Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023: Day 5 – Phoenix PHX to New York JFK

By Nige on Mon 18 Dec 2023 at 22:28
Type: Post
Story: Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023
Tags: American Airlines | JFK | New York | Phoenix | PHX | Trips | USA

The AA Lounge at the low-B gates was packed again. I’m sure it was never this busy when I frequented Phoenix years ago. Perhaps there are more passengers with status? Perhaps I have been unlucky with timing?

As soon as I got into the lounge I received a message from AA advising that my next flight to JFK was delayed by an hour.

Within another 15 mins, that had extended to 90 mins.

I originally had 2.5 hours connection time at JFK to make my BA flight back to Heathrow, so that was now down to just one hour.

Although I wasn’t concerned, on the basis that the connection was in the same terminal and there was no security or anything to get in my way – i was sure it was going to be fine.

BA also knew that I had absolutely no luggage with me, so I was hopeful that someone would be waiting for me, if it ended up being borderline as to whether I could make my connection or not.

I had a bit of a wander around the airport – I always try to get my steps in that way. It was good to get sight of the new concourse which was pretty funky.

I wondered whether they would retrofit the design to the rest of the terminal? I somehow doubt it…

Back in the lounge and I was feeling famished. With the thought of lunch not being served for another 3 hours or so, I decided I would have to have a taster of the pulled chicken and raw onion sliders on offer in the lounge. Very nice too. That would keep me going until AA fed me on my flight to JFK.

Flight: AA1388 Equip: 737-800
Sched Depart: 14:16 Actual: 16:04
Sched Arrival: 21:00 Actual: 22:49
Takeoff: 16:14 Landing: 22:37

I headed down to Gate A9 about an hour before the delayed departure time.

The inbound from San Diego had only just arrived, and passengers were deplaning in dribs and drabs. Some of them had such odd expressions on their faces. Clearly, some were deep in thought.

Two things of interest, which suggested AA must have changed which inbound aicraft was going to be used for my flight to JFK:

1. The inbound flight was technically early, yet my flight was 90 mins late. I can only assume they must have switched aircraft rotation.
2. The aircraft type associated with the inbound flight was noted as 737-800 and the aircraft type of my flight was noted as 737-MAX8. Although related, they are different aircraft types.

On into seat 01F. Offered some water as a pre-flight drink. I was keen to get going!

Things started to drag. There were issues with passengers in the back, and as a result, we were delayed an extra 20-25 mins. It was now very much touch and go as to whether I would make my connection at JFK.

My only possible saviour was the fact that my BA flight was showing as being delayed by 20 mins as well.

Once we were on our way, we got a hot towel, drinks and nuts. Then I was offered chicken or pasta (no further description was provided). I went for the pasta.

The pasta was very nice. A thin tubular pasta with a tomato sauce and cheese. It must have been the veggie option.

There was a spicy vegetable fries starter thing and a side salad. Followed by a sorbet in a pot. Half decent I’d say.

I dozed most of the rest of the flight.

On final approach, we must have seen JFK from all sides before finally touching down.

We touched down on the other side of the airfield to where we wanted to be, so taxiing took some time as well.

When we finally reached Gate 44, which was nice and convenient for the tunnel to get to the low gate numbers at T8, just when you want AA to repeat their reliable fast deplaning of passengers, the jet bridge woman couldn’t get it to align properly with the aircraft door, so she couldn’t attach the jet bridge to the aircraft.

She had to call maintenence for help. 10 mins later, we were finally connected. I then had 20 mins before my BA flight was due to depart.

I ran like billy-o. Other passengers wished me well as I politely asked them to get out of my way.

Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to Palm Springs in Dec 2023