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)
Oct 19, 2021, 5:56 pm
#226
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,488
Don’t know if they are leaving snack baskets out in F recently, but they did have a snack basket sitting on the shelf in front of 6A/6C in J on my JFK-SFO flight last month.
Oct 19, 2021, 6:02 pm
#227
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Nov 24, 2021, 5:17 pm
#228
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AS MVPG, DL Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 141
Booked in business on an A321T in a few weeks for a late night jfk-sfo flight. I’m an aisle guy (small bladder for the win!) but have heard the aisle can be less private and I’m hoping to sleep, which leads to my question - is it possible to, from a window, step over your seat mate wether upright or lie flat to get up for the bathroom? Or should I just go aisle?
please let me know what you think!
please let me know what you think!
Nov 24, 2021, 5:21 pm
#229
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,229
Booked in business on an A321T in a few weeks for a late night jfk-sfo flight. I’m an aisle guy (small bladder for the win!) but have heard the aisle can be less private and I’m hoping to sleep, which leads to my question - is it possible to, from a window, step over your seat mate wether upright or lie flat to get up for the bathroom? Or should I just go aisle?
please let me know what you think!
please let me know what you think!
Sep 21, 2022, 10:40 pm
#230
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA, Marriott
Posts: 210
Sep 21, 2022, 11:04 pm
#231
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,100
I'll have to take the final A321T flight - I will miss them!!
The replacement timing is awkward. 2024 makes me think AA will not invest in the A321T at all anymore. But that is 1-2 years away and the aircraft are getting very tired in J, especially the sagging seat cushions.
The replacement timing is awkward. 2024 makes me think AA will not invest in the A321T at all anymore. But that is 1-2 years away and the aircraft are getting very tired in J, especially the sagging seat cushions.
Nov 17, 2022, 2:02 am
#232
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 6,436
Question: To what extent does row 11 not have a window. I mean, is there completely no window view at all, or do I still get to share half a window with row 12 if I tilt my head a bit? I reckon on average there are 1.5 windows per row in MCE anyway. Thanks in advance!
Jan 13, 2023, 6:51 am
#233
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 944
I just booked PHX/JFK for next month and the seat map is showing the 321T configuration. I know this a/c configuration is going away but is AA putting this a/c on that route temporarily for winter? Or possibly the seat map isn't correct.
Jan 13, 2023, 6:57 am
#234
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,144
I believe they’re running them for the Super Bowl. I want to say there’s coverage on another thread or elsewhere, but the routes may not be getting the full flagship treatment, including Chelsea lounge access. That said, you should definitely confirm / check how they are marketing it at flight selection.
Jan 13, 2023, 7:37 am
#235
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 944
I believe they’re running them for the Super Bowl. I want to say there’s coverage on another thread or elsewhere, but the routes may not be getting the full flagship treatment, including Chelsea lounge access. That said, you should definitely confirm / check how they are marketing it at flight selection.
Jan 17, 2024, 8:29 am
#236
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,485
It's the beginning of the end of an era. The first A321T will be going into mods soon for Oasis reconfiguration-- just the single one for now, as a prototype. Don't believe the first A321XLR delivery is scheduled until the end of 2024, so it'll probably be close to late 2025 before there are enough A321T replacements to officially retire the configuration.
https://x.com/xJonNYC/status/1747437161412980750?s=20
https://x.com/xJonNYC/status/1747437161412980750?s=20
Jan 17, 2024, 11:39 am
#237
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
I honestly don't understand why people are upset about this. AA has destroyed F soft-product wise and the new A321s that will replace the current 321Ts will have doors and nicer suites in J; looks much better hard-product wise than the current F.
Jan 17, 2024, 11:49 am
#238
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,485
What I will miss is the exceptionally low density of these planes-- quick boarding and deplaning, and rarely any need to gate check carry ons. Presumably some JFK-LAX rotations will end up seeing widebodies (like UA out of EWR), which in itself isn't a bad thing, but there was always something special about the intimate feel of the A321T, even in Y.
I also fully expect for BOS-LAX to revert to standard domestic F equipment once the A321T fleet is reconfigured.
I also fully expect for BOS-LAX to revert to standard domestic F equipment once the A321T fleet is reconfigured.
Jan 17, 2024, 12:09 pm
#239
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SFO or OAK
Programs: AA 1MM GLD, Hertz #1 Gold, bunch of other programs w/no status
Posts: 1,452
This. With 1/2 the Y cabin being MCE it was a great ride, even in Y.
Jan 17, 2024, 12:18 pm
#240
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,100
What I will miss is the exceptionally low density of these planes-- quick boarding and deplaning, and rarely any need to gate check carry ons. Presumably some JFK-LAX rotations will end up seeing widebodies (like UA out of EWR), which in itself isn't a bad thing, but there was always something special about the intimate feel of the A321T, even in Y.
I also fully expect for BOS-LAX to revert to standard domestic F equipment once the A321T fleet is reconfigured.
I also fully expect for BOS-LAX to revert to standard domestic F equipment once the A321T fleet is reconfigured.