FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Aerolineas Argentinas - any recent experience?
Old Aug 21, 2017 | 1:30 pm
  #19  
bgriff
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,341
Flew AR for the first time recently in business class from the US to EZE and back. Just a few thoughts for anyone who may be curious, since there aren't many reviews out there.

The seat is very bad. I have flown a handful of different angled lie-flat seats over the years (including versions from AA, LH, AF, QF, SV, SQ -- most of which are no longer in service), and this might be the worst of all. Seemed like the resting angle is steeper than most. Seemed unusually narrow, though I guess maybe it's just that 2-2-2 business class seating is pretty rare these days -- I kept bumping elbows with the person in the next seat at meals. There is a tiny privacy shield between seats, but it's at the top of the seat back for some reason, so it serves no purpose whatsoever. You are very "exposed" in the bed position.

IFE is okay. Nothing amazing, but a dozen or so recently Hollywood releases plus a number of Argentinian films.

In-seat power is available, as well as USB charging ports. But there isn't much storage anywhere in the seat, including a lack of places to put a phone while it is charging. There is an oddly configured magazine pocket that is nearly horizontal and is right above where your feet go when fully reclined, so if you put anything sizable in the pocket -- like a noise-cancelling headphones case -- it eats into your bed position foot room substantially.

Overhead bins on the A330 are of a strange design, with pull-down bins in the center that are much smaller than the standard A330 center bins. AR is pretty vigilant about weighing carry-ons, at least at EZE, so may not matter much anyway.

Food was not great, but better than I was expecting for an airline of AR's standing. I've attached pictures of the meal -- apologies for the strange coloration due to the mood lighting in the cabin. Lots of cheese. The main courses are cooked in a single tray like in economy so didn't look too thrilling; I had the cheese ravioli which was fine, and the other options were a pork dish or a shrimp dish. No other choices -- everyone got the good salad, the cheese plate (which came out on the tray with the salad), and had the (only) option of a single scoop of ice cream for dessert. I slept through breakfast.

The menu suggested there were a few red and white wine options, but it seemed only one of each was actually available. The wine was decent at least, though the sparkling, or at least the stuff they served before departure, was terrible. According to the menu, other than wine, the only booze options were Bailey's, Cognac, Whisky (no additional detail provided), or beer (likewise).

Crews were mediocre. A few crew members did seem to be genuinely making an attempt to be hospitable, but most were just going through the motions with the minimum effort. But, I've certainly occasionally had worse crews on US airlines.

There isn't really any obvious above-average way to fly between the US and South America, but with all of the nonstop competitive options now offering full flat beds, AR is pretty clearly a full step behind other options. They're not terrible, but certainly if you have another option it would probably be wise to take it.
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