IV. DFW-GRU on AA’s New 777-300ER in FWe boarded and were instantly greeted by AA's (not yet setup) bar for Business and First class passengers in flight.
When I turned left, I was for the first time impressed with the hard product of a United States-based airline:
And here's a picture of the mini-business cabin directly behind first:
But despite being very impressed, at the same time, I was somewhat “disappointed.” Since AA started operating this new long-haul plane, they've been very stingy with first class award space. Not as stingy, of course, as TAM had been historically, but it’s known as being a very difficult product to score even a single first class award, let alone two, as we had done. And I think the reason they released the two seats on this flight was because the flight, as of Sunday, was F7 (which means that they were still selling 7 out of the 8 seats in the cabin). Wide open. After we booked (which again was a mere 24 hours before departure), the number went down to F5, meaning we were going to enjoy the perks that come with flying with a nearly empty cabin. I kept an eye out on the loads throughout the day, and up until we arrived in Dallas, the flight still showed F5.
When we boarded, however, we were surprised to see 7/8 seats occupied. And right before the boarding door closed, the last seat was occupied. Well, there went that.
I suspect no less than 3 of the 5 were non-revs (airline employees), while the balance could have been upgraders.
We were given amenity kits and PJs (which I changed into immediately) and we were soon in the air.
Two gripes: One, the alcohol offerings --
Yeah, whereas other airlines offer 21 year scotch--and more than one type at that--AA was offering... Dewar's. Sheesh.
Two, I found the seat lacked storage space for personal belongings, like a phone, passport, boarding pass, wallet, etc. Literally no real place to put your belongings. A sore oversight in my opinion.
The kosher meal, BBQ chicken nuggets, was among the best meals I’ve had on the plane.
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However, before digging in, I noticed they had Ben and Jerry’s vanilla sundaes for dessert on the regular menu. So in keeping with living dangerously in all things I do, I had asked the FA if I could possibly have dessert before eating my main meal, and oh, to please not tell my wife. He happily obliged and brought me a fudge-less, caramel-less, Ben and Jerry's “sundae” and it was wonderful.
After dinner I wanted to begin writing this trip report, before time got away from me and regular (but obviously dangerous) life resumed. It was then I discovered what I’d say is the coolest feature of this jet: the capability to turn the recliner seat 90 degrees to face the window, and have a desk pop out allowing one to really get some work done, just as he or she would in the office.
[This was taken during the day after landing, to give a better perspective.]
I wrote in earnest until we were over Cancun when the fatigue started to set in. I put my laptop away, and rotated the seat 45 degrees toward the aisle (the seat faces straight for take-off and landing, while reclines fully flat at 45 degrees, and the “desk” option, as mentioned at 90 degrees).
It was then that I noticed where, no matter how nice the hard product, the soft product simply does not stack up to its European and Asian counterparts. Just as I was about ring the call button to request turn down service, I realized that the rest of the cabin had just gone to sleep without such formalities. As I write this now, 37,000 feet over Philly en route back to EWR, I realize now that that MIGHT have been because the majority of the first class cabin was filled with non-revs, and perhaps they don’t get “turn down service” from their colleagues. However, the more I think about it, the more I think that that is not the case: the guy in seat 2A, who I suspect was the only revenue passenger also didn’t get turn down as far as I could tell, plus the blankets and pillow were already sitting on the ottoman upon boarding (as you can see from the pictures I posted above).
In any event, I didn't press the call button, but instead ripped open the bedding. Before sleeping, though, I adjusted the
air nozzles (awesome (!) amenity for those who have ever been too toasty in F at altitude).
Anyway, I was asleep before my head in the pillow, and I slept very comfortably for six hours, until we were about 30 minutes out of Brazil.
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Turns out I missed a perfectly appropriate breakfast of… a deli hero sandwich. Thank you, Gd.
I changed out of my pajamas, and we landed in Brazil a bit early at 9:15 AM or so. Just perfect for our 10:30 flight in back to the US
...little did I know what was waiting for us at the gate.
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