The Details

• Flight: AA465
• Aircraft: B757-200
• Class: Domestic First
• Seat: 1F
• Route: Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)-San Diego International (SAN)
• Distance: 338 miles
• Duration: 1hr 10min
• Departure: 7:52AM
• Arrival: 8:44AM

The Preflight

After my flight from Chicago O’Hare landed at 6:30AM, I had an hour until my connecting flight to San Diego departed at 7:35AM. Luckily, at the check-in open at 24-hours my upgrade had cleared and I was seated in Domestic First.

I made my way to the gate area to catch a show of our beautiful B757-200, registration N206UW. She was delivered to USAir back in 1995, with registration N630AU, before USAir rebranded as US Airways in 1997. Then during the US Airways merger with America West in 2006 her registration changed to N206UW. Finally, in 2015 she was transferred to the American Airlines fleet after the US Airways-American Airlines merger.

On board, there were 12 Domestic First class seats in a 2-2 configuration across the first three rows between the first and second seat of doors. This plane also had 38 Main Cabin Extra seats as well as 138 Main Cabin seats all in a 3-3 configuration.

The first class seats were similar to the ones aboard the “Classic” American Airlines B737-800s. There were no seatback screens and instead AA has installed universal power outlets at every seat upfront.

Boarding began promptly at 7:05AM and the doors closed at 7:52AM. We were slightly delayed by twenty minutes.

After take-off there were some great views of Phoenix.

Since this flight was less than 500 miles, service was brief and minimal. First, flight attendants came through offering a round of drinks. I had a cup of coffee. Then they passed around a snack basket with an assortment of chips and chocolates.

In no time, the captain announced that we were beginning our descent into San Diego. As we approached runway 27 I had some great views of Balboa park.

This flight was very uneventful and was the first time that I was sitting upfront on a B757-200. Thanks to a complimentary upgrade, I got to sit in the very front of the cabin and enjoyed the brief inflight service. Until next time American!