AONEx query
 

To my knowledge, there are only very few flights between North America and South America that have first class cabins, namely the few 777w flights on AA (JFK - EZE, JFK - GRU, MIA - EZE, DFW - GRU). I've been following availability on these 4 routes (for travel in January - February 2018) for several months now, and not a single EF alert has come through. I cannot assert that not a single A seat has become available on any of these four routes on a single date in either direction, but that is definitely my impression since I began watching (in late September).

My query is whether others have noted this lack of availability as well.

[I don't recall seeing blackout dates in the xONEx fare rules, or an alert on the OneWorld site that "A" availability is blocked between N. America - S. America (or even a FT sticky up above about this state of affairs), so I assume that I've overlooked a prominent announcement. A link to it would be very much appreciated.]

May help https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onew...es-thread.html
May not be up to date.
The number of flights with long haul first class is decreasing.

The problem most likely is that AA uses A for both "cheap" first class and for upgrades to first on 3-class flights. So, you are fighting for space with people using SWUs and miles trying to get into first. I would try calling AA and maybe (depending on status) they might open something up for you. Otherwise, good luck!

I noticed that as well since I'm in the middle of an AONE4. The couple of times I asked the AA RTW agents for A class, they had no success with the tariffs department releasing a seat. This was a common problem with flights to Hawaii back when the flights were economy and first. Now they are economy and business (for fare inventory purposes).

Me too. It's one of the reasons why I don't buy first class anymore.

That is the reason why I mainly buy Star RTWs now.. But US-South America and Australia-US is also a problem there.

Not sure if it is extremely temporary, but the EF alerts for newly available "A" seats have been coming fast and furious. I checked random weeks for a sample route (GRU - JFK) and it seems like the blockade has been dropped. If you're travelling on an AONEx ticket, and want to fly between North - South America, there appears to now be lots of just released availability. Book soon!