Why American Flight AA142 might be my absolute favorite

Rarely do I feel so spoiled for choice as I do when booking a New York to London flight. Because I find sleeping on aircraft nearly impossible — whether I’m in the last row of economy or the first row of first class — I try to book the rare eastbound daytime flight to avoid a sleepless night.

Even though a daytime flight ends up burning an entire day, AA142 is perhaps my favorite flight in the world. Not because I’m a loyal American passenger or because of the product offering, but because it offers a late morning departure out of JFK to Heathrow.

And so, on a recent trip to Europe, I decided to take Flight AA142 and see how American’s Premium Economy offering stacks up to fierce competition on the high-traffic route.

Walking into American’s JFK Terminal 8 at 8:30am for a transatlantic flight feels like using a cheat code. The departure time of 10:15am (11:15am for a few lucky weeks of the year) doesn’t require me to wake up incredibly early, and the terminal is empty compared to the chaos of the evening rush.

I hadn’t flown out of American’s JFK terminal since before COVID in March 2020. Since then, it has received a welcome makeover.

A recently renovated food court sits immediately after the security checkpoint, and I was delighted to see brands I recognize from NYC and even Long Island.

Sure, a bagel with cream cheese and an iced coffee doesn’t cost $14.42 at the Bagel Boss location in Hewlett, New York, but the fact I was able to get a real New York bagel from a local bagel shop that I’ve been going to since I was a kid made me smile.

Other local options like Naya and Mito make Terminal 8 a sleeper option for the best food at JFK. Shake Shack, Starbucks and Guy Fieri’s Flavortown are also available for passengers looking for something more generic.

Boarding began a tad early and before I knew it we were in the air a mere eight minutes after the scheduled departure time.

Unsurprisingly, this Wednesday morning flight was quite empty down back, but 100% full in Premium Economy and Flagship Business. Suffice it to say that the premium travel trend was very much on display on board this aircraft.

In the lead up to the flight, I didn’t opt to take American’s Instant Upgrade offer but it was generally priced at a reasonable $514 in advance, and $500 at check-in.

American’s Boeing 777-200 fleet is getting up there in age, with this particular 27-year old frame featuring the airline’s ill-fated bespoke “Concept D” seat in business class, which was installed during the twinjet’s last major refresh in 2016.

Premium Economy was added to the 777-200s in 2018. While both the business and Premium Economy products are far from the latest and greatest, everything felt perfectly modern and clean. The PE seats are roomy and even come with a small amenity kit and a nice blanket.

American served lunch upon departure despite it being before 11am, but I was happy to have my pre-ordered plate of chicken meatballs and “whipped potatoes” rather than a breakfast meal.

A second meal was served before arrival and I was thrilled that it included a somewhat hearty salad with sliced egg and a big bowl of mixed fruit. American’s joint venture partner British Airways serves only a very small snack for this crucial second meal.

This food would have to last me through the night as I adjusted to the UK time zone.

Without circling over the UK even once we blocked into the gate a whopping 42 minutes early. A four-minute train ride deposited me at my Hotel at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 even before the scheduled arrival time of the flight!

This is as good as it gets.

My return flight with American five days later began at Heathrow Terminal 3.

Despite American’s claim that Premium Economy passengers receive priority security screening this proved not to be the case, at least at Heathrow.

I had not availed of Heathrow’s automated Fast Track security. Thankfully, the general lanes were speedy, but I did not enjoy being shooed away for something American claimed my ticket included.

My flight back to JFK was operated with a much newer Boeing 777-300ER, but the aircraft somehow felt older than its predecessor. The Premium Economy cabin looked shoehorned into position in a way that the older 777-200 did not, with the first row having no window and the second having only one.

The lighting, despite being full spectrum LED, cast an unflattering yellow glow on the cabin during boarding.

I opted for the chicken korma with basmati rice on this flight. It proved to be a serviceable but far from amazing dish.

Maybe the most memorable part of the meal was the US Airways branding on the service cart and flight attendant’s apron. Some habits never die, I suppose.

The second meal featured the cheesiest sandwich I have ever seen, lined with some chicken on the inside. Not the most delectable dish, but far from the worst.

Both flights featured the same Panasonic Avionics inflight entertainment system, which was packed with enough content for days, giving me a chance to watch the first six Mission Impossible movies. Panasonic Wi-Fi was on offer but I once again balked at the $35 price tag.

Over the next few years, American will refurbish its 777-300ERs. Once completed, I’m really looking forward to trying the transformed interiors. For now, the US major’s Premium Economy offering is perfectly fine, even if it doesn’t really differentiate itself much from the competition.

However, its daytime Flight AA142 from JFK to Heathrow is the real gem.

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