East Coast to SFO - A330 or 321T?
Nov 13, 2018, 2:27 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
Setting aside the difference in ground service at JFK vs. PHL, I'm not a huge fan of the 321T. Yes, the F seat is very good. But I've noticed that the seat is very sensitive to vibration of the floor of the aircraft. Specifically, every time someone walks past the seat, the seat vibrated noticeably. I'm not sure if I'd be able to sleep well under those circumstances. Not sure if this is specific to only the 321T examples I've flown or if it's widespread. In contrast, I've never had that issue on any widebody aircraft.
The AA 332 aircraft I've flown are really not aging well at all. The design of the J seat is fine, but they're really beat up and cleaning is a joke (the far older 767 J seats have held up much better). Also, the design is such that stuff can fall between the seating console and the inner wall of the aircraft; yet AA never thinks to clean it out. Take a look if you have a window seat; it's pretty gross.
Some frequencies are the 321T, but AA also uses the 737 and universally reviled ERJ-140 for that route.
The AA 332 aircraft I've flown are really not aging well at all. The design of the J seat is fine, but they're really beat up and cleaning is a joke (the far older 767 J seats have held up much better). Also, the design is such that stuff can fall between the seating console and the inner wall of the aircraft; yet AA never thinks to clean it out. Take a look if you have a window seat; it's pretty gross.
Some frequencies are the 321T, but AA also uses the 737 and universally reviled ERJ-140 for that route.
Nov 13, 2018, 6:43 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
Nov 13, 2018, 7:03 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Setting aside the difference in ground service at JFK vs. PHL, I'm not a huge fan of the 321T. Yes, the F seat is very good. But I've noticed that the seat is very sensitive to vibration of the floor of the aircraft. Specifically, every time someone walks past the seat, the seat vibrated noticeably. I'm not sure if I'd be able to sleep well under those circumstances. Not sure if this is specific to only the 321T examples I've flown or if it's widespread. In contrast, I've never had that issue on any widebody aircraft.
The AA 332 aircraft I've flown are really not aging well at all. The design of the J seat is fine, but they're really beat up and cleaning is a joke (the far older 767 J seats have held up much better). Also, the design is such that stuff can fall between the seating console and the inner wall of the aircraft; yet AA never thinks to clean it out. Take a look if you have a window seat; it's pretty gross.
The AA 332 aircraft I've flown are really not aging well at all. The design of the J seat is fine, but they're really beat up and cleaning is a joke (the far older 767 J seats have held up much better). Also, the design is such that stuff can fall between the seating console and the inner wall of the aircraft; yet AA never thinks to clean it out. Take a look if you have a window seat; it's pretty gross.
Nov 13, 2018, 7:24 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: AA Pro;Ritz Carlton Ambassador;Hilton Silver: SPG Gold
Posts: 111
Setting aside the difference in ground service at JFK vs. PHL, I'm not a huge fan of the 321T. Yes, the F seat is very good. But I've noticed that the seat is very sensitive to vibration of the floor of the aircraft. Specifically, every time someone walks past the seat, the seat vibrated noticeably. I'm not sure if I'd be able to sleep well under those circumstances. Not sure if this is specific to only the 321T examples I've flown or if it's widespread. In contrast, I've never had that issue on any widebody aircraft.
I thought it was just me. When the FAs come through the aisle, you hear them pounding on the floor boards.
The AA 332 aircraft I've flown are really not aging well at all. The design of the J seat is fine, but they're really beat up and cleaning is a joke (the far older 767 J seats have held up much better). Also, the design is such that stuff can fall between the seating console and the inner wall of the aircraft; yet AA never thinks to clean it out. Take a look if you have a window seat; it's pretty gross.
Some frequencies are the 321T, but AA also uses the 737 and universally reviled ERJ-140 for that route.
I thought it was just me. When the FAs come through the aisle, you hear them pounding on the floor boards.
The AA 332 aircraft I've flown are really not aging well at all. The design of the J seat is fine, but they're really beat up and cleaning is a joke (the far older 767 J seats have held up much better). Also, the design is such that stuff can fall between the seating console and the inner wall of the aircraft; yet AA never thinks to clean it out. Take a look if you have a window seat; it's pretty gross.
Some frequencies are the 321T, but AA also uses the 737 and universally reviled ERJ-140 for that route.
Nov 13, 2018, 7:27 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Everyone ought to have a chance to experience the transcon in true first on the 321T. my reservation got bungled and I ended up in first instead of business quite by accident, and I must say it was a real nice ride.
There arent going to be people mulling around the first class cabin. There will only be 10 of you if it's full.
I like widebodies better than narrow bodies also but this was a very special experience. Until that is I got to compare it to Cafe first to Hong Kong. Now *that* blows away anything American does, but the 321t is as close as they're going to get for their effort. A330s are much more routine feeling.
There arent going to be people mulling around the first class cabin. There will only be 10 of you if it's full.
I like widebodies better than narrow bodies also but this was a very special experience. Until that is I got to compare it to Cafe first to Hong Kong. Now *that* blows away anything American does, but the 321t is as close as they're going to get for their effort. A330s are much more routine feeling.
Nov 13, 2018, 8:50 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,204
Nov 13, 2018, 9:49 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I don't know what the price difference is, but I take the A330 PHL-LAX regularly. The seat is fine, although I do take note of the possibility of stuff falling between the seat and the wall in a window seat - I had a baseball cap and phone fall down there last trip and they weren't easy to retrieve.
I fly out of PHL so I don't have a choice, but I know I wouldn't pay twice as much (which I think is the cost difference) to get the same seat. But everyone's standards are different. I recently booked domestic F on a red-eye because I needed the EQM/EQD's. You don't even get the snack basket, but they did keep my water glass filled which was nice since I would occasionally wake up and take a sip. Point being, I p***ed money away just to spend money. So if you need the spend, go for it.
I fly out of PHL so I don't have a choice, but I know I wouldn't pay twice as much (which I think is the cost difference) to get the same seat. But everyone's standards are different. I recently booked domestic F on a red-eye because I needed the EQM/EQD's. You don't even get the snack basket, but they did keep my water glass filled which was nice since I would occasionally wake up and take a sip. Point being, I p***ed money away just to spend money. So if you need the spend, go for it.
Nov 14, 2018, 5:11 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: CLT
Posts: 89
That really depends on the 330. The 321T is basically the flagship domestic plane. The 330s are the "mid tier" international planes, IMO. You're getting a better plane and service on the 321T. You really don't want that legacy US Air plane but you do want that crew...
Nov 14, 2018, 8:18 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
It is nice, but probably won't help OP earn the EQDs that they want. Also, while I'd agree that Mint is probably nicer than A321T business class, I don't think it's true for First, even just considering the in-flight experience (I'd probably call it a tie, with AA having a slightly better hard product and JetBlue having a slightly better soft product). Once you consider ground handling, though, it's really no contest at all since AA has Flagship Dining and JetBlue has none.
Nov 14, 2018, 9:12 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO, CLT
Programs: AA Bonsai EXP (2.9 MM), AS MVPG
Posts: 1,394
It is nice, but probably won't help OP earn the EQDs that they want. Also, while I'd agree that Mint is probably nicer than A321T business class, I don't think it's true for First, even just considering the in-flight experience (I'd probably call it a tie, with AA having a slightly better hard product and JetBlue having a slightly better soft product). Once you consider ground handling, though, it's really no contest at all since AA has Flagship Dining and JetBlue has none.
Paid premium nonstop free agency >>>> AA EXP.
Nov 14, 2018, 10:15 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
As to your second point, though: many people who fly paid F sometimes also fly discount economy. It can be useful to gain status from your premium flying to make your cheap flying as pleasant a possible (or just to save money so you don't always have to pay premium fares to get treated decently).