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)
Jan 18, 2024, 1:09 pm
#256
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA, Marriott
Posts: 210
Before AA acquired the A321Ts, LAX-JFK was served exclusively by three-class 767-200s.
Never flew it.
Jan 18, 2024, 1:30 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Jan 18, 2024, 2:46 pm
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,257
Jan 18, 2024, 4:14 pm
#260
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
It’s really interesting to see that shot and compare the F and J cabins to what’s flying today. But at the same time, it definitely brings back good memories of flying the 767-200s when the inflight product was better and the experience seemed more special than it is today. I remembered I was on a flight once in J and Alec Baldwin was sitting up in F.
Jan 18, 2024, 4:29 pm
#261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
It’s really interesting to see that shot and compare the F and J cabins to what’s flying today. But at the same time, it definitely brings back good memories of flying the 767-200s when the inflight product was better and the experience seemed more special than it is today. I remembered I was on a flight once in J and Alec Baldwin was sitting up in F.
Jan 18, 2024, 8:13 pm
#262
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,164
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.
Ideally they’ll hold the current spring / schedule and bump the frequencies back up to 3-4x a day from the cuts due to the NEA.
Jan 18, 2024, 8:15 pm
#263
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP
Posts: 1,017
F was bright and cheery, and had great service and food, but the rest of the plane was unreal. J was completely empty and extremely drab looking, and there were only a smattering of people back in economy.
Jan 18, 2024, 9:10 pm
#264
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
I don’t foresee BOS-LAX reverting back given that the other carriers are generally offering lie flats (DL, B6, UA). There are probably enough customers willing to pay for the space (myself included) so long as the price isn’t absurd.
Ideally they’ll hold the current spring / schedule and bump the frequencies back up to 3-4x a day from the cuts due to the NEA.
Ideally they’ll hold the current spring / schedule and bump the frequencies back up to 3-4x a day from the cuts due to the NEA.
Jan 18, 2024, 9:29 pm
#265
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,112
I hadn't realized there has been such a change. I wonder why they don't step up the JFK-LAX frequencies with the slack. Maybe some are in heavy maintenance. They were running the fleet very tight in 2022/2023. But I believe JFK-LAX frequencies are down from pre-covid. Unless it's a maintenance need (and maybe it is - the retrofit could be timed with a heavy check) AA must be losing money OR can't support the incremental frequency, which isn't a good sign either.
Jan 18, 2024, 9:44 pm
#266
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
I hadn't realized there has been such a change. I wonder why they don't step up the JFK-LAX frequencies with the slack. Maybe some are in heavy maintenance. They were running the fleet very tight in 2022/2023. But I believe JFK-LAX frequencies are down from pre-covid. Unless it's a maintenance need (and maybe it is - the retrofit could be timed with a heavy check) AA must be losing money OR can't support the incremental frequency, which isn't a good sign either.
On JFK-LAX, AA tends to have the cheapest advance purchase J fares these days, which is one reason I keep flying them.
Jan 19, 2024, 12:12 am
#267
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 262
If you have an economy ticket on the A321T (either cash or award), is it possible to bid or pay for an upgrade to J / F at check-in? I have a Saturday late night flight that I expect will be pretty empty, so wondering if I can swing a cheap upgrade
Jan 19, 2024, 1:51 am
#268
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
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Posts: 4,519
Don’t have any first hand knowledge about A321T upgrade during check-in, but I often see upgrade offers well in advance while viewing the reservation on website or in app.
Jan 19, 2024, 8:28 am
#269
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,237
even if i do not see an upgrade offer in the app/desktop at check in time, if i am seeking one from J to F, i'll still go to the airport check in desk and ask and pretty much every time there has been one. but thats always from J to F...so id imagine with standard upgrades it may be more difficult Y to J but again, if one doesnt see it available in advance the worst they could say at the airport is no.
Jan 19, 2024, 1:31 pm
#270
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: AA, Marriott
Posts: 210