I have to agree with flipside and that he got a raw deal.

It was most likely that flipside paid the "full J" fare due to the fact that he would receive a Fully flat First Class seat.

It is very conceivable that flipside could have purchased a very discounted coach fare and upgraded with his VIPS to business class had he known that the First Class on that particular flight wasn't going to be a flat seat.

American Airlines advertises a fully flat First Class seat on their NA/SA routes. Therefore that is what one should expect.
When the carrier does not provide what they advertise, that that is a breach of contract.
It is irrelevant if they say they can substitute equipment. The substituted equipment and/or services must still be the same product that was advertised....or money back.

If American is going to advertise a product (in this case a fully flat sleeper seat in First Class) and does not provide what they advertise, compensation is definitely in order. To say that flipside got his upgrade and should be happy with it is ridiculous. Once "upgraded" the person is a First Class passenger and is entitled to all such amenities.

I have flown one of those "furry" First Class seats. It is not the same as the advertised fully-flat seat.

I am completely surprised that most of the posters commenting on this situation seem to back the airline and not flipside. Maybe some of you will encounter the "furry" seat sometime when you were expecting the advertised fully flat sleeper seat.

I think flipside should purSUE compensation for which he is entitled.