AMERICAN AIRLINES B777-200 AA139 Economy Class - London to Los Angeles, Lots Of Issues (4K)

After flying in to London Heathrow from Helsinki a few hours earlier, it was time to continue my travels to Los Angeles.
As my checked baggage had been tagged all the way through to LAX, it was just a matter of going through the transfer security, then was back in the departures area of LHR.
First stop was the Qantas London Lounge, probably the quietest I have seen it in years, that said, I was there hours before passengers started to check in for the Qantas flight to Singapore then Sydney.
Salt & Pepper Squid, Gin, and some chill out time, before I made my way to a lounge I had not visited previously, the American Airline Admirals Lounge.
The food offering was acceptable, I loved the self serve Candy Bar, the Lounge was clean and not many people in there, but the smell... it was like wet mouldy carpet. Hopefully it is not like that all the time, as the lounge is quite good.
Then it came time to board, well it should have been time to board. Delayed... Delayed... Delayed... This is where airlines can get it right, and very wrong. There was barely any information provided, and until the AA Operations Manager turned up (must say, his fashion sense in his fancy suit was impeccable) then we had a better idea of the issue (Mechanical - Engine Issue). After 2hrs we finally boarded.
Now this is where things really went down hill, sure the delay had passengers frazzled, but the crew had pretty much checked out as soon as the doors were closed.
As a OneWorld Emerald flyer, I fully understand the lights normally get dimmed for take off and landing when dark outside. But this crew decided to pretty much turn the lights off, and keep them off the entire flight. Add to the fact my personal overhead light, along with the 2 passengers in 20A & 20B were both faulty, so no light other than from our cell phones.
If you ever wanted a mystery meal, this was it...
Very rarely were the crew seen between meal services, and mid flight beverage service.
The one time I asked a crew member for a Soda as they were walking past, the snide response was they were busy, thankfully another crew member walked past 15-20 minutes later who was a little more obliging, however it seemed more like a chore, rather than providing a service.
Obviously arrival at LAX was late, but the 45+ Minutes waiting for bags to come out was a joke. By the time I left the airport, picked up my rental car and got to my hotel at Ontario, it was almost 2am.
Having flown American Airlines hundreds of times in the past, and with several flights booked for the coming weeks, this flight was very disappointing. Status Recognition, was non existent, as was the service, and not just to me, for anyone who didn't sleep the entire flight.
@AmericanAirlines
A continuation of my previous travels: FINNAIR A321 AY1335 Business Class - Helsinki to London Heathrow, Platinum Wing Lounge (2024) (4K) - • FINNAIR A321 AY1335 Bu...
Recorded on the 4th January, 2024
#americanairlines #b777 #boeing777200 #londonheathrowairport

[@duaneowens7777]

great video. Did you have to pay for checked baggage. Which airline did you take from finland to LHR. Were they strict with the checked bag weight. How was the recline on AA 777 usually it is bad

[@ausflyer]

I have OneWorld Emerald Status which allows me free baggage, plus the flight from Helsinki to London was in Business Class on Finnair (both booked using Frequent Flyer points and a few dollars for taxes) (at most my bag would have only weighed 33lb (15kg)). The HEL-LHR video can be found here:- czcams.com/video/HMyxBTbytNY/video.html
The recline was almost non existent, at most maybe an inch (2cm)