We tried American's new-and-improved domestic first class
As the largest airline in the world, American Airlines has a huge fleet. A good chunk of the jets come from its merger with US Airways, which created a problem for AA: Many plane types didn’t share the same interiors or number of seats.
American launched Project Oasis in 2017 to solve that issue. The goal was to standardize cabin interiors and seat count for AA's domestic workhorses, the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737. This harmonization would also help with scheduling aircraft and swapping them when operational issues arose.
But Project Oasis wasn’t well received by passengers. AA reduced the standard economy pitch to just 30 inches in order to accommodate more seats.
American also removed all in-flight entertainment screens and downsized the lavatories to some of the smallest in the skies. It wasn’t all bad news, though, as AA added power outlets and larger overhead bins to planes that were desperately lacking them.
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Unsurprisingly, many passengers complained about the Oasis retrofits, and American listened to their feedback. Though coach won’t be changing, AA launched Project Oasis 2.0, internally known as Project Kodiak, with seven customer-driven updates to first class.
The first plane to receive these improvements, a Boeing 737-800 with registration N979AN, is already in service, and what follows are my impressions after flying this bird from Washington D.C. (DCA) to Miami (MIA).
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8dxrMNlmzO/
New privacy divider
The most noticeable change is the addition of a privacy divider between the front cabin and coach.
Previously, there was no divider at all, so this is a welcome improvement.
AA installed a flexible-leather, semi-hard divider instead of a true bulkhead. This adds some padding to the back of Row 4 without reducing the recline. And coach passengers in row 8 don’t have to worry about losing under-seat storage or legroom.
All in all, this is a win-win for everyone.
More seat padding
When I first flew on an Oasis 1.0 plane in the front cabin, one of the issues I had was how uncomfortable the seats were. And that wasn’t due to the reduced pitch or minimal storage space. Rather, that was because of the limited padding.
(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
That’s changed with Oasis 2.0. Though it’s tough to quantify how much more padding AA added, it's a marked difference from the previous generation.
Larger under-seat storage
Another problem that AA addressed is under-seat storage. There used to be a fairly large box protruding from the seat support beam that encroached on the available storage space.
(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
And now that box is gone. There’s still a small protrusion from the center support beam, but I had no issue storing my backpack under the seat in front of me.
Combined with the large overhead bins, first-class passengers should no longer need to gate-check their carry-ons.
More legroom at the bulkhead
Many passengers hate sitting at a bulkhead since there's typically no floor storage and less legroom. But with Oasis 2.0, you don't need to actively avoid Row 1.
You still won't be able to store your belongings on the floor, but at least AA added more legroom. I purposely sat in Seat 1F for my flight and was delighted to measure three more inches of legroom than before.
Though three inches may not sound like much, it was certainly noticeable on this 737. American accomplished this by converting row 10 from Main Cabin Extra to standard coach seating.
When the A321s undergo the Oasis 2.0 retrofits, the first-class bulkheads will also offer three inches of additional legroom, thanks to a cutout from the forward closet.
New tablet holders
With the elimination of seat-back screens, AA’s been heavily investing in personal-device entertainment. The airline now offers a wide assortment of movies and TV shows through the onboard Wi-Fi network.
For added convenience, American installed tablet holders in the literature pocket on its latest Airbus A321s. With Oasis 2.0, the airline is bringing that improvement to the Boeing 737 fleet.
Previously, the only place to prop a device was on the tray table, but that wasn’t ideal when eating.
While it’s no replacement for a seat-back screen, I appreciated the new tablet holder.
USB ports
All seats already had AC power outlets, but now there's another way to charge your devices. Alongside the tablet holder is a new 5-volt USB port that’s located to the left of the seat-back pocket. This port is identical to the ones on the reconfigured A321s.
I particularly appreciated its placement next to the tablet holder, which allowed me to charge my device without creating a tripping hazard. Note that the bulkhead row 1 didn't receive the USB ports.
Drink up!
One of things I like most about flying up front is the added space. And if you’re like me, Oasis 2.0 will be great for you.
In addition to the improved under-seat storage, AA also installed a new cocktail tray on these planes. This means that there are now two dedicated places to put your beverages, leaving the tray table clear for everything else.
Though it’s just a small win, I liked the attention to detail.
Rollout plan
The first step in getting the Project Oasis 2.0 retrofits installed on more planes is securing certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Once that's done, the updates will be outfitted on the already reconfigured 737-800s by year-end. The remaining 737-800s in American’s fleet will receive the updated first class during their Oasis overhauls.
The improvements to first class are not limited to the 737-800s. American will add extra under-seat storage room, cocktail trays and more bulkhead legroom to its A321s. It’ll also incorporate all seven improvements on its 737 MAX 8s after the jets are cleared to return to the skies.
Overall impression
Project Oasis 2.0 is a welcome change for select American Airlines flyers. The carrier has listened to (some) customer feedback and is making enhancements to its domestic first-class cabin.
The improvements include a new privacy divider, added legroom and under-seat storage, a tablet holder and USB port, better padded seats and a cocktail table. Though each individual change may not be drastic, all together they represent a step in the right direction.
Sure, it'd be great if AA totally reversed course on Project Oasis, decided to re-install personal entertainment screens, redesigned the lavatories or made similar changes to coach, but that doesn't seem likely to happen.
While I'll continue wishing for those changes, at least those sitting up front will rest assured that their feedback was heard.
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- 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.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- 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.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $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.