The US Airbus aircraft weren't delivered with ashtrays. I think the tape is covering the old Empower port that was deactivated and covered with a small plastic casing that likely broke off.

AA needs to get it together. It's been well over two years since the merger closed. They need to get the fleets standardized, which means actually making the decision to invest in the LUS fleet and then get the work done. It's going to be much more of an issue come September when LAA FAs start working LUS equipment that they aren't used to.