New Years in Buenos Aires and Mendoza via American Airlines 772 Flagship First Class
Dec 29, 2013, 9:48 pm
#31
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Can't wait for the rest of the report. I've been trying to convince Mrs. greg99 to take a trek south, and if this TR will be like any of your others, this will definitely serve as encouragement.
Greg
Greg
Dec 29, 2013, 10:16 pm
#32
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I thought I didn't like to sit still. Thanks for taking us on your journey again!
I believe the concept here is, in true Macabus style, you're supposed to have 5 wine glasses on the table at the same time with the card as the placemat so you don't mix them up.
Swiss Business also used the "room service check sheet "for breakfast on our Nairobi Zurich flight in November. I guess they think it's efficient enough for their staff to keep things organized.
Wines? OK, there is no confusing AA wines with EK, MH or even BA for the matter. A wine list and wine tasting list. Not sure what the point it since they are the same wines.
And a breakfast menu to fill in like hotel room service. Seems a little tacky but I guess it helps determine who wants breakfast and who doesn't.
And a breakfast menu to fill in like hotel room service. Seems a little tacky but I guess it helps determine who wants breakfast and who doesn't.
Swiss Business also used the "room service check sheet "for breakfast on our Nairobi Zurich flight in November. I guess they think it's efficient enough for their staff to keep things organized.
Dec 30, 2013, 1:32 am
#33
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IST lounge for another insane 6 hours TK layover, and here is when SFO777 comes to rescue me. I'm seriously thinking to skip yours, SHF and Seat 2A TRs at home, keeping them jealously for lounge and IFE purpose.
Waiting the follow up, wish you and Princess a great 2014 to be ridden at this TR pace.
Waiting the follow up, wish you and Princess a great 2014 to be ridden at this TR pace.
I'm not sure anyone can finish my latest TR in that time span, might need to download it a.la PDF version and reading on a non-wifi plane
Safe travels to 2014
For the starter, I went with Thai Chicken with grilled five spice pineapple, watermelon and Asian style mint dressing... wonderful.
Excellent salad although dressing tossed would have been nice, instead of drizzled on top.
All in all, a surprisingly, indeed shockingly excellent meal. Not impressed with any of the wines although the one I did try, the Antu Ninquen Syrah was passable. But while the food was excellent, the service was not well paced and seemingly rushed. The old battle ax on AD aisle seemed to think that she needed to deliver each course within 30 seconds of removing the previous course. Jeez, is it that difficult to have someone with restaurant experience spend an hour with your FAs.
Happy New Year!!!
That appetizer shows pretty well even with a small catering budget, all you need is creativity and not always Balik Salmon or Caviar to have a good appetizer
Did they do away with the salad cart? They always did toss the salad next to you while it was a 762/772 F, been years... since I've done 772 F though.
I've been arguing/discussing that service issue with Mama SHF, I guess it's all depends on the passenger.
Both of us have been saying we hate those 6.5 - 9 hour red-eyes, you can either sleep/eat, but can't really do both.
Some case, she prefers J>F just to get more sleep.
11+ Hours flight is always F preferred
F is always going to be a 2-3 hours meal service, and only 9 3/4 flight hours, it probably wasn't a super bad thing to speed the service up a bit for extra snooze time for the pax.
By the looks of the crew, they probably try to give you 6 hours sleep, both meals include takeoff/descent, which I think would be a good performance for a shortish 3 Class F flight like
However if your flight was a TPAC, then it would probably be annoying as hell since it's way longer of a flight
Your 2nd Meal (Breakfast) looks like 100% same as those on AA TPAC Business
Dec 30, 2013, 1:33 am
#35
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Dec 30, 2013, 2:35 am
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Nice report --
- the champagne seems to price around $25 and the Pine Ridge $15 for a bottle -- and the Antu is under $20.
All in all while I think AA is 'attempting' to step up its F, these seem really weak unless i am pricing the wines incorrectly.
Just looking at an EK J trip report puts the AA F menu to shame.
If AA truly does sell some F pax (outside of deeply discounted corporate fares), it would be great to see them actually get someone who knows what they are talking about to advise them -- may I suggest to Parker/Kirby they hire SFO777 as AA's 'First Class Consumer Ombudsman' @:-)
- the champagne seems to price around $25 and the Pine Ridge $15 for a bottle -- and the Antu is under $20.
All in all while I think AA is 'attempting' to step up its F, these seem really weak unless i am pricing the wines incorrectly.
Just looking at an EK J trip report puts the AA F menu to shame.
If AA truly does sell some F pax (outside of deeply discounted corporate fares), it would be great to see them actually get someone who knows what they are talking about to advise them -- may I suggest to Parker/Kirby they hire SFO777 as AA's 'First Class Consumer Ombudsman'
@:-)
Dec 30, 2013, 6:12 am
#39
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Nice report --
- the champagne seems to price around $25 and the Pine Ridge $15 for a bottle -- and the Antu is under $20.
All in all while I think AA is 'attempting' to step up its F, these seem really weak unless i am pricing the wines incorrectly.
Just looking at an EK J trip report puts the AA F menu to shame.
If AA truly does sell some F pax (outside of deeply discounted corporate fares), it would be great to see them actually get someone who knows what they are talking about to advise them -- may I suggest to Parker/Kirby they hire SFO777 as AA's 'First Class Consumer Ombudsman' @:-)
- the champagne seems to price around $25 and the Pine Ridge $15 for a bottle -- and the Antu is under $20.
All in all while I think AA is 'attempting' to step up its F, these seem really weak unless i am pricing the wines incorrectly.
Just looking at an EK J trip report puts the AA F menu to shame.
If AA truly does sell some F pax (outside of deeply discounted corporate fares), it would be great to see them actually get someone who knows what they are talking about to advise them -- may I suggest to Parker/Kirby they hire SFO777 as AA's 'First Class Consumer Ombudsman'
@:-)(1) Nice report. I'm surprised that BA F is worse than this. On the other hand, I haven't been on a BA plane since 1981.
(2) I'm quite familiar with the "room service" breakfast cards, and they make a lot of sense, given that the FA can have the meal ready and let you sleep longer. However, the offerings are paltry. In LAN's J cabina, it is a quite extensive menu re: what sort of beverages, breads, spreads, sweeteners for your beverages, etc.
(3) The wine list. Oh the poor wine list. This is not an F wine list. That said, I've had NV Moutarde and it is delicious - I'd expect the vintage one to be better, and it is probably a great value for the airline and a very good product to serve. The rest of the list is weak. Price doesn't necessarily = quality, but I drink a lot better in LAN's J cabin (and some of their wines are at a similar price point).
(4) "Ask about our premium turndown service" is tacky, on a menu, in an F cabin. Not only should turndown service be standard in an F cabin (and not premium), it should just be offered. Why should you have to ask?
All in all, this looks substantially better than my last (2 years ago, before things even slid further) UA F flight. As far as "battle ax" crews, I find the senior crews to either be the best or the worst. I don't fear them
Dec 30, 2013, 7:39 am
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
A few random comments:
(2) I'm quite familiar with the "room service" breakfast cards, and they make a lot of sense, given that the FA can have the meal ready and let you sleep longer. However, the offerings are paltry. In LAN's J cabina, it is a quite extensive menu re: what sort of beverages, breads, spreads, sweeteners for your beverages, etc.
(3) The wine list. Oh the poor wine list. This is not an F wine list. That said, I've had NV Moutarde and it is delicious - I'd expect the vintage one to be better, and it is probably a great value for the airline and a very good product to serve. The rest of the list is weak. Price doesn't necessarily = quality, but I drink a lot better in LAN's J cabin (and some of their wines are at a similar price point).
(2) I'm quite familiar with the "room service" breakfast cards, and they make a lot of sense, given that the FA can have the meal ready and let you sleep longer. However, the offerings are paltry. In LAN's J cabina, it is a quite extensive menu re: what sort of beverages, breads, spreads, sweeteners for your beverages, etc.
(3) The wine list. Oh the poor wine list. This is not an F wine list. That said, I've had NV Moutarde and it is delicious - I'd expect the vintage one to be better, and it is probably a great value for the airline and a very good product to serve. The rest of the list is weak. Price doesn't necessarily = quality, but I drink a lot better in LAN's J cabin (and some of their wines are at a similar price point).
3.- Not a wine expert, but I was surprised/shocked that the 'retail' prices for the inflight F wine list was so low -- and then to offer a 'tasting.'
Both of the above show me that the past regime that created all this 'marketing/communications' bluster was more focused on PR than product. It's shocking that AA can't make a run at offering a World Class F product on some key routes. I can't imagine it would be high on the Parker/Kirby list - however they do seem pretty attuned to throwing out stuff that engages the work force -- i.e. - choose the tail paint; get rid of executive parking. Having a 'real' world class F product would certainly be a halo if they do want a premium carrier. And with 5-star Service at their key gateways they certainly could significantly UP the ground experience without much incremental cost. In fact they could probably show ROI if offering 5 Star service to F pax increases paid ticket sales. That said, until they ax F on the 777s there are probably too many upgraders floating around the system to make it work effectively.
Dec 30, 2013, 12:21 pm
#41
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IST lounge for another insane 6 hours TK layover, and here is when SFO777 comes to rescue me. I'm seriously thinking to skip yours, SHF and Seat 2A TRs at home, keeping them jealously for lounge and IFE purpose.
Waiting the follow up, wish you and Princess a great 2014 to be ridden at this TR pace.
Waiting the follow up, wish you and Princess a great 2014 to be ridden at this TR pace.
And Happy New Year to you. Thanks Madone59.
Up Next: Pleasantly surprised by AA's International Flagship Service. They are really trying, but it's tough to teach refined Asian/Gulf service subtleties to a NA cabin crew. But all in all, even with old First, food, service and crew were worlds better than BA First.
You are killing me.. Two weeks until BA A380 F and I'm still second guessing my decision. But I am going to be optimistic.
Eric
You are killing me.. Two weeks until BA A380 F and I'm still second guessing my decision. But I am going to be optimistic.
Eric
I am still gutted that BA did not deliver to a standard (I am talking about the CC comment rather than a tech 380 which can happen with any carrier) that we know they are capable of and you expected on your little sojourn before Christmas.
It is funny because I would not personally touch a NA carrier long haul at all in a premium cabin (as you hinted at also) and would class BA in a better league than DL, AA et al.
I do fear that in the future for a truly proper F or J experience ME3 carriers will be the only option.
As always SFO777 a fantastic read and one that makes me very jealous of your adventures.
It is funny because I would not personally touch a NA carrier long haul at all in a premium cabin (as you hinted at also) and would class BA in a better league than DL, AA et al.
I do fear that in the future for a truly proper F or J experience ME3 carriers will be the only option.
As always SFO777 a fantastic read and one that makes me very jealous of your adventures.
Thank you theshaun.
I'm dreading my BA F back from LHR to ORD.....but I really want to see for myself.
To be honest.....AA has been extremely positive for me flying in domestic F....I think they're trying they're hardest with International F......it really comes down to the crew....if you have a crew just having a bad day....then even emirates or Qatar F will be crappy
Isn't DFW - EZE on the 772 for senior FA's?
To be honest.....AA has been extremely positive for me flying in domestic F....I think they're trying they're hardest with International F......it really comes down to the crew....if you have a crew just having a bad day....then even emirates or Qatar F will be crappy
Isn't DFW - EZE on the 772 for senior FA's?
SFO777, I am a long-time fan of your trip reports. Funny coincidence, I, along with not-quite-mrs AAJones, arrive in Mendoza on 12/31 for NYE, and then a couple of days later head to Santiago before pointing south to Patagonia/Tierra del Fuego. We too will be at the Park Hyatt for some of the time (and are also taking DFW-EZE in AA F).
I thought I didn't like to sit still. Thanks for taking us on your journey again!
I believe the concept here is, in true Macabus style, you're supposed to have 5 wine glasses on the table at the same time with the card as the placemat so you don't mix them up.
Swiss Business also used the "room service check sheet "for breakfast on our Nairobi Zurich flight in November. I guess they think it's efficient enough for their staff to keep things organized.
I believe the concept here is, in true Macabus style, you're supposed to have 5 wine glasses on the table at the same time with the card as the placemat so you don't mix them up.
Swiss Business also used the "room service check sheet "for breakfast on our Nairobi Zurich flight in November. I guess they think it's efficient enough for their staff to keep things organized.
SFO777 strikes yet again ^^^
Happy New Year!!!
That appetizer shows pretty well even with a small catering budget, all you need is creativity and not always Balik Salmon or Caviar to have a good appetizer
Did they do away with the salad cart? They always did toss the salad next to you while it was a 762/772 F, been years... since I've done 772 F though.
I've been arguing/discussing that service issue with Mama SHF, I guess it's all depends on the passenger.
Both of us have been saying we hate those 6.5 - 9 hour red-eyes, you can either sleep/eat, but can't really do both.
Some case, she prefers J>F just to get more sleep.
11+ Hours flight is always F preferred
F is always going to be a 2-3 hours meal service, and only 9 3/4 flight hours, it probably wasn't a super bad thing to speed the service up a bit for extra snooze time for the pax.
By the looks of the crew, they probably try to give you 6 hours sleep, both meals include takeoff/descent, which I think would be a good performance for a shortish 3 Class F flight like
However if your flight was a TPAC, then it would probably be annoying as hell since it's way longer of a flight
Your 2nd Meal (Breakfast) looks like 100% same as those on AA TPAC Business
Happy New Year!!!
That appetizer shows pretty well even with a small catering budget, all you need is creativity and not always Balik Salmon or Caviar to have a good appetizer
Did they do away with the salad cart? They always did toss the salad next to you while it was a 762/772 F, been years... since I've done 772 F though.
I've been arguing/discussing that service issue with Mama SHF, I guess it's all depends on the passenger.
Both of us have been saying we hate those 6.5 - 9 hour red-eyes, you can either sleep/eat, but can't really do both.
Some case, she prefers J>F just to get more sleep.
11+ Hours flight is always F preferred
F is always going to be a 2-3 hours meal service, and only 9 3/4 flight hours, it probably wasn't a super bad thing to speed the service up a bit for extra snooze time for the pax.
By the looks of the crew, they probably try to give you 6 hours sleep, both meals include takeoff/descent, which I think would be a good performance for a shortish 3 Class F flight like
However if your flight was a TPAC, then it would probably be annoying as hell since it's way longer of a flight
Your 2nd Meal (Breakfast) looks like 100% same as those on AA TPAC Business
Nice report --
- the champagne seems to price around $25 and the Pine Ridge $15 for a bottle -- and the Antu is under $20.
All in all while I think AA is 'attempting' to step up its F, these seem really weak unless i am pricing the wines incorrectly.
Just looking at an EK J trip report puts the AA F menu to shame.
If AA truly does sell some F pax (outside of deeply discounted corporate fares), it would be great to see them actually get someone who knows what they are talking about to advise them -- may I suggest to Parker/Kirby they hire SFO777 as AA's 'First Class Consumer Ombudsman' @:-)
- the champagne seems to price around $25 and the Pine Ridge $15 for a bottle -- and the Antu is under $20.
All in all while I think AA is 'attempting' to step up its F, these seem really weak unless i am pricing the wines incorrectly.
Just looking at an EK J trip report puts the AA F menu to shame.
If AA truly does sell some F pax (outside of deeply discounted corporate fares), it would be great to see them actually get someone who knows what they are talking about to advise them -- may I suggest to Parker/Kirby they hire SFO777 as AA's 'First Class Consumer Ombudsman'
@:-)
Dec 30, 2013, 1:30 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Meh
Posts: 2,598
Wow, that truly does not look like F class, the IFE, plastic cups, food. SFO - I supported you fully on the BA issues previously, but I would take BA every day of the week over that offering.
Simply put, F class Asia is excellent, Mid-East very close, certain Euro carriers very good, then the US carriers.
Simply put, F class Asia is excellent, Mid-East very close, certain Euro carriers very good, then the US carriers.
Dec 30, 2013, 5:59 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
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Posts: 1,264
No idea about the cost of the spa menu items.
And yes we are blessed to have yet another SFO777 trip report. Should be another good one.
Dec 30, 2013, 7:13 pm
#44
formerly gohima
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 519
Wow, that truly does not look like F class, the IFE, plastic cups, food. SFO - I supported you fully on the BA issues previously, but I would take BA every day of the week over that offering.
Simply put, F class Asia is excellent, Mid-East very close, certain Euro carriers very good, then the US carriers.
Simply put, F class Asia is excellent, Mid-East very close, certain Euro carriers very good, then the US carriers.
Dec 30, 2013, 7:19 pm
#45
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