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596 reviews
Before continuing my Cuba review trip, I wanted to share a quick report of the AA A321T in First Class. Since the business review will be coming out next week, this is the perfect opportunity to compare the two products. I have flown in this product many times, but the most recent (this one) time was in September!
All in all, the best way to cross the USA is on the A321T. Value for points-wise, it is also the best option. However, there is still much room for improvement which I hope is made when the new transcon configuration is put into service.
Getting across the US is horrible for redeeming your points. Delta charges north of 100K sky pesos, United starts at about 60+K Miles for a 5.5-hour flight (direct) and Jetblue, don't even get me started on JetBlue. The one program that can offer some value is American Airlines. Close to departure, AA will often dump the saver prices if there are seats available, in my case this happened the morning of the flight at 2 am… Here is an example of a saver dump.
I ended up booking into First Class for a total of 43.5K Miles and 5.60$ in taxes and fees. There is much better value for your points on American Airlines but this is the best way to fly across the US on points. Business Class can be booked for 31K Miles but First Class gives you access to the Chelsea Lounge!
The trick for booking AA saver space on this route. Check the seat maps before and be flexible. I rarely see a day (there are flights almost every hour) where no saver spaces are available at one time or another in the week leading up.
When flying First Class on this transcon route, you get the same check-in as someone flying BA First Class. Door 1 at JFK will lead you straight to the First Class check-in hall.
Once checked in, a member of staff will escort you to the front of the queue and head straight to the Chelsea Lounge.
While a full detailed review will be coming next week (since on my last trip I was somehow granted access), I headed to the Chelsea Lounge 1.5 hours before boarding for this flight. I had some French Toast, which was simply phenomenal. Top of the line, something I would expect at a restaurant in the city. A glass of Krug never fails me in the morning!
So tasty!
This lounge isn't anything like another Flagship First Class lounge. It only seats about 60-70 people, but I love it. They serve Krug and Ruinart, my two favorite champagnes!
Boarding commenced right on time and we made our way down the jetbridge at about 5:30 am.
Once onboard the crew seemed a little tired and cold, with a lot of American carriers, I think the crew is hit or miss. The big telling point for me on the crew is whether my jacket is proactively offered to be hung up. I'm not too fussed if it's not, it just usually helps me understand how the crew is going to be on this flight.
We pushed back a few minutes ahead of schedule.
Making the long trek out to the runway… terminal 8 is a curse since you rarely get 13 departures.
We took off on time, and with a favorable wind, we would land early in Los Angeles.
I like the fact that the Shinola First Class amenity kit (I would be disappointed with this kit in long-haul F though) was placed next to my seat upon takeoff. There were also good-quality B&O headphones, which I didn't end up using but have used in the past.
I usually look for a late-night departure for many reasons when flying this route. The first is the food. Breakfast is despicable, especially on US carriers if you don't like eggs. Since I had a lovely breakfast in the lounge, I told the crew I would skip the service and opt for a cheese plate.
However, I took a couple of pictures from the meal on my last flight a few months prior for those interested. The food is basically the same but the presentation is a little bit nicer in First Class.
Flutes are also offered in First Class.
A cheese plate was also provided as I continued working on my final paper on Child Development. Speaking of, Wifi is outrageously expensive on a flight of this length. 29$ for 6 hours is absurd, but I needed it so I bought it!! I see your model here AA?.
While the FA seemed to be quite cold upon boarding, he warmed up a little bit during the flight. My drinks were topped off constantly and snacks were offered. I was even offered a second cheese plate proactively.
American Airlines' bedding in "Flagship First" is also some of the best I have come across on transcon, but it is not as good as United Polaris. A plush pillow and a full duvet/blanket make for a comfy transcon hop. (This picture is from a previous flight as I was essay writing all flight)
For the rest of the flight, I read one of my favorite books, "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter.
It all sounds quite good on paper from what I have written right? The only aspect that makes this product worthy of being called "First Class" is the Chelsea Lounge in New York. In the other direction, there isn't even a Flagship First Dining when originating in LA!
The seats are old and battered, part of the seat was tearing off.
The menu and catering are subpar. Even on lunch or dinner service flights, I find the food to be comparable to AA J to Europe.
The 1-1 configuration is good, but the seats lack privacy, and it's the same exact seat as the 77W in Business Class.
The service was okay in the end, but definitely not up to "First Class" standards.
Soon enough we were on final descent into Los Angeles. My jacket was brought around to me 10 minutes before landing, without asking.
We touched down 25 minutes ahead of schedule, my jacket was retuned to me prior to landing.
Once we touched down, we had a short taxi to our gate. Seeing as I was seated in 1A, I was first off the plane. I got into conversation with the person next to, who happened to be Adriana Lima?.
Funnily enough Francesca Farago was on the flight as well (if you watch those dating shows?).
Running down the hallways, I entered my car service, bound for an 11 am class.
If you are interested in reading about my future travels or the best way to redeem AA miles check out my blog; jettoajet.com
Thanks for reading! My apologies for the short report, just wanted to share this experience before I compare it with the business class next week! I'll have plenty of more content coming soon as I embark to LATAM in a few days, flying 8 flights in 10 days across 7 countries. A Bora Bora trip will be going up soon as well ANA the Room!
Look forward to sharing these all with you!
American Airlines offers one of the best ways to cross the American continent. Jetblue might have them beat in the new product, but it usually has only 1-2 frequencies per day. While the service could be better, the seats could be fresher, the food could have more quality; the flight was still pleasant especially since the First Class offering is cheaper than any other way to redeem points in business across the US+ if you can find Avios award space, it's even better. I look forward to seeing the upcoming offering of the new Transcon jets! Stay tuned for a full review of the Chelsea Lounge and the Business Class offering on the same jet next week!
Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 25 avis concernant 4 compagnies sur la ligne New York (JFK) → Los Angeles (LAX).
La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est JetBlue Airways avec 8.1/10.
La durée moyenne des vols est de 6 heures et 25 minutes.
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3 Comments
It's nice that AA dump those saver level awards last minute when there are seats, but I never have that kind of flexibility anymore. The redemptions levels are crazy high now when trying to book in advance, especially since they basically don't have a mileage award chart anymore.
Thanks for sharing!
As you mentioned, I am excited for the new Flagship product to come but wonder what will happen with access to the Chelsea Lounge? Do you think it would come with business+?
Interestingly, most of the time I would agree with you on American Airlines but last week changed my perspective. Then again when I fly them next month again it will go back to being horrific service probably?. 145K Miles to get from the East to West Coast is absurd, but at least they are willing to drop prices at the last minute unlike Delta?.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yep, They'll sell Business+ fares that will have access to Chelsea. Without many specifics, I don't know if Business+ will entitle you to a slightly better seat--I'm assuming the 1st row will be more spacious, or if it will be like today, just a higher business class fare with more perks but same seat. If I had to guess I'd say the former as they'll probably market that 1st row as premium, like JetBlue (and a bunch of other airlines) do with their larger 1st row seats. It seems to be the trend in the industry to get rid of INTL First since it doesn't do well commercially (no companies every pay for INTL F anymore, except maybe Hollywood), but replace INTL F with a premium Business product, at least in one row. Will be exciting to see what happens and hopefully AA will get back to being the premium carrier they once were in the process!
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