Mar 5, 2015, 10:12 pm
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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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
Feb 21, 2020, 6:05 am
#496
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Yea, they definitely do that
Feb 21, 2020, 8:58 am
#497
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Jun 8, 2020, 11:14 pm
#498
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Any recent experiences in J/F on LAX-JFK recently? Upcoming flights are lightly booked in J . . . I read F has been filling with NRSA . . . is that also true for F? If so, I'll use a systemwide; otherwise, I'd rather have an empty next to me in J.
Jun 9, 2020, 12:06 am
#499
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I’ve done J twice now and both times the seat next to me has been empty.
Jun 9, 2020, 6:00 pm
#500
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I have the JFK-SFO route in business as part of a AUH-SFO First class award flight. Can I be put on a waitlist the same as if I was requesting a mileage+co-pay upgrade or do I have to watch EF only?
Jun 13, 2020, 3:26 pm
#501
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I flew the LAX-JFK redeye last night. Booked in J, and was hoping to have an empty next to me, but by noontime, the J cabin was filling so I applied an SWU to move up to F. Both premium cabins were ultimately filled by nonrevs (I believe three revenue pax total in F). Nice to see that the onboard amenities really haven't been cut much at all. Pillow, duvet, amenity kit, headphones, a meal, and full beverage service were all on offer.
Jan 16, 2021, 4:41 pm
#504
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May 13, 2021, 2:29 pm
#505
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 392
Any recent upgrade experiences into J as EXP on the LAX-JFK route? J Cabin looks at least half empty (and F almost totally empty) a few weeks out - wondering if they are filling up with paying J customers or are any EXP's clearing these days? It's such a gamble lately. Was even looking at LAX-PHL as an alternative - of course, not nearly as nice of a J experience but to tell you the truth, those cabins are filling up too...
May 13, 2021, 2:43 pm
#506
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
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Any recent upgrade experiences into J as EXP on the LAX-JFK route? J Cabin looks at least half empty (and F almost totally empty) a few weeks out - wondering if they are filling up with paying J customers or are any EXP's clearing these days? It's such a gamble lately.
The Sabre availability displays on LAX-JFK appear drastically different than just a few weeks ago with respect to J inventory.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; May 13, 2021 at 3:38 pm Reason: sp
May 13, 2021, 3:05 pm
#507
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 392
Thanks NYC Flyer - yeah, that's what I'm thinking. And what shows as space now a few weeks in advance will get gobbled up by the time I'm one week out. Out of curiosity, what alternative flights are you looking into? I mentioned looking into PHL since I don't need to be in the city right away so it will suffice...
May 13, 2021, 4:02 pm
#508
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Possibly BUR-JFK on DL via SLC. I've not been to the new SLC terminal/SkyClub and there is a 764 on the SLC-JFK leg. I'm Diamond on DL, and, as of now, looks like some hope for an upgrade confirmed a few days ahead of time.
Will also try to decipher whether UA is releasing partner (Membership Rewards/LifeMiles) award seats last minute on the JFK flight. There's nothing avail right now--I've had luck with EWR last minute this past year, but it's been a while since I've tried.
There are some $500 (or lower) o/w connections on AA but probably not with lie-flats.
Good luck!
Will also try to decipher whether UA is releasing partner (Membership Rewards/LifeMiles) award seats last minute on the JFK flight. There's nothing avail right now--I've had luck with EWR last minute this past year, but it's been a while since I've tried.
There are some $500 (or lower) o/w connections on AA but probably not with lie-flats.
Good luck!
May 14, 2021, 4:16 pm
#510
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Good luck NYC Flyer - did you consider the miles + co-pay option for getting on the upgrade waitlist or is it too late now?
On AA nonstops there are two J seats for sale Tuesday and one on Wednesday--all day.