Going For Platinum Part 7 - Chicago to New York JFK American Airlines First Class Boeing 757-200

My short stay in Chicago over it was off on the train back to O'hare for my flight to Miami via New York JFK. The train is just your average ordinary suburban train so it's not the most comfortable way to get to the airport but it's cheap and I enjoy the ride through the Chicago neighbourhoods. I made my way to the self serve kiosks to print off my boarding passes.

American Airlines check-in

Check-In Kiosk

The machine printed me 2 boarding passes, one for Chicago to New York, the other for New York to Miami. As soon as they had been printed my name was being called out by the check-in staff so she could tag my bags and check my identification. A quick checkof the passport and my bags were tagged with priority tags right through to Miami. After dropping them off at the baggage belt it was off to security. Thankfully anyone with oneworld status or first class passengers can use the priority lines at security. It was a relief as the other lines were very long!


Chicago O'hare - American Airlines Terminal

After security, I went for a walk around the terminal to explore and do some plane spotting.


Looking past a 737-800 to a bunch of American ERJ's

American Airlines only fly one mainline service to JFK from Chicago O'hare each day. Today's flight was operated by a Boeing 757-200 in long haul configuration. It was flying to Europe from JFK later that night. The long haul configuration would make for a very comfortable 2 hour flight with lie-flat seats in first class.

My ride to JFK arrives at the gate

Door 2L in use during the turnaround


After a quick turnaround boarding was announced for First Class passengers. With the 2nd door in use at the gate it was a turn to the left to enter this interesting first class cabin. I had never seen this kind of seating in a narrow body aircraft before. It was nice and cosy and light years ahead of the domestic configuration 757s.

Settled in seat 3F with AVOD system

Preparing for departure


First Class Cabin (Business class on international)

Leg Room

Lunch is being loaded

Safety Card

Seat Controls

This flight we had one flight attendant looking after first class. She was actually the most pleasant flight attendant I came across on this entire trip. She was incredibly friendly and provided excellent service the whole flight. My jacket was collected and placed in the wardrobe then pre-takeoff drink orders were taken. I had a coke, served in a plastic cup as is usual pre-takeoff on AA.



Overhead flight information

We were slightly delayed on this sector but only by about 20 minutes or so. We pushed back and made our way to the runway with clear blue skies over Chicago.

passing a United Express Embraer ERJ-170

Audio Video On Demand is available in First Class

Queue forming at the runway

Liftoff - fantastic views of this mega airport

We turn to the east and fly past Chicago city

and out over Lake Michigan

As soon as the seat belt sign was off we were offered warm nuts and beverages. I was drinking the sauvignon blanc on this flight.

Drinks and warmed nuts

Inflight entertainment had a decent selection

Overhead moving map display

There was either a vegetarian pasta or a chicken parmiagana for lunch. I took the chiecken, and although it may not look all that impressive, it was quite tasty. The salad and side were both good too.



I was never left with an empty glass. The flight attendant brought the bottle over at very regular intervals, and I think i finished at least one bottle on this short sector. Let's just say I was feeling quite 'merry' at this stage. On a quick visit to the lavatory I commended the flight attendant on the great service and she said she really appreciated the positive feedback!



As we neared New York the cabin was filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies, I gladly accepted one!


Before long we commenced descent and flew past Manhattan out over the Atlantic before making a series of turns and heading back over water into New York's JFK airport.








I disembarked really pleased with the service on this sector. The food and wine were both nice but the purser in charge of first class really made it an exceptional flight! Next up it's off to Miami on a Boeing 767-300.

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