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.
The A321 cabin is 7 inches wider than a 737’s. That means that the seats are about 1 inch wider in an A321. If you think the seats are too narrow in a 321, try the 737 and feel that those are even more cramped. It’s too bad most airlines are now putting in so many rows, reducing the pitch (the distance to the seat in front of you).
I usually pay something extra to be seated in rows 1 or 2. Even if there’s a bulkhead, you’re at least not confronted with people reclining over your tray. Often these premium tickets come with priority at the security gate and a guarantee that your luggage doesn’t end up in the hold. So you can arrive late, board last, stuff your bag in the bin, be seated and have no trouble waiting in the aisle before the woman before you has found her scarf in her bag in the overhead bin. Also, you’re out first. I take those seats all the time, even if they cost me $75 or more, for me it’s worth it. More legroom, less hassle, less time on board. And the FA’s respond quicker when you order a drink since they can actually see you and make eye-contact.
I think the A321’s are sightly more noisy than the 737’s, yet this noise doesn’t leave me with a high pitched tone in my ears which I experience all the time flying 737’s. So they maybe a little bit more noisy but the noise is – let’s say – more friendly.
All in all, I prefer flying the 321 over a 737 in all aspects.
My husband and I just flew the A321 I’m exit row with two seats. We were so crowded I said omg what’s going on the seats were so tight. We were on top of each other and the seats were not comfortable. I said what if we didn’t know each other – that’s how crowded it was!!! We actually said let’s try another airline this year for miles- All because of this plane!! I can’t believe you actually wrote about it. You are so right- my small water bottle did not fit in the net in seat – no way a computer would fit in there! First time ever we had a discussion in air about how crowded it was – his arms were touching mine the entire time! It def not worth flying in these conditions. Going to move on to another airline for travel this year. I just had my travel agent book lax to Chicago and I just looked ugh A321 – gotta call her tomorrow and have her cancel and book the flight on a different airline!!
I’m more of a Boeing fan, but I must say this is not the fault of Airbus.
Boeing and Airbus only build the structure and in some cases the overhead bins, Interiors from carpet to entertainment are produced and installed by third party interior designers that are hired by the individual airlines. On top of that, most plane models have track attachment for the seating allowing quick spacing adjustments(by mechanics with wrenches), and at minimum all seats are fully removed as part of required “C” and “D check” inspections about every 2 years.
Now the whole econ-plus thing really chaps my eye, charging 30-50% more for 12% more floor area,(and carrying fewer passengers so saving weight[pax+baggage+seat+unsold seats on thin routes], faster load time, less ticketing, even fewer crew if near the legally required crew/pax ratio) I think they would sell out econ-plus and not loose a drop of revenue if they simply priced based on floor area. Basic economy of scale tells me I should pay something less than 12% extra for 12% more space.
John
Thanks for the tip. I’m about to get on this beaaatch asss plane. I hope that shitt is not a tight motherfuckin plane otherwise American airline is going to hear from my asss. Ok take care man.
321 was so noisy Icoukd not ear the movie with earphones!!!! From SFO to Honolulu. Noisy and uncomfortable! Never again. The 330 back was wonderful!
Why are the middle seats in Rows 16 and 17 showing “occupied” for my flight from Newark to Miami? I recall a while back, American had several rows where the middle seats were blocked off for video equipment. Could this be the case on these flights? Just seems odd that only the middle seat is occupied in those 2 rows for both my northbound and southbound flights. Thanks!
They used to block them because they could fly one less flight attendant. Not sure if this is the same plane
how did you conquer your fear of flying? i need to learn.
I will have to do a post on it since I get this question all the time. It all depends what you are afraid of – not being in control, crashing, claustrophobia…??? If it’s crashing then you shouldn’t be afraid since the chances of dying in a plane crash are 11 million to 1. Just look at the stats. If it’s claustrophobia pay extra for an exit row, bulkhead, premium economy or better yet a first class seat. If it’s a control issue you have to realize if something really does go wrong with your body they could make an emergency landing (as long as it’s not over the ocean) but chances are you would be fine.
I used to go to the airport and pretend I was getting on a plane to get used to my anxiety. Or I would listened to my favorite music or read the sports page of a game I really wanted to know the results in.
Also speak to the flight attendants and you will then realize these people do these flights multiple times a week or month (depending on the route).
Or you can look into taking a fear of flying course.
Hope this helps!
I was on one of those AA Airbus A321s on a flight from ATL to LAX last yaar…and from DFW to SFO just last night. Those seats are BRUTAL. I’m 6’2″ and there is no legroom at all. My knee kept bumping into the hard metal frame of the tray table, and I had to keep finding ways to rest my right foot because of that metal box under the seat in front of me. Add on top of that the 3.5 hour delay, and sitting on the tarmac at SFO for another 30 minutes, and you get why I’m not happy. I like AA, and I’m an AAdavntage member, but they’ve got to do better than this.
I’ve been flying AA frequently b/t DFW and SAN and I don’t have status so i sit in the “big room” (aka Main Cabin). During my trips i’ve noticed inconsistencies in in-seat entertainment among the A321’s. Half the time i have an in-seat monitor with all movie options, and other times there’s no screen at all. This is apparently b/c the A321’s AA acquired from the US Air didn’t have the in-seat entertainment upgrades installed. My question … is there a way to know during the booking process if i’m selecting an A321 with the in-seat entertainment option?? I’ve noticed a Sharklets designation in parentheses beside the aircraft/equipment info.. What’s that telling me?? Thanks!
Hi Jeff,
Yes there is. Find out which plane it is before booking (AA.com shows you) then cross reference this page https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/planes/planes.jsp
The sharklets are the little vertical tips at the end of the wings. Planes with sharklets have a longer range.
Reminds me of my high school sweetheart. Sexy, clean, fast, and one tight bitch to squeeze into.
How does american airlines a321 compare to jetblue’s? I am planning a trip from PR to San Diego.
Best to look at seatguru.com. Will show you exactly
Hello All,
Please confirm the business/first class seat in 32B (Miami to SFO) has a fully flat bed seats or recline only? It is a A321.
Think the first class in this 32B version has fully flatbad, but business only reclaine. Here is an article about each type of this a321 “AA” – http://theflight.info/seat-map-of-the-airbus-a321-american-airlines/