Review: American First Class 777-300ER Sydney To Los Angeles

The menus seems to be a lot better than CX first class, except the the caviar.

Wow. Color me impressed.

Lucky, do you happen to know what the timetable is for expanding the service to other routes? I'm flying LHR-LAX in F in November, and I certainly would like to experience the new service!

I wonder if AA has found a way to keep the snarly "I only have this job because the union protects me" FAs off this route. That's one of the biggest problems I have with AA. One crew can be amazing, the next can have a bad apple (or a bunch) and be terrible. I've found DL to be much more consistently good.

The worst FAs inevitably have the most seniority, so they can outbid everyone else, get into the smaller FC cabin, and then do as little as possible.

@ hsw25 -- Unfortunately they haven't yet shared a timeline for when the service will be expanded. If I find out more I'll be sure to post.

hard product is still just plain bad compared to other airlines offering F these days. and the spirits selection looks dreadful compared to everyone but perhaps China Southern; dewars white label and jack daniels...yuck. titos, bacardi, etc. but weaknesses aside, it's nice to see how far american has come on some of the softer touches and catering. cool review.

It looks good, a very much improved soft product, shame about the hard product though. Thanks the write up.

Ben, was this a revenue flight upgrade with SWU or an award flight? I would like to know since I would like to know which is the preferred method to book this flight?
Great article. So impressed about this review.

@ Benlampoo -- It was an award flight booked last minute for 72,500 miles one-way.

Nice review!

Ben: I'll be flying this flight in the other direction in September. You mentioned receiving an email before departure to see if you had any needs etc - is the same kind of service offered for an outbound flight?

And, on another note - is the Qantas signature steak sandwich (which I've been reading so much about!) available when flying J on QF?

At last, an American carrier who makes some effort to appear that it gives a shit when customers are paying gobs of money for a premium product.

LAXHKG will also see this improved service when it launches, but there is no timeline for other routes, if they receive it all.

This enhanced service rolled out to the DFW-HKG route in June.
http://aacdn.s3.amazonaws.com/galleys/fc_hkg_lun-din-brn_cyc3_wb_july_20160628092913.pdf

I was under the impression that all 77W flights are getting the enhanced service, but wanted to roll it out on the LAX-SYD flights first. Just to clarify, only on long haul international flights on the 77W will you see this service. My only complaint about the Suits on the 77W in F is the space, not much place to place the bedding and other items.

I had the reverse flight from LAX to SYD on AA 73 in early Feb. and my impression of the hard and soft products surprised me too. But in the end, it was the soft product (a great crew led by Bertie) that sold me. It was a great start for my Aussie and Europe trip.

I don't fly AA often (mostly on award tickets), but I noticed that AA FAs don't have a good attitude towards premium passengers. Recently I flew US-China back and forth in AA business, with my family. AA FAs (from US) were quite senior and their service was a disaster (one of such FAs did serve my wife's isle). On the other hand, my isle on both flights was served by Chinese FAs, who were quite attentive. At the end, when FAs tried to collect their Bose headphone, there was a small delay with finding my wife's headphones, and I would see on that senior FA's face that a minute longer and she would accuse us in stealing it.

On the other hand, we recently flew in coach on Delta to Carribean, and even in coach, Delta FAs were amazing - attentive, cheering and helpful. One of them were also senior lady, but her attitude towards passengers was amazing.

Lucky,

I was confused by one thing and I have a question about something else:

The confusion: Naum's email confirms that your seat selection is 2D and yet you say that you selected 1A and that Ford was in 1J. Did you change your seat selection or did Naum get it wrong?

The question: There's a comment above from bob trial which mentioned the spirits selection. I understand that AA has added Woodford Reserve. Is that correct and is it available in business class?

Thanks

@ Brian -- I decided to change seat assignments a day before departure. We initially reserved seats together in the center section, but last minute decided we both preferred windows.

And if I'm not mistaken they do have Woodford Reserve in both first & business, though I'm not a bourbon drinker. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

@ Tony -- Agreed, I believe that's correct, though long term only the 777-300ERs will have first class seats anyway, so there aren't other planes it could be expanded to.

@ Alex -- I wasn't aware, that's very cool. Thanks!

I'll take the cheaper headphones on other airlines any day over being harangued to hand over their "fancy" headphones 45 minutes before landing while I'm trying to finish my movie. I find it insulting that they're so afraid of me stealing them or else just plain lazy that they'll have to work an extra five to ten minutes after the plane lands.

@ Susan -- The steak sandwich sure is available in business as well. As far as the pre-flight service goes, I'm not sure. I suspect it might just be ex-Sydney, as they seem to have hired a team for that specifically. Wouldn't count on it in LA, but you never know.

I had the same flight (and exactly same seat, 1A) from SYD to LAX on AA 72 - June 8th, I was blown away by their hard and soft products. I thought they did offer better than what Qantas offered on the San Francisco-Sydney flight. I would do it again!

Dewars and Jack. For a $12,000 ticket they can't offer any better booze than what they're serving in economy?

Do you see United and Delta overhauling service on this route to compete?

There are not many international city pairings I don't believe where all of the US Big Three compete head to head...but I wonder what those examples suggest...?

I'd always take a qantas flight over an American flight. Far too many racists on American Airlines

It says your seat allocation of 2d is confirmed but you ended up in 1a?

@ CM -- We changed our seats about a day out, deciding we preferred window seats. 🙂

Glad AA offer the same Pepe Saya butter that QF have in F and J. Small thing but it is truly amazing butter and far from cheap.

Lucky, how were you able to find seats for 72.5k? Everything I am seeing is 80k for biz and 110+ for first from SYD-LAX, even for today and tomorrow?
I get the points back after redemption part, but I am not seeing that price anywhere.

Thanks

@ Matt -- American devalued their award chart on March 22, and I traveled before then, when they still had the old award costs.

@Lucky, didn't even think to look at the dates. Makes sense, thanks!

Another great report...thank you! I did want to also let you know that I did see both you and Ford during this trip (at the Park Hyatt having lunch/dinner). I really wanted to say hello but do value your privacy (and my kids didn't want me to embarrass them ;-)). Anyway, I always enjoy your reports and wish you continued success on your blog. I know I have benefitted so much from what you do.

I did this flight 6 weeks ago...was very impressed with the service....The WiFi...was the best...The comfort and service was excellent...I really enjoy all your reviews and look forward to reading them.

Ha Ha...that's the same amenity kit they give out in Business Class when the plane continues on from LAX to MIA!

I like that AA flies the plane onto MIA. It's really a nice flight on new equipment!!!

@ Zangief66 -- Please say hi next time! Thanks for reading and for the support!

Love your reviews and glad that you had a good experience on American. However, when are they going to get rid of those threadbare hot towels? The photo you showed looks like a used dishcloth. It looks disgusting, especially when you compare it to the towels used by the Asian airlines. I know this seems picky, but it's noticeable. And people who fly those routes regularly talk about it.

I just flew DF-HKG first class and had the same service. Way better than previous service and on par with Cathay and Quantas first service. FA's were very nice and helpful as well

One negative change for AA business is that they have really devalued the mid flight snack bar. Only a cheese plate desert and prepacked snacks now instead of the decent spread before.

seems exceptional for an American Airlines flight
If they keep their service like that, than I do see the reason why AA kept its first class

I'm a bit surprised ... I'd rate Qantas as having significantly better hard product and slightly better soft product as well. That said ... I would fly AA again too ... Just for the wifi. If you want 14 hours of torture with crap hard and soft product and horrendous service between Melbourne and LAX just fly Uniteds biz class in their 787.

Ken Chase is asleep at the switch on the wine descriptions. The Alvear 1927 Pedro Ximenez is not Touriga Nacional, it's...Pedro Ximenez. Embarrassing.

Wifi aside, why don't you love Qantas? I flew QF First a year or two ago and as far as I can tell the suites are better looking, more spacious, and with much nicer bedding than the AA 77W. Not to mention the fact that the food was delicious and the wine/spirits selection was SPECTACULAR on QF. And the fact that when the crew noticed me exploring they invited me to visit the cockpit after the flight, where I spend 10 minutes in hysterics as the Aussie pilots cracked jokes non-stop and lived up to every Australian stereotype I could think of. Great times!

Anyway I remember you mentioning in past QF reviews that you weren't that stoked about the service/experience, so am just curious why 🙂 thanks for the great review, hoping the new AA service concept is on the LAX-LHR route in August when I fly!

I am sitting here and wondering how you managed to make me want to try AA again after 10 years. I used to avoid AA like the plague. However, they may just be a manageable airline to fly based on this post (for overseas flights - domestic is still junk I'm sure).

Thanks for the review.

Love the idea of being able to select the sides to g with the main. So many times there is a main that sounds nice, but comes with sides I don't enjoy.

I just flew a 757 TATL (SNN-PHL) It had the Cole Haan amenity kits, which I didn't think were any big improvement. And whoever chose that hideous teal/aqua color should be fired. But it was the most up to date thing on the flight. My own fault for flying a 757 TATL Its like time traveling to 1985. 🙂

No GS champagne on AA 100 today...instead they are serving Lanson Gold...

Any American flights that serve GS? Flew JFK-LHR, LHR-JFK, LAX-SYD and JFK-GRU recently and no GS champagne.

To me Naum is a figment of imagination. I flew first class SYD-LAX in early July. No greeting at airport. Went to an annex where they had one line for first class, business class and high frequent flyers. Took over 30 minutes to check in which made me too late to qualify for a booking in the QF spa. There was no help pre-booking a place.

Checked the seat plan day before and only two seats booked in first class. When boarded it was full. Interesting thing was the other seats were filled by people under 30. How could they afford it? Found out it was staff. So if there were only two paid people in first class, where was Naum?

Trying it again next week. Let's see how it goes. Will Naum re-appear?