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JFK American First Class Check-in

JFK American First Class Check-in

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April 2017

We left the hotel just before 4pm and it still took nearly 75 minutes in rush hour traffic to get to Terminal 8 and American.   Since I was using Business Extra upgrade certificate, we stopped at the new Flagship First Class Check-in area where a check-in dragon had a list of all First Class passengers that day.  After finding our names, we were permited to pass.    

A little spartan compared to some other airlines, but certainly a pleasant oasis especially since as we were the only passengers while we were there.

Battle ax like agent checked us without any smile although her colleague was much more pleasant when she walked over.

The grey door at the far end leads directly into the PreCheck queue which was a nice design and set up feature.

The International First Class Lounge is still a work in progress as the plan is to have a sit down dining room for international and transcon First passengers.  AAgent estimated another month which is New York speak for "we don't have any idea".  I'd been inside the new IFCL once before and my impressions this time are no different.  New space, new design, new furniture... but what was the point of renovating?   I think that the old First Class Lounge was nicer.  

And then there was the food and beverage counter.  Meh.  Not very much and very inspiring.  OK, I get that is may be temporary since there is supposed to be a dining room coming.  But still, the was pretty weak.

Apparently, the Admirals Club snack mixes are beneath the First Class Lounge so I wandered over to the new Admirals Club to get something for Mrs. SFO777.

The new AC is simply depressing and about 1/3 the size of the old one.  

August 2017

From Terminal 4, it was easy to get to the inter-terminal Sky Train. 

And a few minutes later, I was at Terminal 8.

At the far right of the Terminal is Flagship First check-in, where the check-in dragon has a list of all eligible First Class passengers that day.    Body language says she was not going to make in past him.

Some pics from an earlier visit.  A little spartan compared to some other airlines, but certainly a pleasant oasis especially again I was the only passenger.   I was fortunate to have a great agent that input my KTN data and reprinted my Etihad-issued boarding pass so I now had the magic TSA PRECHECK on it.

The grey door at the far end leads directly into the PreCheck queue which was a nice design and set up feature.

PreCheck security took about 5 minutes and I headed for the Flagship Lounge.

Not many in line today and I was in the lounge in short order.

And the usual afternoon mob scene...

Some pics of the lounge from a prior more quiet time.

First order of business was a shower.  And the new Flagship showers are plentiful and a nice improvement over the old ones.

 

Still a mob scene after my shower as I headed to Flagship First Dining, a lovely oasis of calm.   Some pics from an earlier visit.

The hostess counter is right inside the front door. And don't even try to get in without an invitation card from one of the front check-in AAngels.

Very attractive but small bar, lounge area and dining room.

 

 

And back to today, I requested a booth to try a different vantage point.

Like last time, I started with the delicious Gin Basil Lemonade.

OK, I'm guessing that the tape is temporary.

For today's starter, I had the Arancini, with smoked mozzarella and roasted tomato sauce. 

OMG, this was sensational.

For my main, I had the salmon which I really enjoyed last time.  It took forever to come out depsite few other patrons this afternoon.  And despite the "chef recommends medium rare", it came out pretty well done.  Still good, but not great like before.

Fortunately, my flight was delayed today.  The always amusing AA lies about departure time.  The inbound arrives at 6:50p and we're going to depart at 7:20p.  LOL.  Not a prayer.

So I moved over to visit with Karen at the bar and started with her fabulous Spiced Tequila.

And dessert.  To die for.

At this point it was 7pm and time to head over to the midfield concourse for the last leg.

 

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