Transatlantic with American Airlines
 

Looking to fly London to Miami. American Airlines seem to have some good fares. Are they very good and do they have video screens in individual seats with self selection of movies?

I don't think the "video screens" feature is one American yet offers. They sure didn't last October when I flew New York-Rome/Rome-Chicago.

I flew them in December JFK - Paris. there were no video screens, and the movies they showed were 4 years old. The staff were so surly, it was an overnight flight and they were like bulls in a china shop. You also felt as if you were bothering them if you just wanted water. If I didn't have miles, I would never fly them transatlantic, unless the fares were so cheap they were practically free.

LHR-MIA is on AA's 777, which has personal video screen in all seats.

Video screens depdns on what equipment you get - which you won;t know for sure until they roll it out.

As for the rest - AA is well known as having the rudest, least helpful staff (and I don;t blame them considering how they're treated by management). Essentially a flying cattle car.

We've never flown AA to Europe, but we did from MIA to Buenos Aires and it was one of the most comfortable, pleasant long flights we've ever experienced.

We've also flown AA several times in the US recently and we have never encountered the unpleasant crews others have.

I was not pleased with my American flight to Brussels last year. We only flew them to use miles for our Italy trip. I wouldn't fly them again to Europe. We did not have individual screens and the seats were so uncomfortable. My flight on British Airways 6 years ago was far better.

I would agree that the seats are dreadful. No cushioning in seat bottom. We only fly American if fares are significantly less.

And I find American seats and leg room usually better than most other domestic carriers, and have never had a complaint with their personel, flying AA 2-4 times a year for years.

After Midwest Airlines, AA is my second choice.

Funny how we all end up on different American Airlines:-)

Keith

From MIA your nonstop choices are American, British, and Virgin Atlantic.

American will give you a coach seat around an inch wider and with an inch more legroom than British, and an inch wider with the same legroom (in most rows, a bit more in a couple) than Virgin. You will have seatback video screens in all three planes. You'll pay for alcoholic drinks on AA but not on BA or VS. On AA you'll have the chance to sit in two seats on the sides, vs. 3-abreast on both sides of the Virgin or BA planes.

Many thanks for your replies. Think we might stick to BA or Virgin.

I've flown AA transAtlantic about 20 to 30 times and absolutely love them (although admittedly about 85% of those times I was in Business Class). Just last year I did fly LHR to Miami in coach and it was not only friendly, but comfortable as well -- I suddenly realized that flying coach really wasn't so bad after all.

On the other hand I've only flown BA once -- in Business -- and I'd PREFER AA coach to BA business class based on that experience! Now those were some rude and unfriendly staff -- not to mention that they outright lied to the passengers!

I'm really not sure among whom "AA is well known as having the rudest, least helpful staff". That sure has not been my experience.