You did - in 20 years of flying them exclusively I've never seen this on a narrow body. I don't think I've seen it on a wide body either.
It was the only time I've ever boarded behind first. It was an international configuration with the lie flat seats. I'm not sure why they wouldn't board from there since the flight attendants are having to serve the people in first while everyone is still boarding
Depends on the plane and the jetway. Example, most jetways can't do it on an A321 due to how forward the engines are. I see the door behind first class used at least 25% of the time on Delta. Happened just Friday on a 757 on the MSP-SEA route.
I don't think there is any air carrier flying to Europe 'affordably' that is not crappy in many of several different ways. Same with bookings and upgrades.
I've flown many U.S. airlines, but never on American. After reading this thread, I don't think that I've missed anything! (I've flown United in the past, but considering their recent history, I'd avoid them today as well.)
I have never had a problem flying in or from anywhere in the world, but I only have about 500,000 air miles in my life combined. This Friday I am flying domestically on American, I have a new carry-on case that fits the exact dimensions as put forth by both American and the TSA, I will see if I have any issues then... and my 'personal items carryon' also fits the exact dimensions. PS - Oh I did have an issue flying Delta out of Bucharest 3 years ago, they cancelled the flight - speaking in Romanian over the loudspeaker system - and EVERYONE RAN to the rebooking window, and 15 seconds later they announced it in English. I had the last laugh, though, because we were at the very end of the rebooking line - we got the last seats they wanted to give out as that was all that was left. Yep - First Class.