Blog 28: 4/12/2023-flight reviews

American Eagle ERJ-175

I realized I hadn’t given my though on traveling to and from Chicago on American Airlines’ American Eagle subsidiary. Let me start by saying I was appalled. The flight to Chicago-O’Hare International Airport was, in and of itself, fine. The pilots seemed well-trained and focused. I also don’t expect there to be a banquet onboard, as there are with transcontinental flights or even flights of 3+ hours, international or domestic. But frankly, the service was abysmal on both my flights, to and from Chicago-O’Hare.

American Eagle ERJ-175

My plane being stocked with cargo (luggage) before boarding begins. Note the Southwest Airlines tails in the background.

Front of the Safety Manual

Next to the Diet Coke, the Safety Manual was the cleanest aspect of the flight to Chicago.

My Diet Coke, the only neat and clean item in the entire aircraft.

You can see the dirt-spots on the back of the seat.

I didn’t mind flying non-revenue as there wasn’t much difference in class-seating on the Embraer ERJ-175. At least on American Airlines’ ERJ-series there wasn’t really any difference, both classes, Economy and First were 2x2 in seating. Both fare classes had leather seats which were fairly comfortable. That, however, was where the compliments largely ended. Aside from basic drink service, which was nice, there was no real cabin service on the first flight. On the flight from Chicago to Cleveland, there was no cabin service whatsoever, and I was very glad I had brought my dinner. The aircraft on the way to Chicago was incredibly filthy, I couldn’t even film it - I was told to put my camera away. The plane was disgustingly atrocious, filled with grime, and looked as though the interior hadn’t been washed down in quite some time. The cabin crew, as I mentioned, were rude, disrespectful, and generally unkind. The Diet Coke I had during my flight to Chicago was the only “clean” item I noticed on the aircraft.

I couldn’t wait to be off the aircraft. It was an interminable 45 minute flight.

American Airlines’ IFE menu

In-Flight Entertainment was non-existent on both flights.

Menu-proper of American Airlines

A couple movies were intriguing, but I couldn’t watch any of them. The IFE was nonfunctional.

While Taxiing, we crossed in front of a United Airlines’ 777-300ER.

Taxiing at Taxiway G (Golf) at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago

Marshmallow Cookies’n’Cream Roll

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory inside the American Airlines’ Domestic terminal (T3), I absolutely love Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport

The one good aspect about my trip to Chicago, business aside.

The return flight was on par overall with the first, although it was cleaner. However, the cleanliness was offset by the absolute lack of any cabin service. The captain had supposedly ordered all attendants to sit down with seatbelts on due to turbulence but there was none to be had at all.

My finial ratings: Cleveland to Chicago-O’Hare: 2/10

Chicago to Cleveland: 3/10