Review of American Airlines flight Miami Santiago in Premium Eco

Airline American Airlines
Flight AA957
Class Premium Eco
Seat --
Aircraft Boeing 787-8
Flight time 08:00
Take-off 23 Oct 22, 23:25
Arrival at 24 Oct 22, 08:25
AA   #69 out of 96 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 591 reviews
KévinDC
By SILVER 2082
Published on 23rd December 2022

introduction


Hello and welcome to the second leg in this series of Flight-Reviews.

For years, Chile had been on the top of my travel bucket list and prominent Flight-Report member Pilpintu's beautiful Flight-Reports have always been an inspiration. However, the pandemic had other plans! As the Covid-era restricted us to travel between our two homes in Europe and the US for several years, this trip to Chile would mark our first trip outside of those two continents since 2020. 

We booked in Premium Economy on AA metal as we had applied AA systemwide upgrade certificates to the long-haul flights and figured that we'd still be comfortable in Premium Economy if the upgrades to Business didn't clear. 


routing



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transit & lounge


Having arrived a bit ahead of schedule from LAX, we had about 3 hours to kill before our next flight. 


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We made our way on the intra-terminal train to the other side of the D concourse to head to the American Flagship Lounge. 


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Similarly to LAX, the Flagship Lounge and regular Admirals Clubs are located on the same level. Reception agents upstairs then guide passengers to the appropriate entrance.


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Unlike the other Flagship Lounges I'd visited this year in Chicago and Los Angeles, there isn't a champagne station as you entire this lounge (it's towards the center of the space), but it's very spacious and elegant like the others. It appeared to be exactly the same as my last visit here in 2018



A wide selection of wines, liquors, and spirits


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And plentiful champagne. 


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Food options were once again above average by US lounge standards, with plenty of fresh items and hot dishes. Also noteworthy, the menu was different from the LAX Flagship Lounge with more Latin flavours here in MIA, naturally. 



With about an hour left before boarding, we headed to the "Plane Fun" children's play area so our 3-year-old could run around and play for a bit before our 8-hour redeye to Chile. 

The play area is in Concourse E, easily reachable from Concourse D, where the majority of AA flights are located. 



boarding


It was about a 5 minute walk from the play area in Concourse E to our Gate D37 in Concourse D. Boarding had begun early and was already underway when we arrived at the gate, so we were able to board right away through the priority lane being in Group 1. 

Unsurprisingly,  the upgrades to Business hadn't cleared. With only 25 seats total in Business class, upgrades are tough to come by on American's 787-8s. 


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Luckily, for the long-haul sectors, I had been able to grab seats in the coveted first row. As mentioned in the previous review, seats in the bulkhead row of Premium Economy have much more space in front and have full legrests. Seats in standard rows have foot rests only. 


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On the 787 fleet, Premium Economy seats are laid out in a spacious 2-3-2 configuration. Standard rows have 38" of seat pitch (again, much more in the first row) and a seat width of 19.5 inches between armrests, very similar to AA's Domestic First class cabins, which are also outfitted with the same Collins MiQ seat model. 

You can't beat the spaciousness of the bulkhead row.  


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Upon boarding, each seat in the Premium Economy cabin had a large pillow and quilt, an amenity kit (with the standard toothbrush set, socks, and eye mask), noise cancelling headphones, and a bottle of water. 


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the flight


Boarding wrapped up on time and we pushed back from the gate just about on time. 


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The safety video played as the aircraft taxied to the departure runway. 


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After a short taxi time, we were off over the shining lights of Miami. 


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it'll be a quick 7.5h flight down to Santiago tonight. Flight times like this to deep South America are what make MIA an ideal hub for traffic between North America and South America. 


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Let's have a look at the in-flight entertainment.


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As always, there is a ton of content including movies, TV series, Children's programming, audio content, and games. With an interface in about a dozen languages and as many dubbed versions of films and series, there's something for everyone. As my son doesn't yet speak English, I'm always thankful to have a lot of content in French for him. 



Wi-Fi prices on this 8h flight are exactly the same as those on our 4.5h transcon domestic flight–certainly a much better value on this long-haul flight. 


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Dinner service began about 45 minutes into the flight. My son was served his child meal first. Not only was the portion huge for a 3-year-old, which is not surprising, but nothing about it was particularly appealing to children. It just looked like a regular adult meal. At least British Airways and Iberia, with whom I fly more often on long-hauls, try to make child meals more appealing for kids with fun deserts and more bite-sized finger foods that are easier to eat. 

Nothing about a messy ricotta cannelloni dish with salad and a cheese plate screams child meal to me. That's a fine meal for an adult, but not a 3-year-old! I honestly think they forgot to load a child meal and just gave him the vegetarian option trying to pass it off as a CHML. 


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As for the almost-smaller adult meal, I had some sort of pasta mushroom and beef strogonoff dish. It was fine–nothing fancy, but tasty. Meals in long-haul Premium Economy are very similar to meals in Domestic First class and short-haul Business class. 


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Lights in the cabin were turned off shortly after the meal service. Here's what it looks like when the legrest is fully raised and extended. It doesn't go very high, but it makes a big difference in comfort for sleeping on night flights just to have legs elevated and supported. 


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I managed a few hours of OK sleep, though my son who is a little too used to flying Business class, didn't understand (or like)  that the seat didn't go fully flat🤣 
So he slept much of the night leaning on my arm, so my left arm was fully asleep by morning, hah. 

I woke up for good once I saw the sunrise peaking through the black shaded windows.   


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Breakfast was served about an hour and a half before landing. There was a hot option, but I wasn't hungry so just had the fresh fruit plate. 


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Almost there!


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As we got closer to landing and more passengers in the cabin began waking up, I progressively unshaded the windows to reveal glorious mountain views in the early morning light! 


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Of course, I'd intentionally selected seats on the left side of the aircraft knowing that there'd be views of the Andes if the weather was clear. 


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arrival


We landed some 20 minutes ahead of schedule on a beautiful bright spring morning. 


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Interesting to see a 737 Classic! This particular 737-200 is a retired SKY Airline 737-200


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Last view of the Premium Economy cabin on deplaning. 


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Our aircraft as seen from the terminal. 


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And what a beautiful terminal it is! Santiago's new International Terminal 2, which only just opened in February of 2022, is a gorgeous marvel of modern engineering.


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Despite what looked to be a long queue for immigration, it moved quickly and we were through in about 15 minutes. 

As I'd booked these tickets back in March, I'd intentionally built in a long layover in SCL as Covid tests on arrival were required for all international arrivals at that time. I wanted to make sure to have enough time to receive results before being allowed to board a domestic flight within Chile, so I'd booked a LATAM flight for later that afternoon.

With Covid tests on arrival no longer required, we had plenty of time so we headed to Holiday Inn, which was on airport grounds across from Domestic Terminal 1 (previously the only terminal).

It was a quick and pleasant walk from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 on a warm and sunny morning.


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We were able to book a day room for $130 including breakfast, which sounded great after a night flight and about 20 hours of travelling up to that point. We had a pleasant few hours' stay in a very comfortable room and were able to re-charge, relax, and catch up on sleep before our third and last flight of the day!


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See more

Verdict

American Airlines

8.0/10
Cabin8.5
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi8.5
Meal/catering7.0

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

8.4/10
Comfort8.5
Meal/catering8.5
Entertainment/wifi8.0
Services8.5

Miami - MIA

7.8/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.5
Services8.0
Cleanliness8.0

Santiago - SCL

8.4/10
Efficiency8.0
Access8.0
Services8.5
Cleanliness9.0

Conclusion

I've always been a fan of Premium Economy in general--more comfort at a good value. Though not all airlines' Premium Economy products are created equal, the seats themselves tend to offer a similar amount of space between different carriers. Premium Economy offers a good compromise for those who want extra space and an upgraded in-flight experience for a more reasonable fare difference than Business class. American's Premium Economy product is relatively new, having rolled out just in the past 5 years or so, but it's been a consistently good value, in my experience. And based on what I've seen on United and Delta Premium Economy experience laterly, it seems AA have maintained a quality product in Premium Economy since the pandemic, while DL and UA have cut costs, offering less differentiation with standard Economy service. Having flown AA Premium Economy both pre and post-Covid, my experience is that the service is generally unchanged from pre-Covid times. Meals are a nice upgrade over Economy and similar to Domestic First class, much like the seats. One thing I wish would change is the use of plastic cups--but it's a minor detail. All in all a very solid long-haul Premium Economy experience with American Airlines.

Related

8 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 617484 by
    BravoAlphaTango BRONZE 54 Comments
    Thanks for this FR! AA’s premium economy product looks solid, especially in the first row! I’m still amazed that Air France is serving the same economy meal with wooden cutlery and the infamous paper bag for breakfast when AA gives an almost business class worthy presentation! Come on AF, it’s time to look at your premium economy product and completely up your game! I hope you enjoy Chile, I sure did when I made a quick visit there!
    • Comment 617591 by
      KévinDC TEAM SILVER AUTHOR 6668 Comments
      Hi, thank you for your comments!

      I’m still amazed that Air France is serving the same economy meal with wooden cutlery and the infamous paper bag for breakfast when AA gives an almost business class worthy presentation!

      It is a shame! I'd flown AF Premium Economy many times years ago and it seems they always struggled to properly differentiate the catering from Economy--so it was an issue even well before the pandemic. Delta is the same way, they've stopped differentiating W and Y catering since the pandemic. Meanwhile I'd flown AA W in the thick of the pandemic (Nov-2020) and the product was essentially the same as it was pre-pandemic.

      I hope you enjoy Chile, I sure did when I made a quick visit there!

      It was fantastic, thank you! I will have tourism bonuses in upcoming domestic Chile reports.

      Thanks for stopping by!
  • Comment 617493 by
    NGO85 SILVER 1963 Comments
    Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing Part 2!

    the "Plane Fun" children's play area

    Fortunately, these are becoming commonplace in most airports.

    I had been able to grab seats in the coveted first row

    Bulkhead legroom is good, but no cutouts since the The lavatories are located just in front of W? These seats are no different than what you’d get in J on CM/AV narrow bodies into South America so definitely not a good non-Y option given the price point. Interesting that they use the domestic J amenity kit for long-haul W (or vise versa^^).

    just gave him the vegetarian option trying to pass it off as a CHML.

    That definitely does not look like a children’s meal, but maybe giving cheese pieces with uncored apple slices in place of dessert counts in their minds?^^ I would have to say the “kid’s” meal looks better than yours. No aperitif service was done due to late departure time? The pre-arrival fruit plate looks straight out of J, so at least they don’t resort to Y catering for 2nd meal like UA.

    Interesting to see a 737 Classic!

    WN continues to populate the world with these relics.

    about 20 hours of travelling up to that point

    That’s why I asked about LA, 9h direct from LAX would have taken some of the pain out..

    Beautiful arrival photos into SCL, unfortunately with the 787 windows, you never really get clean shots, always have some filtering effect. A design flaw they never anticipated with that technology.

    Happy Holidays!
    • Comment 617592 by
      KévinDC TEAM SILVER AUTHOR 6668 Comments
      Thanks for your comments!

      Fortunately, these are becoming commonplace in most airports.

      Yes, thank goodness! Children's Play areas in airports are a life saver with little kids. It's always a good idea to tire them out before a flight and to let them stretch and play after a long flight. MAD T4 is my favourite for this with play areas every few hundred feet in the departures concourses and even in the baggage claim areas!

      Bulkhead legroom is good, but no cutouts since the The lavatories are located just in front of W?

      No need for cutouts because the wall is so far away. With legs fully stretched I couldn't reach the bulkhead. Much more space than domestic F first row.

      I would have to say the “kid’s” meal looks better than yours. No aperitif service was done due to late departure time?

      Hah it did...and that's weirdly common IME. They did do a drink service before meals, but I wouldn't call it an aperitif service since that was basically the drink for the meal. Though they did do drink runs again halfway through the meal. I assume this was due to the late departure time, as I recall having proper pre-meal drinks with snack (a true aperitif service) on day flights over the last few years.

      The pre-arrival fruit plate looks straight out of J, so at least they don’t resort to Y catering for 2nd meal like UA.

      Yes, exactly, AA keep W catering consistent for all meals. Whereas many carriers are doing same as Y for 2nd meal...and in DL's case same as Y for both meals--though I think this is about to change.

      WN continues to populate the world with these relics.

      It's pretty amazing...these ex-WN 737s are on basically every inhabited continent. I know there are quite a few with Eastern European charter airlines.

      That’s why I asked about LA, 9h direct from LAX would have taken some of the pain out..

      Yeah, but then we would have been in Y and no mileage earnings. I do hope AA bring back LAX-SCL, which I believe they flew pre-pandemic.

      Beautiful arrival photos into SCL, unfortunately with the 787 windows, you never really get clean shots, always have some filtering effect.

      Yeah 787s and A380s are both difficult for aerial photography. That and having to fight with newer iphones not to auto-focus on a tiny piece of ice or scratch on a window.

      Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!
  • Comment 617496 by
    Pilpintu TEAM 997 Comments
    Concourse D, where the majority of AA flights are located.

    Best idea ever: listing flights by alphabetical order, not by departure time! (I had not seen/noted this before!)

    Flight times like this to deep South America are what make MIA an ideal hub

    Only 7.5 hours? Hm! What's the weather like in Miami this time of year? (kidding)

    Nothing about a messy ricotta cannelloni dish with salad and a cheese plate screams child meal to me.

    Of course it doesn't look like a child's meal. Where's the wine?? Hahah Are you sure you didn't scramble the photos? The bow tie pasta and the dessert look much more like a child's meal than AA's child's meal!

    mountain views in the early morning light!

    Those would be the valles transversales in the Norte Chico, between La Serena and Santiago.

    This particular 737-200 is a retired SKY Airline 737-200

    CC-ABD was in Mineral Airways - a subsidiary of Aerovías DAP - which mainly transports (or transportED?) staff to the mines in the north of the country and was active not long ago. But I see that the airline's name has been erased now.

    a gorgeous marvel of modern engineering.

    At last! This is the first time I see the arrivals section of SCL, and it looks... well... you have the expert's eye. I only see... tubes!! Not very welcoming!

    Despite what looked to be a long queue for immigration, it moved quickly

    That's one good thing about SCL. I have never been stuck in a queue for too long there. Except one time going to Brazil when there were really many people traveling... but that was an exception.

    I've always been a fan of Premium Economy

    And I think I'm becoming one, too. This report was really eye opening. I am very impressed. I checked the prices for a random SCL - MIA flight on AA's W and it's so convenient that even I - always traveling on a budget - would seriously consider it as an option. The difference in price with J is abysmal!

    Thanks for sharing! I remember that this day - while you where sleeping at the hotel - I was discovering I had covid. Wahahah. Ahh... memories.
    • Comment 617595 by
      KévinDC TEAM SILVER AUTHOR 6668 Comments
      Hola, thanks for your comments!

      Best idea ever: listing flights by alphabetical order, not by departure time! (I had not seen/noted this before!)

      Yep, several US airports do it this way. It's really helpful when there are so many flights with the same carrier in a Hub airport.

      The bow tie pasta and the dessert look much more like a child's meal than AA's child's meal!

      Haha it really did. Except the dessert was a tiramisu and I didn't figure that out until I let the kid eat half of it! And then I realised there was coffee in it!

      Those would be the valles transversales in the Norte Chico, between La Serena and Santiago.

      Thanks! Of course you would know 😉

      CC-ABD was in Mineral Airways - a subsidiary of Aerovías DAP - which mainly transports (or transportED?) staff to the mines in the north of the country and was active not long ago.

      Yeah I did see it was with Mineral. Not sure why it's being stored on the tarmac like that. Maybe they plan on re-activating it at some point, but that'd be surprising given its age.

      I only see... tubes!! Not very welcoming!

      Hah, I found it to be impressive. All the white columns and huge glass walls made it feel very light-filled and futuristic to me.

      I am very impressed. I checked the prices for a random SCL - MIA flight on AA's W and it's so convenient that even I - always traveling on a budget - would seriously consider it as an option. The difference in price with J is abysmal!

      AA's W is often priced very reasonably in my experience and is worth it in my opinion. It's nothing fancy as you can see, but it's so much more comfortable than Economy on long-hauls and the improved catering is an added bonus, as well as additional baggage allowance. I always forget to mention that because I have status and get that anyway.

      I remember that this day - while you where sleeping at the hotel - I was discovering I had covid. Wahahah. Ahh... memories.

      Bad timing, but glad we still got to see you socially distantly 😁

      Thanks!!
  • Comment 618568 by
    ChrisB GOLD 3391 Comments
    Hi Kevin! Thanks for the report and happy new year to you and your family my friend!
    So nice this route to Chile, I loved visiting the country and still very much like Pipintu's FR (altho i also like Argentina but don't tell Nelson ahah)
    Funny you had to go to Miami, i was expecting you to go through closer AA hubs like Dallas or maybe LA?
    there isn't a champagne station as you entire this lounge

    Utterly inacceptable ahah
    But the lounge looks great, and even if it was the same in 2018, it still does.
    No luck for the upgrade but as you said yourself, there aren't much seats on the 787-8 anyway.
    The seats are pretty decent for Premium eco and you are fitht the first raw makes it look like even more appealing.
    I have never quite paid attention you are right it doesn't scream child menu
    Yours on the opposite looks yummy
    My god your pictures during the approach and landing are just stunning!
    I've always been a fan of Premium Economy

    I actually never tried, the ones we have in europe are a bit meh but you report makes me want to try it
    • Comment 618582 by
      KévinDC TEAM SILVER AUTHOR 6668 Comments
      Hey Chris, Happy New Year to you as well!

      Funny you had to go to Miami, i was expecting you to go through closer AA hubs like Dallas or maybe LA?

      Didn't have much choice as to connecting hub. I flew from LAX (1st FR is LAX-MIA), but AA haven't flown LAX-SCL in years and only fly to SCL from JFK,DFW,MIA currently, and JFK,DFW aren't even daily service, only MIA is daily. DFW-SCL wasn't operating the day I needed so flying through MIA was the fastest routing (though not ideal).

      My god your pictures during the approach and landing are just stunning!

      Thanks, though I don't like the tint that the 787 windows add to the pics

      I actually never tried, the ones we have in europe are a bit meh but you report makes me want to try it

      AF keep changing the W product and degrading it, and LH isn't great either. BA is generally decent with the most comfortable seats in my experience, and VS is also quite nice in W. AA has the best and most consistent W product of the US3 IMO. I really hate flying long-haul Y so when J prices are too crazy, I'm glad that most airlines have a Premium Economy product now as a nice alternative.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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