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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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 31, 2017, 6:03 pm
#121
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Jul 31, 2017, 6:17 pm
#122
Join Date: May 2015
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From JFK to LAX and SFO I've had a good number of upgrades clear over the past few years (as recently as this summer - at the 48-hour mark, all for midday Thursday and Friday flights). For whatever reason, the return flights on Sunday have never cleared. So YMMV.
Jul 31, 2017, 7:21 pm
#123
Join Date: May 2007
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On a Sunday evening? I'd say that's one of the more elite heavy times on that route... Nevertheless, congrats!
Jul 31, 2017, 8:53 pm
#124
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Aug 1, 2017, 5:44 pm
#125
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: NYC
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Thanks! I was quite surprised myself, but figured most of the high spend elites were still out in the Hamptons enjoying the summer. I'm much further down the EQD trough...
Sep 10, 2017, 11:12 pm
#127
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Location: San Francisco area
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EXP with 16k EQD, had UG cleared Y-C on Monday night redeye SFO-JFK last 2 weeks, both 2-4 days in advance. Had JFK-SFO 177 clear last Thursday, after I had already taken seat 16C. Had the whole 16 A/C/C to myself, so moving to bulkhead C was actually a cut on space, plus seeing all those paid C people staring at me 
Sep 29, 2017, 7:27 am
#129
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These days the capacity has been cut, I believe, on Sat afternoon flights.
Oct 1, 2017, 1:05 am
#130
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Everything has changed this year and I haven't been to JFK since May, and that trip was the last segment of a DONE5 award. To be honest, except for one trip I have bought I/D fares and that one non-premium booking to ORD cleared into C at the gate. I made my EXP for next year already because of the DONE5 trip.
Oct 2, 2017, 7:05 pm
#131
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: AZ
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Posts: 213
Saturday afternoons have pretty much been the only time I have not seen a full J cabin on these flights. Once had the two seats to myself on one of these, which was nice as I could set up a bed and a seat at the same time. FA even brought an espresso from F. It was that kind of quiet flight.
These days the capacity has been cut, I believe, on Sat afternoon flights.
These days the capacity has been cut, I believe, on Sat afternoon flights.
Nov 7, 2017, 4:33 am
#135
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