American Airlines Phoenix to New York (PHX-JFK) First Class: Flight Review

Route: Phoenix to New York JFK (PHX-JFK)

Airplane: American Airlines 737 Max 8

Cabin: First Class (domestic)

Booking

This flight was booked as a cash ticket, part of a round-trip itinerary that’s one-part vacation and one-part tier point run. All of our flights on this itinerary are being credited to our British Airways Executive club accounts. The next few flights will take us from British Airways Executive Club Bronze status to British Airways Executive Club Silver status. Here is the entire Tenerife Trip Report.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport during Super Bowl week

The Phoenix airport, also called Sky Harbor, is quite massive with a sprawling lattice-like layout. I like, and prefer, being able to walk from terminal to terminal (yes I’m thinking of you JFK), which is very easy in Phoenix. For some getting between terminals may seem like a trek. That being said, there are moving walkways between the terminals making the journey much faster. Likewise, for those in need, cart service is also available. Since we were there only a few days before the Super Bowl, the terminals were busier than we have ever seen. Nonetheless, it was still easy to navigate.

For those with access, there is an American Express Centurion Lounge and American Airlines Admirals Club available. There are multiple public bathrooms throughout the main terminal. The hotel shuttle services are very convenient and easy to use. Sky Harbor, the greatest name for an airport ever, has Clear service at check-in. If you don’t already have Clear, get it. Clear plus TSA PreCheck are excellent for airports of any size, and have saved us hours and hours of waiting in security lines. If you’re leaving during Superbowl week, as we were, you’ll breeze right through. If you’re leaving after Superbowl, it’s likely going to be an utter cluster.

The airport seems somewhat old school, classic if you will, without being outdated or cramped. I love the simplicity of a walkable airport where every terminal is available to you post-security without need for an automated shuttling system like a train or bus.

American Airlines boarding process at Phoenix Sky Harbor

I sound like broken record, boarding for American flights is always congested. That said, we were flying First Class on this trip as a result of our Business class tickets (J fare), so we were in boarding group one. Again, this flight was part of trip designed to get us the most residual value out of vacation we already had planned. Goup one boarding for all of our domestic flights is part of that intended residual value.

Boarding in goup one always feels like a luxury. There is a distinct lack of anxiety when you know you’re first to board and don’t have to stand amongst the fidgety shufflers in the crowd. The gate for this flight was open enough, fairly standard fare.

Seats on American Airlines domestic first class from Phoenix to New York JFK

Boarding in group one usually means there’s an abundance of overhead space. If there isn’t (such as you’re running late and not one of the first dozen people on the flight) the flight attendants will help you figure it out before and after the flight. The American Airlines flight attendant service is impeccable in my experience thus far. They are down to earth, friendly, and helpful regardless of where you’re sitting on the plane. They have limits, they will be firm when necessary, but I have never witnessed anything resembling disrespect. What is “firm when necessary?” People attempting to sit in seats they’re not assigned to, individuals in later boarding groups who attempt to use the first class overhead space will likely get their luggage bumped back.

American Airlines 737 Max 8 First Class - Info

These were standard domestic first class seats. They were reasonably comfortable, and there was plenty of legroom. The under seat storage is segmented into three smaller sections with the smallest being on the aisle. Likewise, the seats are wide and never feel cramped, even with the tray table out.

American Airlines 737 Max 8 First Class - seats

The tray tables in American Airlines First Class are very nice. They come out of the armrest, as is common, but they’re unique after that. AFter you open the armrest, it will be on the aisle or window side respectively, there is a lever near your elbow. At first, I could not find it. After I saw it, it seemed so obvious. The labeled lever makes a pleasant “click” and pops the tray table up an inch or so. Then, you pull it up, fold it down, and unfold it. But wait, there’s more! There’s a handy unfoldable extender that will support a phone or tablet! This is present in the main cabin of many American flights but is particularly robust in the first class cabin. It’s sturdy, so it doesn’t flop around, and will enable easy viewing as you see fit. I found it to be a nice touch!

Service on American Airlines domestic first class from Phoenix to New York JFK

We pre-ordered vegan meals (VGML) ahead of time, and boy-oh-boy were they good. Vegan meals on flights are available to domestic first class passengers, and have to be ordered over 24-hours in advance. We’ve had good luck with American Airlines loading the VGML meals on our flights. This is in stark contrast to United, where our success rate has been about 50% (including a 14 hour flight from Singapore).

This flight’s meal consisted of an appetizer of heated, mixed nuts. The main course was quinoa, black lentils, microgreens (microgreens? What a treat!), turmeric marinated shiitakes, steamed purple cauliflower, chilled green beans topped with a picked purple onion ring. There was also a crudité with hummus, some kind of beet spread, endive (endive? Wow!) carrots and cucumbers. For produce people like Joe and I, it was amazingly delicious. Foods like microgreens, endive, black lentils, turmeric marinated shiitakes, purple cauliflower, beet spread - these are delicacies in our world. They are appreciated deeply, especially in concert. It demonstrates thoughtful meal composition for people who appreciate plants. I’ve few delicacies on a domestic or international flights (with the exception of Singapore and EVA airlines).

Usually there’s fruit for dessert - strawberries, honeydew, cantaloupe, orange - but this time, the flight attendant had a special treat. She came to us with a sour watermelon Italian ice. She even said she read and checked the label. I haven’t had Italian ice since Jr High, and it was an utter delight.

Bathroom

The bathroom on this flight got a significant amount of traffic. Despite this, it remained reasonably fresh. There was enough room to maneuver, even for a person like me who avoids touching any and all surfaces which is difficult in airplane bathrooms.

Conclusion

This was a good flight from a nice airport. Our day started off with a quick trip from our hotel shuttle service. The flight attendants on American Airlines were basically impeccable, and this flight was no exception. Our primary attendant was sweet and supportive of our experience. She kept the coffee flowing for Joe and sparkling wine bubbling for me. She treated us to a one-of-a-kind meal, punctuated with a simple, sweet, memorable dessert. It was unforgettably great!