Went to check in and found no queues at all, a few people using the electronic check in but no one at the dividend miles desks.
We had joined the US Airways dividend club before we travelled as they had an offer on to become a silver preferred member immediately, which gave us preferred seating and free baggage along with other things, so it would save us nearly $100 in baggage charges. There was no way we would fly the required miles in the time scale to renew it but the free baggage allowance was worth joining for on its own. (it was only available for US flights in September.
We were greeted warmly at the desk by the agent, who had us checked in and bags tagged with priority labels within a couple of minutes. At DCA you then have to take your own bags to security screening which we did, although it only takes a few minutes.
Within 25 minutes of leaving the hotel we had checked in and deposited our bags and were sitting in starbucks, marvellous.[^]
Our gate typically was the furthest away so after the coffee we decided to go through security and wait at the gate. Security at DCA is done at each pier and not centrally so it took a few seconds to breeze through, and the walk to the gate took another few minutes. No stress and sat at the gate with about an hour to go before the flight.
About half an hour before the flight the gate agent made an announcement that there were some first class seats available and if there were any dividend miles members would they come forward to be upgraded, after that any first seats left would be available for purchase.
I approached the gate and without any fuss we were upgraded into first from coach, seats 1D & 1F. Marvellous.[:D]
Boarding began a few minutes later and although there was only one agent at the gate doing pre-boards, and having to take boarding cards, boarding was completed very quickly, and with 10 minutes to go doors were shut and we began the push back. Drinks were offered and a quick safety demonstration and we were taking off.
Although we had been put into first it is nothing like UC or first on BA, its an internal flight so first really just gets you a bigger seat, free drinks and nibbles. Theres no food service on a 2hr flight. That said we werent complaining, we had saved money on the baggage and saved about $30 on onboard drinks etc. The seats were like VS PE, although slightly larger, there was no full recline but it went back enough to get very comfortable in. (and drop off for half an hour)No IFE available but as it was only 2 hrs not a problem, we both read.
CC were very good and visible throughout the flight, we had 1 CC for just the 6 of us so she was very attentive, several rounds of drinks and snacks served help the time go quickly.
We landed at MCO 10 minutes early, quick taxi to the gate then off within a few minutes. Arriving internally meant no MCO Immigration or baggage claim/drop off onto belt/reclaim etc.
As we arrived at our belt our bags were coming off, priority tags worked well here. Grabbed the hire car and within an hour of landing we were at the villa.[y]
Overall the US Airways service was great, very attentive, and even the TSA and staff @ DCA worked quickly with no delays what so ever.
