Wow, from noon on a Tuesday until midnight the following day, Peter Flax of The Hollywood Reporter flew between JFK and LAX four times, sampling the first and business class offerings on the route from American, Delta, JetBlue, and United. We’ve actually reviewed all of these individually before at Point Me to the Plane, though it’s interesting to see them critiqued in back-to-back succession.
After 36 hours and 10,000 miles, the reporter felt he was able to opine on behalf of all hollywood moguls as to who has the best seat, food, service, wine, beer, lounge, shower, open bar, champagne, blankets, nuts, and more. Classes reviewed were not exactly apples-to-apples as Peter flew Flagship First Class with American on their 3 class A321, while flying business with Delta / United and Mint with JetBlue.
American
When it was time to board, someone tapped me on the shoulder and led me to my flight. I never once looked at a screen or a boarding pass or even paused to consider what gate was mine; I just followed my Five Star guardian angel. There was a small crowd queued up to board, but I was led to a separate entrance just for the 10 first-class passengers
JetBlue
Mint was the least costly of the products I flew, but the quality of the service was outstanding. Soon after takeoff I was noshing on a curiously tasty parsnip mousse with taro chips and sipping a slightly citrusy sparkling wine from Mendocino. The meal service — a small-plate selection designed with inspiration from Saxon + Parole, the decidedly downtown grill on The Bowery — was the best I’d experience in my whole journey.
Delta
The Delta One check in area in Terminal 5 was an actual oasis with modern furniture and an automated espresso machine and a vague smell of lavender. My friendly Delta One rep guided me to the front of the security line and it wasn’t long before I was in a large and well-appointed club. I think I had about 45 minutes until my flight would depart so of course someone asked me if I wanted a ride in a Porsche…
United
My seat on this B757 was a little bit shorter and a little bit wider than Delta’s. A small crew of flight attendants wheeled an actual ice-cream cart down the aisle — with freshly crumbled cookies and toasted nuts — and made me a sundae that restored my senses.
Check out his full multi-page review here and see who won “best-of” awards in each category.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
