On a quest to visit my dear friend in Peru, I decided to go to South America for the very first time in my life. Looking up roundtrip fare NYC to Lima, TAM offered the best price for about $700. I took that deal and bought the ticket mid-December. The trip was set 1/17 to 1/24.

This trip report will consist of the trip from JFK to Sao Paulo Guarulhos with TAM flight JJ8081 (JFK-GRU). On a bit cold day of Thursday, Jan 17th, I took the NYCairporter bus from Manhattan to JFK Terminal 4, arriving in terminal at around 3PM for my 5PM.

The TAM counter was pretty busy.


The line was a bit slow. I saw many passengers who had much baggage and children. The counter was divided among Sao Paulo bound flight and Rio de Janeiro bound flight.


Eventually it became my turn.


After security point, I approached the end of the concourse, where I awed at the different wide-bodies parked close to the terminal.


The gate for the Sao Paulo TAM flight. Virgin Atlantic was boarding on the other side.


Eventually it became crowded



JJ 8081 (TAM Brazilian Airlines) JFK-GRU
Jan 17th 2013
Boeing 777-300ER
Dep: 6:40AM Arr: 6:55AM next day


The Magic Carpet. Awaiting for the 9 hour flight to Brazil.


The layout was 3-4-3, but for skinny person like me the space was enough.


At least we had our own TV!


I saw maintenance workers with flashlights checking the airplane from below


People settling in





and... we took off!



flight attendant came around around 1 hour after take off first with beverage service, and then meal service. The meals weren't bad at all. All of the stuff they use are paper based (even the trays), so I assume they throw everything away after the flight. I chose the beef with vegetables (the other choice being pasta).


After the meal I fell asleep. Not well though. They only turned off the lights for like.. 2-3 hours.


Breakfast was served 1.5 hours before landing. I chose omelette over sandwich. It was a good choice.


It was getting brighter outside as we neared Sao Paulo.


Landing was very smooth. One of the most smoothest landing ever.


As I walk from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 of GRU, I saw the airplane I just took.



To be continued... (flight JJ8066 from GRU to LIM)

[Edited 2013-02-23 04:53:38]