There’s only one thing you have to know: which routes use an aircraft with an international (i.e. much more comfortable) Business Class cabin.
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF American
So, we’re talking seats, which if you think about it, is the food pyramid of flying. Economy is starch, premium is protein, first is foie gras.
Last month we looked at seats on Delta, and in March at United, in order to compare the differences in the nutritional profile on two different aircraft flying from the U.S. to Hawaii.
The difference: One aircraft had an internationally configured Business Class cabin, the other a domestic one.
The experiential difference was amazing.
This month FCF turns its focus on American, and what we’ve uncovered is equally as revealing.
On international flights, Business Class on American, as on most U.S. carriers, is really Business Class. On domestic flights however, Business Class is puffed up starch, fried rice. On some carriers it’s even called First Class, but it’s a big come down in comfort and overall experience. (The Transcon is the one exception.)
Knowing the Hawaii routes and flights on which American offers an international Business Class seat means you’re not paying for protein and getting starch. You get, in effect, a free in-class seat upgrade.
IT STARTS WITH THE RIGHT AIRCRAFT
American’s B777-200s: The airline has two versions and both have flat-bed seats in Business Class: 180-degree recline, 60- to 61-inch seat pitch, 21.9-inch width.
NETWORKING, CONNECTIONS, AND FREE UPGRADES
Mainland connections: If you live in New York, you must make a connection to Maui somewhere, so why not book American via Dallas instead of via Los Angeles or Phoenix? If you do, you get the international Business Class seat and the free in-class upgrade.
Again, we’re just comparing aircraft seats on the New York-Maui route. One option offers just a normal domestic seat on the connecting flight; on the other, you’ve connected.
AA7 uses a B777-200, which has an international Business Class cabin.
AA510 uses a domestic aircraft, a B757, so you’re just getting a domestic First Class seat.
AA510 uses a domestic aircraft, a B757, so you’re just getting a domestic First Class seat.
HOW DO I EASILY BOOK MY ITINERARY AROUND THE BEST SEATS?
Just know where to find American’s international Business Class seat on routes to Hawaii.
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