LATAM 8004

Good day, and welcome to another flight review. Today I will summarize my visit to the Espaco Banco Safra lounge at GRU and LATAM flight 8004 to Lima, Peru.

Today’s journey commenced more than 24-hours ago when I took a short hop from Washington to JFK before embarking on a Brazil-bound flight. While my time in Brazil was short, I indulged in tantalizing local cuisines. Now, before boarding another international flight, let's check out the lounge for a delectable midnight snack.

Espaco Banco Safra lounge awaits airside in terminal 3, nestled above the bustling duty-free shopping area. Accessible through my Priority Pass, this spacious lounge pleasantly surprised me. Although the bar area lacked staff at the time, wines were readily available. The seating areas offered diversity, each with its unique style. However, a slight downside was the scarcity of power ports or USB plugs. Alas, my quest for a USB port to charge devices went in vain, leaving me disheartened as an unprepared traveler without an international power adaptor.

With 15 minutes until boarding, I decided to get up and take another walk through the terminal before finding my seat. Tonight’s aircraft is an Airbus A320 that will take us out of Brazil over the majestic Andes to Lima, Peru. This 5-hour journey covered a distance of 3,477 km. 

Upon boarding, I was greeted not only by friendly flight attendants but also by a display of awards LATAM had received in recent years adorning the bulkhead divider. Stepping into the main aisle, I caught my first glimpse of a South American "business class" on a narrow-body aircraft. Much like business class products in European flights, the premium cabin followed a 3-3 configuration with the middle seats blocked in the first three rows. Although I didn't personally test them, the pillow and blanket atop these seats appeared more substantial than those in economy. 

Following the business class cabin, there were two rows of LATAM+ seats offering extra legroom, followed by the remainder of the cabin. Lucky me, I managed to secure an exit row seat. As my seat partner kindly pointed out, the major downside of exit row seats is the inability to store bags under the seat in front. However, this wasn’t a concern for me on this flight, as I was hoping to catch some sleep and relish the ample leg and knee space provided for someone of my stature--standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches.

For years, I've pondered why new aircraft continue to carry no-smoking signs. To my surprise, this was the first aircraft where the no-smoking sign had been replaced with a no large electronic device sign. Though aviation cabin experiences often lag behind in terms of technology, it was refreshing to witness modern implementations.

The boarding process, given the time of day, turned out surprisingly smooth. Doors were closed, and we departed on time, veering off from runway 9L and setting a course westward towards Peru. Our cruising altitude varied between 32,000, 36,000, and 34,000 feet as we journeyed over the Andes.

About two hours into the flight, Mother Nature called and I tested out the lav. Unexpectedly, the cabin was engulfed in darkness during my bathroom visit. Having flown red-eye flights mostly within the US or on international long-haul journeys, I hadn't paid attention to the lighting before. However, as I emerged from my seat and glanced towards the rear, I was startled to find only flickering wingtip strobes and a faint light in the aft galley illuminating the space. While this dimness may aid sleep, it raises safety concerns as I shouldn't have to rely on my phone's light to navigate the plane's sole aisle. Once I reached the aft lav, I found it was very tight and basic, with everything you’d expect; it was well-stocked, clean, and the soap was particularly nice. Of note, only two lavatories exist on this particular LATAM A320 layout, meaning you better be ready to hold it and pray an inconvenient incontinence emergency does not occur.

The engine's melodic whine in harmonization with the stunning sunrise woke me from my modest two hours of sleep. Amidst this spectacle, I couldn't help but gaze out the window trying to spot Nevada Auzangate, towering at almost 21,000 feet. Although I couldn't capture its true beauty firsthand, I hope you can appreciate the breathtaking view from 34,000 feet.

As we descended below the clouds, the Peruvian coastal landscape gradually unfolded. Welcome to Jorge Chavez International Airport serving the Lima metropolitan area–a bustling hub with approximately 200 daily scheduled flights. Lima provides direct connections to Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the USA, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. While the airport may appear slightly outdated, the presence of cranes and skeletal buildings signals ongoing work to rectify this. Excitingly, a new terminal is slated for completion by January 2025.

Overall, the flight itself didn't offer much in terms of in-flight service, given the early departure. However, the few interactions I had with the flight attendants left me impressed by their friendly and professional demeanor. The seat, benefiting from the extra legroom, proved comfortable, albeit a bit cooler due to its proximity to the emergency exit. I appreciated the provided pillow and blanket, reminiscent of the once-standard amenities in the United States. Additionally, I tested the air using my AtmoTube Pro on this flight. As expected, the air was quite dry dropping to just under 10% as we reached cruising altitude. However, and to my satisfaction, the air quality proved excellent, with the airborne particle count impressively low. 

To gain a comprehensive understanding of how LATAM's product stacks up against competitors, a return trip to South America during regular travel hours seems necessary. But, until then, thanks for watching. C’ya