Flying Australians to the US for over 50 years, American Airlines operates a Sydney to Los Angeles route daily and a Brisbane to Dallas route daily between late October and March. Flying business class with American Airlines means enjoying three-course meals and spacious lie-flat beds, making it the best way to travel long-haul, arriving refreshed and ready to begin the day again in the US.
Flight number: AA72
Route: SYD – LAX
Aircraft: BOEING 777-300ER (twin-jet) (B77W)
Class: Business class
Seat: 5G
Duration: 13h 50m
Reviewed by: Lisa Wagstaff
Check-in and boarding
Check-in opens 24 hours prior to departure. At Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, The American Airlines counter is at Island G. As I arrive, I am directed to an e-ticket machine to print my luggage tag. To drop off my bag, there is a queuing area for economy, priority and business.
Sydney Airport has a separate security and border check line for business and first-class passengers, which is short and fast. For my flight, I board in group two, store my bag at the end of the seat and am served a glass of Champagne before takeoff.
The lounge
American Airlines uses the Qantas Lounge at Sydney airport. A spacious lounge with showers, barista coffee, and complimentary copies of Signature Luxury Travel & Style magazine.
At the Admirals Club Lounge at LAX terminal 4, I am greeted with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne and a shower. Both are immensely appreciated after the almost 14-hour flight. A full-service bar is on offer, as well as snacks, including vegetables and hummus, sushi, beef sliders, peri peri chicken and soups.
The cabin
The business class seating configuration is 1-2-1 with overhead storage for each traveller. The Boeing 777-300ER has 52 business class seats as well as eight first class, 28 premium economy and 216 economy seats. American Airlines’ premium cabins are trademarked as Flagship® Business and Flagship® First, offering elevated products and services such as chef-inspired dining, free entertainment, amenity kits, luxurious bedding and paid Wi-Fi.
Read: Seven secret perks of flying in first class or business
The seat
The seat is heaven. I have a 20.5-inch-wide lie-flat bed which I can fully stretch out in. The seat faces inwards from the aisle at a 45-degree angle with electric buttons to lie completely flat, adjust the backrest or elevate the footrest. Beside the seat is a bench with ample space for a water bottle, phone and book. There’s a seatback screen with a remote just beside me and a slide-out tray table. Waiting on the seat when I board is a bag with a cool-touch dual-sided pillow and plush blanket, which I immediately cocoon inside.
Entertainment
Beside my seat is a universal power plug, reclining controls and TV remote. At the release of a button, the TV folds out from the wall with a selection of new releases and classic movies and TV shows, with audio that can be enjoyed through the Bang and Olufsen headphones. The entertainment system also has a separate menu for kids’ movies, shows and audio.
Food + Drink
As I settle in, I see a folded menu waiting on the side table. It has my meal options for lunch and breakfast and snacks throughout the flight. My lunch order is taken before we take off. It’s a three-course meal with a choice of roasted lamb shoulder, duck and pea ragout, tandoori chickpea casserole or ocean tout as the main course. I choose the latter, served with diced tomato vinaigrette and potatoes. To prepare for the meal, a grey placemat is placed on my pull-out table, and the first course is served: two salads, one of baby cos lettuce and another with cheese, watermelon and tomato with a slice of sourdough. Then comes the trout, followed by a cheese plate. Other dessert options include a classic American ice cream sundae or a torta caprese.
Mid-flight snack options are a steak and onion sandwich or a mezze plate. Should you still be hungry, in the galley, there is a basket with gourmet popcorn, tortilla chips, Chocolatier Australia dark chocolate squares and chocolate-coated raspberries.
The internationally curated wine list features Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, Los Vascos Chardonnay from Chile, Fontanafredda Barbera from Italy and Williams & Humbert Sherry from Spain.
An hour before landing, breakfast is set out. The serving begins with a peach smoothie and a hot towel. The main meal is a hot American breakfast with eggs, potato and tomato, paired with a fruit salad, yogurt and croissant.
Amenities
I am provided with a grey Flagship amenity bag with a red strap. The sustainably sourced travel essentials include an eye mask, dental kit made of recycled materials, Joanna Vargas hand lotion, earplugs and Relevant lip balm. I am also provided with two sachets with wipes for the Bang and Olufsen headphones.
Baggage
Business class customers on American Airlines can check two bags up to 32 kilograms each for free. Cabin baggage includes one personal item and one carry-on.
