The “New” American to Europe: American Airlines Business Class New York to London

Thanks for the report, Lucky, looks like AA has a winner, I agree having tried CX new J in Asia, it's a great seat.

I'm looking at a trip next year SFO-BHX (Birmingham) either booking UA F and hoping to get LH last minute via FRA or MUC, or maybe try new AA first or biz thru LAX to LHR and bus to Birmingham.

How likely is it AA will keep current new config of 777-300 on the LAX-LHR route for next year?

Also, I've never done a switch from a booked award on UA metal to LH F last minute, can it be done online or do you have to call in? And have you noticed F availability on LH SFO-FRA or MUC drying up recently even looking only two weeks out?

Thanks a lot!

I've been on American's business class to London and I have to agree with your assessment. The food has definitely improved and the seats are comfortable. I too wouldn't have minded an extra hour or two to sleep!

Looks like AA made the right choice to go with CX's customized design using the Cirrus seats. The version that Delta and US Airways has is the same that EVA Air is having installed on their 777-300ER fleet as well. It seems that their version is a tiny bit different with slightly less storage. Speaking of which, Lucky any plans to try out China Airlines and or Eva Air? The former has a first class product and it seems the latter has a decent business class product too.

How do you think these seats compare to JAL's new skysuite business class seats?

@ Dan -- Ultimately it's anyone's guess, though I'd say there's a very good chance they'll keep the 77W on the LAX route once the service starts.

Lufthansa is indeed getting much stingier with releasing first class award space even closer to departure. Space out of SFO is especially tough, possibly the toughest of anywhere in North America. You have a much better chance of finding Lufthansa first class if you're willing to connect elsewhere in the US.

I generally think trip reports are the garbage content of the points and miles world but I really enjoy yours.

@ wctl -- I'm working on trying Eva's new business class, though not sure about China Airlines. Would like to do China Southern and Air China's new first class first, since they have great products from the looks of it.

@ Chris -- I haven't flown them yet, though I think those that Japan Airlines have are probably the second best option after reverse herringbone. The downside of those seats is that they don't have quite as much personal space and don't all have direct aisle access.

Sorry if this has been asked before, but have you heard anything on the timeline for reconfiguring the 777-200s to the new biz class?

@ Andrew B -- I believe they're not supposed to start till some point next year, unfortunately.

What was the rude crew member thinking? You were clearly a blogger/media personality getting an tour of the plane pre-boarding. I really question her thought process. If a flight attendant can't be polite to a blogger who is obviously going to write about the flight, maybe AA needs to evaluate whether she is in the right job.

Why does AA invest in new planes, new technology, new seats but still insists to not learn from Cathay, Singapore or Emirates on how to treat customers well. If you read other bloggers that also tried the AA new 777 to London and Sao Paulo most of them share the same impression: flight attendants were rude, service in first and business class was done in a hurry so they could get over it and food and wine selection was not up to what one would expect for a business or first class ticket that can cost over $10K. I guess they could have a partnership with Cathay (since they are both One World) and have some of their flight attendants to spend some time in Hong Kong to learn how to treat customers well.

I spoke with some FA's on the old 777s on my recent LAX-LHR flight and they all said the same thing: They HATED the 77s. Too narrow aisles, bad configuration, etc.

The issue, of course, is that if their clients love the plane, maybe they should just grim and bear it and treat them well.

My only question is did your laptop survive that rather precarious looking perch? Mine would have been on the floor for sure.

From my recollection, AA has not announced the seats of its (far in the) future refurb of the 777(-200) fleet. One hopes that they would use these seats, but AA has a history of eating is interior dollars for minimal immediate savings (see massive investment in already obsolete slanted lie flat seats in 2006).

From what I gather AA ended up with these seats because it started getting unplanned-for 77W as a result of the severe delays on its order of 789s, and had to make a seating decision very fast. Thankfully they opted not to go slanted and of the available of the shelf options the CX version of the Cirrus seat seat won out. AA *not* being able to design is own seat like in 2006 was a blessing. Unfortunately this lucky confluence of events will not be in place when they refit (if they do it) the 777s and the 763s.

@ hillrider -- American has confirmed to me that these are the same seats they'll have on the 777-200s.

Ugh. Granola bars and Kellogs cereal. You get that at a Motel 6. Seems a little tacky for Business Class.

The new JL business seats do all have direct aisle access. I've traveled in them so I should know.

Ben,

Great report, as I was reading this I was thinking, how does this compare to BA FIRST, then I saw your thoughts at the bottom of your post. So, all things considered would you recommend this over BA FIRST and Club World. What are the pros and cons of each?

Cheers!

That breakfast menu cracks me up. Express breakfast they just remove the yogurt/cereal? How long does it take the crew to prepare and the passenger to eat those? lol

@ DJ -- I think BA first class still has the slight edge. The food is marginally better, the wine/booze definitely better, and service should also be better. I do find the seat slightly more comfortable as well in terms of width, though the storage in the American seat is better. So I'd say that BA first is still a bit better all around, but not by much.

We usually fly peasant class, but we flew Executive Class on an Air Canada to and from Toronto - Tokyo. I think our experience was similar to yours -- minus the rude flight attendants.
http://www.boomeresque.com/o-business-class/

Personally, storage space is one of the things that I find makes a huge difference. Part of what makes AA's F product so nice (besides the huge amount of space) is that you can keep a carry-on bag under the ottoman to have immediate access while seated. I still don't understand why BA's F is so poor in this area. Regarding the new AA J seats, having flown them on CX, there is *some* storage but not as much as there should be, and I wouldn't call it an "abundance." It's also worth noting that there is some under-seat space (not usable for take-off and landing) at the window seats but not the center seats.

Regarding the new JL J seats, I haven't experienced them yet, but from their web page, they look quite good, with all-aisle access, plenty of privacy, and what appears to be a retractible partition between seats (as on BA J) to allow for people traveling together. See the JL web site about the new seats at http://www.jal.co.jp/en/newsky/ss7/business/seat/

@Lucky -- when is the rest of the trip report coming? You did promise it would be with us by (last) week's end!

@ Bill -- Sorry, have had a crazy week. Next installment is coming today. Sorry about that!

Lucky,
How does these new AA business seats compare with their First class seats?

@ Dave Op -- You're talking about their old first class seat, right? I'd say the new business class seat is more private and has a much better entertainment selection than the old first class seat, but the old first class seat still has a lot more personal space.

Thanks for the great review. I agree 100% that the seats are amazing, having tried the comparable offering on CX. For the business traveler, the most important thing is to get some sleep before going to meetings upon arrival in London, and I think this product is really the right choice. I will give AA a second look on future travel.

I love the amount of detail you go into in your reviews, right from the granola bars to the pictures of your approach... these reviews are just brilliant :D.

@ Sunil -- Thanks!

AA is one of those airlines I don't touch even with a 100 feet pole. FAs are more often than not rude and/or don't give a crap. They just across as hating their job; they couldnt be bothered with their passengers. Makes Air Koryo look like a premium airline. Of course there is always that one ( or two) that makes the difference between a lousy flight and a pleasant enjoyable one. But overall, IMO, just not worth the kind of $ for their premium product. Yah seats similar to CX. But unquestionably CX soft product is better by a long shot. So what if you have new seats and a new paint job if your service sucks; you are nothing more than a fourth rate transport pretending to be a "big" league. BA for me for transatlantic.

How did you like the mini-J cabin vs. the larger cabin in the back? I have read that some have complained about a ventilation unit being loud above the mini-cabin. Did you experience that?

@ Peter -- Didn't experience any noise related to the ventilation unit. Far preferred the mini cabin for the added privacy and more exclusive feeling of the cabin.

@ Lucky - Did you make a formal/written complaint about that rude FA to AA's CEO or something?

P.S. I certainly would have - after the flight though, otherwise, that rude FA might simply consider me as a terrorist threat and call Homeland Security instead of regular police!

is the 777200 the regular 777 that we all know so well? With the flat but not horizontal business seat?
I really hope that it's true as I love the 777 and as sick of trying to book the right flights, to get the right planes…
Really looking forward to the new AA airbus transcon, hope I get the upgrade next week!

@ dana -- Yep, the 777-200 is the most common longhaul plane they have and has the angled flat seats in business class. They should start the retrofits on it soon.

Hi
Great review I’m currently looking at flights JFK-LHR and looking for a comfortable seat for someone who is 6’4. I was looking at PE and Business class. But I’m leaning toward the AA 777-300 ER Business seat (even if the rest of us are in economy or PE). Just curious on your thoughts between AA,BA. and VA? Which do you think would offering the most overall room? Also any recommendations on a specific seat bulkhead,window or aisle? Thanks in advance for any input.

You know I really like this blog but the 6 hour delay sounds anything but fun. As a person who has had only very few opportunities to escape the cattle, delays are the worst. A six hour delay means I'm sitting on a seat with my knees crushed against the seat front while a little kid kicks my back from the seat behind. And we wouldn't be given anything to eat. I mean for crying out loud I'm surprised American anything to eat to Economy. But I enjoy your blog!