American Airlines A321T | SFO-JFK | Flagship Business

Filmed in September 2023
American Airlines is currently the only airline to offer a true First Class product in the United States but the fact that they offer it on a domestic route with a narrowbody aircraft is really unique. However, this will all change in the next year or so as AA plans to phase out Flagship First in favor of a new Flagship Business Class. Although I wasn’t able to get in First, I was determined to fly in this special 3-class A321 before its retrofit so I got myself a seat in Flagship Business and flew 5 hours to the east coast. The flight was amazing, to say the least. Everything from the lounge to the crew was perfect which surprised me given AA’s track record. Not to mention that the A321 did well as always providing a smooth and quiet flight. American has got a very solid product and I hope that the upcoming change is a change for the better and not for the worse.
Airline: American Airlines
Flight Number: AA276
Aircraft: Airbus A321-231
Aircraft Registration: N112AN (9 years old)
Departure Airport: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Departure Time: 10:30 PM
Arrival Airport: New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Arrival Time: 6:30 AM
Flight Time: 5:00
Distance: 2600 miles (2250 nmi)
Seat: 9F
Class: Flagship Business Class
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Equipment:
iPhone 14 Pro Max
GoPro Hero 7 Black
GoPro Hero 10 Black
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Instagram: @official.theplanefacts

[@pto44]

Thanks for this video. Although these cabins are getting a bit tired, I really like the three-class setup. Also, with only 102 seats these flights board quickly. The new XLRs will only have 20 lie flat seats instead of 30 so unfortunately I think getting one will become more difficult and expensive. I believe that although there were origninally 16 A321T in the fleet one of them was scrapped after an incident that damaged a wing.

[@theplanefacts]

Interesting, I did not know that one was scrapped and yes I totally think as will raise their business class ticket prices

[@johnbandman9415]

Thank you for this excellent video. Question: If you're in Business class on AA on that route and are sitting in a window seat and want to come out, do you have to "do a hurdle" if the aisle seat person is lying flat?

[@theplanefacts]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video! To answer your question; yes. In these seats you have to either awkwardly step over your seat mate if they are sleeping or ask them to let you out if they are awake. It isn’t the most optimal set up but the seats are significantly more comfortable than economy so that makes it worth the upgrade. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbandman9415]

@@theplanefacts Thank you so much for your response!

[@retroflashbackdude]

Too bad AA’s retiring this setup once the A321XLRs arrive next year. This is a unique setup almost exclusive to the Flagship transcon routes, something that really makes their premium transcon flights stand out against the competition.

[@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm]

The price really makes such service stand out.

[@jmilescox]

I’m amazed! Was this shot on another planet? Several questions come to mind:
1). You went through the whole terminal at SFO and there were maybe a total of 7 people in the place. They also looked rather normal. Most of the time the terminals at SFO are packed with travelers and it looks more like the Mos Isley space port from Star Wars IV ( “You’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy “). How was this even remotely possible?
2). The Delta cookies on an AA flight strongly suggest that you flew through an alternate dimension.
3). I’m not sure, but I believe Mr. V scrolled right past a Top Gun movie on the infotainment screen without stopping to watch. Also not possible.
If only my trips went this well, I’d gladly travel more often.

[@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm]

Imagine, you run a service that gives your customers access to lounges that don't yet exist in all the places served by the special 'service'. So, they then offer you a regular Admiral's Lounge. How nice! Can't make this stuff up folks. Planned insanity.

[@theplanefacts]

I agree that it is quite disappointing that there is no flagship lounge offered in SFO, I will say in AA’s defense, it wouldn’t make sense to build one because JFK is the only “flagship” destination. JFK and LAX have multiple international destinations so it makes sense to have one at those airports. Although a flagship lounge would have been nice the admirals club at SFO is large and modern so it wasn’t too bad.