Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023: Day 2 – New York JFK to Phoenix PHX
![The Soho Lounge at New York JFK T8](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399367904_4152ba7ca6_k.jpg)
![The Soho Lounge at New York JFK T8](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399367904_4152ba7ca6_k.jpg)
I almost always end up staying at a hotel like this on a trip out to the west coast. That’s one where I arrive really late, and I am due to fly out again really early the following day. That means my hotel stay includes a visit to bed for no more than 3 or 4 hours.
![The Hampton Inn, JFK early in the morning](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53398114567_9a96ebcf2c_k.jpg)
![The Hampton Inn, JFK early in the morning](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53398114567_9a96ebcf2c_k.jpg)
That makes it really challenging to catch up on sleep. I’m not really one for sleeping during the day, although I enjoy a snooze after work from time to time, if I need it.
My stay at the Hampton Inn, JFK was another example of such a hotel stay. I ended up with about 3 hours in bed, but it was still worthwhile.
Any time in bed is restful, if nothing else.
I was up well ahead of the 4am shuttle back to JFK. Good job too since the bus was full to the brim.
I was 3rd to arrive into the foyer of the hotel, with the intention of catching the shuttle.
![A welcome sight of an open Starbucks at JFK T8](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399235993_9b91c5b8c0_k.jpg)
![A welcome sight of an open Starbucks at JFK T8](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399235993_9b91c5b8c0_k.jpg)
I watched as groups started to arrive as we got closer to 4am and a number of us early arrivers started to wonder whether there was going to be room!
The good news was that we all made it on board. I don’t think anyone was left behind!
First stop for the shuttle was T8 and I was the only person alighting at that point. I headed through to Premium Checkin to get some printed boarding cards.
The TSA Pre queue wasn’t open when I joined the security queue at around 4:15am. I should have waited since it must have opened about 5 mins later.
![A completely empty Soho Lounge first thing in the morning](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399367904_4152ba7ca6_k.jpg)
![A completely empty Soho Lounge first thing in the morning](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399367904_4152ba7ca6_k.jpg)
The main security queue was poorly organised and there were multiple streams of checked passengers trying to join the same queue at different points.
I eventually got through in about 15 mins and by that stage I was desparate for a Starbucks. Luckily the main T8 store was already open, so I picked my coffee up on the way into the Soho Lounge, which was completely empty.
I was in the lounge about 45 mins or so, before I needed to head down to the gate. The flight left from Gate 36.
I timed my arrival at the gate really well. There were a lot of people milling around the boarding lanes, but I surreptiously slipped through the throngs of folk to get close to the front.
![A beautiful silhouette of a plane landing at Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399417532_5958d851cd_k.jpg)
![A beautiful silhouette of a plane landing at Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399417532_5958d851cd_k.jpg)
Boarding commenced about a minute after I arrived.
On board into seat 01F. This was my first ever experience of a 737 MAX8, which made me think about what I was doing!
Flight: AA2369 Equip: 737-MAX8
Sched Depart: 06:35 Actual: 06:27
Sched Arrival: 10:21 Actual: 09:56
Takeoff: 06:49 Landing: 09:44
Based on all of the scrutiny it has now been subjected to, it is one of the safest aircraft in use today. I convinced myself all was going to be fine!
Interestingly, there was no mention of it being a MAX8 on the safety literature on board! Perhaps that was to avoid raising concerns in passengers.
![A lovely view of the sunrise on the way to Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399417667_71c463703f_k.jpg)
![A lovely view of the sunrise on the way to Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53399417667_71c463703f_k.jpg)
The captain announced that the flight time would be just short of 5 hours. Good – I was expecting closer to 6.
We pushed back a good 5 mins early, and after take off, I got a wonderful view of the sunrise.
Cabin crew handed out reasonably hot towels – always a nice touch.
Drinks service started promptly. Tea and a glass of water seemed to clear the nagging tired headache I had earlier in the day.
There’s a lot spoken about the MAX8 but I can tell you it has the cleanest aircraft windows I’ve looked through in a long time.
![Breakfast on board the AA flight to Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53400672284_36bc507480_k.jpg)
![Breakfast on board the AA flight to Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53400672284_36bc507480_k.jpg)
Breakfast choice was eggs or fruit. But you get fruit with the egg dish… I won’t try to explain that one!
I enjoyed the fluffy omelette, sausage and potatoes. I had a biscuit and was offered honey to go on it.
Not my first choice as a spread by a long way. It was fine though.
The fruit was nice and refreshing.
![On (not quite) final approach into Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53400672339_1927d156d1_k.jpg)
![On (not quite) final approach into Phoenix](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53400672339_1927d156d1_k.jpg)
As we flew south west, the landscape changed dramatically. An amazing sight.
We arrived very early which meant we ended in a holding area (along with 2 other AA aircraft) until our gate was available.
We arrived into Gate A23 about 5 mins later. It was another fast exit for an AA flight. Why can’t BA work that fast?
Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023
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