Experience Business Class on American Airlines A321XLR

General Information About the Flight

I recently had the opportunity to experience a flight on the American Airlines A321XLR from Los Angeles to New York in the Flagship business class, and I was genuinely impressed by the fresh cabin space and private seating. While it’s not perfect, it represents a significant improvement over the A321T seats that have been in use for many years on this route. Here’s what I noticed during this flight.

Booking and Preparing for the Flight

I booked my ticket for this leg from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh, choosing to connect through New York JFK on the new A321XLR at the same mileage cost (38,000 miles). To put it into perspective, American Airlines has currently suspended direct flights, making the option to connect through New York a reasonable and convenient choice.

With a departure time of 6:15 AM, I woke up quite early. However, arriving at LAX in the early morning was delightful; the atmosphere was so peaceful. I treated myself to a cup of coffee at the Flagship Lounge, along with some fruit and eggs before boarding.

Flight Details

The flight, AA 118, from Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK) on Thursday, January 15, had a duration of 5 hours and 16 minutes, covering a distance of 2,475 miles. The aircraft was an Airbus A321XLR, and I was seated in 1F in business class.

Cabin Space and Seating

The cabin space was very modern, featuring a lighting system that created a comfortable atmosphere. The cabin has 20 seats arranged in a 1-1 configuration across 10 rows. My seat, 1F, was a bit narrow but still comfortable and offered a high level of privacy. Additionally, the seat padding was excellent, providing ample legroom.

Although the seat is marked with a pitch of 32 inches, it felt more spacious in reality. The 21-inch seat can recline fully to a 180-degree flat position, and with a sliding door for added privacy, I was very satisfied with this space.

Food and Drink

Shortly after takeoff, breakfast was served. There was a menu at each seat prior to boarding. I was offered a warm towel and a drink along with some biscottis. The new A321XLRs are equipped with an espresso machine onboard, and I enjoyed a delicious macchiato with my breakfast.

My breakfast included scrambled eggs, bacon, roasted potatoes, and herbed tomatoes. I quite enjoyed the meal, complemented by a fruit plate and a choice of croissants, cinnamon rolls, or biscuits. Mid-flight, I was also offered cheese and a snack basket.

Entertainment and Wi-Fi

Throughout the flight, I worked on my laptop, and the Wi-Fi provided by Viasat worked exceptionally well (free of charge). I was pleased to accomplish a lot during the lengthy 4.5-hour journey. Compared to United Airlines, the Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights is considerably more reliable.

Areas for Improvement

Despite the many positives, there were a few drawbacks. The aisle in business class was quite narrow, making movement a bit uncomfortable. Additionally, the seat positioning facing away from the window created some challenges for enjoying the view outside.

However, I didn’t encounter any major issues with the entertainment screen. In fact, during breakfast, the flight attendants skillfully maneuvered the screens while serving food. While there are some debates about this design, I considered it a minor inconvenience.

In-Flight Service

I was fortunate to have an excellent crew, led by Cathleen, who had previously served me on a Doha to New York flight. The flight attendants were all very friendly and not only kind but also always ready to assist.

Conclusion

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience flying on the A321XLR and felt it was a significant upgrade from the 2-2 business class seating on the A321T. Although I wasn’t fond of sitting facing away from the window, the privacy and quality of service made this a positive choice. American Airlines has indeed excelled in providing food and Wi-Fi services to passengers.

In summary, if you’re planning to fly from Vietnam to the U.S., American Airlines is a solid option, especially with its business class service. Don’t forget to check flight options from Vietnam to Los Angeles or New York for the most convenient journey for your trip.

Article adapted and edited from source: Live and Let's Fly