After a week in Cleveland, it was time to head back home. Once again I would be on an American Eagle Embraer 145, a little jet that services shorter routes.
I quite like Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It’s generally quite straightforward to get through, even if there is no lounge for American Airlines passengers. Before you smirk at the “international” moniker, non-stop flights to Dublin are starting in May 2023 by Ireland’s Aer Lingus. I know how I’ll be getting here in future!
Gate Check!
As expected, everyone with normal sized cabin bags had to gate check them due to the miniscule overhead bins on the E145. Red Valet tags were handed out, which I attached while I waited for boarding.
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- Gate C5 for tonight’s flight.
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- At least the tag matches the bag!
This time I was prepared and had brought plastic supermarket bags to put my laptop into. Last time I had to carry it on board as I was not prepared for having to remove it from the bag. You live, you learn!
Boarding
On this evening, I was first on board as there were no passengers in the pre-boarding or group one categories. Since there is no first class cabin on this plane, perhaps that is not too surprising.
AA5967 – Cleveland to Philadelphia (CLE-PHL)
10 December 2022
Embraer 145 – N642AE
Seat: Main Cabin Extra 12A
Departure: 18:10 Arrival: 19:39
A friendly flight attendant greeted me at the door and I headed off to my Main Cabin Extra seat. These are in the exit row on this aircraft, as you can see on the seat map here.
American Eagle E145 Cabin
Since I was on board first, I was able to get some pictures before everyone else arrived. There are 18 rows of seats, with a single toilet located in the rear.
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- It’s a jaunty exit sign at row 12, isn’t it?
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- My seat, 12A.
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- Across the aisle, 12C and 12D.
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- Looking forward from my vantage point.
When boarding was complete, I was asked if I was able to operate the emergency exit, to which I agreed. I then decided to have a look at the safety card.
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- Piedmont!
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- All the instructions you need.
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- A few more, plus the exit row specific parts.
After the safety demonstration, the pilots announced they had advised the flight attendant not to do the on board service. This was due to expected turbulence en route, which was the same story as my outbound flight.
Flying To Philadelphia
Soon enough we took to the sky and were shrouded in clouds for the initial part of the flight. Turbulence was very light and proved to be almost non-existent for the duration.
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- Between cloud layers.
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- Up above, with a longer exposure.
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- Descending to land.
One couple had asked for water and were given an entire litre bottle. I was most jealous as I sat there thirsty for an hour or so! Eventually we landed in Philadelphia without incident. Cabin bags are returned in the jetway quite efficiently with little waiting, which is always good.
Overall Thoughts
Time to avoid flights on the American Eagle Embraer 145. I am not a fan of having to take laptops out of my cabin baggage and carry it separately onto the plane, efficient as the whole take it off you, give it back to you process with the bag is.
The turbulence issue is puzzling as well. When you hear the flight attendant is being advised not to do service due to turbulence, I was expecting to be thrown around the sky. This is the second time where the subsequent flight after the no service announcement has been very smooth.
What do you think of the American Eagle E145? Do you like to fly on it or would you actively avoid it? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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not been on one for awhile last trip on AA was a CRJ-700 and they refused to allow any roller carry on bags onto the plane even tho there was plenty of room !! People with larger non-rollers were allowed onto the plane with thier bags… My new roller was left on the tarmac in the rain and on return at the gate–the bag had grease on it and a broken wheel!!
What a nightmare! I’ve been lucky in that it hasn’t been raining, but you make a good point, they do just sit outside for a bit and then are subjected to a cargo hold. I’ve decided not to bring a carry-on next time, to avoid the issue altogether. It’s either that or go a different route on larger aircraft.
Flew those a few times on AA and UA(CO actually). Managed to get the single seat every time which is nice, almost like flying private. Never worried about a laptop as all the flights were relatively short and I wasn’t flying for business anyway, a book or tablet was fine. CLE also has international services to CUN, PUJ and YYZ, and used to have 757/767s on CO to LHR so they ARE international…barely. 🙂
I’ve always had the single seat myself, which does make for a very nice flight. Fair enough on CLE having those services that are international! I always forget that countries with land borders still count as international as well! 🙂