Last edit by: Prospero
A321T / 321T / Transcontinental JFK to/from LAX & SFO: Upgrade Success & Assistance
American flies the transcontinental A321T with three classes including solo First and Business pairs that fully recline horizontally. (Note the "32B" designation applies to all Airbus A321-100 and -200 - aircraft with "Sharklets" blended winglets in accord with ICAO standards, including two and three class A321s used by AA.)
It appears demand in J is high, supply less so, making this a tricky upgrade from coach to business. First sometimes looks like there’s good availability until close to departure, and it’s common that this cabin is filled deadheading.
Upgrading is challenging, and Y to J SWU or miles + copay always trumps 500 mile or DODU / courtesy upgrades within an elite tier. (500 mile and courtesy upgrades from Business to First is not allowed).
Remember, upgrade priority for these flights is:
*Y to C/J only; C to F not allowed
Cabins will generally not be “rolled” forward (e.g. J to F) to accommodate upgrades.
Those confirmed in Flagship First on these (between JFK and LAX or SFO) can access Flagship Lounges as well as Flagship First Dining at JFK or LAX, or the Admirals Club at SFO (or the LAX TBIT Qantas First lounge).
Related threads:
Aircraft guide: Which Airbus A321? (including “321”, “32B”, A321neo)
A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class began service Jan 2014 (consolidated)
Best Business / First seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner)
American flies the transcontinental A321T with three classes including solo First and Business pairs that fully recline horizontally. (Note the "32B" designation applies to all Airbus A321-100 and -200 - aircraft with "Sharklets" blended winglets in accord with ICAO standards, including two and three class A321s used by AA.)
It appears demand in J is high, supply less so, making this a tricky upgrade from coach to business. First sometimes looks like there’s good availability until close to departure, and it’s common that this cabin is filled deadheading.
Upgrading is challenging, and Y to J SWU or miles + copay always trumps 500 mile or DODU / courtesy upgrades within an elite tier. (500 mile and courtesy upgrades from Business to First is not allowed).
Remember, upgrade priority for these flights is:
- Elite status tier
- SWU & miles and copay
- Business Extra and “special corporate agency upgrade certificates”
- 500 mile (“stickers”) and complimentary / DODU upgrades*
- Award upgrades (CK, EXP, PRO)*
- Last 12 months’ rolling EQD spend
- Etc.
*Y to C/J only; C to F not allowed
Cabins will generally not be “rolled” forward (e.g. J to F) to accommodate upgrades.
Those confirmed in Flagship First on these (between JFK and LAX or SFO) can access Flagship Lounges as well as Flagship First Dining at JFK or LAX, or the Admirals Club at SFO (or the LAX TBIT Qantas First lounge).
Related threads:
Aircraft guide: Which Airbus A321? (including “321”, “32B”, A321neo)
A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class began service Jan 2014 (consolidated)
Best Business / First seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner)
Airbus A321T / 321T “32B” Transcon JFK <--> LAX / SFO Upgrade Success / Help
#286
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Was on the 10am JFK-LAX last Sunday and the aisle seat across from me went out empty in biz despite 15+ people on the upgrade list. Is this just a function of lazy GAs? If so that is ridiculous. None of those seats should go out empty with numerous elites on the list
I'm on the 6:20 departure tonight JFK-LAX and seeing J0. My upgrade hasn't cleared so not very hopeful at this point but if they send out empty biz seats I'll definitely be pissed!
I'm on the 6:20 departure tonight JFK-LAX and seeing J0. My upgrade hasn't cleared so not very hopeful at this point but if they send out empty biz seats I'll definitely be pissed!
Wish there was an earlier flight to SFO today myself. But the 9:05 it is and will have to be.
#287
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: CO
Posts: 608
Will def need a miracle! Just hanging at 34
#288
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
#289
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Just checked the upgrade list for my flight and there’s no one on the list. Wow!!
There are four available seats according to seat map. EF still has Seats in J for sales too. No wonder AA doesn’t have the 2 additional nonstops to SFO today. Just three flights today.
There are four available seats according to seat map. EF still has Seats in J for sales too. No wonder AA doesn’t have the 2 additional nonstops to SFO today. Just three flights today.
#291
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
Interesting situation on my flight with regards to the upgrade list.
First flight out SFO-JFK. Noticed that there were only three people on the Upgrade list and two seats vacant. However, no one cleared and those two seats went out empty.
So, to be placed on the airport upgrade list, you have volunteer for it as a Plat and Gold? Did they just not purchase certificates to confirm the upgrade? Last minute C space even was available too.
First flight out SFO-JFK. Noticed that there were only three people on the Upgrade list and two seats vacant. However, no one cleared and those two seats went out empty.
So, to be placed on the airport upgrade list, you have volunteer for it as a Plat and Gold? Did they just not purchase certificates to confirm the upgrade? Last minute C space even was available too.
#293
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Those four seats in J remained empty and F only have 2 pax. Y was almost completely full though.
#294
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,206
At $150... I would say it's not worth it, but that's just me.
#295
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
#296
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
#297
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
Upgrade when business class full / first class empty (JFK-SFO)
Transcon flight JFK - SFO (A321), about 7 days out. I'm Exec Plat on waitlist to upgrade with miles from econ to business.
Business class is filling up quickly but not a single First Class seat is occupied (10 seats empty).
If biz class does end up full before my upgrade clears, does AA bump up biz class passengers to First to accommodate EP upgrade with miles request?
Seems lose/lose for them/me to fly First empty when there's a revenue-generating (co-pay) EP upgrade on the biz class waitlist.
Any tips/insights appreciated.
Business class is filling up quickly but not a single First Class seat is occupied (10 seats empty).
If biz class does end up full before my upgrade clears, does AA bump up biz class passengers to First to accommodate EP upgrade with miles request?
Seems lose/lose for them/me to fly First empty when there's a revenue-generating (co-pay) EP upgrade on the biz class waitlist.
Any tips/insights appreciated.
#299
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: US/CO/AA/MR Plat
Posts: 92
Transcon flight JFK - SFO (A321), about 7 days out. I'm Exec Plat on waitlist to upgrade with miles from econ to business.
Business class is filling up quickly but not a single First Class seat is occupied (10 seats empty).
If biz class does end up full before my upgrade clears, does AA bump up biz class passengers to First to accommodate EP upgrade with miles request?
Seems lose/lose for them/me to fly First empty when there's a revenue-generating (co-pay) EP upgrade on the biz class waitlist.
Any tips/insights appreciated.
Business class is filling up quickly but not a single First Class seat is occupied (10 seats empty).
If biz class does end up full before my upgrade clears, does AA bump up biz class passengers to First to accommodate EP upgrade with miles request?
Seems lose/lose for them/me to fly First empty when there's a revenue-generating (co-pay) EP upgrade on the biz class waitlist.
Any tips/insights appreciated.
F will fill up with full mileage redemptions, full fare (most likely corporate contract) F, and non-revs.