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American Airlines Adds Its Premium A321T to Another Transcontinental Route

Nov. 29, 2018
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3 min read
Airbus A321 First Class
American Airlines Adds Its Premium A321T to Another Transcontinental Route
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While American Airlines is densifying many aircraft in its domestic fleet, there's one AAircraft that's like no other: the Airbus A321T. With the "T" designation indicating transcontinental, these Airbus A321s are specially arranged for premium transcontinental routes.

Currently the aircraft is only operating flights between New York's Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) -- as well as short hops between Boston (BOS) and JFK. But, now Boston is getting a lot more A321T love from American Airlines. Starting April 2, 2019, American Airlines will run twice-daily flights between Boston and Los Angeles:

  • AA 156 — Los Angeles (LAX) 7:45am Departure ⇒ Boston (BOS) 4:16pm Arrival
  • AA 2455 — Los Angeles (LAX) 9:55pm Departure ⇒ Boston (BOS) 6:22am Arrival
  • AA 211 — Boston (BOS) 7:24am Departure ⇒ Los Angeles (LAX) 11:10am Arrival
  • AA 2542 — Boston (BOS) 5:45pm Departure ⇒ Los Angeles (LAX) 9:28pm Arrival

Although the announcement was made Thursday, flights aren't yet on sale. If you want to be one of the first to experience the new route, tickets go on sale on Dec. 3.

This isn't the first time we've seen this aircraft on this route. For just three weeks at the end of Dec. 2017 and into Jan. 2018, American Airlines ran the A321T on this route -- opening up an opportunity to book economy and fly in the lie-flat business class seats. It seems that test went well, as American Airlines is now making the route permanent.

What makes this AAircraft so special? Instead of 181-187 seats like on AA's other Airbus A321 aircraft, the A321T only has 102 seats. And that's because the aircraft is one of just two aircraft in AA's fleet to have a true first class cabin. (The other is the Boeing 777-300ER used on premium international routes.)

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Up front, there are 10 lie-flat first class seats arranged in five rows of just 1-1 seating:

First class on American Airlines A321T. Photo by Kevin Song / The Points Guy.

Behind first class, there's 20 lie-flat business class seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration:

Business class on American Airlines A321T. Photo by Kevin Song / The Points Guy.

In the back half of the aircraft, there's 72 economy class seats -- half of which are extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seats:

Economy class on American Airlines A321T. Photo by Kevin Song / The Points Guy.

All three cabins have in-flight entertainment screens, power outlets and benefit from truly high-speed satellite-based ViaSat Wi-Fi.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.