My expectations were so low stepping onto my Aerolineas Argentinas flight in Club Condor (business) class that the mediocre onboard product managed to impress me.

The business class cabin was clean and the color scheme fresh. New IFE units have been installed in business class that offer on-demand programing, a big improvement from the four looping videos with stereo as promised on the website.

Aerolineas Argentinas does not have a lie-flat bed in business class. It does not even have an angled lie-flat bed like some carriers still offer. No, the seat is best described as a generous recliner. The footrest/ottoman is at a 45º angle to the rest of the seat in the “bed” position.

Service was lacking. It wasn’t actively hostile…for the most part…but it was not friendly. And sometimes it was just mean. One FA barked at my seatmate to pull out her tray table for the breakfast service. For the most part, the FAs just did their jobs quickly and without any sort of joy or care. They did not make eye contact and never smiled.

The food was not bad. While the presentation was horrible, particularly the main courses, the taste was satisfactory.

For breakfast one of the choices was cheese enchiladas. Though they looked horrible, they tasted great.

At least Aerolineas Argentinas offers menus and amenity kits.

As it turns out, this video on YouTube — from nearly three years ago — was a remarkably accurate indicator of what the in-flight experience would be like, minus the smiles.

Stay tuned for the full trip report.