Oct 27, 2012, 8:24 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Main Cabin Extra ("MCE") Enhanced Legroom in Coach
Eligibility, costs, refunds, what happens if bumped from MCE, etc.
Link to MCE page on aa.com
AA announced enhancements to MCE:
“Enhanced bin access” (bins over MCE seats placarded for MCE use only; Flight Attendants will not be required to enforce this placarding as police).
*Overhead bin space availability varies by aircraft
“Complimentary beer, wine and spirits.”
**Free alcohol is available on flights with full drink service
On aa.com, FAQ on MCE: Link
All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
*For travel ticketed in booking code Y on or after August 30, 2017, you'll no longer get complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seats. This includes AAnytime awards booked in Main Cabin.
On a related note, and with a dedicated thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html and
Link to AA Preferred Seats FlyerTalk thread
Older posts have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Main Cabin Extra / MCE in service; questions, eligibility (consolidated)
Now that individual threads exist for each aircraft type, specific questions and comments regarding each aircraft should be posted in the relevant threads.
Examples:
Eligibility, costs, refunds, what happens if bumped from MCE, etc.
Link to MCE page on aa.com
aa.com: ... With Main Cabin Extra you get a seat towards the front of the Main Cabin with up to six inches of additional legroom to stretch out and relax. You also receive Group 5 boarding which gives you plenty of time to get on the plane, stow your luggage and get settled with prices starting at $20.
Beer, wine and spirits are on us; plus free Biscoff cookies or mini pretzels and soft drinks. Additional food or drinks may be available for free or to buy, depending on your route.**
Beer, wine and spirits are on us; plus free Biscoff cookies or mini pretzels and soft drinks. Additional food or drinks may be available for free or to buy, depending on your route.**
“Enhanced bin access” (bins over MCE seats placarded for MCE use only; Flight Attendants will not be required to enforce this placarding as police).
*Overhead bin space availability varies by aircraft
“Complimentary beer, wine and spirits.”
**Free alcohol is available on flights with full drink service
On aa.com, FAQ on MCE: Link
Who gets complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats?
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members
- oneworld® SapphireSM and oneworld® EmeraldSM members
Customers who purchase a full-fare Main Cabin ticket*
- oneworld® SapphireSM and oneworld® EmeraldSM members
All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
AAdvantage Gold and oneworld® RubySM members
- Enjoy complimentary access within 24 hours of departure when seats are available
Other restrictions
Basic Economy fare tickets aren't eligible for complimentary/discounted access to Main Cabin Extra seats.*For travel ticketed in booking code Y on or after August 30, 2017, you'll no longer get complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seats. This includes AAnytime awards booked in Main Cabin.
Link to AA Preferred Seats FlyerTalk thread
Q: Can I purchase the new seat product if I am traveling on an AAdvantage MileSAAver Award ticket or Business Extra PlanAAhead ticket?
A: Yes, Main Cabin Extra is available for purchase when traveling on a Business Extra Plan AAhead ticket. Main Cabin Extra can be purchased by travelers on an AAdvantage MileSAAver Award and by travelers on an AAdvantage AAnytime Award. This is for travelers without status. Ability to purchase on the SAAver award and requirement to pay on an AAnytime award are recent changes.
A: Yes, Main Cabin Extra is available for purchase when traveling on a Business Extra Plan AAhead ticket. Main Cabin Extra can be purchased by travelers on an AAdvantage MileSAAver Award and by travelers on an AAdvantage AAnytime Award. This is for travelers without status. Ability to purchase on the SAAver award and requirement to pay on an AAnytime award are recent changes.
Now that individual threads exist for each aircraft type, specific questions and comments regarding each aircraft should be posted in the relevant threads.
Examples:
- A321T: MCE Rows 11-16. Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
- 737: MCE rows 8-13 (row 7 removed). Best MCE / Main Cabin Extra seats on the 738 / 737-800 (consolidated)
- 777-300ER / 77W: MCE rows 16-19. Best 77W / 777-300ER Economy Class / Main Cabin Extra / MCE seat (consolidated)
Main Cabin Extra / MCE questions, eligibility, etc. (consolidated)
Feb 4, 2014, 4:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GVA,OPO
Programs: BD the last decent FFP
Posts: 1,856
Main Cabin Extra / MCE questions, eligibility, etc. (consolidated)
I booked a flight for October. I'm currently Gold and managed to select MCE seats for 4 of us (same PNR). I'll drop to no status as of end Feb.
Will my seat assignment be kept or will I be kicked to regular seats with the drop? any experience?
Thx
Will my seat assignment be kept or will I be kicked to regular seats with the drop? any experience?
Thx
Feb 12, 2014, 9:12 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
Per aa.com
AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members. Dividend Miles Chairman’s Preferred, Gold Preferred and Platinum Preferred members, Alaska Airlines MVP® Gold and MVP® Gold 75K customers and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
Feb 12, 2014, 9:23 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Feb 12, 2014, 1:50 pm
#5
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During ... and after ... that is my experience as a Qantas oneworld Emerald ... all the "paid" seats show a cost of $0.
Feb 12, 2014, 1:57 pm
#6
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It should automatically recognize your OW Sapphire status and allow selection of seats for free.
Feb 12, 2014, 2:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Feb 16, 2014, 3:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Just to report back on this, my airberlin status became visible to AA between four and five days after I obtained it, and from that point forward, entering it during the booking process permitted me to select MCE seats for free. Note, though, that oneworld elites do not have access to the seats in the front of MCE that are reserved for AAdvantage elites.
Feb 16, 2014, 5:36 pm
#9
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Location: Melbourne
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)?
Feb 16, 2014, 5:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Interesting. Maybe they only show them to Emeralds and not Sapphires? All I get to see/select are the ones that are presently available for cash purchase by the general public, which is about half of MCE.
Mar 4, 2014, 10:16 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1
Row 16 MCE
Hi all,
Row 16, does it have a tray table coming down in front? Whats the recline like?
Looking to book these seats. Have option of 15 both aisles or row 16 any seat. What would folk recommend?
I am a big guy width wise and with my partner so don't know if I want the aisle seat to discomfort anyone elses flying.
cheers.
Row 16, does it have a tray table coming down in front? Whats the recline like?
Looking to book these seats. Have option of 15 both aisles or row 16 any seat. What would folk recommend?
I am a big guy width wise and with my partner so don't know if I want the aisle seat to discomfort anyone elses flying.
cheers.
Mar 4, 2014, 2:03 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,991
Hi all,
Row 16, does it have a tray table coming down in front? Whats the recline like?
Looking to book these seats. Have option of 15 both aisles or row 16 any seat. What would folk recommend?
I am a big guy width wise and with my partner so don't know if I want the aisle seat to discomfort anyone elses flying.
cheers.
Row 16, does it have a tray table coming down in front? Whats the recline like?
Looking to book these seats. Have option of 15 both aisles or row 16 any seat. What would folk recommend?
I am a big guy width wise and with my partner so don't know if I want the aisle seat to discomfort anyone elses flying.
cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19881184-post174.html
Because of the middle tray, the center armrests do not lift up.
Last edited by serfty; Mar 4, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Apr 2, 2014, 11:09 am
#14
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Posts: 12,809
Apr 2, 2014, 2:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
personal comparison forward MCE vs. exit row
763 JFK-BCN
Mrs. G and I have traveled together in row 11A/B on the 763, and found it quite roomy and comfortable (didn't get upgraded, sigh!).
77W LAX-LHR
Again, not upgraded (only the 2nd time since 2010), and I had chosen 31L rather than row16, because only middle seats were available in foward MCE cabin. My impressions: 77W row31 seats are not as good as 772 row31 seats, as the seat is quite narrow and there's a galley quite close. Even though it's the secondary galley, FAs do tend to chat in there while pax are trying to sleep, and that's distracting .... plus there is bright light that spills out whenever the curtain to the galley is opened.
While taking a short hike around economy (not that short, the 77W is LONG!) I took a good look at 16A and 16L MCE seats, which don't have a nearby galley and which seem to be a bit wider than row 31.
The bottom line, in future, I will avoid row 31 and favor any non-middle seat in MCE, with row 16 preferred.
p.s. the 77W's IFE is really great, even in econ, and as y'all know, the 772 IFE stinks.
p.p.s. I did get upgraded returning LHR-LAX, and after lunch slept soundly for 4+ hours. Those 77W J seats are really comfy!!
Mrs. G and I have traveled together in row 11A/B on the 763, and found it quite roomy and comfortable (didn't get upgraded, sigh!).
77W LAX-LHR
Again, not upgraded (only the 2nd time since 2010), and I had chosen 31L rather than row16, because only middle seats were available in foward MCE cabin. My impressions: 77W row31 seats are not as good as 772 row31 seats, as the seat is quite narrow and there's a galley quite close. Even though it's the secondary galley, FAs do tend to chat in there while pax are trying to sleep, and that's distracting .... plus there is bright light that spills out whenever the curtain to the galley is opened.
While taking a short hike around economy (not that short, the 77W is LONG!) I took a good look at 16A and 16L MCE seats, which don't have a nearby galley and which seem to be a bit wider than row 31.
The bottom line, in future, I will avoid row 31 and favor any non-middle seat in MCE, with row 16 preferred.
p.s. the 77W's IFE is really great, even in econ, and as y'all know, the 772 IFE stinks.
p.p.s. I did get upgraded returning LHR-LAX, and after lunch slept soundly for 4+ hours. Those 77W J seats are really comfy!!