KE 62 GRU-LAX (São Paulo/Guarulhos->Los Angeles)
DEP GRU 14:20 03 JAN 2015
ARR LAX 20:45 03 JAN 2015
Flight Duration: 12:25
Aircraft: B777-300ER
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| Courtesy of www.flightaware.com |
The time has sadly come for me to leave Brazil after two short weeks of hanging out with friends here. During my time here, I've been everywhere in São Paulo, and traveled via bus to Florianopolis (trip report in the city of São Paulo and Florianopolis to follow!) I haven't had time to travel to Rio de Janeiro, a city I've always wanted to visit since when I was young. I will probably come to Brazil again during the year of 2016, during the Olympics.
Today's flight back to Los Angeles was KE 62, and the aircraft was B777-300ER, unlike the B777-200ER I took from LAX to GRU. I had just taken an overnight bus from Florianopolis which took almost 14 hours. My friend drove me from Bom Retiro to GRU T3 at around noon time. We made the trip in 30 minutes since there wasn't too much traffic that day.
On Highway SP-60 from São Paulo to Guarulhos Airport. This is the sign that lets you know that you have exited the city limits. I will surely be back next time!
From SP-60, take exit 219B onto BR-610. BR-610 will take you to the terminals.
BR-610. I wasn't aware that GRU had Terminal 4.
My flight today would be leaving from T3. In fact, most flights in GRU have been moved here after the terminal opened early 2014 for the World Cup.
Guarulhos Airport Terminal 3 Departures ramp.
It's definitely one of the most interesting terminals I've ever been to.
Since it was opened only half a year ago, everything looked very clean.
The view of the terminal inside.
Not a bad looking terminal from inside!
This is the Korean Air check-in counter. If you've got a smartphone, make sure to download Korean Air app on your phone and pre check-in to your flights! When you get to the airport can skip this long line and advance directly to the pre check-in line.
I was able to skip the long lines and receive my boarding pass right away.
The boarding pass for today's flight.
A McDonald's meal with my friend before he drove back to Bom Retiro... 30 Reais per meal was too much!
All departures in T3 go through this point. Only ticket-holders from now on. This was where I sadly parted my ways with my friends.
After passing through security and customs, you'll see this. You'll need to walk toward the end of this walkway to get to the gates.
Korean Air aircraft is visible on the far end. It's an unique-looking livery for sure.
Panorama shot of the previous picture
Today's departure status of GRU T3.
This is the part of the T3 where the gates are at.
The interesting looking T3 building as seen from the gates.
My e-ticket showed B777-200ER for today's aircraft, but a B777-300ER decided to show up!
My departing gate, Portão 34.
Another view of this fantastic looking plane.
The boarding time came, and the passengers were lined up according to the seat row numbers.
I'd always feel excited as I'm boarding any plane, but today I rather felt sad. I really didn't want to leave Brazil.
Flight attendants greeting in the front.
Most of the passengers were passengers bound for USA. There weren't really many Koreans on this flight.
My original seat, 52A. Each seat had amenities kit, headphone set, pillows, blankets, and water.
Today's flight was full, so I took a shot of the cabin before everyone came.
Korean Air's new economy seats.
The seat pitch was great even for my 6' height.
To the left of us was a Zurich-bound Swissair.
To the right of me was a man whose wife was seated at a seat right behind him. The flight attendant kindly asked me if I could switch seat with his wife so that they could be seated together throughout the flight. I agreed, and moved to the seat 53B. It's an aisle seat located at the last row of the plane. Only thing bad about this seat was the close proximity to the restrooms.
Korean Air B777-300ER cabin panorama shot from my seat, 53B
Push back was on time at 14:20PM
Today's route would take us over the Andes Mountains along Central America across Mexico.
The AVOD included real-time camera views from the nose and belly of the plane.
After take-off.
The clouds were covering most of Brazil. Nothing to see here.
The peanuts and beverages were being served.
The honey roasted peanuts and pineapple juice.
For the first meal of the flight, the choices were Korean Air's signature Bibimbap, beef, or chicken. I took the chicken. I appreciate the fact that Korean Air has so many choices (some flights have 4 choices), but some meals tend to run out fast! I also wish they carried menus on board so that the passengers can figure out what they really want by looking at the details of the meal.
The chicken meal was actually some kind of a pasta dish. I'm not a fan of pasta.
A very cheesy dish for sure.
The taste wasn't bad at all, however. I was impressed at how good the ravioli was.
The salad was a mix of mozzarella cheese, olives, tomatoes, and celeries.
After two and half hours of flight, we were still cruising along Brazil airspace.
We were above Mato Grosso state near Cuiaba.
As I was watching "Begin Again", the flight attendants were passing out US Customs and Border Protection Card. It was cool to see that the card was custom-printed for Korean Air.
Around this point, the plane was going through some SEVERE turbulence over Andes Mountains. At one point the plane must have dropped a good 30 meters. The flight attendants were serving juices and waters and the beverages just flew up and hit the bins, falling all over the flight attendants and some passengers.
But there was some peace during times of turbulence. I enjoyed some muffin and a pineapple juice.
The severe turbulence mostly ended when we finished crossing the Andes Mountains.
For the second meal (dinner) the choices were beef or fish. I took the fish.
The fish dish had pasta and fish covered with Alfredo sauce.
The meal was pretty good.
And we were approaching LAX in no time.
Flight attendants preparing cabin for landing.
Arrived at the new TBIT!
It was my first time arriving into the new TBIT via an international flight. The new terminal was impressive. It was an interesting experience to be walking above the departures floor while heading toward the border customs. My friend ended up picking me up from the airport at around 9PM.
Thank you for reading my trip report!
