LAX-GRU in J
Jul 22, 2007, 9:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,550
LAX-GRU in J
Need to travel LAX-GRU in paid business class next month. Never been to Brazil and there are no nonstop flights. I usually stick with *Alliance.
My options appear to be LAX-ORD/IAD-GRU on UA or LAX-LIM-GRU on LAN Peru. I am leaning towards the LAN option because:
1. The LAN flights are direct with only a stopover in Lima, thus no chance of a misconnect
2. LAX-LIM-GRU on LAN is the shortest route
3. LAN option will mean all flight hours in international business class vs. two United transcon flights in domestic F
4. LAN appears to have mostly converted their 763 fleet to new business class seats and a good chance at old F seats if a non-converted plane
Does anyone know what the midnight stopover in Lima is like? Must we deplane? Passport checks?
I suppose AA/CO/DL are also options, but they appear not to offer any advantages over UA to make it worthwhile to forgo the *Alliance miles.
Thoughts?
My options appear to be LAX-ORD/IAD-GRU on UA or LAX-LIM-GRU on LAN Peru. I am leaning towards the LAN option because:
1. The LAN flights are direct with only a stopover in Lima, thus no chance of a misconnect
2. LAX-LIM-GRU on LAN is the shortest route
3. LAN option will mean all flight hours in international business class vs. two United transcon flights in domestic F
4. LAN appears to have mostly converted their 763 fleet to new business class seats and a good chance at old F seats if a non-converted plane
Does anyone know what the midnight stopover in Lima is like? Must we deplane? Passport checks?
I suppose AA/CO/DL are also options, but they appear not to offer any advantages over UA to make it worthwhile to forgo the *Alliance miles.
Thoughts?
Jul 23, 2007, 2:15 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,550
A potential downside to the LAN route via Lima is that anyone who has visited Peru is required to carry proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination. Seeking clarification if this applies to direct flights with a simple technical stop in Peru.
Jul 30, 2007, 3:53 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,550
I thought I'd post back with comments on my recent LAX-GRU flights on LAN.
1. The "direct" flight marketing is total bs. You deplane in Lima to a bus, go through a long-a$$ secruity line, and then board a different plane to GRU. Thus, a misconnect is entirely possible. This all happens at 12 midnight. Not fun at all.
2. LAN flight boarded via a remote gate from Bradley.
3. LAN gives business passengers an invite to the Bradley first class lounge, not the remote business class lounger.
4. LAN-LIM was a new business class flight. Seat is fully flat and horizontal. Very nice. Only complaint is the same of all airlines putting 2-2-2 configs on 767s -- seat width is tight.
5. LIM-GRU was older business class style seats, but still offered excellent recline. I'd say the pitch was 65". I was in row 1 so I thought I'd be set with either a new business class seat or an old first class seat. But, row 1 was 2-2-2-2.
6. Excellent wine and wine list. Food was food but no menu. I had a peek at the three mains - pasta, tilapia, beef. All looked good. Near F in quality. All crews were brilliant.
7. All considered, LAN is a good choice LAX-GRU. I think the business class seating the whole way is the decisive factor.
1. The "direct" flight marketing is total bs. You deplane in Lima to a bus, go through a long-a$$ secruity line, and then board a different plane to GRU. Thus, a misconnect is entirely possible. This all happens at 12 midnight. Not fun at all.
2. LAN flight boarded via a remote gate from Bradley.
3. LAN gives business passengers an invite to the Bradley first class lounge, not the remote business class lounger.
4. LAN-LIM was a new business class flight. Seat is fully flat and horizontal. Very nice. Only complaint is the same of all airlines putting 2-2-2 configs on 767s -- seat width is tight.
5. LIM-GRU was older business class style seats, but still offered excellent recline. I'd say the pitch was 65". I was in row 1 so I thought I'd be set with either a new business class seat or an old first class seat. But, row 1 was 2-2-2-2.
6. Excellent wine and wine list. Food was food but no menu. I had a peek at the three mains - pasta, tilapia, beef. All looked good. Near F in quality. All crews were brilliant.
7. All considered, LAN is a good choice LAX-GRU. I think the business class seating the whole way is the decisive factor.