On a trip to Europe for Aircraft Interiors Expo my next leg was from Portland(PDX) to Los Angeles (LAX) I’m grateful to say in first class on American Eagle a brand name for regional operation at American Airlines. Skywest, an independent contractor, would operate this flight using the American Eagle brand. American Eagle typically connects small towns with American hubs thus allowing for connections. American Eagle has an extensive operation out of Los Angeles with Eagle flights to cities you would not necessarily think of as small towns—cities like Seattle, Portland, & San Francisco.
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Background & Booking
I usually stockpile AA miles for an international trip in a premium cabin. The challenge with that approach is finding award availability. As it’s gotten much harder to redeem miles for transatlantic premium cabins. After using different combinations dates I stumbled on a routing Portland (PDX) – Los Angeles (LAX) – London Heathrow (LHR) in first class.
The final booking as follows:
- Portland (PDX) to Los Angeles (LAX) American Eagle operated by Skywest E175 First Class (This Report)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to London Heathrow (LHR) British Airways A380 First Class
The first leg of the trip can be found here.
I’ll touch more on how much this cost in the A380 flight review. For now, a little more information about American Eagle.
American Airlines has several small “feeder” airlines branded as American Eagle. Skywest is one of them. It happens to be one of the largest independent regional airlines in the US. Skywest operates regional flights for the three major US airlines and also operates flights for Alaska Airlines. Skywest operates a mix of CRJ and larger Embraer aircraft. Skywest’s larger Embraer aircraft typically fly on the West Coast. American Airlines has other brands, which I may cover in another blog post or flight review.
Let’s fast forward now to Portland Airport.
Flight Plan / Routing
Day of Travel
Portland Airport is connected to the city by light rail. I elected to use rideshare from the hotel. I was dropped off at the departure area.
I like Portland Airport’s departure area. The glass roof is a nice touch.
I made my way over to the American Airlines check-in desk through the priority lane. Even though Skywest Airlines as American Eagle operates the flight American handles the ground experience & ticket sales. I’m grateful and thankful to fly first class. I love sharing the experience with you so if you have not already, hopefully, one day you get to fly in first class as well.
My turn came promptly and an AA agent checked me in for the flights. Of course they couldn’t give me my BA boarding pass but gave me an AA issued BA BP. I had another flight plan separate PNR (same day with BA).
I was told the AA agent could not check me in for my separate ticket. I had booked a self-connect in London for my flight onwards to Germany on British Airways. Not a big deal I didn’t think they could check me in for that anyway.
Due to construction, I had to take my bag to the drop-off area which was located away from the check-in desks. Multiple airlines were also having their passengers do the same. After dropping off my bag I made my way through security.
Once through security, I was greeted by the construction of the new hall that will connect the concourse together. Note construction for this area is complete.
Alaska Airlines has two lounges in Portland (PDX) one in Concourse B & concourse C. Since American departs from concourse C I made my way to Alaska’s lounge in C.
On my way to the Alaska lounge, I stumbled upon two retired Alaska DASH aircraft (pictured above). Alaska retired these aircraft in 2023. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to fly on them and may write a flight review over that trip.
Alaska Lounge
The Alaska Lounge is located by gate C5. I had access to the lounge with my first-class ticket on BA later that day. However, I also have the AA Citi Executive Card. I conducted an experiment on which is faster, using a boarding pass or using the Citi card?
It took longer to use the boarding pass, using the credit card for access is faster.
Alaska has expanded the lounge as a “patio” (shown below). I don’t know why considering whenever I visit the lounge it almost is never busy.
The lounge is pretty nice it has a nice variety of food. Unfortunately, I didn’t do a full lounge review as I wanted to save space for the British Airways A380 flight.
The lounge was more than adequate to wait for the flight on to LAX.
A Spirit Airbus A320Neo came in from Las Vegas and going back to Vegas.
I almost lost track of time watching the Spirit flight turn around. Fortunately the gate was just a short walk over.
Boarding
I got the gate and while the plane arrived on time boarding began a little late. The inbound from LAX was scheduled to arrive close to our boarding time. Alaska Airlines is working with a company to better develop flight schedules. I wonder if American will do something similar.
The Embraer E175 has large enough bins to allow for carryon bags. Thus not having to valet bags planeside is really nice.
On this trip, Agents were enforcing American’s carryon dimensions. The E175 has smaller bins than the mainline American fleet making some large carryons a tight fit.
Despite the delayed boarding we managed to push back 10 mins ahead of schedule.
Flight Info
Flight No: AA 4880 Operated By Skywest
Plane: Embraer E175 (E170-200)
Registration: N520SY
Route: Portland (PDX) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Flight Time: 1 hour 57 mins
Scheduled Departure: 1:25 pm
AA/BTS Departure: 1:15 pm
All times in local time zone
BTS stands for Bureau of Transportation statistics; their definition is used in most airlines apps in the USA to measure applicable times for airline operations & tracking.
As I boarded the plane I was shocked to see how similar the Skywest E175 was to Envoy E175 (American-owned regional airline).
Sometimes different contract airlines have vastly different interiors and configurations. The E175 on the other hand is consistent with Envoys.
Configuration:
First Class: 2 – 1 configuration
Main Cabin: 2 – 2 configuration
Pre-departure beverage American Eagle I was offered water. On American Eagle typically the FA will let you select the drink, in this case, though water was the only option. In my experience getting offered a beverage before departure on American Eagle is more common than on mainline American Airlines.
The cabin was mostly in good condition.
Sometimes American will offer upgrades to first class for as little as $90. Since August 2024, purchasing upgrades are eligible to earn AAdvantage miles & loyalty points.
I was seated on the “throne” or the right side of the plane.
Takeoff
We soon took off as usual the surrounding area is stunning. I will let the pictures do the talking :). I’ll pick back up once we are at cruising altitude.
Random Wi-Fi Pricing
Random Wi-Fi (an Instagram favorite) Pricing got its name because American randomly prices its Wi-Fi. Today was no exception.
$13 for one hour is not worth it in my opinion.
$17 for the whole flight is a little steep but I’d say that’s a better value than going for the $13 one-hour pass. Wi-Fi did not work on VPN
American also recently started offering annual prepaid Wi-Fi plans. Note there isn’t a discount.
American Eagle Skywest Seat Details:
First Class Seat Configuration: 1 – 2
Seat Manufacturer/Series: N/A
Seat Comments: Unfortunately I could not find the seat manufacturer. The seat was comfortable very similar to the Envoy E175. Wide width, while seat it feels like the seat is reclined. The headrest is adjustable. Perfectly decent seat for the flights the E175 operates on.
Amenities: Universal Power outlet, (Paid) Wi-Fi, & USB. Some planes may not be equipped with a USB or universal power outlet.
The flight was mostly uneventful, I was looking forward to flying on BA A380 for the first time. I also was working on writing the Delta flight review.
Service
A snack basket came around. I decided to go with chips, American Eagle catering is random sometimes you’ll get smaller chips, sometimes a biscoff cookie (same snack as in the main cabin), and sometimes the chips below. A drink was also served (not pictured)
Refill Test: Passed
The refill test is a first-class exclusive test. I want to see if the flight attendant offers another drink after the initial beverage service.
We soon began our descent into Los Angeles.
Arrival in Los Angeles (LAX)
Flying over downtown LA.
Landing at Los Angeles which every major US Airline considers LAX a hub.
Los Angeles gets a lot of A380 flights. Here is Qantas’ A380.
After a lengthy taxi, we made our way to the Eagle’s nest. A remote terminal containing American Eagle planes. There are plans to demolish this concourse and build a new terminal.
We soon parked at the gate. This gate is outdoors and has a ramp that connects to the plane instead of a jetbridge.
Scheduled Arrival: 3:56 pm
AA/BTS Arrival: 3:39 pm
All times in local time zone
Side view of the plane.
Unless Los Angeles is your final destination oftentimes you will need to take a shuttle to another terminal. My flight to London departs from Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Which is located on the opposite side of the airport.
Shuttle that connects the Eagles nest with terminal T5.
LA has quite a few flights to London on multiple different airlines. Fortunately, my British Airways flight is on time.
American Eagle Skywest
Upon arriving in Terminal 5, you can still see an outdated logo for American Eagle. That logo brings back so many memories.
Review Conclusion
Overall the American Eagle flight was standard. I wouldn’t hesitate to fly American Eagle operated by Skywest. The E175 is one of my favorite planes due to its 2-1 configuration. I look forward to sharing the British Airways Airbus A380 flight with you. Thanks for reading!
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Key Takeaways
- You can bring onboard carry-on bags on American Eagle E175. However, make sure the bag isn’t too large.
- Alaska lounge access is possible using an Admiral Club card, or an eligible ticket
- American Eagle has many contract airlines like Skywest operating short flights.
- Los Angeles has many terminals be sure to build in enough time to connect as you may need to take a shuttle.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
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