Nathan's Insights

American Airlines
Date: 05 January 2025
Flight Number: AA1276
Gate: T12 (Terminal T)
Seat: 11F (Economy)
Plane: Boeing 737-800
Boarded: 11:30 
Pushback: 12:07 (Scheduled 11:19)
Take off: 12:23
Arrived: 13:37 (Scheduled 13:02)
Schedule Duration: 2 hours 43 minutes
Actual Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Distance: 1,177 km

This flight was from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL – Atlanta, USA) to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW – Dallas, USA).

The Cost

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

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

The Airport Experience

Check-In / Bag Drop / Security

Check-in, Bag Drop and Security clearance were handled on the first leg of today’s journey from Maimi to Atlanta (see flight review here). Since I landed airside I could stay stay airside.

Lounges

Originally I was only to have 59 minutes of transit at the Atlanta Airport but this flight was delayed so I went and found the American Airlines Atlanta Admirals Club near security in Terminal T. 

I had access to this lounge due to my Oneworld Sapphire Status. Admirals Club lounges can be very basic but still a good place to visit. This lounge was small but it had self-serve soft drinks and some finger food and the internet (slow so only good for basic browsing).

I had a couple of drinks and some biscuits and some ham slices.

The Flight Experience

Boarding

This flight boarded from Gate T12. Boarding commenced with the Priority 1 group (First Class, Military and Highest Status members). These seemed to be half the plane. The second groups call were Priority 2 and 3 passengers which included myself. 

The overhead bins are always full on any American airline. Almost every passenger brings two bags, sometimes even three, to avoid checked baggage fees. Also, one of the overhead bins on these flights over seats in rows 10 and 11 were taken by flight equipment meaning a flight attendant had to actively help people find alternative package storage locations. In the USA you have to get on the plane as early as you are allowed to have a chance of storing your bag in one of the bins otherwise it will go in front of your feet. I did manage to get my bag into a bin while there was still space.

The Seat

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 planes have 172 seats in a three-class cabin layout; First class: 16 seats, with 21-inch wide seats, Main Cabin Extra: 24 seats, with 16.6–17.8-inch wide seats and more legroom, Main Cabin: 132 seats, with 16.6–17.8-inch wide seats.

Each main cabin economy seat has a 30-inch ‘seat pitch’ as well as USB power available and AC outlets. I selected a window seat for this 2-hour+ flight for the views and to avoid having to get up for other passengers.

Amenity Kit

No amenity kit was provided for this domestic flight.

Meal and Drinks

Drinks were offered including water, soft drinks and coffee around 20 minutes into the flight. I got a Cola-Coca and a snack (2 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, finding storage for bags, 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 didn’t try to use.

The Flight

The flight boarded very late due to the late arrival of the plane. It was a little bumpy just after departure. The pilots made up time in the air so we only arrived 30 minutes late which worked for me since my hotel check-in was 3 pm.

Arrival

The flight arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport at Gate C37 in Terminal C (domestic flights). My bag showed up for collection roughly 25 minutes after we disembarked from the flight. I was caught by surprise by how cold it was outside the airport, roughly 4c. 

Summary

This is a good option for a points-based flight from Maimi to Dallas via Atlanta despite the delay of the second flight (which was fine for me). While a direct flight would be better the extra cost would not.