American Airlines traces its origins to a mail delivery flight Charles Lindbergh flew in 1926 between St. Louis and Chicago. Today the airline is one of the largest in the world, with more than 1000 mainline and regional aircraft and a route network that includes more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries.
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, American Airlines is part of the oneworld Alliance and has hubs in Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK and LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). If I am flying to, from, or through any of these hubs, it is a good bet an American Airlines flight will be among the best and most convenient options.
American Airlines fares and cabin classes
American Airlines has at least 8 different types of fares for the main cabin, premium economy, business and first-class cabins. The availability of some of fare classes depends on the destination (i.e. regional, transcontinental, or international) and/or aircraft used on the route.
I often find that choosing among the different options can get daunting. When it does, I try to remind myself that no matter what price I pay or where I end up sitting, everyone on the plane takes off and lands at the same time.
Basic Economy
When the flight is short, my budget is tight, I am traveling with only carry-on items and I am confident my plans will not change, I look closely at American Airlines Basic Economy fares.
Basic Economy seats are in the Main Cabin but come with some restrictions, including (but not limited to) late (Group 9) boarding, no seat assignment until check-in, no free checked bags and no free changes after 24 hours of your booking. American AAdvantage awards miles and loyalty points also accrue at reduced rates. You can avoid some of these (and other) restrictions based on your AAdvantage mileage program status or with certain credit cards.
Basic Economy seats can be a good bargain, but if I am considering this ticket and paying for an advance seat assignment and/or there’s a chance I will end up checking a bag, I always take a few moments to compare the total fare price against Main Cabin and Main Cabin Plus fares, which often prove more efficient.
Main Cabin and Main Cabin extra seating
Main Cabin fares on American Airlines allow you to choose a pre-assigned seat from a limited inventory. Beyond that, boarding group, bag fees and mileage accrual will be based on your AAdvantage status or the airline credit card you hold.
Main Cabin Extra seating is available for an extra fee based on the length of the flight and the location of the seat, i.e. window or aisle and may be complimentary based on your AAdvantage member status. You can also use AAdvantage miles to purchase these seats.
With this fare you will get early boarding (Group 5) and complimentary alcoholic drinks. This upgrade is often not that expensive and, when traveling during certain day parts and on longer flights or trip legs, I often pay the Main Cabin Extra fee both for expanded seat selection and the drinks.
Premium Economy
On some long distance international, Hawaii and Alaska flights American offers a Premium Economy section with upgraded seats, complimentary meals and drinks, and, on international flights a nice amenity kit and sleep set (pillow and blanket). This is a great option for long flights when First or Business class seats are too expensive or unavailable.
Business, First and Flagship service
American Airlines has multiple cabin and fare levels for the front of the plane. On some shorter international flights, the Business Class cabin may be the highest level of service. On most two-cabin flights between U.S. cities, there will be a First-Class cabin.
For some international flights and on select transcontinental flights, i.e. between LAX and JFK, BOS or MIA and on international flights, American offers Flagship Business and Flagship First Class, each with a bevy of premium services at the airport and in the air. If you can splurge or have plenty of miles banked to book these fares, this is the experience to purchase.
That said, keep in mind that American Airlines is phasing out its premium Flagship first-class cabins in exchange for an upgraded business class section on many new and retrofitted planes that promises to be as good or better than its current first-class service and will feature suite-like seats and upgraded amenities.
Baggage policy and fees
Each American Airlines passenger may board with one free personal item that fits under the seat in front of them and one carry-on bag that fit in the overhead bin. Checked bag fees are waived for some ticket classes, certain elite members and certain credit card holders (check your programs), but otherwise you will pay a fee for each bag.
I’m a dedicated carry-on-only gal but know that if I had to check a bag when flying within/between the U.S., or Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on a fare that didn’t include a complimentary checked bag I would make sure to take advantage of the discount offered for paying the checked bag fee online within 24 hours of departure.
I would also be sure to use American Airlines’ “Track your bag” tool and, for good measure, I would drop a tracking tag into my bag.
Tip: If you are paying to bring your pet on board in a carrier that fits under your seat, remember that on American Airlines your pet carrier will count as one of your two allowable carry-on items. The rule is not consistently enforced, but I witnessed a woman stuff her purse into her dog carrier so that she would meet the carry-on restrictions.
Lounges
American Airlines has more than 50 lounges, called Admirals Clubs, in thirty-two cities around the world and more than 50 partner lounges in various cities. Some large airports have more than one lounge location. Amenities include snacks and drinks, personal travel assistance and, in some locations, made to order meals and shower suites.
Lounge access is determined by membership, flight class, route, AAdvantage or oneworld Alliance status, or which credit card you own. You can purchase a membership or day pass with cash or miles, but when lounges are operating at or near capacity you may not be able to purchase or use a pre-purchased day pass when you planned to.
American Airlines also has a set of premium Flagship Lounges in Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA) and (soon) Philadelphia as well as joint premium lounges at New York JFK and arrivals lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport. Access is open to qualifying First and Business passengers and others based on mileage plan status and other criteria. These swank lounges have upgraded seating, meals, and cocktail service as well as shower suites and, in some locations, table service dining.
Onboard experience for American Airlines flights
American Airlines inflight entertainment system includes an extensive library of movies, TV series, music, audiobooks and other content delivered through the American Airlines app. The list includes AppleTV+ and Apple music, which is a nice bingeable perk for folks like me who do not have subscriptions to those services at home. Parents and those seated near parents traveling with squirmy kids will appreciate the extensive kids’ channel, which includes a nice assortment of soothing sensory programs.
Tip: American Airlines has been removing the seatback entertainment screens on domestic aircraft. So, before take-off be sure to download movies and/or add the airline’s app to your devices so you can access the airline-provided content. Otherwise, your inflight entertainment options will be limited to sleeping, reading, working, looking out the window, or chatting with your seatmate.
High-speed Wi-Fi available is for purchase on most American Airlines flights. T-Mobile customers may get complimentary Wi-Fi depending on their phone plans. For example, my plan gives me a complimentary hour of Wi-Fi on each flight, plus four chits for flight-long Wi-Fi each year.
On many American Airlines flights, you can also get 20 minutes of free Wi-Fi by watching a short advertisement, but I usually find this is hardly enough time to do more than dash off a quick email, download a file to work on offline or check a game score.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
