For travel between the US's East and West Coasts, competition is heating up. Currently, American Airlines is the only airline to offer fully lie-flat seats between New York and Los Angeles .
Lie-flat seats between America's two largest cities
Many of America's largest airlines operate between the country's two largest cities. However, American Airlines is currently the only carrier to operate with lie-flat seats for business and first class passengers.
The airline introduced the product offering as part of its Flagship Transcontinental offering. It was launched between New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA).
The Flagship first and business class product is currently available on Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A321T services between:
- Los Angeles (LAX) – New York (JFK).
- San Francisco (SFO) – JFK.
- JFK – Orange County (SNA).
- LAX – Boston (BOS).
- LAX – Miami (MIA).
For passengers, the experience starts as soon as they check in. At the airport, dedicated check-in lanes and expedited security will have them from the curb to the lounge in no time.
Access to the airline's Admirals Club and First Class lounges means that passengers can sit back with freshly cooked food and complimentary beverages before taking a flight.
Five-star service between Los Angeles and New York
Onboard American Airlines Airbus A321T aircraft, all are fitted with fully lie-flat seats for business and first class passengers. This unique offering, currently unmatched by any other carrier, means that American Airlines has the competitive edge for the New York - LA market, with direct services from LAX and Orange County to New York. American Airlines markets its Flagship First experience as follows:
"Your Flagship First transcontinental ticket gives you access to our most exclusive, personalized amenities and services."
Additional benefits of traveling in American Airlines Flagship First include:
- Chef-inspired meals.
- Award-winning wines.
- Free entertainment.
- Bang & Olufsen headphones.
- Onboard WiFi.
- In-seat power outlets and USB points.
- Joanna Vargas and Relevant inspired amenity kits.
- Premium bedding.
- Dual-sided cool-touch pillow.
- Crepe weave blanket.
- Bedding slippers.
Taking to the skies
American Airlines offers a premium experience for passengers looking to splash the cash between New York and Los Angeles. The airline provides premium comfort with lie-flat seats in first and business class.
The airline has dedicated its Airbus A321T to the route, with 41% of onboard capacity dedicated to first and business class passengers.
This high percentage of capacity allocated mainly to premium customers looks to provide maximum comfort for the airline's most loyal and frequent passengers. All first and business-class passengers can be assured an exclusive experience with the only single-aisle plane in the US that offers three separate cabins.
The spacious layout provides a unique experience currently unmatched by any other airline serving the same route.
One of the most popular air routes in the world
- Delta One.
- JetBlue Mint.
- American Airlines Flagship First.
While there is plenty of competition, American Airlines has a unique edge, which comes with the Airbus A321T, denoting 'transcontinental.'
Since 2014, American Airlines has operated a sub-fleet composed of 17 Airbus A321-200 aircraft configured with a high percentage of premium seats for routes that demand more premium passengers.
The Airbus A321T offers lie-flat seats in Flagship First and Flagship Business. While these seats have proved popular, they won't be around forever. American Airlines expects new Airbus A321XLRs to join the fleet soon, offering a new business class product and discontinuing Flagship First.
It's hard to escape the Flagship First and Flagship business class cabin, even if you are traveling in economy. All passengers are boarded by the front lefthand door, meaning you will walk through the front premium cabins if you travel at the back.
While it is more common to see lie-flat business and first class on widebody aircraft, it is somewhat rare on narrowbody aircraft. JetBlue is another US pioneer for such offerings, with its Mint product on the A321neo.
The 'Big Three' carrier with first class transcontinental flights
While Delta and United offer these standard business class cabins, American Airlines is the only airline offering an authentic first class cabin for transcontinental services. American Airlines A321T includes 10 Zodiac reverse herringbone seats, with one seat on each aircraft side.
This experience gives passengers a competitive edge, including its dedicated ground services. Passengers traveling in Flagship First have private check-in facilities at both ends, in JFK or LAX, and can enjoy an intimate onboard cabin with personalized service onboard the only single-aisle aircraft with three dedicated cabins.
Understanding the A321T premium configuration
The Airbus A321T is configured with 102 seats across three cabins:
Another unique feature of the A321T is its galley configuration. Most narrowbody aircraft include two galleys, one at the front and one at the rear, but this aircraft has three. One is in the front for first class, one is in the middle for business class, and then there is a remaining one at the rear for economy class passengers. These galleys are positioned exclusively for the passengers flying in that cabin, mirroring what is usually found on long-haul aircraft.
American Airlines' Flagship Business product
Transcontinental Flagship business class is offered on routes between:
- Los Angeles (LAX) – New York (JFK).
- San Francisco (SFO) – JFK.
- JFK – Orange County (SNA) – only on the A321T.
- LAX – Boston (BOS) – only on the A321T.
- LAX – Miami (MIA) – only on the A321T.
Passengers traveling in Flagship Business are treated to several privileges, including priority check-in, expedited security clearance, and being the first to receive baggage on arrival.
They are also invited to enjoy the airline's Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge. In the air, you can enjoy lie-flat seating, free entertainment, and chef-inspired meals paired with award-winning local and international wines and beers.
Staying refreshed and connected
With WiFi available onboard to purchase, passengers traveling for either business or pleasure can stay connected with their family and colleagues. WiFi speeds can vary depending on the aircraft location and weather conditions outside.
Amenity kits come complementary, with travel essentials from a range of beauty brands, such as Joanna Vargas and Relevant. When it comes time to catch some sleep, the seat converts into a fully flat bed with premium bedding and a cool-touch dual-sided pillow.
A unique approach to trans-continental travel
American Airlines is using a unique approach to entice premium passengers onto its services between New York and Los Angeles, being the only airline to offer a three-class transcontinental configuration on a narrowbody aircraft. This unique layout ensures that passengers can be promised a luxurious, intimate experience as they cross the continent.
While not everyone can travel in premium cabins, American Airlines looks to cater for all parties on its services with the A321T. With a bespoke setting for just over 100 passengers, you can be wowed in either Flagship First, Flagship Business, Main Cabin Extra, or Main Cabin (Economy), on its routes across the continent.
Economy class passengers will, however, need to make the most of witnessing the premium cabins with just their eyes, and they are drafted to the back of the aircraft before taking their seat and buckling in for a journey across the contiguous United States.
While we await the entry of the A321XLR into service for American Airlines, passengers can rest assured that the airline's new business class product will still please them, whether they are traveling near or far, with the oneworld member.
