Club Lounge to wait.

Summary

This is a good option for a points-based flight from Maimi to Dallas via Atlanta. Not as good as a direct flight but much better than the original flight I had booked which was via Pensacola.