I’m a fan of American Airlines (AA). They have great customer service, especially on Twitter, and I love the fact that they haven’t gone to the dark side with their frequent flier program by going revenue-based instead of mileage-based (Boo Delta and United). But everyone in the industry knows that that will switch over once their merger with US Airways is complete, sometime in 2015. But for now, I’m still giving AA the majority of my business so I can earn as many miles as possible and keep my elite status.
LAX to South Florida
That’s why, when asked to speak in Boca Raton at the Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, I chose to fly into Miami (from L.A.) this week instead of flying into one of the closer airports like PBI or FLL. American does have a nonstop to PBI from LAX but it’s seasonal and doesn’t start up again until November. I didn’t want to fly Virgin America, JetBlue or Spirit to FLL since I wanted my AA miles and besides, MIA is just 25 miles down the road. (You can see actual driving distances on AlternateAirports.com.) Also, I could use a free UBER ride. If you are a first-time Uber user, you can get $30 off your first ride and I will get $30 off of my next ride if you sign up here.
Main Cabin Extra
So I booked L.A. to Miami on one of AA’s brand spanking new A321, which is so new that SeatGuru.com and SeatExpert.com don’t even have it listed. That meant I wasn’t entirely sure which seat to choose. Since I have Platinum status with American (I fly at least 50,000 actual miles a year), I was definitely choosing one of their Main Cabin Extra seats that have extra legroom. They cost an extra $78 to $90 to the general public but for frequent fliers it’s free.
Best Seats To Choose
I’m an exit row aisle kind of guy but they didn’t have any available except in the way back of the plane. Instead, I chose seat 12A, a window seat in the second emergency exit row towards the front of the plane. Normally, that seat is golden but I learned the hard way that it’s not if the person in front reclines and you plan on working on a laptop. It’s so tight that it makes it really difficult to work, even with my small 13.3-inch Acer Aspire S7 laptop. My suggestion is to choose row 8, 11 or 24. Or seats 12F, 25A or 25F, since none of these have a seat in front of them.
Slim-line Seats
As for the A321 – it’s no doubt a beautiful plane but American put one (or three) too many rows in it. I will say that it felt and smelled brand spanking new since it was just shipped 30 days ago (according to the flight attendants). Its beautiful slim-line, black leather seats look cool but aren’t all that comfortable since the seats are too tight together (even in Main Cabin Extra). They also come with the most ridiculously small mesh pocket that replaces the old, germ-filled seatback pocket. I would have given it high marks if they had just made it a few inches bigger so it could hold more stuff instead of just one bottle of water or a can of a soda. It didn’t even fit my laptop comfortably, that’s for sure.
Entertainment Systems
The best part about the plane is the 8.9-inch HD-capable touchscreen monitors with a variety of options: “In Theaters Now” movies cost $8, “Best of the Big Screen” (older movies that include Moneyball and Captain Phillips) for $6 per movie, a “Premium Package” for $5 that includes unlimited 150 network shows on demand and 300 albums, 20 games and audio books. There’s also a Disney option for $4 that includes a variety of kids movies, TV shows, games and music. Finally, they have “Complimentary Programming” that has NBC Universal on American and American Airlines Radio network.
NOTE: The floor storage below the window and aisle seats have the Inflight Entertainment (IFE) systems which prevents many carry-on bags from fitting under your seat (mine included). Why they didn’t store these below the floor panels is beyond me.
Electrical Outlets and WiFi
Every traveler will appreciate the 110 volt universal AC power outlets and USB jacks at every seat and of course, Gogo inflight WiFi, which makes everyone happy since they can stay connected at 35,000 feet. FYI: Currently Gogo only works over the Continental U.S. and if you buy in advance, it costs $16 for a day pass, which will save you some money.
Overall the A321 is a very nice plane but it’s difficult to get any work done unless you are in the rows/seats mentioned above or first class. It’s so tight that the flight attendants agreed with me and even told me that they hope more passengers will write complaint letters to the execs so they will take some of the rows out. If they don’t, I would go out of my way NOT to fly American’s A321.
Have you flown on this plane? Do you agree or disagree with me? Let me know in the comments below.
On my recent flight, Jan. 28, 2017, I flew from DCA TO DFW and then to PSP. The first leg was in a 321 and the second was in a 738. I found the first leg very comfortable in seat #28D (I prefer an aisle seat), and the craft was surprisingly quiet. The flight in the 738 was miserable. NOISY! Wow! And the seat would recline about 2 inches. Worthless. Despite the caveats above, I will be looking for a 321 next time I fly and will be very determined to avoid a 738.
Thanks for the info. I just booked the first part of that flight this year, too!.. I’m recovering from a car accident injury & worried that this might be a crunchy-bad experience?!.. Sounds pretty standard… Plus, I’m used to crowded Air India overnights to fly across the ocean, so I’m sure can take it! :)
….so long as I can keep my bags from going from JFK to Mumbai again…LOL!! ;)
…still grateful that I got everything back in perfect condition—from Mumbai international & personally delivered to me in Austria?!.. Now THAT was a wacky flight adventure!! :) LOL!!..
(Thanks to staff at Heathrow & Air India for the recovery).. Still remember the Londoner shrieking about TSA accidentally breaking her suitcase, “My knickers!! My knickers are falling out everywhere!!!”…
I almost never make postings, but I flew yesterday DFW-SFO on the A321, and I had
bought a premium seat. HORRIBLE. Too narrow, and the pitch is really bad. Seat 13D.
I usually prefer American, but this has been a game changer. Avoid this plane like the plague!
I flew on the Airbus A321 from PHX to CAN last month. Major issue with the audio as when I plugged in my Bose Quietcomfort headset there was a loud noise and they haven’t worked since. Epic fail.
Two comments…I flew to MIA from LAX yesterday. First, the seats are definitely too close…I was in row 14 and when the passenger in front reclined, I was forced to recline also (or else I would be studying his scalp for the whole flight). Second, upon landing, the deployment of the speed brakes (flaps) on the leading edge of the wings as well as the reverse thrusters produced a wild flapping noise, like I’ve never heard before. Otherwise, the flight was great. The plane was brand new (2015 stamped in the door as I entered the plane in LA). The pilots were fantastic. We flew at 23,000 feet for a short part of the flight as the pilot actively tried to find a turbulence free corridor for us…and he did! Love the staff. But I want them to reconfigure the seating and check the speed brakes.
I flew back and forth from abi to san on a new 321,Buddy !!! That’s ok for a 3 hr flight,that’s it as I had seat 36b .does seats do not recline,the noise coming from the hydraulics was horrible,to say the least,what i saw,the First class seat had no foot rest and about the only advantage was that u probly had more room around you,free food movies and drinks and about the only good thing on that particular ac is its looks both inside and out but to me that’s about it and I’ve been flying since 1949
Aloha, we moved from row 10 to row 8a, 8b and 8c. I have read that the bulkhead space is narrow for my 6 foot husband. Do you see us having problems with leg room in those seats? Thank you for your input!
Jimmy, I paid to up charge for “main cabin extra” (75 dollars) just to find the seat to narrow to sit in !! 60 flights so far this year and this is a first . the flight attendant said ” you paid for “leg space not comfort”
Was on one yesterday, 1C ended up going back, and finding an empty row LAX LIH lie flat in the rear, was appreciated…after a few during and the meal…
Hi Johnny – Taking a 32b overnight from PHX to MIA this week
Am in 9A but have option of 11e or 12 f – am a big guy 6’2 275 – – not worried about the ife since I j use my laptop…..
is 11e one of those 3″ narrower seats like USAir has or normal width?
And if it was your choice would you take 9a, 11e or 12f for an overnight flight?
Thanks
Hey Bryan,
If it’s this plane http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/American_Airlines/American_Airlines_Airbus_A321_V2.php I would choose 12F. Plenty of legroom and you can lean against the window. I would bring a bulky cheap pillow from Target for $6 and leave it on the plane.
Ok was not sure if 12f and 11e was a narrow seat. Need powerport for cpap.
Do you know if row 24 reclines? I had a similar experience calling AA and couldn’t get a straight answer. I would like to pay for the extra legroom but not if the seats don’t recline. LAX-OGG. Thanks!
24 does. http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/American_Airlines/American_Airlines_Airbus_A321_V2.php
You are suggesting row 11 which is an emergency exit row. Do you know if these seats recline? I called airline and they couldn’t give me a straight answer and Seat Guru has it listed as not reclining. You also recommend row 8 which Seat Guru has it listed with limited leg room and no under storage. Please let me know. Flying from LAX to Kauai approx 6 hours and want to be as comfortable as possible. It’s the A321 Thanks!
They do recline
HI, does Row 10 recline? I read that because its in front of an exit row, it will not recline.
Thank you!
It doeesn’t
Flew PHL to SFO on American A321 “first class” – no entertainment, no outlets, $40 do in flight wifi with rental movies but what’s the point without power. Dreading my red-eye return in the same.
You were on a LUS 321.