48 hour First Class Round the World

First Class Round the World in 48 hours

via Cathay Pacific and JAL A350 First Class

November 2024

Off to... nowhere

I've done a lot of round the world trips over the years, but none in under 48 hours as I’m doing this week. The catalyst was finding an 80,000 American miles JAL First Class award HND-JFK on their amazing new A351. So how do I get there? Luckily, Cathay Pacific had a single First Class seat from London to Haneda via Hong Kong on the day I needed. Then American released a 72,000 miles First Class award seat from Denver to London via DFW to complete the trip. American's International First Class is not very good and indeed they are eliminating it in the next 12 months. In many ways, they’ve already given up on international First Class. But at 72,000 AA miles, a reasonable price to pay for getting to London especially being able to have lunch at DFW Flagship First Dining.

First up is Denver to DFW, on very quiet 6am at DIA.

Over to the C concourse and the very nice new Admirals Club.

Beautiful sunrise.

Upgraded food options from the last time I was here.

Very nice quiet area.

This was quite tasty.

At T-40, I head over to my gate.

Denver DEN to Dallas DFW

American AA 852

A321

8:15am-11:30am

November 14, 2024

AA's signature seat back entertainment system

Snack basket breakfast.

We arrived DFW on time in the B terminal and one train stop later I was in D.

Flagship First Dining DFW

American Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining

With my ontime arrival from Denver, I had nearly 4 hours before my flight to London. Off to AA's Flagship Lounge.

The main Business Class dining room.

Rub it in that I'm not flying you today. lol

Just after noon, I headed for lunch at the best part of American... Flagship First Dining, reserved for AA and BA First Class passengers.

Very nice and very un-AA wine list.

And today's menu.

Not on the wine list as it was just added. Very nice.

Amuse-bouche

OMG, bread was divine.

My starter... Harissa Lamb Meatballs. Whoa was that spicy good.

Moving on to a great Oregon Pinot.

With my Signature Flagship Burger.

So good, so decadent.

Wonderful deconstructed cheese cake.

And a decaf Irish Coffee to finish a really great meal.

What a wonderful Flagship First Dining experience. Great food, drink and exceptional service. Hard to believe that this is American Airlines.

American First Class DFW to London

American Airlines First Class Dallas to London

At T-50, I headed downstairs to the gate.

Dallas DFW to London LHR

American AA 50

777-300ER (77W)

4:00pm-7:20am +1

November 14, 2024

Departed 8/8

Cost: 72,000 AA miles (included DEN-DFW connector)

As usual, my AA First seat is totally occupied. No idea why they keep doing this.

Much better after I tossed everything in the overhead bin.

Yeah it's old and dated, but still quite comfortable. And the seat swivels which is cool.

Yeah, we're not spending much on the amenity kit.

Today's menu...

And joke of the day, the most pathetic "First Class" wine list anywhere. After the mediocre champage, a selection of cheap swill from around the world... a $15 a bottle average at best. Clearly, AA has stopped trying.

On our way.

Showtime, AA First style. A good crew can make or break a flight, and today's AA crew was outstanding especially purser Tim.

My wine selection today. LOL

AA's starter. Yikes. Bag of greens and some fruit.

With a little bit of lobster, which was tasty for as much as there was.

Classic Beer Cheese soup. Who thinks up this stuff?

For my main, I had pre-ordered the Soy Ginger Short Rib.

The best part of the meal, although I only nibbled at it as I was stuffed from lunch.

Purser Tim proactively offered to make my bed for me.

Beautiful morning on approach to Heathrow.

On time arrival and then the long, long, long trek thru the bowels of T3.

All in all, a pleasant day with American, and much better than I had anticipated. Thank you to purser Tim for making it an excellent flight to London.

My Instagram video on my day with American

Lounge Hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3

Lounge Hopping at miserable 3rd world London Heathrow

The long, long walk from my arriving AA flight.