American Airlines Promotional Visit To Sydney
American Airlines will be resuming services to Australia next month, after a gap of 23 years, with the first service departing Los Angeles on 17th December 2015. Today's one off service into Sydney from Hong Kong was a promotional event, allowing American to showcase the two week old Boeing B777-300ER (77W) configured with their latest First, Business, Main Cabin Extra, and Economy cabin product. N734AR operated the service today, and will depart late in the evening back to Hong Kong. With American Airlines replacing some of the Qantas services on the Sydney-Los Angeles route, Qantas now has the aircraft to re-enter the Sydney to San Francisco market.
Boeing B777-300ER N734AR overflying the field at low level, before turning right and tracking along the harbour and out the heads
N734AR touched down on Sydney's Runway 34L
N734AR then vacated Runway 34L on the Alpha 2 Rapid
N734AR taxiing on Alpha to the Alpha 1 Holding Point, then crossed Runway 16R for Qantas Hangar 96 - the American and Qantas tails will now work even closer together
The American Airlines crew pose on the rear stairs
The B777-300ER (77W) is a very long aircraft, only just fitting in the Qantas A380 Hangar, with little or no room at either end
N734AR is fitted with the GE90-115B engine delivering between 110,000 and 115,000 lbs of thrust
The massive size of the GE90-115B engine can be seen here, an overall diameter of 135 inches (fan 128 inches), against me at 72 inches tall. Another interesting comparison is against the Boeing 737 fuselage, where the internal cabin diameter is 139.2 inches, only 4 inches more than the GE90-115B
The tail on the new American livery is very impressive, and more so here on this brand new aircraft
The Red, White and Blue of the American Airlines tail, and the exhaust from the APU, which provides ground power to the aircraft for airconditioning and engine start etc.
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker addresses the Media, talking about their strong partnership with Qantas, their plans for the Pacific, and their latest cabin product
Alan Joyce and Doug Parker field questions from Channel 7's Damien Smith and the gathered Media
After the formal speeches were delivered, the Media was invited on-board N734AR to inspect the aircraft. The American Airlines Boeing B777-300ER (77W) seating configuration is for 8 First, 52 Business, 30 Main Cabin Extra, and 220 Economy. Qantas Engineering staff told me that they have the contract to maintain the B777-300ER during the Sydney turnaround, and a number of Qantas Engineers have been specifically trained on the aircraft type for this purpose. Ground handling etc are with other contractors
The cockpit has two Jump Seats behind the First Officer, the right one having a display screen and control panel
In the Flagship First Class Cabin, the Cabin Crew had prepared sample meals, demonstrating the suite configuration for meal service. The First Class product includes :
- Complimentary pajamas and turndown service
- Direct aisle access at every seat
- International Wi-Fi capability
- AC power outlets and USB ports at every seat
- Bose® QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones for use in flight
- Walk-up bar stocked with snacks and refreshments – a first for any U.S. carrier
- Enhanced complimentary food and beverage options including increased menu selections
- Amenity kits filled with rejuvenating skincare products
- Next generation of Flagship suite, with seats that transform into fully lie-flat 82in/208cm lounge position and drop-down armrests
- A 17-inch touchscreen monitor that offers on-demand entertainment with up to 250 movies, 130 TV shows, 18 radio channels and 380 albums
The First Class seat reclines to an 82 inch lie-flat bed with the arm rests retracted. Laid out are the complimentary pajamas, slippers and amenity kit
Business Class Seating
- Fully lie-flat seats with adjustable seat back, head rest, and leg rest and more
- Direct aisle access at every seat
- International Wi-Fi capability
- AC power outlets and USB ports at every seat
- Bose® QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones for use in flight
- Walk-up bar stocked with snacks and refreshments – a first for any U.S. carrier
- Enhanced complimentary food and beverage options including increased menu selections
- Amenity kits filled with rejuvenating skincare products
- A 15.4 inch touch screen monitor that offers on-demand entertainment with up to 250 movies, 130 TV shows, 18 radio channels and 380 albums
The Main Business Class cabin looking aft
The First and Business Class Walk-up bar is located between the forward and aft Business Cabins, and is stocked with snacks, refreshments, and a large flatscreen monitor
The rear Economy Cabin looking aft
The Main Cabin Extra seating is a separate section at the front of the forward Economy Cabin, and has up to 6 inches more legroom. Main Cabin Extra also offers Group 1 boarding, so you can be among the first to board and store your bag, and when you reach your destination, an earlier exit off of the plane. AAdvantage Gold and oneworld Ruby members may purchase Main Cabin Extra seats for 50% off, or enjoy complimentary access to available seats within 24 hours of departure.
Economy Galley located between the forward and aft Economy cabins - I spoke with a number of the AA Crew, and they are all very excited about coming to Sydney
Aft Economy Galley located just behind the port and starboard rear doors
The huge triple bogey main undercarriage on the Boeing B777-300ER (77W)
The new American livery is very impressive up close, with the faux-silver fuselage and US flag motif tail. The previous red, white and blue "AA" logo was created by Massimo Vignelli in 1967
Full information about the First, Business, Main Cabin Extra, and Economy product can be viewed at American Airlines and flight bookings for this new service can be made at American Airlines
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