Airline review: American Airlines, Boeing 777-200 economy class, Buenos Aires to New York City

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Airline review: American Airlines, Boeing 777-200 economy class, Buenos Aires to New York City

By Kristie Kellahan
Updated
American Airlines' Boeing 777 offers seatback screens in economy class.

American Airlines' Boeing 777 offers seatback screens in economy class.

THE FLIGHT

American Airlines, flight AA954 Buenos Aires (EZE) to New York (JFK); Boeing 777-200 in economy ("Main Cabin) class, seat 37D (aisle). Scheduled flight time is 10 hours and 30 minutes but we depart eight minutes early and land 30 minutes early. AA flies this route daily, departing Buenos Aires at 11.30pm.

THE LOYALTY SCHEME

There are 146 Main Cabin standard seats in a 3-4-3 configuration, though at the rear of the plane this tapers to 2-4-2.

There are 146 Main Cabin standard seats in a 3-4-3 configuration, though at the rear of the plane this tapers to 2-4-2.Credit: Dallas Kilponen

AAdvantage, where members earn points on American, oneworld and other participating airlines and business partners.

CARBON EMISSIONS

1.4 tonnes for one Main Cabin passenger flying Buenos Aires to New York City. American Airlines partners with carbon reduction non-profit Cool Effect to offset emissions. See cooleffect.org/american-airlines

CHECKING IN

It takes me an hour by taxi from the Recoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires to reach Ezeiza International Airport (officially known as Ministro Pistarini International Airport). At American Airlines check-in counters I drop off my bag and collect a boarding pass in under five minutes. The line for security scanning and passport control is agonisingly long and slow-moving. It's another 90 minutes before I reach the air-side duty-free shops and gates. As the flight is US-bound, there's a second check of carry-on bags at the gate. Passengers may not bring water nor any liquids over 100ml onboard, even if they've purchased them air-side. Many people are not happy when their wine, dulce de leche and olive oil purchased minutes ago is confiscated.

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THE SEAT

There are 146 Main Cabin standard seats in a 3-4-3 configuration. I'm in one of the last four rows, where the configuration changes to 2-4-2 with more space in the aisles. Seats are 17.1 to 18.1 inches (43.5-46 cm) wide with 31 to 32 inch (78.7-81.3 cm) pitch. Free headsets, plus a USB charger and power outlet are suppled, as is a standard blanket and pillow. The seat isn't more comfortable or spacious than you'd normally find in long-haul economy class, but the late-night departure and dimmed cabin lights create the right conditions for a restful sleep.

BAGGAGE

The first checked bag up to 23 kilograms is complimentary when flying between the US and Argentina. Main Cabin passengers may take one carry-on bag and a personal item into the cabin. It's a completely full flight, with an option to check carry-on bags at no cost.

ENTERTAINMENT

Seatback touchscreens show movies, TV series and themed collections ("For the Soccer Fan", for example). There's seat-to-seat chat function, flight info, video games and kids' section. Wi-Fi is available for purchase.

SERVICE

The American crew members appear relaxed as they serve dinner and prepare the cabin for lights-out. A male attendant says he's been with the airline for more than 30 years.

FOOD

Dinner is served two hours into the flight at 1.30am, an unusual time to eat. The choice is beef or pasta. I ask how the beef is served. "I think it has a sauce on it? Go with that, the pasta is pretty uninspiring," is the reply. After eating the beef, I'm not sure I could describe it any better. I think it had creamed corn on it? Also on the tray: a bread roll and butter, side salad, crackers and cream cheese, caramel cake, water. The generous pours of red and white wine are more like doubles. Pretzels and water are available in the galley throughout the flight. An hour before landing, breakfast packs are handed out containing a cereal bar and turkey-and-cheese croissant.

ONE MORE THING

Immigration and Customs at JFK is a breeze for this Sunday morning arrival. I'm in an Uber within 20 minutes of landing. And I declined, but during online check-in, I was given the option to pay for an upgrade to Main Cabin Extra for between $US161 and $US210 ($A235-$A310) or Main Cabin Preferred ($US125).

VERDICT

Almost six hours of sleep on a red-eye flight? Doesn't get much better in economy.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

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