Time to head back home. Foe the first time in a while, I’ve spent more time away than home this month. I’m ready to be home for at least a few days. I rode here to PHL on American in the CRJ900, but in economy.
I’m flying with American on their CRJ900 in first class. I rarely pay for First Class, especially on a short domestic flight, but this was a cheap upgrade and I felt like having a few drinks after a long week. I’ve reviewed the American CRJ900 in Economy lots of times, but never in First Class.
Bottom Line: I love direct flights, and PHL being an AA hub has 3 flights a day to GSP. I usually like the CRJ 900 and this was no exception. AA first class on the CRJ900 is about what can be expected on any domestic US carrier on a short haul flight. I will say, I had an amazing flight attendant on this flight.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Review
PHL Airport and AA CRJ900 Boarding
I spent about an hour in the Amex Centurion lounge here at PHL. I then took the PHL terminal F shuttle down to where the majority of the American Eagle flights depart from. Our AA CRJ900 was waiting for us at a gate with a jetbridge. Some of the Terminal F gates here at PHL board with stairs.
The boarding process started right on time. American Airlines boards by zones with First Class boarding first.
I walked down the jet bridge and valet checked my bag. American Eagle does this thing where you’re required to valet check roller bags, even if they fit into the overhead bins. They only do this on the CRJ900(and I assume CRJ700) and not on the ERJ175.
It was a beautiful night here in Philadelphia. The weather has been so hot this summer, for the first time, it finally felt like it was starting to break.
The AA CRJ900 has 12 seats in First Class. These are arranged in a 2-1 configuration over 4 rows. The overhead bins on the right hand side of the plane are larger while the ones of the left side are much smaller and are not really used.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Seats
I like the single seats on the left hand side of the plane. The windows have an odd spacing on the CRJ900 so none of the seats really align well with the seats here in First Class. Row 2-4 are my preference. I don’t much like the bulkhead.
The leg room on the American CRJ900 in First Class is very good, especially with nothing under the seat in front of me. I really like these single seats on the left hand side of the plane.
I was able to stuff my bag in the over head bin. No one on the plane is allowed to bring their carry on bags, so there’s tons of overhead space on the AA CRJ900.
There’s no in seat entertainment on the AA CRJ900. There is Wifi and stream to your own device options.
The CRJ 900 has real overhead vents. Unlike the crappy ones on modern 737s, the CRJ900 vents actually put out air.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Pre-Departure Beverage
While at the gate, and waiting for the boarding process, the flight attendtant asked if I’d like a drink. It’s Friday, so I decided to have a gin and tonic. American uses Aviation Gin, and the amazing flight attendant gave me an un-provoked double. Amazing.
The boarding process finished and we pushed back from the gate. The flight attendants did their safety briefing as the sun set here in Philadelphia.
American Airlines CRJ900 Departure and Take-Off
We taxied to the runway as the sun had just gone behind the horizon. The flight attendant took our pre-departure drinks but promised he’d bring more once we’re in flight.
The flight attendants took their seats as we settled into our 90 minute flight down to Greenville.
It’s getting dark quickly as we took to the runway out of PHL.
Just a perfect time of night and absolutely clear sky as we departed from PHL. At this point I’ve been drinking for 4 hours and just loved every second of flying.
We made our turn towards the south and got an amazing view of the city. I need to spend more time in Philadelphia proper. It’s a great city was awesome history I need to explore.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Drinks and Snacks
As we crossed over DC, as promised, the flight attendant came around and offered another gin and tonic. Domestic AA First Class includes drinks and the CRJ900 is included. Of course I took him up on his offer, and again it was a double. This time it was served in glass and not plastic.
Next, the flight attendant came around again with a snack basket offering. Everything was great, except for the pistachios, they were a honey roasted pistachio. I really didn’t enjoy that, too sweet.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class In Flight
It was a very clear night, and we got a great view of Washington DC as our CRJ900 flew over. It’s another great city that I need to spend more time in.
Sorry for the glare in the photo, but it was really a great night for flying down the Atlantic Coast.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Bathroom
The AA CRJ900 has 2 lavatories, one in the front for First Class and another in the rear for the rest of the plane. The one in the front isn’t huge, the CRJ900 isn’t a big plane, but it was good enough and clean throughout the flight from PHL-GSP.
We continued down the coast and turned inland just around the North Carolina line.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Approach and Landing
As we neared to Greenville the seat-belt sign was turned back on. The flight attendants made their rounds and collected all of the service items and did their safety checks.
The great window view continued, though it was a little cloudy and foggy as we approached Greenville. The Pilots said their welcome to GSP announcements and that we’d be landing in less than 15 minutes.
As the pilots said, we landed into Greenville about 15 minutes later. We were actually about 10 minutes early in our scheduled landing, I’m certainly not going to complain about that.
American Airlines CRJ900 First Class Final Thoughts
American Airlines has really impressed me lately. They are not glamorous, but they get you home, and to me, that’s the most important feature.
The AA CRJ900 First Class product is about the same as you’d expect on any CRJ900 offering. The real difference on this flight was the flight attendant in the First Class cabin, he was just fantastic. At then end of a long week he was just want I needed, upbeat, happy, welcoming, and friendly. A real ambassador for the AA brand, even here in the American Eagle product. The drink and snack options were good, just what I needed on a Friday evening flight.
The CRJ900 is a comfortable airplane, in First Class the 1-2 seating arrangement is better than nearly any other narrow body aircraft. The lack of in seat entertainment is expected, but the wifi and stream to your own device worked very well.
I’m leaning towards flying with AA more, this CRJ900 First Class flight is certainly a part of that decision.