American A321T Main Cabin EX
Here we finally go everyone! Welcome to my very first blog post, today I’m going to show you what it’s like to take American Airlines from New York to Los Angeles on their special and unique A321 that is configured specifically for this route!
Flight Information:
Date: July 17th 2023
Flight Number: AA117 JFK-LAX
Aircraft: A321-200 (T)
Seat/Class: 13A in Main Cabin Extra
Registration: N103NN
Flight Time: 6hr 16min
So let's get into it. My journey began at JFK back in July in terminal 8, yes this was right after my London trip so I was super jetlagged, either way, we are still good to go! JFK Terminal 8 is super spacious and I love the check-in halls and the open feel to the terminal, also some cool info you might not know is that the terminal is that it is not only the base for British Airways and AA in New York but it also serves as the main One World Group hub on the east coast. So you can expect it to be pretty busy around here, in fact, the only downside about the terminal is how long security takes.
A good look at the main hall, security lines and decor of terminal 8 in JFK
Also look at the super cool old American Airlines art piece just past security, damm I wish I was flying on that today!
After going through security I began the long walk over to my gate, number one, which was unfortunately located at the end of the concourse in the little tiny box of gates where they fill people in like sardines!
A look at the gate hall in T8 along with my rusty old gate number 1
After I finally made my way to gate number one I was exhausted so I plopped down and just sat there for 40 minutes waiting for my flight to board. Before I knew it though, I was already making my way to the podium with my main cabin extra seat boarding pass.
Ahh there we go the classic boarding shots!
After walking down one of the longest jetbridges ever and getting a look at our aircraft, it was finally time to board, let’s just say it took a while, with most of this plane being first and business class it was quite painful to walk past so many people more fortunate to have a Lie Flat Seat, I’m sorry American Airlines but you are already losing points on this review, my feelings hurt!
Welcome to my seat for the next 9 hours out to Los Angeles… Sorry I mean’t 6
So after plopping down in my seat, I can officially say! This is not the best, yes I know that these seats have TV screens and everything. But they aren’t comfortable! Seriously my back already hurts and I just sat down. Quite a bad start American. Either way, I can’t complain because there are power outlets and everything you should need for 6 hours, just work on the padding a bit.
A closer look at the legroom and TV Screens at these seats
Also, I think I forgot to mention that the legroom was amazing! I had a few feet between me and the seat in front of me (this is by a kid’s standard) & the flight attendants also passed out those low-quality earphones that make your ears hurt by the end of the flight
A look at some of the other seat features.
And before I knew it we had pushed off the gate, this is where the bad news begins though. You see, turns out that after we pushed back from the gate the first officer came on the PA and said there was some bad lightning in the area so we would have to wait a while before we got takeoff clearance. We ended up waiting 45 minutes for that, and we finally got it. But when we got on the runway we aborted our takeoff, once again due to the weather. This made us do a full lap around JFK before finally 3 hours and 45 minutes late we took off. It was a terrible situation because we had no idea what was going on. We got no updates from the crew and we were just left sitting there hungry and thirsty (it was 92 degrees today). Anyway long story short, it was an awful situation, but it hurt even more since I was 7 hours jetlagged. I did luckily make it back to LA tho so back to the review now.
At least the takeoff was pretty!
Now since we had been sitting on the ground almost the whole flight time I had to use the bathroom, like everyone else on the plane. Let’s just say that I made the right call going right away because that bathroom looked like one at Taco Bell 20 minutes later.
Me in the soon to be Taco Bell bathroom
When I got back to my seat I also decided to check out the entertainment screen at my seat, It was overall fine but the UI needs some desperate updating help and the movies are great but it’s difficult to watch them when you have 30 ads and a super laggy screen in the way of them, my tip for American here. Just update the system!
A somewhat in depth look at the American Airlines entertainment system
Once I was done looking at the entertainment system the flight attendants began the meal service, yes you heard me right a meal in economy on an American carrier! Is this a dream… well kinda, it’s no real meal but at least it’s some food, today the dinner options were a cheese plate or a super tiny ham samwitch. I chose the cheese plate because it wouldn’t be a Dylan’s Travel Review without one, but it’s overall a great service in the United States.
A look at what American Airlines calls a meal on a 6 hour flight - at least it was free $
Once I was done with my food it had already become dark, and since I was so jetlagged I decided to try to get some shut-eye (btw we should have landed in LA already) ether way I ended up sleeping for 3 hours up and down, it was most likely the worst sleep I have ever had, but at least it was something. This though, is where the seat comfort was really lacking. I had such a hard time getting comfortable, and I think it is because of the poor seat design. Oh well, there isn’t anything I can do about it now.
The super outdated flight map and a super ugly looking Dylan
After I woke up in Arizona it was just a short run into LA, and before I knew it, I was home, finally! It was a long one but overall it wasn’t too bad, I’ll give American a 6/10 on this one, now would I fly it again? well, I think it depends on the price, If you can get a good deal go ahead, but anything more and it’s a hard no. Luckily American is replacing these planes soon, so in a few years, they might be better. But for now, those seats are so uncomfortable, I wouldn’t suggest booking them.
Our arrival into Los Angeles
So people welcome back to LA, thanks for reading this, if you enjoyed please comment, or check out my YouTube channel, I hope you enjoyed this travel review and I look forward to reading to you again. Bye, human beings, and I’ll see you all next time!