Would you pay for preferred or MCE or neither?
Nov 21, 2022, 12:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
Would you pay for preferred or MCE or neither?
Going from San Diego to London with a change of planes at DFW. On the first SAN-DFW leg, GF and I had decent standard seats in row 21, but someone took the middle seat, which surprised me, as there are a good number of aisle and window seats available from row 27 and back. I think the plane is an A321, but none of the charts on SeatGuru seem exactly correct.
On the first leg, which is about a 3 hour flight, would you?
A. Stand pat even with someone likely in the middle seat.
B. Spend about $36 total for a preferred window and aisle seat in row 15. They charge in the row for the middle seat, but not in other preferred seats, making it less likely that anyone will sit there.
C. Spend about $84 total for MCE, probably row 9 one row back from the bulkhead. Row 8 is available at a slightly higher cost, but seats are more narrow and not thrilled with the screen in the armrest.
On the first leg, which is about a 3 hour flight, would you?
A. Stand pat even with someone likely in the middle seat.
B. Spend about $36 total for a preferred window and aisle seat in row 15. They charge in the row for the middle seat, but not in other preferred seats, making it less likely that anyone will sit there.
C. Spend about $84 total for MCE, probably row 9 one row back from the bulkhead. Row 8 is available at a slightly higher cost, but seats are more narrow and not thrilled with the screen in the armrest.
Nov 21, 2022, 1:04 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MHK
Programs: AA Exec Plat - some level of status in IHG, Marriot & HIlton
Posts: 1,515
I wouldn't make any decisions based on an empty middle seat. If nobody buys it, chances are very good that somebody without a seat assignment will get it assigned to them on day of travel.
Nov 21, 2022, 1:31 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
Going from San Diego to London with a change of planes at DFW. On the first SAN-DFW leg, GF and I had decent standard seats in row 21, but someone took the middle seat, which surprised me, as there are a good number of aisle and window seats available from row 27 and back. I think the plane is an A321, but none of the charts on SeatGuru seem exactly correct.
On the first leg, which is about a 3 hour flight, would you?
A. Stand pat even with someone likely in the middle seat.
B. Spend about $36 total for a preferred window and aisle seat in row 15. They charge in the row for the middle seat, but not in other preferred seats, making it less likely that anyone will sit there.
C. Spend about $84 total for MCE, probably row 9 one row back from the bulkhead. Row 8 is available at a slightly higher cost, but seats are more narrow and not thrilled with the screen in the armrest.
On the first leg, which is about a 3 hour flight, would you?
A. Stand pat even with someone likely in the middle seat.
B. Spend about $36 total for a preferred window and aisle seat in row 15. They charge in the row for the middle seat, but not in other preferred seats, making it less likely that anyone will sit there.
C. Spend about $84 total for MCE, probably row 9 one row back from the bulkhead. Row 8 is available at a slightly higher cost, but seats are more narrow and not thrilled with the screen in the armrest.
Best A321 layouts are on Aerolopa now that may help you better choose where to sit. I suggest you do the same for your DFW-LHR (even if in a standard seat):
A321 OASIS (i.e. not an A321NEO or A321T): https://www.aerolopa.com/aa-airbus-a321k
A321NEO: https://www.aerolopa.com/aa-airbus-a321nx
Nov 21, 2022, 3:14 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,440
Like most here I travel all over the world but that doesn't mean I just want to throw $84 away if I can avoid it.
Nov 21, 2022, 3:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,224
The A321s have a few MCE rows with really fantastic leg room. If I didn't have status, I would consider paying $84 for 2 in MCE, but others--with less disposable income might not.
Nov 21, 2022, 3:28 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,844
Nope. I'd go for the last row if I could for free.
(just because I think the chances of it being more empty are better. It seems rare to me that MCE isn't filled up, but I don't know this London route...)
(just because I think the chances of it being more empty are better. It seems rare to me that MCE isn't filled up, but I don't know this London route...)
Nov 21, 2022, 4:27 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
The cost isn't a huge deal, but just strategizing. I didn't really consider that the middle seat might get filled within 24 hours anyway. And the SAN-DFW leg is pretty short, at only 3 hours or so.
Nov 21, 2022, 5:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
I actually like row 8 bulkhead seats.Plenty of legroom and you can still store a bag underneath the seat in front of you, which avoids the normal bulkhead hassle during take-off/landing. While the seats are a bit narrower, I also like the fact that they basically “enforce” separation from your seat mate. This I appreciate even more after a recent flight where the person next to me basically spilled into my seat both above and below the armrest.
Nov 21, 2022, 5:34 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
I actually like row 8 bulkhead seats.Plenty of legroom and you can still store a bag underneath the seat in front of you, which avoids the normal bulkhead hassle during take-off/landing. While the seats are a bit narrower, I also like the fact that they basically “enforce” separation from your seat mate. This I appreciate even more after a recent flight where the person next to me basically spilled into my seat both above and below the armrest.
Nov 21, 2022, 5:35 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,219
How tall are you? MCE or exit row is almost necessary for me for a longer flight as it becomes tough to get comfortable as my legs can't really move. For my gf, she's a foot shorter, so less of an issue.
Nov 21, 2022, 5:38 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
I'm about 6' 200 lbs. GF is about 5' 1" maybe 115 lbs, so not an issue for her.
Nov 21, 2022, 5:38 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
It’s not a wall. It’s just a flap that hangs down a bit past the top of row 7 so you have full access to the space under row 7.
Nov 21, 2022, 6:01 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 234
FWIW, I just upgraded to MCE but row 9 rather than bulkhead row 8. It was slightly cheaper ($81 total), and I like the extra seat width. Plus, I prefer easy under seat storage and I'm not a huge fan of the video screens in the armrests.