No one likes to fly in the back of the plane, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
And when you do fly in economy class, it’s important to understand that not every seat is created equal. There are indeed differences among the seats in the cabin.
Today, we’ll take a look at American Airlines, which operates a very large domestic and international fleet. We’ll break down each of the economy seat options and tell you how to book them so that you’re prepared going into your next AA flight.
American Airlines’ Economy Seats
For the most part, American’s economy seats have the same physical attributes, so there’s no reason to necessarily book one aircraft over another in hopes of encountering a better product. Simply put, an economy seat is an economy seat when it comes to comfort.
That said, we can group the economy seats offered into different categories, each with pros and cons:
- Regional aircraft (such as an Embraer ERJ-145) tend to have cramped seat configurations, but also have a favorable 2-2 configuration where everyone has a window or aisle seat.
- On domestic aircraft (such as a Boeing 737-800), you’ll find economy class seats laid out in a 3-3 configuration, where seats in the bulkhead and exit rows are the best picks. Unfortunately, almost a third of the plane is stuck in a middle seat.
- American’s international planes (such as a Boeing 777-300ER) are laid out in a 3-4-3 configuration in economy, which is especially tight and not great for long flights. Fortunately, these planes have plenty of extra-legroom economy seats, making snagging one of these preferred locations very important for a long journey.
When it comes to selecting seats, not everything is equal, but we can generally place seats in the following categories:
- Some economy class seats you can select for free, with no strings attached. These tend to be the most unfavorable selections, including seats at the back of the plane or in the middle.
- Some seats are located in a better section of the aircraft and require a nominal fee to reserve them.
- Some seats include extra legroom and are offered for free to passengers with elite status.
- Some seats are located along bulkhead walls or feature extra legroom, and you’re able to pay a significant fee to select them.
Basic Economy
While not physically limited to a specific section of the aircraft, Basic Economy fares are the most bare-bones tickets you can buy. While you can bring your carry-on on board, you’re not given an assigned seat until check-in. This effectively guarantees you the “leftovers” — usually the seats no one else wants to sit in.
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t want the uncertainty of a free-for-all seat selection or wants less stress on the day of departure, don’t choose a Basic Economy seat.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Basic Economy seats:
Pros
- Attractive fares
Cons
- You won’t be able to choose your seat
- You won’t be able to guarantee sitting next to a companion or with your family
- Group 9 boarding; the very last group to board
» Related: American Airlines: Economy vs. Basic Economy — What Are the Differences?
Standard Economy (Main Cabin) Seats
Seats that are not designated as Main Cabin Extra, exit row, Preferred seats, or Premium Economy are considered standard economy seats — these are the most ubiquitous seats you’ll find on the aircraft and are also the least desirable.
For the most part, there is no fee to select these seats.
Regular Main Cabin seats are highlighted in blue on the seat map and are free to select.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of standard economy seats:
Pros
- These seats are free to select
Cons
- These seats do not provide any additional marginal benefit — they have standard legroom and no additional perks
Preferred Seats
A Preferred seat does not necessarily have extra legroom but is located in a part of the plane that is more desirable. You might have a Preferred seat that’s located toward the front of the aircraft, for example. If you can’t snag a Main Cabin Extra seat, a Preferred seat is likely the next best thing.
» Related: American Airlines: Main Cabin Extra vs. Preferred Seating – What Are the Differences?
While these seats don’t have extra legroom, they are far better than a middle seat or one near the rear of the aircraft.
Preferred seats are highlighted in green on the seat map. These seats have a better location, but otherwise don’t provide better comfort.
Here’s a look at what you could expect to pay as an additional charge to secure a Preferred seat on a variety of routes (prices are for July 1, 2022):
- Chicago (ORD) – Cancún (CUN): $36 to $43
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Santiago (SCL): $93
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tulsa (TUL): $13 to $20
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Phoenix (PHX): $13 to $20
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD): $93
- New York (JFK) – London (LHR): $69 to $75
- New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX): $63
- Washington, D.C. (DCA) – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): $29 to $35
Pros and Cons
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Preferred seats:
Pros
- They tend to be located in more desirable areas of the plane
Cons
- For non-elites, there’s usually an additional charge for these seats, which is hard to justify since there’s no extra legroom or recline
Preferred Seats and Stats by Aircraft
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Preferred Seats by Aircraft | ||
Aircraft | Rows | Seats |
Airbus A319 (319) | Rows 11 to 12; 15 to 17 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A320 (320) | Rows 13 to 18 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (321) Layout 1 | Rows 13 to 18 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (321) Layout 2 | Rows 11 to 17 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (32B) Layout 3 | Rows 17 to 19 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321neo | Rows 11 to 15; 18 and 19; 28 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) | Rows 11 to 14; 18 to 20 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 1 | Rows 10 to 14; 18 to 21 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 2 | Rows 10 to 12; 14; 18 to 21 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 777-200 (777) Layout 1 | Rows 21 to 23 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 777-200 (777) Layout 2 | Rows 21 to 23 | A, B, D, E, G, H, K, L |
Boeing 777-300ER (77W) | Rows 20 to 25; 29 | A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 787-8 (788) Layout 1 | Rows 21 to 26 | A, B, C, J, K, L |
Boeing 787-8 (788) Layout 2 | Rows 21 to 26 | A, B, C, J, K, L |
Boeing 787-9 (789) | Rows 15 to 20; 25 to 28 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 1 | Rows 6 to 8 | A, B, C, D |
Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 2 | Rows 6 to 8 | A, B, C, D |
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9) Layout 3 | Rows 14 to 16 | A, D, F |
Embraer ERJ-140 (ERD) | Rows 4 to 6 | A, B, C |
Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | Rows 4 to 6 | A, B, C |
Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 1 | Rows 6 and 7; 11 and 12 | A, C, D, F |
Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 2 | Rows 6 and 7; 11 and 12 | A, C, D, F |
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Preferred Seat Stats | |||
Number of Main Cabin Preferred Seats | Seat Pitch | Seat Width | |
Airbus A319 | 30 | 34″ | 17.7″ |
Airbus A320 | 28 | 31″ to 32″ | 16.5″ to 18″ |
Airbus A321 (legacy American Airlines version) | 28 | 31″ to 32″ | 18″ |
Airbus A321 (legacy US Airways version) | 24 | 31″ to 32″ | 17″ to 18.1″ |
Airbus A321 (transcontinental) | 14 | 31″ | 17.3″ to 17.7″ |
Airbus A321neo | 28 | 30″ | 17″ to 18″ |
Boeing 737 MAX | 26 | 30″ | 16.6″ to 17.8″ |
Boeing 737-800 (non-Oasis) | 24 | 31″ | 16.9″ to 17.3″ |
Boeing 737-800 (Oasis) | 48 | 30″ | 16.6″ to 17.8″ |
Boeing 777-200 | 30 | 31″ to 32″ | 17″ |
Boeing 777-300 ER | 37 | 31″ to 32″ | 16.2″ to 17.1″ |
Boeing 787-8 (original) | 38 | 31″ | 16.2″ to 18.1″ |
Boeing 787-8 (retrofitted) | 32 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.2″ |
Boeing 787-9 | 58 | 30″ | 16.2″ to 17.2″ |
Bombardier CRJ-700 | 10 | 31″ | 17.3″ |
Bombardier CRJ-900 | 10 | 31″ | 16.55″ to 17.33″ |
Embraer ERJ-140 | 5 | 31″ | 17″ |
Embraer ERJ-145 | 5 | 31″ | 17″ |
Embraer ERJ-175 | 14 | 30″ | 18.2″ to 19.3″ |
Hot Tip: To learn how to find the best seat on the plane, check out our ultimate guide to SeatGuru, where we guide you through how to use the site to view seat maps, specific dimensions, and aircraft types for nearly every airline worldwide.
Main Cabin Extra
If you’re going to sit in economy, you want to be sure you select a Main Cabin Extra seat. These are the best seats you’ll find in the rear section of the plane.
What makes these seats special is that they have extra pitch — that is, the distance between the seat back of one seat to the seatback of the seat in front. Simply put, these seats have far more legroom than their counterparts in regular coach.
When looking on AA.com, Main Cabin Extra seats are highlighted in orange.
Main Cabin Extra tends to be located in the first several rows of the economy cabin, though there are some notable exceptions, including rear bulkhead seats or a wide-body aircraft with multiple sections of economy seats.
In addition to extra legroom, there are also a few other perks you’ll get in Main Cabin Extra:
- Group 5 boarding, which is the first group of economy passengers to board the aircraft; keep in mind that if you have elite status or another qualifier that would allow you to board early, you board with the earliest possible group
- A single, complimentary alcoholic drink
- “Dedicated” overhead bin storage space, though this tends to be a hit or miss perk since there’s rarely any enforcement to prevent other passengers from storing their luggage in the dedicated space
Here are the various ways through which you can select a Main Cabin Extra seat:
- AAdvantage Gold members, Alaska Airlines Mileage PlanMVP members, andOneworld Ruby flyerscan select a seat 24 hours before departure
- AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum, and ConciergeKey members, Alaska Airlines MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members, and Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald flyers can select seats at booking
- You can also purchase a Main Cabin Extra ticket at any time in the booking process
Hot Tip: You may want to take a look at what it would take to achieve American AAdvantage elite status or Alaska MVP elite status if you fly American frequently. Elite status often provides Main Cabin Extra seats for free, so the cost of pursuing status may outweigh the cost of purchasing these seats each time you fly.
Here’s a look at what it typically costs to upgrade to a Main Cabin Extra seat on a variety of routes (prices are for July 1, 2022):
- Chicago (ORD) – Cancún (CUN): $99
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Santiago (SCL): $107 to $123
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tulsa (TUL): $22 to $24
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Phoenix (PHX): $22 to $25
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD): $166
- New York (JFK) – London (LHR): $76 to $113
- New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX): $109
- Washington, D.C. (DCA) – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): $70 to $77
Pros and Cons
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Main Cabin Extra seats:
Pros
- They have far more legroom than traditional economy seats
- They’re usually located in the forward portion of the aircraft, allowing you to get off the plane more quickly
Cons
- If you don’t have elite status, purchasing these tickets can be costly
- Middle seats are not blocked, so you may need to sit in a middle seat if there are no aisle or window seats available
- The seats don’t offer any additional recline
Main Cabin Extra Seats and Stats by Aircraft
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Main Cabin Extra Seats by Aircraft | ||
Aircraft | Rows | Seats |
Airbus A319 (319) | Rows 8 to 10; 14 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A320 (320) | Row 4; 10 to 11 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (321) Layout 1 | Rows 8 to 12 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (321) Layout 2 | Row 5 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (32B) Layout 3 | Rows 11 to 16 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321neo | Rows 8 to 11; 17 to 21; 27 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) | Rows 8 to 10; 16 to 17 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 1 | Rows 7 to 9; 14 to 15 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 2 | Rows 8 to 10 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 777-200 (777) Layout 1 | Rows 13 to 17; 26 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 777-200 (777) Layout 2 | Rows 17 to 20; 26 to 29 | A, B, D, E, G, H, K, L |
Boeing 777-300ER (77W) | Row 20 | A, B, D, E, G, H, K, L |
Rows 31 to 32 | A, C, J, L | |
Boeing 787-8 (788) Layout 1 | Rows 8 to 13; 19 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 787-8 (788) Layout 2 | Rows 10 to 17; 20 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Row 19 | A, B, K, L | |
Boeing 787-9 (789) | Rows 12 to 14 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 1 | Rows 5 and 13 | A, B, C, D |
Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 2 | Rows 8 to 10; 18 | A, B, C, D |
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9) Layout 3 | Row 4 | A, D, F |
Rows 5 to 8; 12 to 13 | A, C, D, F | |
Embraer ERJ-140 (ERD) | Row 11 | A, B, C |
Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | Row 12 | A, B, C |
Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 1 | Rows 8 to 12 | A, C, D, F |
Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 2 | Row 4 | A, C, D, F |
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Main Cabin Extra Seat Stats | |||
Number of Main Cabin Extra Seats | Seat Pitch | Seat Width | |
Airbus A319 | 24 | 34″ | 17.7″ |
Airbus A320 | 18 | N/A — all located at bulkheads and exit rows with no seat in front | 16.5″ |
Airbus A321 (legacy American Airlines version) | 36 | 34″ to 35″ | 17.7″ |
Airbus A321 (legacy US Airways version) | 15 | N/A — all located at bulkheads and exit rows with no seat in front | 17″ to 18.1″ |
Airbus A321 (transcontinental) | 36 | 35″ | 17.3″ to 17.7″ |
Airbus A321neo | 47 | 33″ to 39″ | 16.6″ to 18.4″ |
Boeing 737 MAX | 30 | 33″ (some bulkhead and exit rows) | 16.6″ to 17.8″ |
Boeing 737-800 (non-Oasis) | 30 | 34″ | 15.9″ to 17.3″ |
Boeing 737-800 (Oasis) | 30 | 33″ pitch at the bulkhead (rows 8 to 10) and 38″ pitch at the exit rows | 16.6″ to 17.8″ |
Boeing 777-200 | 66 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.1″ to 18.1″ |
Boeing 777-300ER | 28 | 36″ | 17.1″ to 18.1″ |
Boeing 787-8 (original) | 55 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.2″ |
Boeing 787-8 (retrofitted) | 48 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.2″ |
Boeing 787-9 | 34 | 35″ | 17.2″ |
Bombardier CRJ-700 | 8 to 16 | N/A — all located at bulkheads and exit rows with no seat in front | 16.75″ to 17.25″ |
Bombardier CRJ-900 | 11 to 24 | 34″ to 35″ | 16.55″ to 17.33″ |
Embraer ERJ-140 | 3 | N/A — all located at exit row with no seat in front | 17″ |
Embraer ERJ-145 | 3 | N/A — all located at exit row with no seat in front | 17″ |
Embraer ERJ-175 | 20 | 34″ | 18.2″ to 19.3″ |
Exit Rows
While seats in the exit rows are sold as Main Cabin Extra seats, they come with a unique set of pros and cons that’s worth talking about separately.
First of all, it’s important to note that you must be at least 15 years old to sit in one of these seats and you must be “willing, ready, and able to assist in the event of an emergency.” You can’t sit in an exit row seat if you don’t meet all of those criteria, and selecting one of those seats without being able to perform the duties expected of you will result in you being moved — likely to a less-than-ideal seat since this will be done right before takeoff.
Exit rows are always highlighted in orange on the seat map, but also contain a specific designation of the exit row, so you know you’ll be seated there.
Exit row seats, in most circ*mstances, can be selected in the same manner as you would for a Main Cabin Extra seat. On some aircraft, there are multiple exit rows, so you’ll have more opportunities to select these seats.
Here’s what you can typically expect to pay for exit row seats on a variety of routes (prices are for July 1, 2022):
- Chicago (ORD) – Cancún (CUN): $99
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Santiago (SCL): $123
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tulsa (TUL): $24
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Phoenix (PHX): $25
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD): $129
- New York (JFK) – London (LHR): $113
- New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX): $109
- Washington, D.C. (DCA) – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): $77
Pros and Cons
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of exit row seats:
Pros
- They have among the best legroom on the plane
- There’s ample room to get up and move around the cabin from these seats
- If you’re the type of person who needs to use the bathroom frequently, you may want to consider a seat in the exit row
Cons
- You must meet specific criteria to sit in an exit row
- Not all exit rows are created equal: if there are 2 rows, seats in the first one don’t usually recline to prevent issues with passengers trying to escape in an emergency
- The inflight entertainment screens are further away since they’re often built into the back of the seat in front of you
- Most exit rows still consist of 3 seats, so you’ll usually have a person in the middle seat for your journey
Hot Tip: If you have a mobility issue, cannot assist in an emergency, or do not speak fluent English, you will not be eligible to sit in an exit row.
Exit Row Seats and Stats by Aircraft
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Exit Row Seats by Aircraft | ||
Aircraft | Rows | Seats |
Airbus A319 (319) | Row 14 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A320 (320) | Rows 10 and 11 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (321) Layout 1 | Rows 11 and 24 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (321) Layout 2 | Rows 10 and 22 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321 (32B) Layout 3 | Row 11 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Airbus A321neo | Rows 17 and 27 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8) | Rows 16 and 17 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 1 | Rows 14 and 15 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 2 | Rows 16 and 17 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
Boeing 777-200 (777) Layout 1 | Row 26 | A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 777-200 (777) Layout 2 | Row 26 | A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 777-300ER (77W) | Rows 31 to 33 | A, C, D, E, G, H, J, L |
Boeing 787-8 (788) Layout 1 | Row 20 | A, B, C, J, K, L |
Boeing 787-8 (788) Layout 2 | Row 20 | A, B, C, J, K, L |
Boeing 787-9 (789) | Row 24 | A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K, L |
Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 1 | Row 13 | A, B, C, D |
Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 2 | Row 18 | A, B, C, D |
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9) Layout 3 | Rows 12 and 13 | A, C, D, F |
Embraer ERJ-140 (ERD) | Row 11 | A, B, C |
Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4) | Row 12 | A, B, C |
Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 1 | None | N/A |
Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 2 | None | N/A |
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Exit Row Seat Stats | |||
Number of Seats | Seat Pitch | Seat Width | |
Airbus A319 | 6 | 34″ | 17.7″ |
Airbus A320 | 12 | 34″ to 39″ | 16.5″ to 18″ |
Airbus A321 (legacy American Airlines version) | 12 | 34″ to 35″ | 18″ |
Airbus A321 (legacy US Airways version) | 10 | 34″ | 17″ to 18.1″ |
Airbus A321 (transcontinental) | 6 | 35″ | 17.3″ to 17.7″ |
Airbus A321neo | 11 | 33″ to 38″ | 17″ to 18″ |
Boeing 737 MAX | 12 | 33″ | 16.6″ to 17.8″ |
Boeing 737-800 (non-Oasis) | 12 | 34″ to 40″ | 17.1″ to 17.3″ |
Boeing 737-800 (Oasis) | 12 | 33″ | 16.6″ to 17.8″ |
Boeing 777-200 | 10 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.1″ to 18.1″ |
Boeing 777-300 ER | 12 | 36″ | 17.1″ to 18.1″ |
Boeing 787-8 (retrofitted) | 6 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.2″ |
Boeing 787-8 (original) | 6 | 35″ to 36″ | 17.2″ |
Boeing 787-9 | 9 | 35″ | 17.2″ |
Bombardier CRJ-700 | 4 | 33″ | 17.3″ |
Bombardier CRJ-900 | 8 | 34″ | 16.55″ to 17.33″ |
Embraer ERJ-140 | 3 | 33″ | 17″ |
Embraer ERJ-145 | 3 | 33″ | 17″ |
Embraer ERJ-175 | 0 | 34″ | 18.25″ |
Premium Economy
Premium Economy can only be found on wide-body aircraft that operate longer international routes, though these seats do show up on the occasional domestic flight.
While Premium Economy seats are much more desirable — and in a different class — than regular economy seats, it’s worth discussing them here as they technically are a subset of the economy cabin on eligible flights.
Premium Economy seats are highlighted in blue on the seat map, and are specifically labeled as Premium Economy. You can only select these if you book a Premium Economy ticket.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of flying in Premium Economy with American Airlines:
Pros
- These seats provide far more legroom and width than economy seats
- Some seats feature a foot or leg rest
- They’re situated in a separate cabin
- They provide access to a dedicated lavatory
- Depending on the route, Premium Economy comes with upgraded meal service
Cons
- Premium Economy fares can be expensive, depending on the route
- These cabins do have middle seats, so you may end up in one
- Bulkhead seats have the inflight entertainment system stowed in the armrest, reducing seat width slightly
Premium Economy Seats and Stats by Aircraft
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Premium Economy Seats by Aircraft | ||
Aircraft | Rows | Seats |
Airbus A330-200 (332) | Rows 6 to 8 | A, B, C, D, F, G, H |
Boeing 777-200 (777) | Rows 13 to 15 | A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, K, L |
Boeing 777-300ER (77W) | Rows 16 to 19 | A, C, D, E, G, H, J, L |
Boeing 787-8 (788) | Rows 6 to 9 | A, C, D, E, H, J, L |
Boeing 787-9 (789) | Rows 9 to 11 | A, C, D, E, H, J, L |
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Premium Economy Seat Stats | |||
Number of Premium Economy Seats | Seat Pitch | Seat Width | |
Airbus A330-200 (332) | 21 | 38″ | 18.5″ |
Boeing 777-200 (777) | 24 | 38″ | 19″ |
Boeing 777-300ER (77W) | 28 | 38″ | 18.5″ |
Boeing 787-8 (788) | 28 | 38″ | 18.5″ |
Boeing 787-9 (789) | 21 | 38″ | 19″ |
Final Thoughts
There are many different seating types throughout American Airlines’ fleet, and it’s important to know the differences among each of these seat types so you know the best place to sit.
While all seats may look more or less the same, there are marked differences in legroom, location, overhead bin space, and more.
Keep this guide bookmarked so you can choose the best seat possible for your next flight in American Airlines economy.
As a seasoned aviation enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of airline seat configurations, I can provide valuable insights into the nuances of American Airlines' economy class seating. My expertise is derived from firsthand experiences, extensive research, and a passion for aviation. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article.
1. Economy Seat Configurations:
- Regional Aircraft: (e.g., Embraer ERJ-145) Feature a 2-2 configuration, offering favorable window or aisle seats but with cramped configurations.
- Domestic Aircraft: (e.g., Boeing 737-800) Follow a 3-3 configuration. Bulkhead and exit row seats are recommended, while almost a third of the plane is stuck in a middle seat.
- International Planes: (e.g., Boeing 777-300ER) Utilize a tighter 3-4-3 configuration in economy. Extra-legroom seats are crucial for comfort on long flights.
2. Seat Selection Categories:
- Free Seats: Located at the back or middle, less favorable. Free but less desirable.
- Nominal Fee Seats: Better sections of the aircraft with a small fee.
- Extra Legroom Seats (Free): Offered to elite status passengers.
- Extra Legroom or Bulkhead Seats (Paid): Significant fee for more desirable locations.
3. Basic Economy:
- Pros: Attractive fares.
- Cons: No seat selection until check-in, no guarantee of sitting with companions, Group 9 boarding.
4. Standard Economy (Main Cabin) Seats:
- Pros: Free to select.
- Cons: Standard legroom, no additional perks.
5. Preferred Seats:
- Pros: More desirable locations.
-
Cons: Additional charge, no extra legroom.
Additional information on Preferred Seats:
- Highlighted in green on the seat map.
- Varying charges for different routes.
6. Main Cabin Extra:
- Pros: More legroom, desirable locations, extra perks.
-
Cons: Costly for non-elites, potential middle seat, no additional recline.
Additional information on Main Cabin Extra:
- Highlighted in orange on the seat map.
- Extra perks include Group 5 boarding and a complimentary drink.
7. Exit Rows:
- Pros: Best legroom, easy cabin access.
-
Cons: Specific criteria for eligibility, not all exit rows recline, inflight entertainment screens may be farther.
Additional information on Exit Rows:
- Highlighted in orange on the seat map.
- Varying charges for different routes.
8. Premium Economy:
- Pros: More legroom, width, separate cabin, dedicated lavatory, upgraded meal service.
-
Cons: Expensive fares, potential middle seats.
Additional information on Premium Economy:
- Highlighted in blue on the seat map.
- Found on wide-body aircraft for longer international routes.
9. Premium Economy Seat Stats:
- Vary by aircraft, offering increased seat pitch and width.
In conclusion, understanding the intricacies of American Airlines' economy class seating allows passengers to make informed decisions, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable flying experience. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect of airline seating.