Review of American Airlines flight from Rio De Janeiro to New York in Business

AA - American Airlines

Flight taken on 07 September 2015

AA 974

Rio De Janeiro New York

GIG

JFK

21:00 10h 07m 06:07

Model Boeing 777-200

Class Business

Seat 5L

Hi and welcome to the return portion of my AA series. Here is my schedule:
SFO-MIA in F – http://flight-report.com/en/report-11520.html
MIA-GIG in J – http://flight-report.com/en/report-11541.html
GIG-JFK in J – you are here
JFK-LAX in J – http://flight-report.com/en/report-11630.html
LAX-SFO in F – http://flight-report.com/en/report-11655.html
My flight was scheduled to leave at 21:00 but I decided to leave for the airport at 13:00 with plenty of time. I took the airport bus located about 2 blocks from my hotel and the ride cost less than USD 5 or EUR 4.40 one way. The bus was almost empty and it made a stop at SDU airport while passing Centro on its way to GIG.

A view of some rough neighborhoods before arriving at the airport.

AA operates out of T2 at the end of the terminal. For such a beautiful city I thought that the airport did not do it any justice. Aesthetically GIG looks more like a functional warehouse than a fitting airport from one of the most famous cities in the world. Come to think of it, is there an airport in Latin America that can be compared to the likes of HKG, SFO or MUC among others? Nevertheless, not everything is lost. GRU and LIM have made major improvements to their facilities and it would be great to see more to come. Now that GIG is managed by Changi one can only hope.

The warehouse ceiling.

AA counter.

The counter will not be opened until 16:15, so I walked around and did some spotting, although there was not much to see.

After check-in, I passed through security and immigration. I then made my way to the Admirals Club which was located inside the Sala VIP. At the entrance, the receptionist greets me and directs me to my left. From what I have read, the Admirals Club used to be RG's F lounge.

Inside the agent checks my boarding pass and welcomes me. At this time the lounge is almost empty with just a couple of people, but that will change later as more people come in as we get closer to the departure of the MIA and JFK flights. There is a good spread of snacks and some hot food items along with soup.

The buffet area.

Chicken pockets, cannelloni of cheese and ham in white sauce, and broccoli quiches.

Alcoholic beverages.

Dessert.

My snack.

Ending with a glass of Amarula on the rocks.

I went to the WC and the sink did not have any water. I informed the receptionist and it was resolved later.

Afterwards I decided to take a shower before the flight and was directed outside of the lounge. The showers were located between the AA and GOL club behind the main desk at the entrance of the Sala VIP. Remember that once you enter the Sala VIP and you stand in front of the reception desk, the AA club is on the left and the GOL one on the right.
The showers were functional and that was it.

When I finished, I returned to the AA lounge but it was so crowded that I decided to leave and go wait at the gates.

Eventually it was time to board with priority given to those who qualified.
At the door, I was greeted by a smiling FA and greeted by another one by the galley as I looked for my seat. It seemed that the crew on this flight was friendlier and more approachable than the last one.
A duvet, pillow, amenity kit, menu and bottle of water were in each seat.

Slippers provided this time.

Menu.

Big screen and some mood lighting.

Pre-dept. drinks.

Once everyone boarded we pushed back.

Dinner service began with linen placed on the table followed by hot towels.

Warm nuts with tomato juice.

Small appetizer once again with salad and main dish all served at the same time.

Didn'"/>

I had the Grand Marnier fruit salad with sorbet.

After the meal service I saw The Age of Adaline and then visited the galley where the buffet was set. There was a nice assortment of snacks and I was impressed by how nicely presented and varied it was. Kudos to AA for this aspect of their inflight service.

My selection which I brought to my seat.

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As we got closer to JFK, the breakfast service started. It was average and boring.

Mood lighting before arrival.

We arrived into JFK a few minutes earlier and had to wait inside the plane since Immigration was not opened until 06:00.
BONUS
During my stay in Rio I booked a room at Hotel 1900 which is a very nice boutique property located in the Catete neighborhood.
I loved the stylish design, hardwood floors and friendly staff. This hotel is considered among the top 25 in Rio per Tripadvisor.com. The rate includes a free buffet breakfast and late dinner soup (a very rare perk) every day. On the cons side, the wall can be thin and my room was right above reception by the stairs, so I could hear their phones ringing. Also, the breakfast room is small with about 7-8 table so it can get crowded.
The rate that I paid was USD 44 or EUR 38.82 a night which makes it quite a bargain.

Mitsuo Japinha
Japanese cuisine in Brazil has been adapted to its host country and for those expecting authenticity it might be hard to find unless you specifically look for it. Japanese-Brazilian food is characterized by the incorporation of local cream cheese and the addition to fruits, especially mango. Personally I enjoyed this new variation.

Fila (salmon, cream cheese roll fried in panko)

Mango sashimi (mango, tuna, salmon, cucumber rolls)

Harumaki of guava with cheese.

Tacacá do Norte
This is a very small establishment specializing in Amazonian cuisine. The most popular item is shrimp soup served with jambu leaves, a local veggie that slightly numbs your mouth. The soup also has a glob of transparent slime that is a by-product of tapioca which adds an interesting texture. A few drops of local hot sauce and you are all set. I found the broth interestingly addictive but the shrimps were salty.

Adega Portugália
Popular Portuguese restaurant in Largo do Machado. I started with a caldo verde followed by a hearty bacalhau à Gomes de Sá which is cooked with potatoes and onions. GFood was satisfying but service was indifferent.

Cafe Lamas
This restaurant is the oldest in Rio and a tradition for many. It was a meeting place for intellectuals and the Brazilian Communist Party in the past and today it welcomes travelers that are eager to get a feel for this historic landmark. This place is old school with waiters wearing bow ties and serving you with a polite disposition.
I arrived here just as they were about to open with the staff eating in one of the back rooms. I came here to try beef tongue in Madeira sauce over mashed potatoes, which was the highlight of my gastronomical experience in the city. I was presented with a dish that was sublime with very tender pieces of tongue accompanied by a robust sauce that was perfectly paired with a rich and creamy base of mashed potatoes.

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Product ratings

Airline

American Airlines 8.4

Cabin9.0 / 10
Cabin crew9.0 / 10
Entertainment/wifi9.0 / 10
Meal/catering6.5 / 10

Lounge

American Airlines Admirals Club7.8

Comfort8.0 / 10
Meal/catering8.0 / 10
Entertainment/wifi7.0 / 10
Services8.0 / 10

Departure airport

Rio De Janeiro - GIG7.6

Efficiency8.5 / 10
Access7.5 / 10
Services6.5 / 10
Cleanliness8.0 / 10

Arrival Airport

New York - JFK8.5

Efficiency8.5 / 10
Access8.5 / 10
Services8.5 / 10
Cleanliness8.5 / 10

Conclusion

An average flight on AA with a friendly crew that made the long trip a bit more tolerable.

Catering continues to disappoint with the small appetizer and everything delivered in one tray with the exception of the dessert. The between snack buffet is a nice feature that offers a good assortment of choices and in that aspect it is above what most competitors offer.

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Comments (14)

jules67500 2015-09-13 15:07:50

Thanks for sharing !

I really think that airports could be better in South America.

The lounge is correct, but could be better. As it's an AA lounge, I wouldn't expect anything more ;)

The cabin is really great but the reverse seats are not my trip ^^. At least, you have the choice ! The window seats on BA's CW are only reverses...

Catering is the only thing that disappoints.

Very nice bonus !

@+

jetsetpanda 2015-09-14 00:59:42

Thank you Jules for your comments.

As it's an AA lounge, I wouldn't expect anything more ;)

- If you manage your expectations correctly you won't be disappointed. ;)

The cabin is really great but the reverse seats are not my trip

- I share the same feeling.

Glad you enjoyed the bonus.

KévinDC 2015-09-13 23:00:21

Oh good, this flight is much better than the one on the way over. So there's some good, and some not so good here...

The lounge seems decent with a good variety of food offering, but you can tell it's too small for more than one flight's worth of premium passengers. You mention the MIA and JFK flights, but doesn't the DFW flight also leave around the same time? Plus isn't there also an LAX flight?

Yes, you're appetizer is small, but it's still bigger than my 3 tiny pieces of zucchini and you had the luxiry of having meat in yours! haha

I really don't get this whole deal with having all the appetizer and main dish on the same tray--again, it's so tacky and cafeteria-y. Plus the departure time was 2100, so it's not like it's super late, so there's no excuse. AA is big in South America and enjoys a good reputation there...are they trying to ruin it or what??

The bar is certainly one of the most premium aspects of AA Business. It is well stocked and there is a good variety to chose from. AA gets an AA+ for this!

Thanks for another beautiful report!

jetsetpanda 2015-09-14 01:07:25

You mention the MIA and JFK flights, but doesn't the DFW flight also leave around the same time? Plus isn't there also an LAX flight?

- I believe the only destinations out of GIG on AA are JFK and MIA. There is LAX-GRU and DFW-GRU. The LAX-GRU segment is operated with the old 3 class cabin.

AA is big in South America and enjoys a good reputation there...are they trying to ruin it or what??

- If you don't have much competition I guess you can sit on your laurels.

The bar is certainly one of the most premium aspects of AA Business. It is well stocked and there is a good variety to chose from. AA gets an AA+ for this!

- An A for effort, but the rest of the catering needs work.

Thanks for stopping Kevin.

lagentsecret 2015-09-14 00:58:51

Thanks for sharing this FR

The lounge food is not appealing at all : the UA lounge food in GRU was much better

On board always a good hard product and for once a good crew

The catering offer looks like always the same and it's like canteen's food to my eyes (for the quality and the all on the same tray) :(

Nice food bonus (I'm not surprised) but you didn't try a churrasco restaurant ?

See you soon for your next leg

jetsetpanda 2015-09-14 02:05:17

the UA lounge food in GRU was much better

- I don't doubt that. Who would have guessed that UA would be better than AA?

The catering offer looks like always the same and it's like canteen's food to my eyes (for the quality and the all on the same tray) :(

- Very disappointing indeed. It was not the best in the first place, and now it's gotten worse.

... but you didn't try a churrasco restaurant ?

- I am not that much into beef and when I was young I had my healthy share of churrascos. But you are right, since this is Brazil, it should be de rigueur to try one. Perhaps in a future occasion when I go with someone. ;)

Thanks for stopping Gilbert.

Caribel 2015-09-14 09:30:07

I felt transported to the locale by your photo essay.

Your recommendations are appreciated. It is very insightful of you to notice it is difficult to find restaurants that balance attentive service with sublime meals. Try Eureka!Tereze next time and give me your opinion.

AA used to serve Chateaubriand and seafood on that route. Now that the business travelers are scarce so goes the quality out the door. Airlines go on cost cutting mode the more tourist and reward heavy a route goes.

jetsetpanda 2015-09-15 01:09:42

Try Eureka!Tereze next time and give me your opinion.

- I will keep that in mind. Thanks for the suggestion.

AA used to serve Chateaubriand and seafood on that route.

- Back when RG was still a competitor? I wish they were still around.

Gracias por tus comentarios.

indianocean 2015-09-14 21:49:23

What an amazing lounge compared to US standards. Plenty of food and complimentray beverages

The seat looks comfy but I still don't get the reason why some seats have to be reverse.

Pre-dept. drinks.-->why the hell are they always served in plastic glasses?

I don't know if you noticed but I think there's something wrong with the linen on the table ;-)

The hot towel is definitely a mistake.

Your entree looks appalling.

The snacks served at the bar/galley look more attractive to me.

Really nice food bonus. You know how to live, don't you?

Thank you for sharing Adan.

jetsetpanda 2015-09-15 01:27:57

Plenty of food and complimentray beverages

- But not so top per 007. :P

I still don't get the reason why some seats have to be reverse.

- Perhaps to be able to fit more seats without sacrificing direct aisle access.

why the hell are they always served in plastic glasses?

- Looks very cheap, but maybe less glassware equals to less weight which translates into saving more money.

I don't know if you noticed but I think there's something wrong with the linen on the table ;-)

- Like an adult wearing baby's diapers?

Your entree looks appalling.

- Your reassuring remark is greatly appreciated. :P

The snacks served at the bar/galley look more attractive to me.

- Come to think of it, I could have skipped dinner and just had a light dinner from the buffet.

You know how to live, don't you?

- I take that as a great compliment from someone who flies SQ F as a full revenue and stays at the Savoy. ;)

Thank you as always for your support Bernard.

SMilano 2015-09-17 13:55:27

Thanks for sharing Adan!

The lounge looks great than the US standard but still under a good J lounge.

The seat looks good, wich version is it? A old, old new or new new ? ^^ I feel lost with all the AA cabin ^^

The meals is really average, as Indianocean, the buffet looks better than the dinner.

Nice food bonus :)

See you to the next leg

jetsetpanda 2015-09-19 07:34:27

The seat looks good, wich version is it? A old, old new or new new ? ^^ I feel lost with all the AA cabin ^^

- These seats look like those used on the 787 so I guess they are the newest ones. It's hard to keep track of all the different types of seats on AA.

The meals is really average

- I think the quality has gone down compared to previous years.

Nice food bonus :)

- Glad you liked it. Brazil is a fascinating place in some many ways.

Thanks for your comments Sebastien.

NGO85 2015-09-19 04:06:38

Thank you for another delicious report Adan!

The warehouse ceiling.

- It has that Costco feel, I like it.

The furniture in the lounge looks a bit dated. At least the paintings on the walls in the lounge add some local feel to the space and draw your eyes away from the rest of the lounge's lack of aesthetics. The food offering doesn't look bad for AA standards (all things are relative, right?).

The showers were functional and that was it.

- Sometimes that is all we need :)

Slippers provided this time.

- They have my approval. I am a huge slippers advocate and am always disappointed when carriers don't have them, especially Asian carriers...

Dinner service began with linen placed on the table followed by hot towels.

- That linen is a little conservative on the sizing... are you sure it wasn't a napkin?

The overflowing small salad bowl and the empty appetizer plate, a match made in heaven. The single tray does irk me for a main meal. If they do a single tray for the smaller meal, that's fine, but not both. To be honest, I couldn't identify your main from the picture and that is probably not a good thing...

The galley spread reminds me a lot of CA, they also did a nice job laying stuff out. Some carriers like EY and CX that I've been on recently essentially require you to use the call button to get anything in between meals since it is all on a menu. It's sometimes nicer just to do it yourself.

Breakfast is breakfast, never going to be impressive.

had to wait inside the plane since Immigration was not opened until 06:00.

- Welcome to America! That is pretty ridiculous. I was actually kind of surprised on my last trip to see all the stores open past 1am in BOS to accommodate the late-night international departures.

Not a bad deal on the hotel. For that rate, why not? Great food bonus at the end, as always. Mmm, transparent slime, my favorite. The Brazil/Japan situation is a little weird. I don't think the Japanese that returned to Japan after the war were welcomed back so warmly. There are actually small areas of Nagoya that still speak Portuguese.

jetsetpanda 2015-09-19 07:55:04

The furniture in the lounge looks a bit dated.

- Very conservative in my opinion. Food of course is more generous than what one finds in the U.S., but nothing really substantial, just finger food except for the soup.

They have my approval. I am a huge slippers advocate

- I think you have been Japanized. :P

..are you sure it wasn't a napkin?

- Yep, there was no hole. ;) That linen is pitiful. Why even bother?

To be honest, I couldn't identify your main from the picture and that is probably not a good thing...

- You thought I had two appetizers? :P Honestly I could have made myself something more appealing from the buffet. That coq au vin used to be served by AA before the merger, but it had chicken parts, not pieces thrown in. Another cost cutting update from the new AA.

Some carriers like EY and CX that I've been on recently essentially require you to use the call button to get anything in between meals since it is all on a menu. It's sometimes nicer just to do it yourself.

- They offer less choices that way, don't they?

Welcome to America! That is pretty ridiculous.

- I agree. Thankfully I had plenty of time to connect.

Mmm, transparent slime, my favorite.

- I'm sure you have encountered more exotic fares in Japan. ;)

I don't think the Japanese that returned to Japan after the war were welcomed back so warmly. There are actually small areas of Nagoya that still speak Portuguese.

- That's pretty interesting. This is not something that pertains to Japanese only.

Thanks for your visit Michael.