In the interest of full disclosure, I was a guest of American Airlines on the flights between London and Seattle (via New York), though all opinions expressed are my own.
My morning started early in Amsterdam, where I got to the airport about an hour before departure. Check-in was quick and by the time I got through security it was already time for boarding.
Amsterdam terminal
The sun rose as we pushed back and we had to be de-iced, though it was an efficient process and we even managed to arrive early. There are only two things worth noting about the flight.
Sunrise as we pushed back
Club Europe cabin
The first is that as usual, British Airways’ regional hot breakfast is horrible. I mean, it’s completely unnecessary to serve a hot meal on a 40 minute flight, though if you’re going to, I don’t think it’s possible to serve a more disgusting egg dish than what British Airways has. I also don’t know where they get their sausages — they’re the size of regional jets.
“Breakfast”
The only other thing worth noting is that while most of the passengers in the cabin seemed to be Dutch, I got seated right in front of two Americans. The guy seemed to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity, and he was traveling with his assistant. Holy cow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard the “f” word used as often in 45 minutes. “That f&*#ing a@$hole has an ego the size of f@#$ing Antarctica… and so do I,” he said. So I was excited when I could finally get off the plane.
I spent my layover at the British Airways Galleries First lounge, which I won’t review since I reviewed it on my prior trip. At around 11:30AM I headed to the departure gate for my flight to New York, which was a 10 minute walk away.
Walkway to gate
There was a long queue to get into the gate area, and since I wasn’t originating in London I had to be sent to a separate queue to be asked some “security questions,” as is the norm. Fortunately it didn’t take very long, though I always have a hard time keeping a straight face.
Beauty!
The night before the flight I noticed business class was almost completely empty while coach seemed full, and there must have been at least 20 operational upgrades to business class on this flight. As I entered the gate both the passenger in front of and behind me were handed new boarding passes for business class. I didn’t see the status of the guy behind me, though the lady in front of me was an AAdvantage Gold.
At around 12PM boarding was announced.
American 139
London (LHR) – New York (JFK)
Thursday, March 21
Depart: 12:35PM
Arrive: 4:40PM
Duration: 8hr5min
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 4J (Business Class)
Once aboard I turned left into the mini cabin, where I was seated in 4J, a window seat in the second row of business class.
Business class mini cabin
As I said on the outbound, the cabin is simply stunning. I love the colors, design, and of course most importantly seat comfort.
My seat, 4J
My seat, 4J
My seat, 4J
Seat controls
At my seat were a pillow, blanket, and amenity kit.
Pillow and blanket
Unlike on the outbound, the flight attendant working my aisle was excellent. She was friendly, constantly smiling, and actually seemed to be happy and proud to be working a brand new aircraft. She came around the cabin with a tray of drinks, and I selected water.
Pre-departure water
Shortly thereafter she distributed menus and landing forms.
Menu
Shortly before pushback the captain came on the PA to advise us of our flight time of 7hr15min.
We pushed back right on time and had a fairly quick taxi to runway 9R, which took under 10 minutes.
Pushing back
Double Qantas trouble
Terminal five aircraft
Amazingly there was only one aircraft ahead of us for takeoff, so we were airborne in no time.
Taking off
View after takeoff
View on climb out
As soon as we passed through 10,000 feet I turned on the in-flight Wi-Fi, which was free at the time.
Airshow
As soon as we leveled off the meal service began, starting with drinks and hot nuts. I of course ordered a Diet Coke with lime.
Diet Coke with lime and hot nuts
The lunch menu read as follows:
The wine and beverage list was the same as on the outbound.
The first course consisted of tandoori shrimp with curry sauce and lentil salad, as well as a salad. The shrimp were excellent.
Starter
For the main course I ordered the grilled citrus halibut. While the fish wasn’t as moist as on the outbound, I really enjoyed the “lime vegetable medley” that came with it.
Grilled citrus halibut
For dessert I had, well, do I really have to say?
Ice cream sundae
After lunch I decided to recline my seat into the flat position and see if I could sleep. Even though the aircraft has an improved entertainment system as well, isn’t the real benefit of the new cabin the fully flat bed? Sure enough I slept for about 4.5 hours, and woke up about an hour out of New York as they were serving the pre-arrival meal. The menu read as follows:
I ordered the pizza. It was surprisingly good (as they’re usually pretty bad in my experience), as was the sticky toffee cake.
Pre-arrival meal
View on approach
Taxiing to terminal eight
Thanks to the short flight time we landed in New York about 30 minutes early and had a quick taxi to the gate. Immigration was quick as always thanks to Global Entry, and I headed to the Flagship Lounge before my connection to Seattle.
On the whole American’s new business class is a winner. The food isn’t amazing and the service is hit-or-miss, but at the end of the day business class is about the seat more than anything else, in my opinion. And the seat offered by American on the 777-300ERs (as well as those offered on certain aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific, Delta, and US Airways) is simply the best business class seat in the industry, bar none.
Stay tuned, because up next is Cathay Pacific, the St. Regis Singapore, the Conrad Koh Samui, the flight from hell, and more!
@ Daniel -- Have flown in 4J several times now and have never had an issue. Highly recommend it.
Hey Lucky - did you find that 4J was at all problematic given the proximity to the galley and lavs...seatguru doesn't like it much.
I have a flight in a few days from LAX to LHR and was just curious. Thanks!
Lol, never dicuss the taste of someone...
The Club Europe breakfast, you hate so much, is one of the reasons why I like the early morning flights from Berlin to London so much. I just love the English breakfast of BA...
@ Peter -- Hah, no doubt it's all relative. I don't think any airplane fish is good compared to what you can find in Seattle, but when the alternative is a bland chicken, beef, or pasta dish, I still think it's the best option.
With all the superb fresh fish offerings in Seattle, I'm surprised airline fish entrees (even in F) are capturing your attention. If you have time next time you're in Boston, I'll treat at one of our finer seafood establishments!
@ wctl -- I actually prefer the color scheme of American to Cathay Pacific. Not a huge fan of Cathay Pacific's "green" cabins. Then again, the food, service, and entertainment are superior on Cathay Pacific.
Thanks for another great report Lucky! Between CX business and AA business, which one do you think has a better color scheme and overall cabin ambiance?
Oops found my answer on your post from March 20th. And I see you say about the same thing -- since when I fly F, the service and the food are a big part of the value proposition along with the seat and AA cannot guarantee these (which makes me feel ripped off), this biz class is def a winner.
FINALLY BEN'S TRIP REPORTS ARE BACK!
Ben, is AA's new biz class installed in aircraft that also feature F? If so, is it the "flagship F seat" that has existed for a while?
I'm asking because in an airline where service can be truly awful at times even in F, I would hardly ever pay more points or money for F if I can get that great a biz class experience.
@lucky, don't you have to turn off all electronics when *taking off*? :p
The meal looks quite good to me and presentation is great for business. I agree with you, it is a winner. ( And the galley open bar is great too !)
@ ddrabk -- Whoops, fixed. Thanks!
hello,
Really enjoy your blog.
i believe there is a typo. it is not +1day, its the same day.
Biz class upgrade for Gold status? WOW!!!! I loved last time I was boarding a CX flight from HKG-LAX and when boarding I was handed a first class boarding pass to replace my biz class one. It was a great surprise!!!!
@ Peter -- Hah, thanks. I was a vegetarian for eight years and am finding I'm slowly turning into a quasi-pescatarian. Haven't totally committed to it yet, but am almost always going with the fish option lately.
That cabin looks nice! When I see the menu pic, I try to guess what you'll have for an entree before scrolling down. Lately, I'm way off. Either your palette is getting more refined or you're eating healthier Ben (ice cream sundaes aside). ;-) Looking forward to more nuts and diet cokes soon!