Review: American Airlines A321neo First Class (TPA-LAX)

It's Florida and as someone that flys out of MIA, want to see some early morning boozers-visit the AC at 7 in the morning. Not to mention the airport bars.

As to this route it was tried before and dropped, I think on a 738. That being said, particularly an empty F cabin is a shocker. Even when Y is wide open F always seems to have a butt in it. I'm not sure how long that route will last again.

The 321neo the modern lighting aside is a boring a/c. No IFE and you almost feel like you back in the days of MD80s, sans the very comfy F seats and better F service

Nice review- it’s amusing to hear your comments regarding the other passengers. I’ve flown less than you but still maybe a couple hundred flights in my life and I have never heard what a fellow passenger is saying because I always have noise canceling headphones playing music the entire time. Interesting dichotomy there as you seem to enjoy listening to the cabin for review purposes.

Welcome to 2013? Which iPad version are you [still] using?! 😉

Jokes aside, great review, very glad to see something that resembles a proper meal back onboard.

“American’s first class legroom is decent(ish). Delta is the king of tight first class configurations, so I’d say legroom was maybe marginally better than you’d find on Delta.”

Completely agree, Delta’s is usually 36”, American’s is usually from 36-38 with lots of 37”. I’m curious if you looked at Alaska as they have a pretty great Hawaii route system, and most of their F product is 40”…?

Is that a plane or a Greyhound bus?

Ben:
If I recall correctly you recently reviewed first class in TH's A321-neos. And you remarked about the amount of space. Can you compare the seats and leg room between an AA and TK planes.

People in AA first class getting lit like it's Spirit.

I'd probably make fun of you too for a vodka Diet Coke! 😉

That catering actually looked shockingly decent so I'm hopeful for AA. Remember when AA tried suggesting they'd make the pandemic catering modifications permanent? :eyeroll:

@ Super -- LOL! And yep, so much for the "more modern" and "different" catering.

@ GBOAC -- That's a great point, let me add something to this post about that. It's funny, because the "bones" of the seats on Turkish were identical to the ones here, but legroom was so much better on Turkish (as was literally everything else).

I'm doing a very similar routing next week. Curious to see how early you get to the airport, security times at LAX, etc... If possible, please include in review of next segment.

@ Ferdinand C -- Will do, stay tuned!

@ Jimmy’s Travel Report -- Alaska is definitely the best when it comes to legroom for "standard" domestic first class seats. In this case the cheapest Alaska one-way fare in first class was $1,300+, and there was no real prospect of an upgrade there if booking economy. So American was definitely the better value.

@ Chase -- Hah! I use my iPad exclusively for entertainment when traveling or at the gym, so indeed, I haven't invested in a new one. As far as what kind it is, I think it's a 6th generation, if that answers any questions (based on opening the "about" section in "settings").

Yes, well demand and prices for Hawaii have been through the roof so you definitely got great deals.

Hahaha this story is the most funny you ever have written

I coined that terminology when an upgrade is a “slam dunk”. As in if I knew business class was going to be a slam dunk both ways I would fly to China.

Wow an entire fist class cabin full of drunks - and you said one guy was drunk before boarding - how was he allowed to even board the flight - clearly no senior crew operating

This looks like your typical AA 321neo flight and this is the reason why I always prefer MIA-LAX or JFK-LAX instead of USAirways narrow body service flying under AA logo.
Nowadays, AA adopted USAir marketing, which would sell you a cheap ticket but with a convoluted routing. I had the same dilemma past Dec when a major convention in Honolulu was cancelled due to Covid and I had to re-book East Coast to Kona at a close date for travel just before Christmas. Yes, I could do a cheap Y to LAX arriving after midnight and then leaving at ca. 8:30 am - so you end up in a hotel bed for ca. 5 hrs? Obviously, I didn't do that.
Now, about AA 321neo transcon flights:
1) Seat are uncomfortable (and I am not looking forward to my CLT-SAN this Sat in F/J);
2) AA does not clean well (despite their "clean" commitment in response to Covid);
3) Food is generally bad and wine is generally undrinkable on those flights (retails <$5/bottle).
4) Expect more drunk crowd on those flights.

This really has to be the most bland a depressing looking cabin around though haha! Stark contrast with the Turkish Airlines version that has all sorts of nice design elements to it.

Since making Platinum Pro (on the Hyatt challenge) late last year, I've cleared an upgrade on every single segment (except the very first, where I failed to request it properly because my wife was flying with me). That includes two segments ex Mexico and one SFO-JFK where my $88 main cabin ticket was upgraded to lie-flat business. That's seven segments total, including two this coming Saturday. On the one segment where we were together, my wife cleared with me (using my 500 mile stickers, she has no status at all).

Also, at least on recent flights, they've been quite proactive about serving drinks, including bringing me more bourbon when I hadn't asked for any.

Color me pleasantly surprised at the value of Platinum Pro status. I'm very unlikely to hit it for next year but -- kind of addicted.

Okay this rates with what Ukrainians suffer how again?
First world issues, although positive. Good for you. Glad you enjoyed the flight.
Please do something to help people who are dying. Like raise money from your fake rich followers.

I much prefer the streaming to your personal device (over a screen in the seat back). Large selection of movies including several channels of live TV. With my own device I can use wireless headphones. (I understand UA is going to do something so you can connect Bluetooth headset to their built in screens.)

Surprising you have never streamed AA movies? This is been in place for a few years now.

@Steve M

Ukraine is in Europe’s backyard. Why don’t they send military into Ukraine and stop Putin ? The world depends on them. Please help us Europe.

OMG ! Someone else who does Vodka and Diet Coke ! and TPA (my home airport) is so awesome. Please review our wonderful airport sometime. TPA , Water Street and International Plaza...only reason I cross from St Pete LOL

That seat looks just like the United 787-10 premium economy seat I flew last week (except UAL has seat back video). Any idea if they are the same seat?

This is not really a first class flight. I have flown this plane 3 times in the past year and it’s not that great. The leg room is terrible. Save your money and try to get an exit row seat. Your lucky you got the upgrade and a warm meal. It’s usually a frozen turkey sandwich. The only plus I will give American is that their wine was decent.

@Steve M.

We can start a GoFundMe to buy you a one way ticket to Ukraine to fight Pootin or help the refugees. Since you feel so passionately about it and couldn't resist the opportunity to tell EVERYONE about your feelings right here. In a blog. About airline reviews. AIRLINE REVIEWS. I'm not sarcastic, just straight up honest.

They need to bring the screens back because entertainment wifi doesn't always work and children become agitated when their shoes are interrupted.

They are. That seat is the same in the Delta A220 F, wide body Premium economy with video in both AA and UA (not sure about delta; haven't seen their seat), and the new AA narrow body first. Premium economy has a foot rest, while narrow body F does not, but they're the same seat.

Have to say, what a drab and dismal cabin. Nothing about this remotely seemed like first class. This was American and not Greyhound, right?

Brussel sprouts before a nearly 5-hour flight? @Ben you are brave, sir! Brave!

Who else read the title and wondered how Ben got to depart from Taiwan and since when did AA operate a small plane to the Pacific?

The turkey sandwiches are history on flights of that length.

"since all passengers can use the first class lavatory."

That's not all that premium if the whole plane can use the first class lavatory, is it?

The reason people laugh (well, I wouldn't laugh, but do find it different) is that for most people, Sprite/7-Up tend to go better with vodka, while with Pepsi/Coke most prefer whisky or scotch.

I'm guessing the number of drunks was because of onward vacation connections at LAX? Or maybe that's just how the TPA crowd rolls. When I used to do weekly back and forths LAX-JFK, I would often route late in the evening via DFW (better opportunity to use my stickers for the upgrade) and I actually cherished the peace and quiet. Nothing but fellow exhausted business travelers quietly reading or sleeping on both legs. I have one particularly fond memory of watching March Madness in the completely empty, cavernous Admiral's Club at DFW around 9pm on a Friday... Although it was kind of a depressing Up In The Air-type moment now that I look back on it. 😀

why in the blazes would they put the outline IN a compartment!

It seems the learning curve of improvement on domestic airlines is still steep at times. The pics of the cabin made me think American's designers are psych patients who travel from clinic to clinic in the air. It's no secret that colours inspire the brain. The grey everything inspires nihilism.
I must admit that when I read your reviews I'm hoping you don't have the 'rotten turkey sandwich/no air nozzles' experience.

Can you imagine those intoxicated oiks during an evacuation? I thought cabin crew was supposed to keep an eagle eye on alcohol intake in the event of an emergency. But there I go, thinking logically.

I'm short so leg room doesn't matter to me but I would like a seat that lays back a long way for an overnight flight. I'm flying from Anchorage to Dallas in September and am wondering if using extra points for first class is worth it after looking at the configuration and the comments. When I flew the same route last July it was a different airplane which had the individual pods and it was well worth the extra money. Do the seats in first class lay back any farther than the seats in the main cabin on the American Airlines Airbus A321neo?

I flew DFW to Fairbanks on the neo in first class. It was very uncomfortable. Not sure who approved the rock hard seats, but they should seek another career option. That said, glad I was no in economy dealing with narrow seats and a leanbacker in front of me.

Also, though I have an iPad, no seat back screens are less than ideal. I understand why they made that decision. The terrible seats are inexplicable.

If you are as concerned about the real suffering of Ukrainians at the hands of a maniac, why are you wasting your time on an air travel site?

Thanks for the review! Would you say there is a “better” seat to pick when booking first class?

American's 'First Class' is embarassing compared to others. I suppose if you don't pay and get upgraded it's fine, but to pay a very premium price it's horrible. No entertainment provided on a 6 hour flight? The seats are a joke. Hopefully they'll step it up to compete with others like Jet Blue.

Amazed AA with it's worldwide partners has never traveled in those aircraft to understand what first class looks and feels like. Retired Exec Plat / Concierge Key...AA has lost it's way. They price above market and deliver below. I've gladly paid FC fare on Qantas, SingAir, Emirates, British Air, Cathay Pacific in the past because they can still make FC travel just that...FC. AA's lounges might be spacious but others I listed including Delta make this a special experience as well. AA has never lost it's "nickel & dime" ways over a quality product at a quality price. Live near DFW...unless I have to, I avoid AA now...sad.

Thanks for the pictures and food reviews. We've got the same choices for an upcoming flight, so I appreciated having some basis for making our selections.

Thank you for helping me decide never to fly this awful airline. I just cannot imagine how the transportation department even allows this to call itself first class. Filth and lack of amenities. Seats look like coach in pakistani airline. They really need to upgrade the flight experience especially since flying is supposed to be a pleasure and not a torture. The extra fee for streaming on your own device just sealed the deal. Cheapo greedy airline.

Mahalo for the feed back
I have an up coming trip from Kauai to Arizona on American Airlines first class.
I don’t care about Anything besides getting there safety.

Entertainment streaming is complimentary.

I cannot stand the NEO. Absolute trash of a plane. Uncomfortable & small and that’s in first. Bathroom is tiny I’m 6,2 it’s a joke. That the airlines think this is a great plane for a 5 hour journey just let’s you know what they think of travelers. Give me the 777 any day.

Americans, first class is a joke! No pillows or blankets, they ran out of dinner. The only thing you get now is a wider seat. No Tv either. Sure doesn’t feel like first class! This is quite sad for American Airlines and it’s passengers, this needs to change especially when your paying over $8000.00 for 2 people round trip!

What a JOKE! No pillow or blanket and have to pay $25 just to use your OWN device for entertainment??? You must be a shill to think this is OK.

Base on pricing you can fly round trip to Hawaii on SW for less than 1000---do you work for AA?

I recently flew American first class (RT) seattle/stockholm/seattle & it was fantastic !!!!!!!! the menu was extensive of choice, the food superb ! we had separate "compartments" & a flat bed with a feather pillow & lovely comforter/blanket. there was never a wait for anything, the bathroom was so big you could walk around IN it !! TV & internet were great & you got the little gift bag with goodies in it. the stewards & stewardess were simply amazing & super catering. I've flown Norwegian's answer to first class (I think they call it premium) several times to & from Europe & it was fantastic but NO where near the experience of American first class. I vowed to myself I would ALWAYS treat myself to this luxury way to travel. I'm going to seattle/maui/seattle in October & I look forward to the American first class service, even if it's not the luxury of intercontinental flights. anyway, I'm worth it!

I'm not sure how they managed to make the NEO first class seat so uncomfortable but my back hurts after and 1.5 hour flt. I kept thinking how bad coach must be if this os first. They really went cheap here. A little lumbar and padding can go far here. I'm disappointed with Americans product but I feel stuck because I live in their hub 🙁

The NEO first class seats are horrible. My back hurts after sitting in it for 1.5 hours. There was no padding nor lumbar. Really disappointed that this is the product they want to put forth and in first class.

The first class cabin on the A321neo looks nice enough, but the seat is way too hard, lacks any lumbar support whatsoever and the recline is meager. It's fine on a short flight but we just flew first class cross country from LAX to DCA on this plane and my back hurt by the end of each flight. No pillow was provided, so I'll try to remember to bring my own on my next flight on this plane so I can wedge it behind my lower back.
The lack of a entertainment screen is annoying and comes across as AA being cheap, however the improved Wi-Fi on this plane provides good reception to watch AA's entertainment on my I Pad or MacBook Air with good resolution and sound. Our food and service was surprisingly good on both flights - kudos to the AA flight attendants and the improved menu.

i rode on this flight in july 2023 to CMH from CLT it was an 24year old a320 i've been investigating what happend to the a320 that i rode on and what i heard is AA isn't retiring any aircraft this decade so im really wondering what happend

You don't have to pay to use their in flight entertainment, which is pretty extensive. I have no clue why Gary pays for wifi over the free entertainment.