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LAA 2-class Airbus 321S / A321H (Sharklets) (master thread)

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Old May 26, 2015, 7:07 am
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Two Class Airbus A321-200 / A321S In Service as of Aug 2014
The Airbus A321-200 A321 is the stretched version of the A320 family of aircraft. AA is the world's largest operator of the A321 with 159 in service, 60 on order*. These will also replace most Boeing 757-223s. The A321 is coded by most sources as "32B", which means any A321 aircraft with "Sharklets™" blended wingtip devices. All 321s in the LAA fleet and order are technically "32B" aircraft, as they all arrive "out of the box" with Sharklets™.

The A321S variant of American's Airbus A321-200 aircraft is the "plain vanilla" two class twin engine narrow body replacing the Boeing 757-223 and filling in on routes with higher capacity requirements than those filled by the rapidly disappearing MD-80 or Boeing 737-800 and MAX 8 aircraft.

A321S and A321H: (16Y, 165Y including 38 MCE) two class “32B” A321-200 with Sharklets wingtip devices used in normal domestic and short international service, and in the A321H ETOPS version West Coast - Hawai’i service. SeatGuru “A321 V2”.

A321H: This particular two class A321 variant is fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks and is ETOPS rated, initially deployed on mainland-Hawai'i flights to replace the 757. Due to distance / fuel / load restrictions, some Hawai'i flights will be load-restricted, and seating may be changed if weather / winds aloft issues require it for weight and balance restrictions (higher probability on westbound flights).

First seats are said to be 21" wide, pitch 38"; Economy seats to be 18" wide, 31" pitch (34" in Main Cabin Extra / MCE / XE). But exit and bulkhead seats may be 16.5” wide. See gwade’s post here.

The new leather "slimline" articulated "slider" seats include:
  • "Main Cabin Extra" seats with extra leg room
  • In-flight WiFi
  • "Universal" plug 110 VAC and 5 VDC USB power at every seat
  • tilting 8.9" flatscreen IFE with AVOD at every seat** (complimentary in F) with hand controller. . . (IFE and power mounted on seat back in front of you)


Note: IFE boxes reduce under seat space in window and aisle seat rows.
Small mesh pouch provided for personal items. See #165 for photos.
Seat pitch in coach seems lower.

Exit row / notable seats include:
  • Row 11 (MCE / XE): A, B, and C have virtually infinite leg room but virtually no underseat storage due to a protrusion immediately behind the row 10 seats blocking access. D and E have infinite leg room and access to underseat storage under row 10. There is no F seat in this row due to the presence of a FA jumpseat. Pictures of row 11 are posted in post #366.
  • Row 12 (MCE). Due to a system limitation, AA (mostly incorrectly) has this coded as an exit row on the seat map. It is not. 12 A, B, C, D, and E are standard MCE seats. 12F has no seat in front of it and technically has a direct path to the exit (hence the legal requirement they designate at least that side as an exit row). The underseat storage under 10F is not easily accessible due to the presence of a FA jumpseat.
    • MCE / XE has limited overhead space: the bins above row 11 contain emergency gear
  • Row 24 (only B, C and D, E seats - may have somewhat limited recline)
  • Row 25 (25A and F have no seats in front of them)
  • Row 36 has limited recline and is directly in front of the Economy lavs


NOTE: Under “Project Oasis” all seats will be replaced, and seat pitch will be reduced. See Oasis: New seats & less pitch, WiFi IFE & power all 737 and A321 2019-21

**In Theaters Now” movies cost $8, “Best of the Big Screen” (older movies ) for $6 per movie, a “Premium Package” for $5 that includes unlimited 150 network shows on demand and 300 albums, 20 games and audio books. There’s also a Disney option for $4 that includes a variety of kids movies, TV shows, games and music. “Complimentary Programming” offers "NBC Universal on American" and "American Airlines Radio" network.

*July 2015
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LAA 2-class Airbus 321S / A321H (Sharklets) (master thread)

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Old Apr 13, 2016, 3:07 pm
  #316  
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As this relates to a specific aircraft type with an existing thread discussing it, I'll merge this in.

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Old Apr 13, 2016, 3:36 pm
  #317  
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Originally Posted by Prestonfgraham
I'm on an American Airbus a321 from LAX to Kona in November. I booked 11E and 11D for me and my wife. I believe it's a 2 person exit row.

Any experience with these seats? Any alternate suggestions?

Thank you
Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Those are great seats; I would definitely keep them.
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Old Apr 13, 2016, 3:59 pm
  #318  
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Originally Posted by Prestonfgraham
I'm on an American Airbus a321 from LAX to Kona in November. I booked 11E and 11D for me and my wife. I believe it's a 2 person exit row.

Any experience with these seats? Any alternate suggestions?

Thank you
Lots of legroom, the best row in Y on the 32B.
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Old Apr 14, 2016, 1:27 pm
  #319  
 
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What do folks think between 11A, 11D and 12F? How much does the location of the door affect 11A and 12F?

This is an early evening flight from DFW to SFO.
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Old Apr 14, 2016, 2:12 pm
  #320  
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Originally Posted by bmchris
What do folks think between 11A, 11D and 12F? How much does the location of the door affect 11A and 12F?

This is an early evening flight from DFW to SFO.
11D is an aisle seat with tons of legroom and totally unimpeded access. 11A is similar, but right at the door with slightly less legroom due to the raft (?) location behind row 10 (seen in the photo I attached in post # 309).

I haven't been in 12F, but it is similar to 25A and 25F, which I have been in; those have a lot of legroom; however, the access is not quite as easy, as you have to pass in front of those seated in the row ahead.
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 4:50 pm
  #321  
 
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Does row 1 have restricted leg room compared to row 2?
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 5:32 pm
  #322  
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Originally Posted by beachfan
Does row 1 have restricted leg room compared to row 2?
Yes, a bit. Honestly the legroom throughout the F cabin on this plane isn't great but I'd much rather be in row 2 than row 1.
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 6:13 pm
  #323  
 
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Thanks!

I snoozed when I should have confirmed an upgrade with cash and copay. Initially thought F on this plane wasn't worth it, but now that I'm faced with coach, I'm second guessing myself.

I'm in 11 C now, only 1A available. I can hope for a complimentary upgrade, but I's sorry to hear about the crappy legroom.
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 7:48 pm
  #324  
 
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I looked at a few DFW-SAN flights in late July on the A321. F is already full or almost full on those flights.

I managed to grab 3 seats on one flight but can't imagine how difficult it would be to get F with only a few weeks' notice. Forget upgrades -- now it's hard to even buy a seat on the A321.

Thanks, Doug, for those tiny F cabins on a near 200-seat plane.
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 7:56 pm
  #325  
 
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Originally Posted by Unimatrix One
I looked at a few DFW-SAN flights in late July on the A321. F is already full or almost full on those flights.

I managed to grab 3 seats on one flight but can't imagine how difficult it would be to get F with only a few weeks' notice. Forget upgrades -- now it's hard to even buy a seat on the A321.

Thanks, Doug, for those tiny F cabins on a near 200-seat plane.
Availability looks to be wide open, so it's probably a one-off.

Anecdotal evidence does not make for evidence.
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 8:11 pm
  #326  
 
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Originally Posted by Unimatrix One
I looked at a few DFW-SAN flights in late July on the A321. F is already full or almost full on those flights.

I managed to grab 3 seats on one flight but can't imagine how difficult it would be to get F with only a few weeks' notice. Forget upgrades -- now it's hard to even buy a seat on the A321.

Thanks, Doug, for those tiny F cabins on a near 200-seat plane.
While I sympathize with you, I also agree with United757's response above. Also, this is one thing that can't be blamed on Discount Dougie. This configuration of this plane was decided under Horton. As much as I truly miss Horton's vision, this the small F-Cabin was one thing his team got wrong, IMHO.
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Old Apr 22, 2016, 9:23 pm
  #327  
 
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Originally Posted by UAPremierGuy
While I sympathize with you, I also agree with United757's response above. Also, this is one thing that can't be blamed on Discount Dougie. This configuration of this plane was decided under Horton. As much as I truly miss Horton's vision, this the small F-Cabin was one thing his team got wrong, IMHO.
I thought others in this thread said that pmAA was planning on 20 seats for this plane?
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Old Apr 23, 2016, 1:13 am
  #328  
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Originally Posted by Unimatrix One
I thought others in this thread said that pmAA was planning on 20 seats for this plane?
That's Delta's plan for the A321. They're also putting in more Y seats.
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Old Apr 23, 2016, 12:33 pm
  #329  
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Originally Posted by UAPremierGuy
While I sympathize with you, I also agree with United757's response above. Also, this is one thing that can't be blamed on Discount Dougie. This configuration of this plane was decided under Horton. As much as I truly miss Horton's vision, this the small F-Cabin was one thing his team got wrong, IMHO.
Not quite.

In May, 2013, AA flight attendants were told (in training) that the A321s would feature 24F/150Y and they were given training manuals with seat maps. Which is logical given that most domestic 757s would be replaced with A321s.

In June, 2013, Parker and Kirby ordered that seating density be increased on pmAA aircraft, and AA management who were hoping to keep their jobs (those below Horton) complied. Yes, Horton was still the nominal CEO, but immediately following the February announcement of the takeover, Parker essentially moved to DFW and began giving orders.

Horton's Airbus configuration mistake was the 8F/120Y A319 - but his plans for the A321 called for 24F.

His widebody configuration mistake (IMO) was the 772.

Originally Posted by Unimatrix One
I thought others in this thread said that pmAA was planning on 20 seats for this plane?
If someone posted that AA's plan was for 20F, they were mistaken (or simply posting without any knowledge of what they discussing). AA's plan was for 24F/150Y, and those plans were changed as discussed above.
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Old Apr 23, 2016, 12:44 pm
  #330  
 
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Hmm. Good to know. Thanks for the clarification!
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