Jan 31, 2017, 4:10 pm
Last edit by: DenverBrian
AA (legacy US Airways) Airbus A321-200 "321"
The older legacy US Airways Airbus A321-200 is shown as "321" in AA schedules. (Newer legacy AA A321s are listed as "32B" as they have "Sharklet" wingtip devices installed, and include two class A321S and A321H ETOPS and three class A321T transcontinental versions.)
NOTE: in accordance with AA “Project Oasis” all A321-200s will be retrofitted between 2019 and 2021. Business / First cabins will use the seats found today in the AA A319, with reduced seat pitch and recline. MCE and MC will have the Rockwell Collins slimline Meridian seats with reduced pitch and recline. Lavatories will be ultra-slim Rockwell Collins Spacewall lavs. See Oasis: New seats & less pitch, WiFi IFE & power all 737 and A321 2019-21 for further information.
As conversion begins we will start a new thread, and you should be able to see which configuration a particular aircraft has by referencing the (unofficial) American Airlines Fleet Site here.
The legacy US Airways A321s are currently unmodified, though a few have been reupholstered, have new carpeting and bulkhead liners. These have less seat pitch and recline in the First cabin, no Main Cabin Extra seats other than the few with greater seat pitch (e.g. bulkhead / 5, Exit rows 9, 10, 22, and 23) and have neither seatback IFE nor at seat power provisions. They do have GoGo WiFi and free streaming audio and video entertainment for your WiFi capable devices..
Note 10 ABC (fixed armrests with deploying trays) or F, 23 A and F seem to be preferred by some members.
Please see AA to install same new seats in 737-800s and A321s but add more of them for information on the plan to install new B/E Aerospace Meridian slimline seats in a denser pattern and 30" seat pitch in Main Cabin in 2019. (We will dedicate a thread to the CIP / modified A321 when that aircraft becomes current with the AA fleet.)
The A320-321 refurbishment thread may be read here.
Older posts from 2014 and 2015 have been archived here.
Updated 31 Jan 2017 - JDiver
Airbus A321 (legacy US Airways A321-200) master thread
May 1, 2016, 12:42 am
#31
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,837
The seats are much more comfortable than the LAA planes, but they don't have power or in-seat video. They do have GoGo, however.
Since when is there an LUS A321 with no wifi? Haven't they all had wifi for years? No power is crap though.
If this is the pmUS plane it is a nightmare! I was on a PHL-SFO a few days ago Over 6 hour flight with
NO power source
NO IFE
NO WIFI
Minimal F seat recline
The plane I was on was circa 1985 (per FA), and didn't even have drop down screens! If I had paid for F class (I was ug) I would have been furious, I cannot believe they are selling tickets on a plane with NO RELATION to anything remotely first class.
Few days later on F new 321s - great screen with lots of IFE choice, power points, reasonable seats and wifi (albeit too slow to use) DFW-sfo. Hard to believe it is the same airline
NO power source
NO IFE
NO WIFI
Minimal F seat recline
The plane I was on was circa 1985 (per FA), and didn't even have drop down screens! If I had paid for F class (I was ug) I would have been furious, I cannot believe they are selling tickets on a plane with NO RELATION to anything remotely first class.
Few days later on F new 321s - great screen with lots of IFE choice, power points, reasonable seats and wifi (albeit too slow to use) DFW-sfo. Hard to believe it is the same airline
May 1, 2016, 2:37 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: MEL
Programs: QF GA NZ WN. Accor+ Bonvoy IHC
Posts: 250
First world problem I know, but in my experience at over 6", not very comfy. But then again, I find no US seats in the pointy end to be particularly comfy or luxurious (but I have not done JFK-LAX or Mint), but it is cheap to fly in the pointy end in the US.
May 1, 2016, 5:14 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,811
AAs oldest 321 dates to 2001. So you or the FA are off by only about 15 years.
Last edited by IADCAflyer; May 1, 2016 at 5:22 am
May 1, 2016, 8:31 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Yes, there are differences between AA and US-origin aircraft. Those differences will persist for some time.
May 1, 2016, 10:15 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,381
Looks like your FA didn't have a clue. There are no A321s from 1985.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus...the_A320:_A321
I've always thought the pmUS A321s were fine in Y for the seats, and they've always had WiFi in the last couple of years I've flown them. US's mainline fleet went 100% WiFi some years ago.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus...the_A320:_A321
The maiden flight of the Airbus A321 came on 11 March 1993, when the prototype, registration F-WWIA, flew with IAE V2500 engines; the second prototype, equipped with CFM56-5B turbofans, flew in May.Lufthansa and Alitalia were the first to order the stretched Airbuses, with 20 and 40 aircraft requested, respectively. The first of Lufthansa's V2500-A5-powered A321s arrived on 27 January 1994, while Alitalia received its first CFM56-5B-powered aircraft on 22 March.
May 1, 2016, 12:38 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PHL and beyond
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 247
None of them have power or entertainment, so bring your own fully charged devices to avoid disappointment, and the WiFi isn't the best - good enough for email and browsing though. With a little preparation (syncing email and Dropbox in the morning), this is a non-issue.
As to seat preference, I happen to prefer 1C or 1D, because some of these planes have broken recliners that allow the seat in front to recline far enough that I can't use my 15" laptop comfortably. I'm 6'1" and find there to be enough space. If you want row 1, you should try to board early, so you can easily fit your carry-on, because you're on a bulkhead.
As with many things in life, your experience will depend on your expectations. If you are expecting lie-flat seats, you'll be very disappointed. If you've experienced European F, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
May 1, 2016, 12:40 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PHL and beyond
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 247
I don't find the lack of power a big deal. I have a 4-year old MacBook which easily lasts 5 hours. Modern laptops can easily outlast a typical US domestic flight.
May 1, 2016, 4:58 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 503
Right. They all have WiFi, though some of them are pretty early GoGo versions, which sometimes don't work or are slow. Thankfully these days the FAs want WiFi so they can sit and browse the internet during the flight, so they usually make sure it works.
I don't find the lack of power a big deal. I have a 4-year old MacBook which easily lasts 5 hours. Modern laptops can easily outlast a typical US domestic flight.
I don't find the lack of power a big deal. I have a 4-year old MacBook which easily lasts 5 hours. Modern laptops can easily outlast a typical US domestic flight.
However, I'll also have a Kindle Keyboard, which can go a couple of weeks between charges, so I'm not too worried about running out of reading material.
May 1, 2016, 5:06 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,506
As a pmAA flier, I've been on a number of pmUS 321s over the past year and have to agree with the folks that are saying that they are just fine. Power would be a significant improvement (I'm currently charging up my laptop and phone in the AC in PHL between 321 flights) but other than power I don't find pmUS 321s or the pmUS domestic fleet overall to be much different than pmAA's US domestic fleet (sure, pmAA has some planes with seatback TVs but that's still a minority of the pmAA fleet and I rarely encounter them in my travels).
May 2, 2016, 12:39 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,449
If this is the pmUS plane it is a nightmare! I was on a PHL-SFO a few days ago Over 6 hour flight with
NO power source
NO IFE
NO WIFI
Minimal F seat recline
The plane I was on was circa 1985 (per FA), and didn't even have drop down screens! If I had paid for F class (I was ug) I would have been furious, I cannot believe they are selling tickets on a plane with NO RELATION to anything remotely first class.
Few days later on F new 321s - great screen with lots of IFE choice, power points, reasonable seats and wifi (albeit too slow to use) DFW-sfo. Hard to believe it is the same airline
NO power source
NO IFE
NO WIFI
Minimal F seat recline
The plane I was on was circa 1985 (per FA), and didn't even have drop down screens! If I had paid for F class (I was ug) I would have been furious, I cannot believe they are selling tickets on a plane with NO RELATION to anything remotely first class.
Few days later on F new 321s - great screen with lots of IFE choice, power points, reasonable seats and wifi (albeit too slow to use) DFW-sfo. Hard to believe it is the same airline
All A321 have Wifi, Airbus wasn't building A321 in 1985 and seat recline is basically the same on all non lie flat planes.
Last edited by Microwave; May 2, 2016 at 2:05 pm Reason: Name calling is beneath this forum
May 2, 2016, 1:43 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
None of them have power or entertainment, so bring your own fully charged devices to avoid disappointment, and the WiFi isn't the best - good enough for email and browsing though. With a little preparation (syncing email and Dropbox in the morning), this is a non-issue.
May 9, 2016, 8:58 am
#44
Join Date: May 2012
Location: California
Programs: AA LT PLT, UA LT Gold, Hertz PC, 5 MM+ miles
Posts: 106
Anyone know if the legacy Abuse Air A321’s are going to get updated interiors?
Had a flight from hell yesterday from CLT to LAX. Had purchased a First Class ticket only to find no AV service of any sort, a kid who screamed every 30 seconds (not AA’s problem, but made all the worse when there was nothing to divert our attention for a 5-1/2 hour trip) and an hour late departure. We were told we could stream some video, assuming we had our own device (most didn’t) and yes, even though this was a First Class cabin, we’d have to pay for the entertainment.
Recent press stories say Mr. Parker is aiming for the premium market. This is hardly a path to get there. The cabin crew asked us to also note: They need a second oven versus the old Abuse Air equipment that was never meant for cross country premium service.
Recent press stories say Mr. Parker is aiming for the premium market. This is hardly a path to get there. The cabin crew asked us to also note: They need a second oven versus the old Abuse Air equipment that was never meant for cross country premium service.
May 9, 2016, 2:19 pm
#45
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Had a flight from hell yesterday from CLT to LAX. Had purchased a First Class ticket only to find no AV service of any sort, a kid who screamed every 30 seconds (not AA’s problem, but made all the worse when there was nothing to divert our attention for a 5-1/2 hour trip) and an hour late departure. We were told we could stream some video, assuming we had our own device (most didn’t) and yes, even though this was a First Class cabin, we’d have to pay for the entertainment.
I understand that there is no visual IFE on these aircraft because they never had the monitors installed like on most pmAA equipment, but I did think they had at least the audio IFE.