Tier Point Run to Hawaii in Feb 2024: Day 5 – Los Angeles LAX to Boston BOS

The AA A321T taking me to Boston
The AA A321T taking me to Boston

After having landed at 5:45am, we arrived at Gate 47A about on schedule at around 6:15am. Tight, but I still had half a chance of running over to TBIT to secure my caffeine fix.

The murky view from seat 06F on the AA flight to Boston
The murky view from seat 06F on the AA flight to Boston
The murky view from seat 06F on the AA flight to Boston
The murky view from seat 06F on the AA flight to Boston

A couple of issues put paid to that thought:

  1. The AA captain was the first I have ever come across that waited for the whiring noise to slow right down before turning off the seat belt sign. It was more akin to what BA does. Normally, AA turns the seat belt signs off as soon as the aircraft comes to a stop, to minimize any delays.

After the seat belt sign finally went off, I was up like a shot, got my rucksack, and managed to wangle my way through two rows of passengers to the front.

Drinks service on board the AA flight to Boston
Drinks service on board the AA flight to Boston
Drinks service on board the AA flight to Boston
Drinks service on board the AA flight to Boston
  1. I don’t know whether that tempted fate, but that led to the second issue: The woman controlling the airbridge had a problem with the auto leveller, so the airbridge wasn’t quite high enough for a comfortable exit. That must have taken another 15 mins to fix, and they had to call in a maintenance team to sort it.

So, having landed at 5:45am, I walked off the aircraft at 06:40. I now needed to get into the lounge to do some of the niceties like brush my teeth. Of course, there was a queue for the lounge as well.

I probably spent no more than 10 mins in the lounge. I managed to grab a cappuccino from the machine, which was horrible but a necessary evil.

A beautifully fresh plate of fruit to start breakfast
A beautifully fresh plate of fruit to start breakfast
A beautifully fresh plate of fruit to start breakfast
A beautifully fresh plate of fruit to start breakfast

My flight to Boston left from Gate 45, and there were a lot of premium passengers boarding ahead of me. I was only in Group 2.

Flight:
AA1578
Equip:
A321T
Sched Depart:
07:30
Actual:
07:49
Sched Arrival:
15:40
Actual:
15:55
Takeoff:
08:07
Landing:
15:48

Anyway, after all is said and done, I made my flight to Boston, and I was in my preferred business class seat: 06F. I’ve got the worst segment out of the way. It’s all looking fine!

The American breakfast served on board the AA flight to Boston
The American breakfast served on board the AA flight to Boston
The American breakfast served on board the AA flight to Boston
The American breakfast served on board the AA flight to Boston

On board and there was a minor delay due to the face mask door above one row having accidently opened up, which meant it needed to be secured properly. That led to a 15 min delay before we could push back.

On board, i was offered a pre-flight drink: juice or prosecco. The bubbles were too much of a temptation.

Finally on our way, about 15 mins behind schedule.

The initial 30 mins were really turbulent. Seat of your pants stuff, but with the wind behind us, the captain expected to catch up the minor delay.

On final approach into Boston
On final approach into Boston
On final approach into Boston
On final approach into Boston

Drinks service was delayed due to the turbulence. I ordered a tea and a bucks fizz.

I’ve not been impressed with the movie selection on either BA or AA on this trip, but I decided it was worth watching Oppenheim again.

Breakfast service started off with fruit and an American biscuit. Nice.

That was followed by an American breakfast comprising bacon, potatoes, and scrambled egg.

It also included a large tomato, which I wasn’t keen on.

Breakfast would keep me going until Boston.

The AA A321T parked up at Gate B5
The AA A321T parked up at Gate B5
The AA A321T parked up at Gate B5
The AA A321T parked up at Gate B5

I managed to get some shut-eye and was awoken by the captain announcing that we had started our descent into Boston.

We arrived at Gate B5, and it was AA back to their best. No hanging around connecting the air bridge or opening the door.

I was on my long walk to Terminal E via the corridors rather than exiting landside and going through security again. I decided I wanted to see how long it would take me if I stayed airside.


Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to Hawaii in Feb 2024


Author Bio: About Nige

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Nige is one of the co-founders of The Billingham Blog and works as a freelance management consultant. He loves to fly in his spare time!

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