Ford and I are spending the weekend in Nicaragua to visit Calala Island. In the past I didn’t review ”run of the mill” flights, though I’ve realized they have the potential to be useful as well, so am trying to do when it’s practical.
Continue reading: Review: American Airlines Main Cabin Extra 737
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Excited for the Calala Island review (and to hear how many points it was...) 😉
The complaints about Oasis in the main cabin are way overblown. Also, personal IFE wasn’t ripped out of most (all?) of the planes converted so far as the didn’t have IFE to begin with. The newer 737s with IFE are yet to be converted.
"When there is an empty middle in Main Cabin Extra, I consider it to basically be as good as first class."
I'd say it's closer to European business class...
"Initially I assumed our crew was Lima based, as American has some foreign based crews — the crew spoke excellent Spanish, and made announcements in Spanish before English (which I often find to be the case for the foreign crews). However, I asked one of the flight attendants, and he said they were Miami based."
Hahaha, Ben, you've been "en Miami" long enough to not be surprised by this!
That sink is not big enough to allow for cdc recommended hand washing procedures
Great review, Ben! MCE is a decent go-to when upgrades don't clear. As a platinum, I love that I can book these seats for free at time of booking, get free alcoholic drinks, and have better leg room.
I'm surprised someone showed up in the middle seat, 8B, between you and Ford. An AA employee friend of mine checked the list for that day and didn't see anyone assigned there as a last minute non-rev or over-sales standby. Always a mystery!
I think my favorite part is the photo from the back showing approximately 1 person using the device holder. Yes, American. People LOVE using their own device.
I sat in a A321neo last week LAX-PHX in regular oasis economy. It was fine, but given the extra width of the A321 I think it may be more comfortable than a 737 oasis seat
Important note: Fees paid for seat assignment, including MCE, aren't "fares", and so even though paying extra for MCE seems the same as upgrading to premium economy, it doesn't count for miles or status.
This is probably the best use of the Amex airline credits I can find right now. My wife and I have $800 in credits annually, and this year 100% of it went to Hawaiian Extra Comfort and AA MCE seats. It's a nice compromise on 3-4 hour flights.
Also excited for canals island review. Have a booking there but not sure if I will go. Hope you guys enjoy it.
Cool. We arrived 4 hours before from Panama on Copa. Spent 20 minutes filling out paperwork for having a drone. I was sweating because I thought I was going to lose it. (Brand new, haven't used it yet) They just want them documented. If you go to Granada, let's grab a drink! Have a great trip.
The funniest part of this review "While I sometimes give American a hard time..." Most of the time you give American a hard time....its definitely not sometimes. LOL
I can't even find the 1 person using the device holder, seriously where is it.
Did you mean (roughly) 31B cause I don't consider that using it.
LOL
I love this new blog "A View from Behind the Curtain."
Ben: "Since there’s no longer a bulkhead between first class and economy, there’s plentiful legroom, and you can even store your bags underneath the first class seats in front. Lucky: "I do not want your stuff beneath my First Class seat."
Ben: "I’m not sure what exactly was going on — obviously we only paid for two seats and are only entitled to those seats. When there is an empty middle in Main Cabin Extra, I consider it to basically be as good as first class." Lucky: Your ticket says main cabin. "Extra" only relates to legroom. Only a foreigner would expect the middle seat to be left open."
Ben: "He was extremely friendly, and after realizing I was Executive Platinum during the first service, came back later to see if I wanted anything else." OMAAT: Only those who have EP status get what used to pass for customer service.
Robert
If I am in a bulkhead seat on a oasis I will put my stuff under the first class seat. Don't like it tough shit.
@lucky - I'm pretty sure companions on an Executive Platinum's reservation also get the free food perk. I've personally used it a few times with my family since and I've never had an issue. Is this actually the rule? I thought at least one companion got it too (but I've had some nice FA's who give it to my whole family).
I truly hate 737s. Can’t even look out of the window (why are they so f... low?). Time for Boeing to bring back the 757.
@ Aaron -- Or somewhere in the middle, since Main Cabin Extra has way better legroom than most intra-Europe business class.
@ CJ -- Hah, indeed, and very used to it in Miami. I think the reason I thought it was a foreign crew was before the Spanish announcements coming before English, which I've pretty consistently found to be the case with Lima crews, but haven't found to usually be the case with Miami crews, even when Spanish is their first language.
Main cabin extra in exit rows have more legroom than in First class.
Also, seems kinda stupid that AA would put phone holders on the back of the First Class seats so you have to use the tray table instead. Planes and configurations cost millions of dollars and they cant figure out details like that.
Someone in a D seat is using it .... I think. Unless that's their laptop. In which case, no one is using it.
There is a big Nicaraguan population in Miami. American dominates the market and believe it or not all those countries usually go full in business.
@Marty - The Oasis configured 737's will have different seat numbers. When you go to book on AA.com and view the seat map you can tell. If there are 33 rows of main cabin and first class starts with row 1, you know you will be on an Oasis aircraft! That's basically what I look for when I'm on American's site. You can look for yourself... I know that SFO to MIA are almost exclusively Oasis 737's. You can see the difference there! Hope that helps!
American Airlines is my preferred airline. I have always enjoyed the service I have received no matter the destination. The main cabin of the 737 looks great. I can't wait to get back to flying again!
I am wondering if seat 8A has a try table. Is it in the arm rest? I booked that seat and now I’m questioning it.
Thank you for this blog and the photos especially. I was trying to figure out if row 8 bulkhead floor space was significantly more than row 9 extra leg room because I did not pay attention when I last flew. Looks like row 9 will work just fine for us, still way better than regular main cabin. Thank you!