American Airlines Embraer E175 Economy Class (Denver – Los Angeles)

It’s not often that I get to add a new airport to my list. But today’s hop in American Airlines Embraer E175 Economy Class – well, technically, ‘American Eagle’ – crosses off departing from Denver International Airport.

An old uni friend (hi, Angela!) is kind enough to drive me to the airport for my American Airlines E175 Economy Class flight. She helpfully points out the local sights along the way. Notably, we pass Blue Mustang on the drive. It’s a horse sculpture that some consider a little creepy, especially for its glowing red eyes. The sculpture is also known for killing its creator! Today, we pass unscathed.

We come up to the next marvel – the roof of the airport itself. It’s styled to mimic a tent city, in a nod to the Native American groups who previously occupied the land. I’ve flown through around 125 airports over the years and can’t say I’ve seen another terminal like it.

Once inside, I make a beeline for priority check-in. While this doesn’t come standard with an American Airlines Economy ticket, it’s available to me courtesy of my Qantas status. Travellers with oneworld Ruby (Qantas Silver) status and above can avail of this privilege.

For now, it’s time to say goodbye to Colorado. I’ll have to return.

Blue Mustang is a notable resident at Denver International Airport.

The roof at Denver Airport is striking.

I do love not having to queue.

The plane that will take me to Los Angeles.

From there, I use the airport’s website to check the live security wait times at the various checkpoints. You can choose to go through any of them, as they all link up airside. I notice that the wait time at the airport’s priority line is significantly shorter than the rest – and even though it’s about a 10-minute walk, it’s worth the stroll.

The TSA officer asks me for my (US) driver’s licence – it’s sweet, they think I ‘belong’ – but over goes my Australian passport. Fast-forward to security, and boarding is called by group number. My Qantas status again has me sorted: I’m in group two, which means I’m one of the first Economy flyers to board this American Airlines Embraer E175 flight. Overhead locker space secured!

Lounge options in Denver

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. By default, your Economy ticket is not going to get you into an airport lounge. But depending on your frequent flyer status, lounge membership or credit card, there may be options available to you.

Speaking of that Qantas status, Qantas Gold or above gets you into American Airlines’ swish Admirals Club lounge here in Denver. It’s split into two zones. At one end, there’s a dark, moody vibe. At the other, natural light and airport views.

You can also visit the Admirals Club lounge if you’re an Admirals Club or Qantas Club member. Or, if you’re an eligible oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald member. Just note, travellers with status issued by American Airlines or Alaska Airlines may not qualify for lounge access on domestic-only trips for the most part. The oneworld website has more information about these restrictions.

Travellers qualifying based on the above can use the lounge flying American Airlines Embraer E175 Economy – or indeed, when flying with any oneworld airline.

This is one of AA’s nicer and newer Admirals Clubs.

This is a step above many of the other Admirals Club lounges that I’ve seen.

I guess, AA has to go above and beyond to compete with United, this being a major hub for United.

Settle back and enjoy a bite.

If you have an eligible American Express Card, you may qualify for the Centurion Lounge at Denver Airport.

The Centurion Lounge is sizeable, but quite busy.

I enjoy a quick mocktail before checking out the Admirals Club.

This airport is also home to an American Express Centurion Lounge. Travellers with the metal-plated American Express Platinum Card, Platinum Business Card or Centurion Card issued in Australia can use this space. For Platinum Card Members, access is available up to three hours before scheduled departure. Travellers in transit between flights may visit the lounge even earlier, if desired. The same is true of Centurion Members at any time on their day of departure.

American Airlines Embraer E175 Economy Class seating

Embraer jets are a favourite of some Economy Class flyers. That’s because the seats come in a 2-2 layout, which means there are no middle seats on the plane. Everybody has an aisle or a window. This is true of the Economy Class cabin aboard American Airlines’ Embraer E175s.

That said, the seats on this particular aircraft are relatively basic. There are no entertainment screens and no power outlets. There’s a tray table, a pouch for small belongings and a recline button. That’s about it.

Today, I’m in a standard Economy Class seat.

It’s always odd seeing the window shades lowered before take-off when flying in the US. I open mine.

At first glance, the seats look spacious enough.

As for the actual legroom, there isn’t much of it, even when the seat in front stays upright.

This is a cosy cabin in a 2-2 layout, which means nobody ends up in a middle seat.

As for legroom, in the words of Jim Carrey as Fletcher Reede in Liar Liar, “I’ve had better.” I do a fair amount of Economy travel, but the seats on this plane feel particularly squeezy. My knees are pressed against the seat in front even when the seat in front is upright. With a flight time of almost three hours, it’s not overly fun.

Food and beverage in American Airlines Embraer E175 Economy Class

Service on today’s Embraer E175 Economy Class flight mirrors the American Airlines standard service on most US domestic routes. This provides for a complimentary non-alcoholic drink and a snack.

I go for my default – a Sprite Zero with the pretzels. I had lunch in the lounge, so it’s all I need. Nonetheless, those without the privilege of lounge access, take note to avoid going hungry.

Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Today, I’m happy to skip that.

Inflight entertainment and service

As flagged above, there are no seatback screens on the American Airlines Embraer E175 in Economy Class. Instead, streaming entertainment is available to your own device at no charge.

Today, I have work to complete on my laptop, and that takes most of my focus. The aircraft has Wi-Fi available for purchase at a nominal fee and it works well enough for what I need. That said, I’m glad to have a window seat. Being ‘squished in’ has its perks when flying over picturesque Colorado.

I’m glad to have chosen a window seat. Here we go!

This is a nice way to say goodbye to Colorado.

This view is a nice end to this side trip from LA.

AA’s mobile app is all you need to get a boarding pass and track your bag.

Cabin service on today’s flight is standard, and doesn’t go beyond basic interactions for the nibbles and drinks. I’m more impressed by the features that American Airlines has available through its mobile app. I can check that my bag is on the plane before we leave Denver and see when it’s about to appear on the baggage belt to avoid unnecessary crowding and peering. It makes for a smooth end to the flight.

The verdict

I’m in the fortunate position of qualifying for lounge access with multiple US carriers. On US domestic-only flights, I can slip into the lounge when flying with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, along with United Airlines if the agents ‘forget’ (as they often do) to enforce the international-only lounge access rule for Velocity members.

Given my oneworld Emerald status – which grants an incredible 96kg baggage allowance on AA flights – American Airlines is often my default port of call. Especially so when I can book the flight using Qantas Points, which means paying only US$5.60 one-way, on top of the points. Without status, AA charges US$35 for a 23kg checked bag if paying online, or US$40 at the airport itself. It’s a nice saving.

All up, my status unlocks priority check-in and that massive (and free) baggage allowance to start. It also includes priority security at selected airports, lounge access, priority boarding, free standard seat selection and priority baggage delivery. The only downside is squeezing into a tight Economy seat on planes like this. It’s usually not an issue on American’s more sizeable Boeing 737 jets, but the seat pitch in these Embraer E175s leaves much to be desired. For those flying without status, it’s not a terrific experience.

For the price – 12,000 Qantas Points plus US$5.60, one-way – the cabin is tolerable enough. Given Denver is a major hub of AA’s competitor United, United offers a lot more flights between Denver and LA. But when you want to use Qantas Points, American Airlines is ‘good enough’. When you have status too, that tighter seat pitch is more tolerable.

Also reviewed: United Airlines Airbus A319 Economy (San Antonio – San Francisco)

All photography by Chris Chamberlin, who travelled at his own expense using Qantas Points.