A Last Chance To Fly “Private” On Miles…

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Brazilian based TAM airlines is finalizing its phase-out of first class service.
It already eliminated first class from JFK and this is the final week for first class from Miami.

First class continues to be eliminated by airlines as there are fewer people and businesses willing to splurge for it as business class continues to improve. American is removing first class from their 777-200 aircraft. All signs are that United is on the path to totally eliminate international first class. Lufthansa has a really neat first class on their 747-400 aircraft where you get a seat and a separate bed but that’s being phased out as well. Cathay Pacific continues to hack away at routes with first class, eliminating the service to Toronto, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Service from Newark to Hong Kong launched without first class as well.

I flew with my wife and kids on TAM First Class on a 777 from Miami to Sao Paulo last week. The entire first class cabin consists of 4 seats and we were able to redeem miles for all 4 seats. It looks and feels like a living room and it’s the closest I’ve ever felt to flying private.  Curtains close off the galley in front and business class in back to give it a truly private feel.  There are even 2 bathrooms just for the 4 first class seats.  The kosher airline food stunk of course, but they had no problem heating up our double wrapped food from a Miami restaurant.  The bed is very large and comfortable.

Sure, several airlines (Singapore, China Eastern, Etihad, and Emirates come to mind) have walled-in suites for which you can redeem miles for.  But as neat as they are (and they are really neat) they can feel a bit claustrophobic and the seat can be a bit narrow.  The TAM first class cabin feels wide open, the seat is very wide, and when you have all of it to yourself it’s pretty darn cool.

Getting a visa to go to Brazil isn’t easy.  We used Allied Passport and Visa and they expertly took care of the nitty-gritty.  But you can go down to a Brazilian embassy or consulate yourself to figure it out.  Or you can fly TAM first class to Sao Paulo and then connect to another South American country where you can get a free visa or at least an instant paid visa such as Argentina where you don’t have to visit an embassy or consulate.  Dollars are a precious commodity in Argentina and you’ll be able to live like a king in Buenos Aires by trading in your dollars for Pesos on the “blue” market at twice the official rate.

Want to buy out the entire TAM first class cabin for your family?

Here’s what’s left from Miami to Sao Paulo with the first class entire cabin empty and available for miles:
-10/28 TAM 8095 9:05am-7:35pm (B777)
-10/28 TAM 8091 7:25pm-5:40am (B777)
-10/28 TAM 8035 10:35pm-8:50am (A332)
-10/29 TAM 8095 9:05am-7:35pm (B777)
-10/30 TAM 8035 10:35pm-8:50am (A332)

American charges 62.5K miles one-way to South America in first class, British Airways charges 75K one-way, and USAirways charges 125K round-trip. No fuel surcharges apply.

So, any readers crazy enough to jump on a plane to try it out this week?