Feb 8, 2015, 6:20 am
Last edit by: Prospero
AA Transcontinental Three Class Service Airbus A321 "A321T"
NOTE: The "32B" designation is used by ICAO for A321 (-100 and -200) family with "Sharklet" wingtips; the use of "32B" by AA has been applied to "321T", the three class aircraft described here and used on transcon service, and for the "A321", the two class A321S used in "normal" service as well as the A321H ETOPS version used on West Coast-Hawai'i service. ("321" is used by AA to describe non-Sharklets equipped LUS A321s.)
A subset of A321-200 aircraft has a three class configuration (with First and Business with horizontal full flat seats, as well as Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin) for use on transcontinental JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO flights. First delivery was N101NN, Fleet No. 783, 21 Nov 2013. Inaugural flights were AA118 Lv LAX 0700 Ar JFK 1530 Tue 7 Jan 2014 and AA133 Lv JFK 1545 Ar LAX 1925. SFO-LAX began 6 Mar 2014.
These aircraft, referred to as "A321T" or "321T", have 10F in 1 + 1 layout, 20J in 2 + 2, and 72Y in 3 + 3 configuration (MCE rows 11-16); coded "321T" (32B in timetables). F has Zodiac Skylounge solo suite seats with shells similar to the 77W Business suites, J have B/E Aerospace Diamond Parallel horizontal lie flat seats; MCE and Main Cabin Recaro slimline seats. Pets have two small cabins flanking the aisle forward in F, called "Cuddle Class".
In Flight Entertainment is Audio-Video on Demand (AVOD), provided by Thales in its TopSeries system, with 15.4" touch screens offering "200 movies, 180 TV programs, more than 350 audio selections, up to 20 games, and 3-D moving maps" free in F and J, and $4.00 for most movies and TV in Y on an 8.9" touch screen. These are also controlled by universal remote controls. Bose QuietComfort headsets are provided in F and J; these are recovered by crew about an hour from your destination. (Unfortunately, the IFE system has turned out to be extremely unreliable; currently, do not expect to experience seamless AVOD on these aircraft. Some have reported successfully resetting by holding down "O" button over ten seconds on remote and the same procedure for the screen power on button.)
WiFi is provided by GoGo ATG-4 (cellular) service, and is not very fast.
At seat power includes USB 5 VDC and universal 110 VAC outlets. The outlets are awkwardly placed by your head in J, in the seatback in front of you in coach.
Also note: Airbus A320 family - 156 inches (395 cm) outside width
Boeing 737 /757 - 148 inches (380 cm) outside diameter.
Which transcontinental AA flights are operated by A321-200 "A321T" three class aircraft?
All transcontinental non-stop flights scheduled• JFK <-> LAX
• JFK<-> SFOare operated by three class Airbus A321-200 "32B" (A321-200 with "Sharklets" wingtip devices.
No other regularly scheduled transcontinental non-stop flights (e.g. MIA-LAX, PHL-LAX or -SFO, etc.) use the three class A321-200 "A321T" - even if a "32B" might be used in the future, it will merely be a two class LAA A321-200 aircraft (with Sharklets).
For further discussion on seats, service, etc. on three class A321T aircraft, please see:
Best Business / First seat on LAA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on LAA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
For older posts, see the Archive thread here.
NOTE: The "32B" designation is used by ICAO for A321 (-100 and -200) family with "Sharklet" wingtips; the use of "32B" by AA has been applied to "321T", the three class aircraft described here and used on transcon service, and for the "A321", the two class A321S used in "normal" service as well as the A321H ETOPS version used on West Coast-Hawai'i service. ("321" is used by AA to describe non-Sharklets equipped LUS A321s.)
A subset of A321-200 aircraft has a three class configuration (with First and Business with horizontal full flat seats, as well as Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin) for use on transcontinental JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO flights. First delivery was N101NN, Fleet No. 783, 21 Nov 2013. Inaugural flights were AA118 Lv LAX 0700 Ar JFK 1530 Tue 7 Jan 2014 and AA133 Lv JFK 1545 Ar LAX 1925. SFO-LAX began 6 Mar 2014.
These aircraft, referred to as "A321T" or "321T", have 10F in 1 + 1 layout, 20J in 2 + 2, and 72Y in 3 + 3 configuration (MCE rows 11-16); coded "321T" (32B in timetables). F has Zodiac Skylounge solo suite seats with shells similar to the 77W Business suites, J have B/E Aerospace Diamond Parallel horizontal lie flat seats; MCE and Main Cabin Recaro slimline seats. Pets have two small cabins flanking the aisle forward in F, called "Cuddle Class".
In Flight Entertainment is Audio-Video on Demand (AVOD), provided by Thales in its TopSeries system, with 15.4" touch screens offering "200 movies, 180 TV programs, more than 350 audio selections, up to 20 games, and 3-D moving maps" free in F and J, and $4.00 for most movies and TV in Y on an 8.9" touch screen. These are also controlled by universal remote controls. Bose QuietComfort headsets are provided in F and J; these are recovered by crew about an hour from your destination. (Unfortunately, the IFE system has turned out to be extremely unreliable; currently, do not expect to experience seamless AVOD on these aircraft. Some have reported successfully resetting by holding down "O" button over ten seconds on remote and the same procedure for the screen power on button.)
WiFi is provided by GoGo ATG-4 (cellular) service, and is not very fast.
At seat power includes USB 5 VDC and universal 110 VAC outlets. The outlets are awkwardly placed by your head in J, in the seatback in front of you in coach.
Also note: Airbus A320 family - 156 inches (395 cm) outside width
Boeing 737 /757 - 148 inches (380 cm) outside diameter.
Which transcontinental AA flights are operated by A321-200 "A321T" three class aircraft?
All transcontinental non-stop flights scheduled• JFK <-> LAX
• JFK<-> SFOare operated by three class Airbus A321-200 "32B" (A321-200 with "Sharklets" wingtip devices.
No other regularly scheduled transcontinental non-stop flights (e.g. MIA-LAX, PHL-LAX or -SFO, etc.) use the three class A321-200 "A321T" - even if a "32B" might be used in the future, it will merely be a two class LAA A321-200 aircraft (with Sharklets).
For further discussion on seats, service, etc. on three class A321T aircraft, please see:
Best Business / First seat on LAA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on LAA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
For older posts, see the Archive thread here.
Airbus A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class (master thread)
Dec 14, 2019, 9:08 pm
#196
Join Date: Aug 2016
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It’s pretty common on these flights. The handful of times I’ve taken these flights in F the cabin has never been more than half full (and normally just one or two other passengers) at OLCI but ends up going out full.
EXPs cannot upgrade to F with stickers on these flights.
EXPs cannot upgrade to F with stickers on these flights.
Dec 14, 2019, 11:22 pm
#197
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Could be. Flight was J0. I wasn't really watching Y inventory figures.
Dec 15, 2019, 1:36 am
#198
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
As a UA refugee, I just flew SFO-JFK last night on AA for the first time. Purchased J and upgraded to F with miles.
So here's my question. Flight was A7 at T-48, but F cabin went out completely full. Did AA fill the cabin with upgrades, buy-ups, or NRSA? I did notice the guy behind me spent most of the flight chatting with one of the FAs (very quietly, thankfully), which makes me think non-revs.
So here's my question. Flight was A7 at T-48, but F cabin went out completely full. Did AA fill the cabin with upgrades, buy-ups, or NRSA? I did notice the guy behind me spent most of the flight chatting with one of the FAs (very quietly, thankfully), which makes me think non-revs.
But also, employees often get to travel in the highest cabin available and these flights are very popular with such employees because F can't be filled with complementary upgrades or sticker upgrades - hence it is one of the few flights in the system where such employees get to be in first.
Oct 10, 2020, 1:14 pm
#200
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: EZE
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AA 28 LAX-JFK Redeye in J
Bumping this thread with my transcon redeye from last month ( LAX-JFK ) in J
Key takeaways
- You can come hungry as a full meal was offered and not just a snack. Given this flight leaves at 2330 not many options to get food anyway. The Admirals club is an option if you want to grab a stale looking salad or sandwich.
- Meal service was quick and allowed me to get a 2 hour nap in.
- J cabin was full except for one seat.
Key takeaways
- You can come hungry as a full meal was offered and not just a snack. Given this flight leaves at 2330 not many options to get food anyway. The Admirals club is an option if you want to grab a stale looking salad or sandwich.
- Meal service was quick and allowed me to get a 2 hour nap in.
- J cabin was full except for one seat.
Oct 10, 2020, 3:13 pm
#201
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OP-UPs are not uncommon as these flights are often oversold in Y causing a rolling forward of passengers.
But also, employees often get to travel in the highest cabin available and these flights are very popular with such employees because F can't be filled with complementary upgrades or sticker upgrades - hence it is one of the few flights in the system where such employees get to be in first.
But also, employees often get to travel in the highest cabin available and these flights are very popular with such employees because F can't be filled with complementary upgrades or sticker upgrades - hence it is one of the few flights in the system where such employees get to be in first.
Oct 10, 2020, 6:55 pm
#202
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
I was on LAX-JFK (AA Flight 10) last night in paid F (A class, to be precise). Flight appeared full in all cabins. First was approx 7 paid and the rest non-revs (out of 10).
I placed a premium on sleep so I did not eat or drink, but they did offer a full meal.
We had to return to the gate after engine start as a passenger did not want to fly (that's what the captain said, I don't have any more specifics.) We pushed back a 2nd time 30 minutes late, but arrived on time in JFK due to favorable winds.
I will miss the A321T on this route.
I placed a premium on sleep so I did not eat or drink, but they did offer a full meal.
We had to return to the gate after engine start as a passenger did not want to fly (that's what the captain said, I don't have any more specifics.) We pushed back a 2nd time 30 minutes late, but arrived on time in JFK due to favorable winds.
I will miss the A321T on this route.
Oct 10, 2020, 10:35 pm
#203
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Thank you Brandinho1 for sharing another amazing trip report,
It's great that AA is still offering a meal even at a 23:30 departure as not everyone appreciates eating at the airport, plus most of the LAX concessions close around 18:00-20:00.
Also, they are not like other airlines where they are not providing meals on departures after 21:30 stating that it's not mealtime. However, a switch between a refreshment after departure and breakfast before arrival would also be acceptable.
It's great that AA is still offering a meal even at a 23:30 departure as not everyone appreciates eating at the airport, plus most of the LAX concessions close around 18:00-20:00.
Also, they are not like other airlines where they are not providing meals on departures after 21:30 stating that it's not mealtime. However, a switch between a refreshment after departure and breakfast before arrival would also be acceptable.
Oct 11, 2020, 5:37 am
#205
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Oct 11, 2020, 7:03 pm
#206
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I was on LAX-JFK (AA Flight 10) last night in paid F (A class, to be precise). Flight appeared full in all cabins. First was approx 7 paid and the rest non-revs (out of 10).
I placed a premium on sleep so I did not eat or drink, but they did offer a full meal.
We had to return to the gate after engine start as a passenger did not want to fly (that's what the captain said, I don't have any more specifics.) We pushed back a 2nd time 30 minutes late, but arrived on time in JFK due to favorable winds.
I will miss the A321T on this route.
I placed a premium on sleep so I did not eat or drink, but they did offer a full meal.
We had to return to the gate after engine start as a passenger did not want to fly (that's what the captain said, I don't have any more specifics.) We pushed back a 2nd time 30 minutes late, but arrived on time in JFK due to favorable winds.
I will miss the A321T on this route.
Oct 11, 2020, 7:31 pm
#207
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
I will miss the frequency of flights and the Flagship Dining (once things return to normal)
Oct 12, 2020, 5:27 am
#208
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Oct 12, 2020, 6:46 am
#209
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Last year I flew BOS-(32T in F)-JFK- (77W in J)-LHR and got to experience 32T F seat and 77W J seat in same day. I did feel as what is the difference between 32T F seats and 77W J seats? I understand one is domestic 3-class and another is international 3-class but did not see much difference between J seat on 77W and F seat on 32T .
Oct 12, 2020, 10:09 am
#210
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Last year I flew BOS-(32T in F)-JFK- (77W in J)-LHR and got to experience 32T F seat and 77W J seat in same day. I did feel as what is the difference between 32T F seats and 77W J seats? I understand one is domestic 3-class and another is international 3-class but did not see much difference between J seat on 77W and F seat on 32T .
.