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)
#392
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, AAdvantage Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 263
My flight has Row 1 (bulkhead) and Row 4 (last row) available; both are flagged yellow on seatguru. Which would you prefer? Namely, how limited is the recline in Row 4?
#393
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,358
My flight from LAX to BOS on April 17 has been changed from 738 to 32B. I’m flying business. The AA seat map shows 16 business seats starting at row 1, seatguru shows a 3 class A321 which I assume is wrong? How do I know if it’s an updated A321 with seatback tvs? It’s AA1379
#394
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage EXP
Posts: 67
My flight from LAX to BOS on April 17 has been changed from 738 to 32B. I’m flying business. The AA seat map shows 16 business seats starting at row 1, seatguru shows a 3 class A321 which I assume is wrong? How do I know if it’s an updated A321 with seatback tvs? It’s AA1379
If you see "32B sharklets" in the description of the plane on AA's website, this is a relatively new 321 with seatback IFE. If those words are not in the description, the plane is an LUS 321 with no seatback entertainment. Generally the LUS planes fly out of old USAir hubs (PHL, CLT, PHX, etc.) and the 32B's fly from the old AA hubs (LAX, DFW, etc.).
#395
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,653
That's the A321T, which is used on the JFK LAX/SFO routes.
#397
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
#398
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 464
Traveling 2 pax LAX-OGG next week. Looking at either 11A/C (B taken) or 12E/F. I would imagine if we take Row 11, we'll end up taking B and offering A or C to whoever is in B.
Don't care so much about under seat storage but would like to have the ability to get up without disturbing others. Is it easier to access the aisle from 12F vs 11A?
Is there a consensus for what's preferable; 11A/C (or 11A/B) vs 12E/F?
Don't care so much about under seat storage but would like to have the ability to get up without disturbing others. Is it easier to access the aisle from 12F vs 11A?
Is there a consensus for what's preferable; 11A/C (or 11A/B) vs 12E/F?
#399
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 6
Traveling 2 pax LAX-OGG next week. Looking at either 11A/C (B taken) or 12E/F. I would imagine if we take Row 11, we'll end up taking B and offering A or C to whoever is in B.
Don't care so much about under seat storage but would like to have the ability to get up without disturbing others. Is it easier to access the aisle from 12F vs 11A?
Is there a consensus for what's preferable; 11A/C (or 11A/B) vs 12E/F?
Don't care so much about under seat storage but would like to have the ability to get up without disturbing others. Is it easier to access the aisle from 12F vs 11A?
Is there a consensus for what's preferable; 11A/C (or 11A/B) vs 12E/F?
The only potential positive for row 12 would be that 12E would have a "regular" tray table and PTV in the seat in front rather than 11A/B/C and 12F which will have try tables in the arms and PTVs that swing up from under the seat.
#400
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
If you are worried about aisle access for both people then I think row 11 would be the choice. You stand up right into the exit aisle and wouldn't have to step over anyone. 12F has the ability to walk forward and loop around 11 D/E for pretty easy aisle access but 12E would have to disturb 12D or step over the feet or legs 12F to get out.
The only potential positive for row 12 would be that 12E would have a "regular" tray table and PTV in the seat in front rather than 11A/B/C and 12F which will have try tables in the arms and PTVs that swing up from under the seat.
The only potential positive for row 12 would be that 12E would have a "regular" tray table and PTV in the seat in front rather than 11A/B/C and 12F which will have try tables in the arms and PTVs that swing up from under the seat.
#401
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Glob
Posts: 369
LAX-LIH in F (A321)
Sorry if I'm in the wrong place/didn't read back far enough...
Any recent F experiences to share on A321 to Hawaii? I am travelling from LAX-LIH in June, and have selected 2A,C,D, and F for my wife and 2 teens. I am aware of the (vast) difference between F on the A321T and S, so I somewhat understand what to expect, but just wanted to see what the experts here have to say.
I flew a decades old 767 on HA in F last year, and contrary to most reviews, was quite happy with the flight (mostly from a service perspective). Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!
Any recent F experiences to share on A321 to Hawaii? I am travelling from LAX-LIH in June, and have selected 2A,C,D, and F for my wife and 2 teens. I am aware of the (vast) difference between F on the A321T and S, so I somewhat understand what to expect, but just wanted to see what the experts here have to say.
I flew a decades old 767 on HA in F last year, and contrary to most reviews, was quite happy with the flight (mostly from a service perspective). Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!
#402
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 6
Sorry if I'm in the wrong place/didn't read back far enough...
Any recent F experiences to share on A321 to Hawaii? I am travelling from LAX-LIH in June, and have selected 2A,C,D, and F for my wife and 2 teens. I am aware of the (vast) difference between F on the A321T and S, so I somewhat understand what to expect, but just wanted to see what the experts here have to say.
I flew a decades old 767 on HA in F last year, and contrary to most reviews, was quite happy with the flight (mostly from a service perspective). Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!
Any recent F experiences to share on A321 to Hawaii? I am travelling from LAX-LIH in June, and have selected 2A,C,D, and F for my wife and 2 teens. I am aware of the (vast) difference between F on the A321T and S, so I somewhat understand what to expect, but just wanted to see what the experts here have to say.
I flew a decades old 767 on HA in F last year, and contrary to most reviews, was quite happy with the flight (mostly from a service perspective). Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!
All in all I thought it was pretty good for the ~ 6 hour flight. Certainly much better than you could see on a similar length LAX-BOS flight on some of the older 738s.
#403
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
Row 4 has the same recline as other rows. The seat cushion moving forward, and the recline isn't much, kind of like the 737 jet.. None of the F seats recline much, come to think of it. Row 4 has privacy bulkhead, too. My choice is 4A or 4F, private and comfortable. Bulkhead cannot extend legs all the way. Enjoy the flight.
#404
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Cupertino, CA - AA:PLT 2MM; Marriott:Plt; Hilton:Slv
Posts: 563
Wanted to provide a "Row 11 Review". As a pretty good sized guy (read: wide, but not two seat wide), I have never had a problem with the whole "hard sided bulkhead / exit row" seats that some people say are slightly narrower. Man, was i wrong this time. Row 11 on the 321 is NOTICEABLY narrower. I usually like the Airbus economy seat because they are mostly 18 inches wide. I swear this had to be 16.5 inches. I was squeezed (slightly) on each side of my 11E seat. Damn fine seat otherwise, but if you're a good sized person, forget about it. I will absolutely take a standard MCE aisle next time.
Plus, you are pretty much guaranteed to have a seat mate in 11D. Using a standard MCE aisle at least increases the probability the middle seat could be empty.
YMMV
Plus, you are pretty much guaranteed to have a seat mate in 11D. Using a standard MCE aisle at least increases the probability the middle seat could be empty.
YMMV
#405
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,318
Yes, I’ve taken 12f over row 11 for that reason. Only one armrest is solid. Same with 25a but the smaller area in front of row 24 makes it harder to get in and out than 12f.