American Airlines 777-200 Business Class Review – New York JFK to Buenos Aires EZE

Our journey through Argentine Patagonia started with a quick stopover in Buenos Aires. With minimal time zone adjustment, jet lag was a non-issue, allowing us to dive headfirst into the excitement. Exploring the vibrant streets, savoring local cuisine, and soaking in the January summer climate set the perfect tone for our adventure. Let’s see what American Airlines had in store for our 11-hour flight from New York John F. Kennedy (JFK) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) airport in their Flagship Business class cabin.

Don't forget to check out our guides to El Chaltén, Calafate, and Ushuaia – the perfect tools to plan your trip to Argentine Patagonia! Wondering about other ways to get to Buenos Aires or Patagonia? Check out our review of American Airlines premium economy on the reverse Buenos Aires EZE to New York JFK route!

Booking

With only a few direct flights (on Delta, American, and Aerolíneas Argentinas) and inflexible dates, we didn’t have a lot of options. Award tickets were priced on the higher side (between 1.1 and 1.5 cents per point depending on cabin) – not an amazing mileage redemption value or use of points. The cost of a non-stop New York to Buenos Aires round trip economy ticket is typically $850-1400. Playing around with multi-cabin itineraries I was able to snag a business class upgrade on the JFK-EZE leg for only $400 more (even less if you normally purchase economy seat selection), which I thought was a great deal.

Points tip! Buying flights with any of the following cards earns 5 transferrable points per dollar spent, each worth about 2 cents per point (that’s 10% back!):

• The Platinum Card from American Express on flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express Travel
• Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred (annual fee only $95!) on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal
• Capital One Venture X Rewards on flights booked through Capital One Travel

Purchases through these cards also come with a mix of trip cancellation, interruption, delay, and/or baggage insurance which have definitely proved useful.

Ground Experience

American Airlines and British Airways offer a co-branded premium check-in area at JFK’s Terminal 8, with expedited security access. It was strangely empty when we arrived, but quite polished, streamlined, and pleasant. Navigating the array of shared lounges is definitely an opportunity for improvement, though.

There are three shared AA/BA lounges:  Greenwich (described as “premium”), Soho (“ultra premium”), and Chelsea (“most exclusive”). Access is based on a complicated mix of factors including flight, cabin, and frequent flier status. I Googled it en route to the airport, but would love for this to be automated. When you check in, the premium check-in area staff should direct you (or provide a card) to the appropriate lounge. That being said, I did appreciate the branding. The three joint American Airlines and British Airways lounges at JFK are named after three neighborhoods that New York and London share (Greenwich, Soho, and Chelsea).

I’d heard mixed reviews of Greenwich lounge, but was great for what it offered. It was a surprisingly chill area to relax before our 11-hour flight, with a decent selection of food and drink. We toasted our departure with a glass of champagne, and I enjoyed a salad and a cookie while we were waiting.

Cabin

This American Airlines Boeing 777-200 was outfitted with Collins Super Diamond seats arranged in two business class cabins (of 21 and 16 seats), separated by a galley and lavatory area. Arranged in an unstaggered 1-2-1 configuration, each seat had direct aisle access and was forward facing. 

My seat was in good condition, spacious, and accompanied by the standard amenities – an amenity kit, bottle of water, menu, pillow and bedding, and headphones (Bang & Olufsen). I grabbed my phone charger, stowed by bag, and settled in.

Dining

The awesome flight attendants were passing through the cabin welcoming passengers and offering a pre-departure beverage. I started off with a glass of champagne….served in a plastic cup. Not a great first impression, American Airlines. I’m never a huge fan of plane food, but the Cajun shrimp starter was a pleasant surprise. Even though the flight attendant steered me away from the fish entrée, the short rib can’t have been much better. 

The highlight was definitely the ice cream sundae. I skipped breakfast to catch a few more winks, and was told I didn’t miss much with the scrambled eggs. I was looking forward to coffee and a chipa in Buenos Aires.

Service

The onboard crew was great – warm, professional, and had character in our interactions. Dinner service was attentive yet well-paced, and flight attendants were checking on fliers throughout the flight. They ensured a pleasant journey throughout, whether offering a nightcap or ensuring to ask whether I wanted to be woken for breakfast.

Tech

I watched Joy Ride during dinner – filthy and hilarious. Highly recommend. Then I fell asleep to some drama set in Tuscany – predictable but the cinematography had me planning my next trip to Italy. Overall the in-flight entertainment provided a wide selection of movies and TV shows to help pass the time. I didn’t use the WiFi. 

Amenity Kit 

Waiting at my seat was an amenity kit designed by Shinola, which American Airlines has had for a few years.  It was complete with the usual essentials – lotion, dental kit, pen, eye mask, socks, and earplugs. I use them if I think I’ll be able to repurpose the bag, otherwise I try to return the kit unopened.  

Lavatory

Found them sparse but relatively clean and stocked whenever used. I know it’s just a pet peeve, but I hate the empty shelves. Fill them with something!

Conclusions

Overall, this American Airlines 777-200 Flagship Business class experience exceeded expectations, with standout features including the ground services, great crew, and spacious seat. Food was hit or miss, although the ice cream sundae almost made up for the main course! For anyone embarking on the 11-hour flight between these two bustling cities, American Airlines business class offers an experience worth considering. 

Don't forget to check out our guides to El Chaltén, Calafate, and Ushuaia – the perfect tools to plan your trip to Argentine Patagonia! Wondering about other ways to get to Buenos Aires or Patagonia? Check out our review of American Airlines premium economy on the reverse Buenos Aires EZE to New York JFK route!