[edit] AA Planes and Seats

[edit] The Basics

Now that AA no longer has 'More Room Throughout Coach' (MRTC) seating, frequent flyers to generally use the advice on SeatGuru to find their best suited seat. AA.com also has a list of planes and seating configurations.

SeatInsider and SeatGuru are seat review sites which currently lag SeatExpert, but may be more worthwhile in the future.

[edit] FlyerTalk Tips

On North American itineraries, Business Class seats are marketed as First Class seats if the plane only has 2 classes. To reduce confusion and to more genuinely reflect what the seats are, this article will refer to the types of seats and not what they are marketed as.

As well, we'll refer to individual sides of the plane as starboard and port. The starboard side is the right side and port is the left side when facing the front of the plane. So when boarding and looking towards the back, starboard will be on the left-hand side and when you are sitting and looking forward, starboard will be on the right.

[edit] General Tips

Food. If choice in food is important to you, remember the FEBO method of taking orders in Business/First. On even number flights requests will be taken from the front first; on odd numbered flights requests will be taken from the back first (on widebodies it is "ELFORB".) NOTE that second/third meal/snack service if applicable on your flight does not follow FEBO...it is always Front to Back. Asian Menus on US-Japan and Japan-US flights can be pre-ordered (to avoid FEBO and disappointments) using by referring to AA's meal choices.

The Last Row. Some flyers are hesitant about the last row in Business Class because of noise seeping in from the hoi polloi in Coach... ;)Coach bulkhead seats often have babies.

Checking Back for a Better Seat. Unfortunately you cannot be waitlisted for a specific seat so the general strategy is to periodically check AA.com for availability. In particular, for domestic flights, check AA.com at 100, 72, and 24 hours prior to departure. At these times elites will be getting their upgrades and better seats will open up. When you get the airport ask the check-in agent and possibly the gate agent for a better seat. You may be able to get one of the seats that AA typically blocks for passengers with mobility issues or small children.

Noise. There is a fun thread debating the Loudest seat on an AA flight?

[edit] Flying on the 763 (a 2-class Boeing 767-323ER)

Business. The new Next Generation Business Class (NGBC) seats have been installed throughout the 767-323ER fleet. There is still no space for bags in front of the bulkhead seats, as the FAA has not STC'd baggage stowage for takeoffs or landings in front of bulkhead seats. Because of a new aisle in NGBC, there is no longer the problem of passengers crossing over the feet of people in the center first row. Some people prefer sitting in the center seats as it means because they do not need to cross over anyone to get up and no one will ever need to cross over them.
Coach. The exit rows are generally considered good seats, but they do get cold. It is sometimes possible to request a seat in row 17 at the airport if those seats are not designated as a crew rest (on shorter mid-con and possibly transcon flights.) Row 17 feels like a private mini cabin as it is divided off from the other cabins.
Blocked Seats.
- On lengthy international flights, the first row on the starboard side (seats 2H/J) may be allocated as crew rests.
- The following coach seats are generally blocked for allocation by the airport: 10 A-J, 11 A/B, 17 A/B H/J, 20 C-G, and 42 C-G.

[edit] Flying on the 762 (3-class Boeing 767-223ER)

First. The First Class 2D seat makes you feel like Captain Kirk on Star Trek - some like it, others don't. It is being eliminated, with a new First seating being installed.
Business. These are the older style business class seats.
Coach. Same as the 763 coach seats above.

[edit] Flying on the S80 (aka Mad Dog, MD-80/83)

Business (Domestic First): The seats on the starboard (right) side are considered slightly more preferable than those on port because there is a little more pitch. The bulkhead seats in Business can feel a bit cramped.
Coach. The exit row seats and 7D are excellent choices because of the extra leg room. Some prefer row 20 because although the recline is limited, the seat does not recline into someone else's knees. Others prefer row 21 where you get the extra legroom and a standard recline.

[edit] Flying on the 777 (Boeing 777-223ER)

First. There is now one configurations for first class: Flagship Suites (previously AKA Configuration 2).
Business. AA has installed the new NGBC seats in the 777 fleet.
Coach. These seats are a bit wider and more comfortable than the 767.

An interesting thing to look out for is that sometimes the 777 is sold as a two class plane for domestic routes. The Business class seats can be reserved by elites who are only paying for coach! Note that the service for these seats will still be the standard coach service.