After flying American Airlines from London to New York on the 777-300ER in business class, we connected from New York to Los Angeles on the 777-200. Again, we had a very positive experience.
American Airlines 777-200 Business Class
The business class seats on the Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 are both reverse herringbone style, but the 777-200 features Rockwell Collins Super Diamond while the 777-300 Safran Cirrus. Practically, the recessed tray table inhibits knee room and the IFE monitor doesn’t swivel, unlike the Safran Cirrus seats. Still, though, it is a great seat and very comfortable for a transcontinental flight.
Dinner choices after takeoff included beef short ribs, Asian-style chicken, salmon, or spinach and ricotta rotolo pasta.
It was nice to have menus again and the burrata cheese appetizer was tasty. Even the bag of pistachios to start was better than a ramekin of almonds and cashews. I ordered salmon and it was delicious. Yes, delicious.
Augustine had the Asian chicken, and I helped him finish it. Also delicious.
Being late in the day, my work was done and I was tired, so I used the flight to sleep. The Casper bedding is great and I managed nearly four hours of sleep after dinner. Although I did not watch any movies on this flight, the in-flight-entertainment library was comprehensive and I love the Bang & Olufsen headphones.
CONCLUSION
There was an upgrade snafu in London with the infant ticket, so my ticket was in economy class…until the very last moment when my complimentary upgrade came through. It was nice to enjoy business class from New York to LA with a lie-flat bed and not have to use a eVIP (systemwide upgrade). Unlike on United Airlines, complimentary upgrades for AAdvantage elite members are available on these routes.
Overall, American Airlines really impressed me on my flights home from London. I do look forward to more AA flights in 2021.
Stay tuned for a full review from this flight with a lot more pictures and commentary. There was another family with young children onboard..and a mask incident.
Just curious: do you ever get any comments/second glances about travelling with a child in a forward cabin? If so, do you respond to them or just let your son’s exemplary behavior prove them wrong?
Not lately. Thankfully, Augustine is now a good boy on planes ans can sit quietly and keep himself entertained.
I was curious about the complimentary upgrades – I always thought you needed a systemwide upgrade or a 500 mile upgrade to go 1 cabin up?
My family and I are BA elite, but I was just curious about AA Long Haul upgrade policy.
It’s only for EXP members (no companions) on domestic flights. My son/wife required a SWU.
Thanks, Matthew. I just realized that this review was for the JFK to LAX portion. For some reason, I thought it was for the LHR to JFK portion, remembering that you were going to do a more in depth review (even though you clearly stated “first impressions” on the title for this review)
If your transcon meals were good, AA has definitely upped its game in that department. The meal I had JFK-LAX in F (granted this was nearly 2 years ago) was nothing short of dreadful. At least I had the chance to stuff myself in the Flagship First dining room (RIP) beforehand, which salvaged the experience.
Honestly, it was far better than the salmon I had in late 2018 on AA (reviewed below). Significantly better.
https://liveandletsfly.com/american-airlines-a321t-business-class-review/
Curious why your SWU from London wouldn’t also cover the JFK-LAX leg, separate ticket?
I had to downgrade from LHR-JFK or be extorted. Problem with infant ticket. My wife and I ended up splitting the time in economy class.
Ah! Looking forward to that story
Not surprised. anything could happen on AA
Seems like pandemic AA has become the pre-pandemic Delta, kudos to maintaining nearly all aspect of service pre-pandemic. Very unusual for a Doug Parker airline.
We missed the ice cream sundaes and cheese course! 😉
You got the good 772 J hard product. There is a second configuration that is much less spacious. Same as on the 788 fleet, expect the ones most recently delivered. To my knowledge, AA has no plans to retrofit the fleet so that there is a consistent J hard product experience. Selecting the 789 is the only way to guarantee AA’s best J class hard product.