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Aeroflot Is Putting New Business-Class Seats On Two US Routes

June 20, 2019
3 min read
Aeroflot 777-300ER
Aeroflot Is Putting New Business-Class Seats On Two US Routes
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Russian-based Aeroflot may not have the best premium-class product now, but that might change when it launches its Airbus A350 next year. The new plane debuts on two US routes starting in early 2020.

Although Aeroflot has been mum on the launch, aviation expert and TPG contributor Jason Rabinowitz spotted that the airline has now filed its first flights with the new aircraft type. These plans reveal that Aeroflot currently plans its first Airbus A350-900 revenue flight for March 29, 2020 from Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) to New York's Kennedy (JFK).

These plans should be taken with a grain of salt though. Aeroflot was one of the first airlines to order the Airbus A350 way back in 2007, but the Russian airline has deferred orders of this aircraft multiple times since that original order. The first A350 deliveries to Aeroflot are now scheduled for 2020.

That said, a quick glance at the seat map for these flights reveals an unannounced, but notable improvement in Aeroflot's business-class product. Rather than the 2-2-2 arrangement in Aeroflot's current business class, the new aircraft will have a 1-2-1 arrangement. That means that all business-class passengers will have direct aisle access.

There's no confirmation on which seat Aeroflot is using for the new aircraft. However, FlightGlobal found a request for consulting services that Aeroflot sent out in December 2018 indicating that B/E Aerospace was the seat manufacturer. That would indicate that Aeroflot is most likely using the B/E Aerospace Super Diamond seat, which many airlines are turning to for a business class product.

You can currently find this business class seat on:

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B/E Aerospace Super Diamond business class seat on an American Airlines Boeing 777-200. Photo by JT Genter / The Points Guy.

The seat map also reveals that Aeroflot's Airbus A350-900 will be arranged 2-4-2 in premium economy and 3-3-3 in economy. Both of those are the most typical arrangements for these cabins -- although a couple of airlines have squeezed 10 seats wide in economy, and Airbus is pushing this option to more airlines.

After running its A350 aircraft on the inaugural route to JFK, Aeroflot is currently scheduled to launch the aircraft on the following routes:

  • May 1: Moscow -- Beijing (PEK)
  • June 1: Moscow -- Seoul (ICN)
  • June 2: Moscow -- Miami (MIA)

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.