Breaking the LGA perimeter: What it was like flying American Airways’ 737 MAX 8 to Montana

New flight festivities

Sadly, there wasn’t a lot pleasure at LaGuardia for these new flights. There was no signage wherever on the airport in regards to the service launches.

The gates from which the flights departed had been additionally devoid of any fanfare surrounding the brand new flights. As soon as on board my flight to Bozeman, there have been no bulletins on the gate or by the pilots.

It was enjoyable to see Calgary, Kalispell and Bozeman on the departure boards, although. These are fairly unique locations for LaGuardia.

American Airways’ 737 MAX 8

American is utilizing the Boeing 737 MAX 8 on all the brand new routes, and my airplane, ship No. N302SS, was a 4-year-old jet.

The planes have 16 first-class recliner seats, 24 Principal Cabin Additional economic system seats and 132 customary seats.

Like most economic system cabins, the seats are fairly crammed collectively within the again, however the cabin seems fairly trendy when it isn’t full.

First-class on American Airways’ 737 MAX 8

I used to be in seat 1E on the aisle within the first row (one of many bulkhead seats), and it had a pitch of about 44 inches from the bulkhead wall to the headrest — a large amount. The seats reclined barely however not sufficient to essentially sleep on the lengthy flight. They reclined about 5 inches complete.

Whereas American’s MAX 8 top quality seat haven’t got footrests, they do include about 20 further inches of legroom. The seats had been a bit agency and measured 20 inches throughout and deep on the legs; the adjustable headrest was about 19 inches broad and had wings that folded out on all sides for a spot to lean your head.

Passengers typically complain that the seats usually are not properly padded and might thus get a bit uncomfortable throughout a protracted flight, however I used to be completely content material throughout my four-hour journey.

There was an adjustable tray desk that pulled out from the left armrest. That armrest additionally goes down for those who pull on a lever constructed into the seat, providing you with a bit of additional elbow room through the flight.

When absolutely deployed, the tray desk is eighteen inches by 10 inches, with loads of area for my 14-inch laptop computer and a drink.

I might additionally fold the tray desk in half to make use of the built-in openable display screen holder for a telephone or iPad.

There was additionally a storage properly beneath an openable armrest that had a common energy plug and a USB port.

Like most of American’s home fleet, its MAX 8s should not have built-in inflight leisure screens. You may have to stream motion pictures and TV exhibits by yourself system.

There was a wide variety of films obtainable by way of Wi-Fi, although. I counted 92 new releases, 26 of which had been within the science fiction class.

Reside TV, music, podcasts and audiobooks had been additionally obtainable.

Wi-Fi was $25 for the complete flight, which appeared excessive, however it labored properly.

I discovered obtain speeds of 57.01 Mbps and add speeds of 1.08 Mbps.

Service and meals on American Airways’ 737 MAX 8

The primary-class flight attendant was heat and type. Passengers acquired predeparture drinks, which I discover hit and miss as of late, however it was a pleasant approach to begin the flight.

As a consequence of turbulence, meal service was delayed till about an hour into the flight to Bozeman. There was a scorching towel service, which was a pleasant deal with.

Passengers had a selection of a cheese omelet or charcuterie platter.

I selected the omelet, which was tacky however a bit rubbery. The house fried potatoes had been properly spiced. The one-tray service included a packaged fig bar by Nature Bakery and a dish of recent fruit.

I used to be disillusioned that there was no bread, although. American has been testing eliminating bread and butter on some long-haul flights, however I did not understand it was now not providing bread on longer home routes.

For those who’d be extra enticed by the charcuterie platter, this is what that appears like, as loved by TPG Senior Aviation Reporter Sean Cudahy on a separate flight final week in American’s first-class cabin.

A couple of minutes after the meal service, the flight attendant got here by with a snack basket. I attempted the “CauliPuffs” from FamBam Meals, which had been scrumptious.

General, the service was pleasant. The flight attendant apologized for the late meal service and got here by a number of instances through the four-hour flight to supply drink refills.

It was a good way to get again to Huge Sky Nation.

Backside line

It was enjoyable to be on a brand-new flight from LaGuardia, and I like that American is making an attempt some new longer-distance routes from a extra handy airport (at the least, for these of us who reside in Manhattan).

I hope the brand new routes to Bozeman, Calgary and Kalispell carry out properly. It is good to have further carry to the booming state of Montana and different methods to entry Yellowstone Nationwide Park and Glacier Nationwide Park. A direct path to Calgary supplies quick access to Canada’s Banff Nationwide Park as properly.

Whereas the 737 MAX 8 is not probably the most comfy approach to fly, the jets are newer, and it is a completely advantageous approach to fly throughout the nation. I would not need to do a red-eye on this jet, however for these well-timed flights, it is a good possibility.

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