American Airlines has taken delivery of its first new Airbus A319s and invited me and a cadre of other travel writers to examine the new aircraft in Dallas last week. I was already at LAX on another matter, so it made it easy for me to hop on an early flight to DFW in order to check out AA’s latest fleet addition.
It was my first opportunity to see the new livery up close and while I am admittedly not a fan of changing the tried-and-true, the composite material of many next generation aircraft that AA plans to acquire makes it necessary to move on from the polished aluminum livery. The tail still reminds me too much a mix of Transaero, Air France, and Cubana–surely AA can come up with something a bit more unique.
The aircraft had the new-car smell and was immaculate inside. Naturally.
AA frequent flyers are worried about the aircraft having only eight seats in first class, versus the 16-seat first class cabin on the MD-80s that these aircraft will be replacing. That will no doubt make upgrades harder, but the planned route utilization of these aircraft minimizes to an extent the 50% reduction in first class seats.
Look for the new aircraft on the following routes from Dallas–
- Beginning September 16: Charlotte, NC, Cleveland, OH, Memphis, TN, Wichita, KS
- Beginning October 1: Dayton, OH, Lubbock, TX
- Beginning October 14: El Paso, TX, Huntsville, AL, McAllen, TX, Toronto, Canada
- Beginning November 1: San Salvador, El Salvador
- Beginning November 21: Bogota, Colombia
- Beginning December 19: Vail, CO, Gunnison, CO, Jackson Hole, WY
The longest flight is the 2,439 mile flight from Dallas to Bogota, which is too long to fly to in coach, but I look forward to flying this aircraft on the many shorter routes this plane will be utilized on where missing an upgrade won’t hurt too much. AA hints that these aircraft will not just replace the MD-80s, but provide more frequent service, so we must wait to fully understand the ramifications of a much smaller first class cabin. The seats are comfortable, though, and with only eight seats those willing to purchase a paid ticket up front should enjoy very personalized service.
Coach is great, and I do mean that. Legroom in Main Cabin Extra is more than sufficient and even in “deep” coach Recaro’s articularting seat pan and upper literature pocket in each seat give more knee room and a more comfortable feel even when the seat in front is reclined.
Each seats featured a variety of video-on-demand, mixing some complimentary options (essentially what AA shows now on overhead screens) and some premium content, including over 200 movies. Costs start at $4 and will vary based on flight time. All options are free in first class.
In-flight power and USB hook ups are available at each seat as well, including a new and intuitive place to plug in–on the seat in front, eliminating the need to fumble under the seat cushion to find the plug.
Lastly, the aircraft will feature a much faster high-speed internet from gogo, allowing for more connectivity and higher surf speeds. With internet and seat-back IFE, even a longer flight should be tolerable, though keep in mind that internet will only be available within North America.
US Airways ripped IFE out of their aircraft and has no plans to re-introduce it on its domestic fleet, contemplating a streaming internet-based IFE option instead at some point in the future. Seeing how many now travel with iPads and laptops, that makes a lot of sense to me, but the Thales system in AA’s new A319s are really quite elegant. Assuming the merger goes through, how the two carriers will harmonize their divergent IFE philosophies is anyone’s guess right now.
Yes, these new seats are protected from the person in front reclining and making it quite painful. Instead for taller passengers, the method of pain shifts. Speaking from experience, recline becomes impossible, as it pushes the knees closer to the hard plastic (which is extremely close already). I have worked with this style, and I honestly look for ways to avoid any aircraft with this style seat when I have to sit in economy.
It’s likely I’ll encounter this plane some time next year since it’s on the YYZ-DFW route so anticipate a first hand review. While I can understand the concern about only 8 F seats, it should be remembered that UA’s 319s only have 8 F seats too. And at least ExecPlats who don’t make the upgrade on these flights will still have free drinks and BoB plus MCE, while UA 1Ks just get E+.
Great article. I fly American from Dallas so looking forward to flying this plane. One correction-the Huntsville American is serving is Alabama-not Texas.
Wow, this plane looks awesome.
I can’t wait to fly on it someday.
American’s really doing a great job.
And in light of the DOJ finidings and USAir exec comments, I hope this merger does fail.
It’s apparent to me that US execs think the hard work AA is doing to make its flying experience nice for passenger as “stupid” or “futile.”
Is there any recline in that last row of First? Any better seats in MCE? Or are they all about the same?
@Gary–thanks, that was just a careless typo–I’ve been to Huntsville, AL several times.
@Mike: First class has the articulating seat pan like economy, so there is some recline in row two, though it is compromised to an extent by the bulkhead. The MCE seats are really no different, though the extra legroom is noticeable.
Looks fantastic! Love the PTVS!!!!
I’m pretty sure the IFE is made by Thales and not Panasonic. I could be wrong.
Kevin, you are actually correct.
Hi, you mentioned there is an overhead IFE system on A319s?
Hi Dab, No overhead IFE, just seatback.
i can t wait to you fly American airlines airbus dfw-ccleveland
I flew this plane from dfw to Jackson wy in first class. There are only 2 rows (8) seats in front class. I was in the last row and my seat did not recline at all. The stewardess said it was because of the wall behind the seat. Who would design and sell first class tickets for a seat that has no adjustment? It was painful on my back for 2 1/2 hours of sitting erect. Comfort for my back is why I fly first class.