My evening flight from New York to Los Angeles on American Airlines was a nice change of pace from my usual United flight.
I generally don’t stray from United Airlines domestically, but United was sold out in business class and American had space—it was an easy choice for this trip. After a meeting in Long Island, we arrived at JFK a few hours before our flight.
Premium transcontinental passengers on American Airlines receive complimentary access to AA’s Flagship Lounge, which I’ve previously reviewed here. I spent my time on the Flagship Bridge, which offers a more tranquil environment than the bustling lounge.
Boarding began only 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure but we still left on-time.
American Airlines 302
New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Friday, November 30
Depart: 06:00 PM
Arrive: 09:42 PM
Duration: 6hr, 42min
Aircraft: A321T
Seat: 8F (Business Class)
We entered through Door 1L, meaning I first walked through first class, a 10-seat cabin arranged in a 1-1 layout with reverse herringbone seats. I’ve reviewed first class before…you can read it here. Today I was flying business class.
American Airlines A321T Business Class Seat
The business class cabin, behind door 2L, contains five rows of seats in a 2-2 configuration. The seats are identical to what United offers on its 757-200 premium transcontinental product. Seats can be adjusted and power and USB charging ports are within reach.
As I settled into my seat, I took notice of American’s new Casper bedding. I’ve got to admit, the blanket felt scratchy…both United and Delta offer better bedding. The pillow was very plush, though.
I had work to do on the flight and did not sleep, but I find this bed quite comfortable in the lie-flat mode. Yes, your feet are slightly constrained in the footwell, but I have no trouble sleeping on my side. The cabin was very warm during the flight, which was fine as I sat working but would have been problematic had I tried to sleep. Then again, my business partner John ended up sleeping the entire flight, literally from takeoff to final approach into LA.
American Airlines A321T Business Class Dining
Menus were handed out prior to takeoff along with a choice of orange juice, sparkling wine, or water.
I really appreciate that American lets you pre-order meals in business and first class. I had browsed the menu a couple days in advance and ordered the potato-crusted salmon for my main course. American offers a nice selection of wines and is far more specific than United’s vague drink menu.
The meal began with a hot towel, mixed nuts, not warmed, and a choice of beverage. I had sparkling water. A FA offered me either a lemon or lime wedge with it.
The appetizer included a green salad with ranch dressing, tomato goat cheese strada, and a choice of hot bread. I love the cheese bread on AA. Overall, I thought the appetizer was excellent. One small suggestion, perhaps just a personal pet peeve: the little plastic container on the appetizer dish detracts form the premium appearance of the meal. Why not use reusable a little ceramic ramekin instead?
Anyway, the main course soon arrived and the hash brown topping was a big flop. That said, the tangy tomato sauce was excellent and the salmon itself moist and flavorful. Overall, a very good meal.
Dinner continued with a nice cheese course followed by an ice cream sundae topped with nuts, chocolate, and whipped cream. Overall, an excellent meal.
While first class offers cappuccino, business class only had coffee.
A snack basket was available after the meal with items like granola bars, fig bars, and almonds.
About an hour prior to landing, warm cookies were served, with a choice between chocolate chip or snickerdoodles. Sparking water was served with cookies, followed by butter mints.
American Airlines A321T High-Speed Internet
I stayed very productive on the flight and credit that largely to the excellent internet onboard. AA’s new ViaSat system was both reasonable and fast. What a difference fast internet makes! I paid only $16 for a flight pass and enjoyed virtually uninterrupted connectivity throughout the flight. Honestly, I could see myself flying AA on a much more regular basis just for this internet. I’m wondering if I only paid $16 because the “time to destination” showed about three hours, rather than six hours, after takeoff?
American Airlines A321T Business Class In-Flight Entertainment
Not only was the IFE system easy to use, the assortment of movies, TV shows, music, and games was excellent. I watched a movie called Beriut, which was riveting. For most of the flight, though, I left the moving map on.
I love that AA offers Bose noise-cancelling headphones, but I HATE that FAs collect them 45 minutes prior to landing. I understand why…they make nice flight souvenirs…but probably best to go with a cheaper alternative and avoid the annoying interruption.
American Airlines A321T Business Class Amenity Kit
Waiting in each business class seat was an amenity kit from Cole Hahn. It included socks, an eyeshade, dental kits, earplugs, moisturizer from Bigelow, and a $100 discount coupon for Casper.
American Airlines A321T Business Class Lavatory
I used the lavatory once prior to landing — it was still clean and odorless. There were zero additional amenities available.
American Airlines A321T Business Class Service
Finally, let me commend the crew onboard for providing excellent service. The FA working may side of the aisle must have been reserve because she was very young, but provided friendly and attentive service during the flight. Passengers were not addressed by last name—I maintain that is a nice touch—but service was very well-intentioned and executed well.
CONCLUSION
We departed on time, landed in Los Angeles on time, and quickly pulled into a gate. I know AA receives a lot of flak for it poor operational reliability this year, but I was thankful to enjoy a relatively smooth flight.
It’s nice to try the competition once in a while and I enjoyed my flight on American Airlines. Most of all, though, I enjoyed the relatively fast and stable wi-fi. What a treat that was!
You really are a UA loyalist. I’m a 1K, but if I was in Long Island there is no way I’m going to Newark. I just flew into JFK on a DL flight and think the flight attendants (and all DL staff) are much friendlier. However, not having an adjustable headrest on the business class seat is annoying. While United doesn’t let you pre-order they have much more substantial service. On a recent SFO-EWR flight there was the appetizer, salad, main, cheese, ice cream, and mid-flight snack/wrap.
The internet almost makes me switch. What a great treat!
I’m rarely on Long Island. If I’m in Manhattan, Newark is just as easy, if not easier, than JFK.
I would agree that the little plastic container on the appetizer dish isn’t premium, but what about iceberg lettuce? Iceberg lettuce is not a premium lettuce.
the headphone situation is inexcusable. if people are stealing, you know exactly who took it… charge them! that’ll fix the problem and alleviate one of the biggest AA J headaches. RIDICULOUS
As a 42 years flight attendant, I can tell you that we are only following company policy. We are told to collect them 45 minutes before landing not only for accountability , but they have to be returned and inventoried. You should also have received replacement earbuds to continue whatever you were watching. We are held liable for these, not the customer! You would be amazed at the amount of people who plead innocence at thinking they we theirs to keep.
I can’t fathom why anyone would fly this over B6 Mint.
Price.
I often take this flight but got a good deal on Mint recently and since I’m not particularly loyal to AA now that they’ve gutted their program, I gave it a shot. I thought it was comfortable, and I had no complaints with the physical product other than lack of privacy (I was in one of the rows of 2). What I didn’t like is that I think I might have been the only paying passenger in the Mint cabin, with nearly every other seat taken by an off-duty flight attendant. It was like a big coffee klatch talking shop with the “working” attendants pretty much the entire flight, and I felt like an interloper on their good time. I would probably fly Mint again if the price is right, but this was one thing about the experience that put me a bit off.
same seat as Delta’s 757 transcon as well.
There’s something wonky with Viasat and time zones. I had the same issue recently, but WiFi worked the whole flight.
Goodness that main course is presented like a frozen dinner. I guess that’s the ‘preplated’ Kirby will be infecting on UA next year.
AA wins the lounge game for transcon biz, but I like the UA dessert cart these days. Love those salted caramel chocolate squares plus the cheese plate and sundaes on offer.
DL is a shadow of its former self.
My biggest beef with AA is having to awkwardly walk past the First cabin. Why haven’t they figured out 2L boarding on the 321s?
About the A321 not boarding from door 2L – it’s because 2L and 2R are known as “Type C Doors’ and is designed to be an emergency exit, however, when boarding by stairs at a remote stand, it can be used as a normal entry door, but this is rare. The distinction between 2L and 2R compared to the other doors is that the emergency slides are not installed on them. The stairs are actually in a separate box underneath the door, in the fuselage itself (the doors are designed to open slower to allow it to inflate fully), so if an airbridge was to be there, and the door was accidentally opened wile it was armed, it could seriously damage the fuselage as well as the airbridge itself, not just the door. The fact that the door is so close to the engine does not help either, as if the airbridge was to hit the engine, the plane would be taken out of service, potentially for a very long time. Hope this helps.
I still think it’s ridiculous that premium pax don’t get free internet. Don’t you agree? Great review btw. Must be strange to be on an a/c with so few E seats. I remember you said UA used to have this config too.
They did back in the day. All EconomyPlus in the back and everyone got a free hot meal.
It’s not only this route, American seems to have dropped their Wi-Fi price on all routes. They don’t charge $40 like Delta and UA does, and looks like their Wi-Fi is way faster than others.
I don’t mind paying for Wi-Fi and be productive if they can sustain this speed!
In regards the the little plastic container. That’s not supposed to be served to you. When there’s a little plastic container like that with a sauce, or a garnish, the F/A is supposed to pour it on the dish, or place the garnish (and throw away the container) before they serve the meal to you.
Sometimes the F/A either forgets, doesn’t notice it on the tray setup, or they’re just trying to let the customer have the option if they’d like to have the sauce or not.