American Airlines review by andrew 2014-06-23

We have just completed a round trip from the UK to USA, between 28th May and 11th June; two transatlantic flights and three internal flights. The first from London to Dallas was characterised by dreadful food, (lunch being served immediately after an early morning take-off!) with very unfriendly and ungracious staff. The second flight from Dallas to El Paso was delayed for an hour at El Paso where we sat on the tarmac for an hour in temperatures of c.110F because of a failed air conditioning unit. Offered not so much as a glass of water. The delay meant that the car hire desk we were using was closed at El Paso. The second internal flight was from El Paso to Phoenix. This time the flight was delayed because the ‘pontoon bridge’ attaching the plane to the terminal was broken. Again we sat on the tarmac, without refreshment. Again surly and uncooperative staff. We were sat at the back of the plane, when drinks were finally offered there was very little choice left and no time to enjoy them. The third flight from Las Vegas to New York was relatively uneventful, tho’ with ungracious and charmless grumpy staff. The food on board was expensive, terrible and tasteless. The final flight was delayed more than 2 hours at take off and just under two hours at landing. The original plane had broken down and an even older one had to be fetched from a hanger. It was smaller and extremely tatty, with frayed seats, reading lights that did not work at all or stayed on all the time, air vents broken, no inflight entertainment, and the rudest staff I have ever met. No staff would tell us what was going on, the plane was changed and we were forced to split up our family seats and had to sit in different places on the plane. The food was inedible. Staff were not only surly but extremely rude. In all instances the planes were old, shabby and dirty with worn through upholstery and carpets, defective lavatories, inflight entertainment was broken, reading lights did not work, fresh air vents that would not open, or close and the worst cabin staff I have experienced. This airline reminds me of the state of Olympic before it went bust. Perhaps AA is going the same way. Disgraceful. Ryan Air is like luxury in comparison.