May 26, 2015, 7:07 am
Last edit by: Prospero
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
LAA 2-class Airbus 321S / A321H (Sharklets) (master thread)
Dec 15, 2016, 3:36 pm
#361
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virginia
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Thanks for pic sitting in 11C - yes, plenty of leg room.
But what is that big box sitting on the floor blocking the under seat storage?
So row 11 has no under seat storage and the TV screen must be stored below and pulls up from the floor.
But what is that big box sitting on the floor blocking the under seat storage?
So row 11 has no under seat storage and the TV screen must be stored below and pulls up from the floor.
Dec 15, 2016, 4:09 pm
#362
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Yes, the video screens are mounted on articulated arms that stow under the seat and the tray tables are housed in armrests which are fixed and do not go up.
Dec 16, 2016, 9:46 am
#363
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I'm not sure what's in the box, perhaps emergency equipment. You can reach around it to store items under the seats in row 10.
Yes, the video screens are mounted on articulated arms that stow under the seat and the tray tables are housed in armrests which are fixed and do not go up.
Yes, the video screens are mounted on articulated arms that stow under the seat and the tray tables are housed in armrests which are fixed and do not go up.
Dec 16, 2016, 12:07 pm
#364
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virginia
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Thank you both for your comments about seats 11ABC. I am totally overthinking this but it is a red eye flight back to LAX and then another one back to the East Coast.
How about seats 11 DE - is the window seat there really missing? Is there a huge white box on that side as well?
How about seats 11 DE - is the window seat there really missing? Is there a huge white box on that side as well?
Dec 16, 2016, 12:26 pm
#365
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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My favorite seat on this aircraft is 12F, when traveling solo. If I need to get up for a restroom break, I can scoot through that space next to row 11 and in front of them to get out.
There's an FA jumpseat behind 10F, and one will sit there for takeoff, landing, and if there's extreme turbulence.
For a pair together, I'd take 11DE.
Jan 25, 2017, 5:58 pm
#366
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I took a couple of shots of row 11 on last night's flight in case it helps. I'll just upload them here for now and then maybe, if someone finds it useful, we can add them (or resized versions of them) to the wiki or something.
I did already update the wiki to help clarify some things about rows 11-12 that weren't clear. The big one is that the AA seat map identifies row 12 as an exit row, and the people behind me in row 12 actually said to me as I was sitting down, "Did they tell you you had an exit row?" (I said yes.) "They told us we got an exit row, too! What's up??"
I did already update the wiki to help clarify some things about rows 11-12 that weren't clear. The big one is that the AA seat map identifies row 12 as an exit row, and the people behind me in row 12 actually said to me as I was sitting down, "Did they tell you you had an exit row?" (I said yes.) "They told us we got an exit row, too! What's up??"
Jan 25, 2017, 6:26 pm
#367
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I took a couple of shots of row 11 on last night's flight in case it helps. I'll just upload them here for now and then maybe, if someone finds it useful, we can add them (or resized versions of them) to the wiki or something.
I did already update the wiki to help clarify some things about rows 11-12 that weren't clear. The big one is that the AA seat map identifies row 12 as an exit row, and the people behind me in row 12 actually said to me as I was sitting down, "Did they tell you you had an exit row?" (I said yes.) "They told us we got an exit row, too! What's up??"
I did already update the wiki to help clarify some things about rows 11-12 that weren't clear. The big one is that the AA seat map identifies row 12 as an exit row, and the people behind me in row 12 actually said to me as I was sitting down, "Did they tell you you had an exit row?" (I said yes.) "They told us we got an exit row, too! What's up??"
Jan 26, 2017, 1:48 pm
#368
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I was in 11A and the woman who made the comment to me about her seat not being an exit row was in 12A. I can see the point about 12DEF being considered one, though, but not 12ABC.
Jan 26, 2017, 3:52 pm
#369
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
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There's a system limitation that doesn't allow only half of a row to be designated as an exit, so all of row 12 is coded as an exit. As a result, 12ABC may trigger the exit seating prompt and the boarding passes may print "EXIT" even though they're legally not.
Feb 9, 2017, 6:28 am
#371
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Grateful for some assistance please to remind me of the 'best' F seats on two 321 variants
Flying HNL to LAX on a 32B
I remember the F seats to and from HNL but cannot quite remember if it is better to sit in row 1 for extra leg room/but bulkhead restriction issues or say row 2 for better leg room under the seat in front. I remember that they were leather seats with seat back IFE, which hard a seatback that does not recline onto the row behind.
followed by
LAX to CLT on a 321.
For this aircraft, I cannot remember if row 1 or 2 are better for similar issues above, but have the issue of the seat recline from the row in front from row 2 back, but leg room underneath the seat in front.
Any guidance from those familiar with the seats would be appreciated please and apologies if I am posting in the wrong thread.
Thanks in advance.
Flying HNL to LAX on a 32B
I remember the F seats to and from HNL but cannot quite remember if it is better to sit in row 1 for extra leg room/but bulkhead restriction issues or say row 2 for better leg room under the seat in front. I remember that they were leather seats with seat back IFE, which hard a seatback that does not recline onto the row behind.
followed by
LAX to CLT on a 321.
For this aircraft, I cannot remember if row 1 or 2 are better for similar issues above, but have the issue of the seat recline from the row in front from row 2 back, but leg room underneath the seat in front.
Any guidance from those familiar with the seats would be appreciated please and apologies if I am posting in the wrong thread.
Thanks in advance.
Feb 9, 2017, 8:21 am
#372
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Just completed a trip to Chicago in January, where the outbound in PHX was a LUS 321, and the return to LAX was an incredibly-new 32B.
On the 32B, I'd take row 2 or 3. Legroom is good. Aisle seat if you want great floor space without the IFE box issue (which is minimal), or window if you want control over the window shade (I've been surprised how many people will leave that thing in the up position for five hours over the Pacific or Kansas). Love the entertainment options.
On the legacy 321 to CLT, I'd still take row 2 or 3, even with the seat recline issue. In this case, I'd sit in the starboard-side window so you control the shade and you don't have to look at the beat-up cabinets in the galley. Bring your own entertainment.
On the 32B, I'd take row 2 or 3. Legroom is good. Aisle seat if you want great floor space without the IFE box issue (which is minimal), or window if you want control over the window shade (I've been surprised how many people will leave that thing in the up position for five hours over the Pacific or Kansas). Love the entertainment options.
On the legacy 321 to CLT, I'd still take row 2 or 3, even with the seat recline issue. In this case, I'd sit in the starboard-side window so you control the shade and you don't have to look at the beat-up cabinets in the galley. Bring your own entertainment.
Feb 9, 2017, 12:19 pm
#373
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
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Many thanks jcatman!
Very helpful. I have changed my seats accordingly.
The flight for CLT leaves LAX early in the morning so I guess the sun could be an issue. Selected 3DF as 2DF are already taken.
Very helpful. I have changed my seats accordingly.
The flight for CLT leaves LAX early in the morning so I guess the sun could be an issue. Selected 3DF as 2DF are already taken.
Last edited by TravellerFrequently; Feb 11, 2017 at 1:49 am
Feb 10, 2017, 1:20 am
#374
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Feb 11, 2017, 5:36 am
#375
Join Date: Oct 2007
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