American is planning a one-time run of their new 777-300ER from San Diego to JFK on Sunday, August 4.

American Airlines Flight 12
Departs: San Diego (SAN): 8:50 AM
Arrives: New York (JFK): 5:15 PM

According to a rumor posted in a thread in Flyertalk, the plane is operating as a charter flight on August 3 and delivering some lucky passengers to San Diego to attend the Global Business Travel Association convention.

Despite the three class configuration, it’s being sold as a two class flight: the business class section is being sold as coach with the seats being reserved for full fare passengers and AAdvantage elites (as of 5 PM on Wednesday all the Business Class seats were taken).

According to the seat map the First Class cabin is wide open, but AA.com shows no availability  (I suspect it may be reserved for some special purpose and doubt it will open up).

So if you live in the San Diego area and you’re planning to travel to New York in early August anyway, well here’s your chance to ride the new 777-300ER!  You might even be able to experience the new mood lighting….because of the red and blue colors this is what the cabin crew jokingly refer to as AA Party Mode:-)

American opened their new premium Flagship Check-in counters at JFK this morning.  From the press release:

Flagship Check-In offers customers a private experience with customer service representatives who can assist with a variety of individual travel needs, as well as access to an expedited security line.

Customers eligible for Flagship Check-In include:

ConciergeKey members

First Class customers traveling onboard an American Airlines three-class transcontinental aircraft departing from LAX, MIA or JFK

First Class customers traveling onboard an international American aircraft or select oneworld alliance international aircraft anywhere in their outbound itineraries.

Customers of American’s Five Star Servicesm assistance program – a personal one-on-one airport service provided on the day of travel

Flagship Check-in service is also offered at LAX, Miami, and London Heathrow. Construction on a Flagship Check-in area at Chicago O’Hare is already underway and is set to open sometime this Summer.

More information here.

I’ve never flown in or out of Houston, but I’ve always imagined that the boarding process at IAH must go pretty quickly. I figure that folks in Texas’ largest city board a plane a lot like they drive, and that they just get in a line and start pushing the person in front of them onto the plane.

American starts service this week between Houston and New York JFK and that means they’ll be competing against United.

Nobody from American has asked for my advice, but if they did I’d tell them to forget Wi-fi and inflight entertainment systems.  If they want to attract market share in Houston they should just install fake gas pedals at every seat.  There’s nothing Houstonians enjoy  more than pressing the pedal to the floor….they’d dominate IAH/JFK!

Well, rather than installing gas pedals on their airplanes, American has decided to offer Double AAdvantage Miles:

Earn Double Miles Flying Between New York And Houston

Participating Airlines: American Airlines

Award: Bonus Miles

Offer: We’re kicking off 2013 by adding new routes to our ever-expanding network, making it easier than ever to travel throughout the United States and beyond. Starting April 2, 2013, we’ll offer nonstop service between New York (JFK) and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Fly our new route and you’ll take home double AAdvantage miles for travel through June 30, 2013.

Offer Dates: April 2, 2013 through June 30, 2013

Promotion Code: NYIAH

Registration is required before you travel.  Go here for complete details.

Good morning and Happy New Year!

American announced four new routes on Christmas Eve, so just in case you missed the news:

We’re kicking off 2013 by adding new routes to our ever-expanding network, making it easier than ever to travel throughout the United States and beyond.

Enjoy more options from our Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK) hubs to new destinations throughout the United States. Beginning December 23, 2012, you can book travel between:

Los Angeles and Raleigh, North Carolina (RDU) (Beginning April 2, 2013)
New York (JFK) and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) (Beginning April 2, 2013)
Plus, we’re expanding our presence in the Caribbean to bring you new service between:

Miami (MIA) and Martinique (FDF) (Beginning April 6, 2013)
Miami and Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe (PTP) (Beginning April 6, 2013)

Here’s the schedule (via Airline Routes)

AA 1342 from LAX to RDU will departs at 8:20 AM and arrive at 4:25 PM daily. AA 1329 will depart RDU at 5:15 and arrive at LAX at 8 PM. American will use a 737-800 on the route.

American will also use a 737-800 on the JFK – Houston route. AA 1901 will depart JFK at 5:25 PM and arrive IAH at 8:20 PM. AA 1972 will depart Houston at 10:10 AM and arrive at JFK at 2:45 PM.

Go here for more details.

There were a few other route changes that were made just before the holidays including cancellation of their their 3X daily Boston/London service.  Back in 2009 they reduced capacity on this route when they went from 767s to 757s, so I guess it’s not too surprising to see it go.  If you’re ticketed to travel on one of American’s direct flights between BOS and LHR after March 31, 2013 you should check your reservation or contact AA to be re-ticketed.

In May, American’s will reduced the number of flights between JFK and London when they go from 5 to 4 daily flights.  They’ll be adding an extra Chicago/London flight and another Miami/London flight.

Check your inbox for this targeted offer that can earn you as much as 20,000 extra AAdvantage Miles for roundtrip travel between New York JFK and Sao Paulo:

Offer: New Daytime Flight from New York (JFK) to Sao Paulo, Brazil

In celebration of our new daytime flight from New York (JFK) to São Paulo, Brazil, we are offering bonus miles to select AAdvantage members who travel on flight 967 or 966. Earn 10,000 bonus miles for a purchased First Class or Business Class ticket each way; 5,000 bonus miles for an Economy Class ticket each way.

AA 967 New York – Sao Paulo
Depart: 10:00 am
Arrive: 8:45 pm

966 Sao Paulo – New York
Depart: 7:40 am
Arrive: 4:35 pm

Offer Dates: October 1, 2012 through November 15, 2012

Promotion Code: NYGRU

This is a targeted offer and registration is required before you travel.  From the terms and conditions:

*This is an exclusive offer only for members who receive this email directly from American Airlines. You must register above to participate.

Terms and Conditions:
Offer valid only for select AAdvantage members who receive an email directly from American Airlines inviting them to participate in this promotion.

AAdvantage bonus mile offer is valid for nonstop travel on American Airlines marketed and operated flights (flight numbers 966 and 967 only) between New York (JFK) and Sao Paulo, Brazil, from October 1, 2012, through November 15, 2012.

Go here for complete details.

Reminder: You don’t have to be targeted to earn some extra AAdvantage Miles.  The Frugal Travel Guy Monday Deal of the Day is sponsored by AAdvantage.  Go here to share your best AAdvantage or American Airlines related deal for a chance to win 2,500 AAdvantage Miles.

Photo: targets
Credit: Hans Splinter on Flickr

American is the official airline partner to more than 30 Broadway theaters in New York City, and one of the things they’ve done to promote this partnership is to offer performances from several Broadway shows as part of their American Airlines Concert Series at JFK Terminal 8.

Earlier in the Summer, some of the cast members from the musical “Nice Work if You Can Get It” performed a couple of songs from the show for travelers at JFK.

Here’s a look:

If enjoyed the video clip you’ll be happy to know that there are two ways to get VIP tickets to the show: winning them at auction or win them in a sweepstakes.

AAdvantage Auction

VIP Broadway Package – Nice Work If You Can Get It

Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Access to Nice Work If You Can Get It on Broadway!

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Nice Work If You Can Get It on Broadway in New York City.

Your package for two includes:

Hotel Accommodations at the Kimberly Hotel, a Boutique Suite Hotel (2 nights)
Pre-Theater Dinner for Two at Tony’s DiNapoli
Two Premium Orchestra Seats
Valid for Any Non-Holiday Weekend in October or November
Saturday Evening Only
Basket of Show Souvenirs, including Cast-Autographed Souvenir Book
Backstage Tour
Meet and Greet plus Photo Opportunity with Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara

If you want to bid on this package, go here.

You’ll need a pretty healthy AAdvantage Miles account balance, the current winning bid is more than 300,000 miles

Or you can save your miles and just win a VIP package from American Airlines and Sweet’N Low:

Sweepstakes

Nice Work Sweepstakes

One Grand Prize Winner will receive 2 VIP tickets to Nice Work If You Can Get It, starring Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara, a chance to meet the stars- Matthew and Kelli- backstage, air transportation to New York for 2 provided by American Airlines, hotel accommodations for 2 nights at the Kimberly Hotel, and 2 Sweet’N Low totes to carry your souvenirs.

To enter all you have to do is supply your contact information. A winner will be selected at a random drawing. The sweepstakes ends ends at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on December 15th, 2012.

Go here to read the rules and go here to enter. Good luck!

The other day American announced that the Boeing 767-200s they use on their JFK to LAX and JFK to San Francisco routes will be replaced with smaller, 3 cabin Airbus A321s configured with fully lie-flat seats in First and Business class. They also revealed their plans to offer Main Cabin Extra seating, in-flight wifi, and in-seat entertainment systems throughout the A321 fleet.

After the announcement, I was able to ask some followup question of Alice Liu, Managing Director- Onboard Products at American.

Question: On the transcontinental routes you’re going from the 767-200 with 168 seats to a plane with a little more than 100 seats.   That’s a big reduction in capacity.  Are you planning to serve those routes with more flights?

Our current 767-200 aircraft has 160 seats and the A321T will have 102 seats. Servicing transcontinental routes with a narrowbody aircraft is consistent with our major competitors who also currently fly narrowbody aircraft in these markets.  We will have more details on the frequency of flights and the number of A321T aircraft we plan to have in our fleet at a later date.

Question: American is reducing the number of 3 cabin planes on international routes, choosing instead to upgrade and expand business class, and your competitors have eliminated  3 class service on their JFK to LAX and JFK to SFO routes.  You’re choosing to think differently on these transcontinental routes.  What made you decide to keep the 3 cabin configuration?

American plans to be the only airline to offer a three-class configuration on transcontinental flights, and expects to be the only carrier to offer fully lie-flat seats in First and Business Class on transcontinental flights.

Using narrowbody aircraft in a three-class cabin configuration outfitted with fully lie-flat premium class seats, Wi-Fi and in-seat entertainment throughout on transcontinental routes allows American to significantly reduce cost while continuing to provide a truly premium experience for our high value customers.

Question: With fully lie-flat seats in the premium cabins and upgraded inflight entertainment options, the emphasis seems to be on an enhanced customer experience.  How are the JFK to SFO and JFK to LAX markets different than (let’s say) DFW to LAX?

We know New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco are important business hubs, and many of our high-value customers fly coast-to-coast quite often.

While this announcement does impact our customers that fly transcontinental routes, we strive to deliver an enhanced customer experience to all of our customers.

Our narrowbody enhancements are just the latest in a series of investments we are making to renew our fleet, and the continued progress will benefit all of the markets we fly.

Question: Are you going to continue offering your entertainment on demand in-flight streaming video product?

Yes, entertainment on demand will continue to be offered on our 767-200s transcontinental aircraft.

In-seat inflight entertainment will be available throughout the new A321Ts, and we are currently evaluating the specifics of the entertainment options that will be available to customers.

Question: When will the first of the new A321 Transcons go into service and who gets it first?  LAX or SFO?

American intends to take delivery of these aircraft beginning in Nov. 2013 through 2014. We will have more details at a later date.

Question: Any chance that these new planes will have a new livery?

As you know the Airbus aircraft are composite planes meaning the exteriors cannot be polished like we currently do with our aircraft today.

We are evaluating how to address this in terms of the look and feel of the exterior of the aircraft and will have more details to share at a later date.

When I first learned that they would be replacing their 767-200s with the smaller planes, I was a little sorry to see them go. The big planes always excite my inner eight year old.

But after seeing the images and this video, my inner eight year old started daydreaming about flying through a night sky, across the country in a fully lie-flat seat!

A hat tip to Alice taking the time to answer my questions and to Laura A. at American for helping to make it possible!

Back in April, American Airlines hosted two performances from the Broadway musical “Rock of Ages” for travelers at JFK’s Terminal 8.

Today they’re hosting two performances from the cast of Ghost The Musical. It’s based on the The crime thriller/romance drama that starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore back in 1990.

Here’s a short 30 second preview:

From the press release:

Customers are Invited to Experience the Heart and Soul of the Tony Award-Nominated Musical Phenomenon May 24

As travelers jet off for the Memorial Day weekend, American Airlines will host a special performance from Broadway’s newest hit, Ghost, at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Thursday, May 24.

As Ghost’s Official Airline Partner, American Airlines will host two free performances at its JFK terminal at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

“American Airlines is proud to be the Official Airline Partner of Ghost in both London and New York,” said Joann Camuti, American’s Director – Sales Promotions and Community Relations for New York. “The cast is immensely talented and we’re delighted to be a part of their show.”

So if you’re at JFK around 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. today, here’s you chance to see a Broadway show.

I found two vidoes that people posted of the April performances of ”Rock of Ages”.  Looks like it went over pretty well.

Rock of Ages – Recorded Live on Friday, April 13 at JFK Terminal 8.

Broadway comes to JFK on Friday with live performances from the musical “Rock of Ages”:

The music that ignited a generation and heats up Broadway every night in “Rock of Ages” is coming to American Airlines Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Friday, April 13.

The classic rock love story will erupt into Broadway’s best party post-security at Terminal 8, entertaining customers with the sounds of such feel-good, sing-out-loud songs as “Here I Go Again,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “High Enough” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

As the show’s Official Airline Partner, American Airlines will host two free performances at the airport terminal at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

I remember some of these songs playing at my high school prom, it’s a little depressing to see the music referred to as “classic rock”!  

Anyway, check it out if you’re traveling through JFK on Friday. Complete details here.

My favorite domestic flights are those on American’s Boeing 767s between New York and San Francisco.

One of the reasons I like them, is that I think that they offer a great opportunity to use some of your AAdvantage Miles and maximize your redemption value when you upgrade to first or business class from a deeply, discounted ticket.

For 15,000 miles and a $75 co-pay you can upgrade to the next class of service.  It’s almost a six hour flight, and the one-way fare difference between the cheapest coach fares and first or business class is often between $1,500 and $2,200, so you’ll “earn” about 10 cents of travel value per mile.

Unless you’re traveling internationally, it’s a challenge to get that kind of return on your miles. You’d be hard pressed to redeem 12,500 on a domestic MileSAAver award and earn more than 2 – 5 cents per mile, so the mileage upgrade is a pretty good deal. And did I mention that it’s a six hour flight?

Between JFK and San Francisco, American uses two-class configured 767-300s and three class configured 767-200s.

My preference is business class on the 767-200.

Most people would probably prefer the larger, first class seat on the 767-300, but on the 3 cabin 767-200, American offers wifi and their Transcontinental Flagship Service.

Aside from the wireless internet and watching movies on the complimentary Samsung Galaxy tablets, American’s Flagship Service is like a throwback to another era in domestic air travel: printed menus with enhanced dining options, a long wine list, and made to order ice cream sundaes.

I’m fond of it for nostalgic reasons.

I guess that I’m a history geek.

And it’s for this reason, that on this route I never fail to think about, and appreciate, the fact that I’m able to make the journey between these two cities, across this huge continent, over immense plains, and the Rocky and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, in just a few hours.

It’s a shocking accomplishment of human effort that in 160 years we went from stagecoach to an airline offering four flights a day.

So Sunday I was traveling on AA 179 and enjoying the flight (thanks to Henri and the great crew) and I started to think about all this. And out of curiosity, I did a little research.

Here’s how long it took to make the trip from New York City to San Francisco throughout the years:

Chart: Travel time from New York City to San Francisco

• Back in 1876, the Transcontinental Express made a publicity run to demonstrate the speed of travel along the first transcontinental railroad.

• In 1929, Transcontinental Air Transport (which would go on to become TWA) introduced a hybrid of rail service and Ford Tri-Motors to transport passengers from New York and San Francisco in just 48 hours.

• And from this page in a 1953 American Airlines System Timetable, there’s an express flight with only two stops (one in Chicago and another in Los Angeles) before completing the 12 hour and 25 minute journey in a Douglas Aircraft DC-7.  This was the last turbo prop large, piston engine, propeller-driven aircraft to be added to the American Airlines fleet. The next big order for aircraft happened just a few years later when American ordered the Boeing 707.

• And then there was my trip Sunday, on American Airlines Flight 179, a big 767-200: 5 hours and 51 minutes.

If I could travel back in time so that I could travel back in time, my first stop would be 1929…..I’d love to take a ride in a Tri-Motor.