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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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
Jul 20, 2022, 4:16 pm
#527
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
I got a 72 hour upgrade to J for flight AA302 (JFK-LAX) this past monday then got a phone call from what my caller ID said Great Neck Dentist an hour before my flight and it was the Gate Agent asking me if I'll make my flight which I said yes and that I was at the lounge then asked my permission to bump me to First. Never had a double upgrade and definitely didn't complain. It was a good day. F service was terrible on that flight though.
Funny thing is I wasn't planning on targeting a new EXP this year but this most certainly made me appreciate my EXP a lot more and now I think i'll do it.
Funny thing is I wasn't planning on targeting a new EXP this year but this most certainly made me appreciate my EXP a lot more and now I think i'll do it.
Jul 20, 2022, 5:49 pm
#528
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SFO/STS
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 396
I got a 72 hour upgrade to J for flight AA302 (JFK-LAX) this past monday then got a phone call from what my caller ID said Great Neck Dentist an hour before my flight and it was the Gate Agent asking me if I'll make my flight which I said yes and that I was at the lounge then asked my permission to bump me to First. Never had a double upgrade and definitely didn't complain. It was a good day. F service was terrible on that flight though.
Funny thing is I wasn't planning on targeting a new EXP this year but this most certainly made me appreciate my EXP a lot more and now I think i'll do it.
Funny thing is I wasn't planning on targeting a new EXP this year but this most certainly made me appreciate my EXP a lot more and now I think i'll do it.
Last edited by Rebob; Jul 20, 2022 at 5:50 pm Reason: more info
Aug 4, 2022, 7:29 pm
#530
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
Few data points - cleared my sister and I from JFK to SFO a month ago. C inventory opened 1 week in advance.
Also cleared her on SFO-JFK (red-eye) last week and JFK-SFO yesterday. C inventory available at T24.
Also cleared her on SFO-JFK (red-eye) last week and JFK-SFO yesterday. C inventory available at T24.
Jan 26, 2023, 2:18 am
#531
Join Date: Jan 2023
Programs: AA Plat, *A Slv
Posts: 7
How does the Monday 6 pm JFK-SFO look for an upgrade* for AA Plat? Open J seats went from 11 to 6 in the last 5-6 hours, but this seems to be outside the upgrade window for elites, so would I be wrong in assuming that these are purchases or paid upgrades? And based on the MCEs currently taken, there would be multiple elites competing for these comp upgrades. Don't have as much experience, so all of this is just guesswork..
Last edited by minitacotruck; Jan 26, 2023 at 10:12 am Reason: typo
Jan 26, 2023, 10:10 am
#532
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Gold
Posts: 1,200
How does the Monday 6 pm JFK-SFO look for an update for AA Plat? Open J seats went from 11 to 6 in the last 5-6 hours, but this seems to be outside the upgrade window for elites, so would I be wrong in assuming that these are purchases or paid upgrades. And based on the MCEs currently taken, there would be multiple elites competing for these comp upgrades. Don't have as much experience, so all of this is just guesswork..
Jan 31, 2023, 5:44 pm
#533
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SFO/JFK/MGA
Programs: UA 1P MM, AA-PP, AS, DL, HH G, SPG Gold, TA nada
Posts: 2,043
Yep. However, that is a tough upgrade. I as a PP got it once. I generally book the later flight (8;30pm - 9 pm) and have not missed it. I do fly off day too, like Tuesday or Wednesday.
Feb 14, 2023, 7:01 am
#534
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Nottingham
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,326
Does anyone have any data points for paid upgrades at checkin from Y - J on JFK - LAX? Flying AA300 (well technically BA4687) next Friday.
Looking on ExpertFlyer, it doesn't look overly busy. In the past on domestic routes on AA I have been offered upgrades at checkin. Just wondering how frequently it happens on the transcon flights?
Looking on ExpertFlyer, it doesn't look overly busy. In the past on domestic routes on AA I have been offered upgrades at checkin. Just wondering how frequently it happens on the transcon flights?
Feb 14, 2023, 12:10 pm
#535
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 325
Does anyone have any data points for paid upgrades at checkin from Y - J on JFK - LAX? Flying AA300 (well technically BA4687) next Friday.
Looking on ExpertFlyer, it doesn't look overly busy. In the past on domestic routes on AA I have been offered upgrades at checkin. Just wondering how frequently it happens on the transcon flights?
Looking on ExpertFlyer, it doesn't look overly busy. In the past on domestic routes on AA I have been offered upgrades at checkin. Just wondering how frequently it happens on the transcon flights?
Feb 14, 2023, 3:27 pm
#536
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,472
Does anyone have any data points for paid upgrades at checkin from Y - J on JFK - LAX? Flying AA300 (well technically BA4687) next Friday.
Looking on ExpertFlyer, it doesn't look overly busy. In the past on domestic routes on AA I have been offered upgrades at checkin. Just wondering how frequently it happens on the transcon flights?
Looking on ExpertFlyer, it doesn't look overly busy. In the past on domestic routes on AA I have been offered upgrades at checkin. Just wondering how frequently it happens on the transcon flights?
Feb 28, 2023, 2:03 pm
#537
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
I booked a BA Biz ticket, but one segment JFK-SFO with a BA flight number is in economy, during booking the class was shown as economy standard because "business is not offered" on this flight. Is there any chance my ticket will get me a biz seat at the airport?
Feb 28, 2023, 2:22 pm
#538
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,472
Feb 28, 2023, 8:49 pm
#539
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Nottingham
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,326
From the sounds of it, you've booked into Y class because I class wasn't available, rather than not offered.
Feb 28, 2023, 9:18 pm
#540
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
There are MANY reasons why a booking engine might get this wrong. Get a human and ask
Dont ASSUME it is because there wasnt space.
and absolutely do not assume it will just put you into Biz 'automatically' at the airport.