In addition to extra legroom, Main Cabin Extra customers receive free alcoholic beverages. Preferred seats don’t receive any extra legroom, but they are in better locations of the Main Cabin that are closer to the front of the plane, allowing you to access your seat quicker when boarding and exit more quickly when getting off.
Full Answer
Is Main Cabin Extra the same as economy on American Airlines?
Don’t confuse American Airlines’ Main Cabin Extra seats for AA’s Premium Economy, which features a larger seat and better catering as well as more legroom than economy. Instead, Main Cabin Extra is the same seat that you’ll find in standard economy but with more legroom.
What is the difference between main cabin and preferred seats?
Located in prime areas of the main cabin, Main Cabin Extra seats receive 3 to 6 inches of additional legroom. These seats are in the bulkhead, the first few rows of the plane, or in exit rows. In addition to extra legroom, Main Cabin Extra customers receive free alcoholic beverages. Preferred Seats
What is the difference between economy and preferred seats on AA?
What are American Airlines Preferred seats? The next category of seats are “Preferred” seats — indicated by green on AA seat maps. These seats have no more legroom than standard economy seats (30 to 33 inches of pitch) but are simply located in “preferred” areas of the plane.
How do I get Main Cabin Extra seats on American Airlines?
There are a few ways to access Main Cabin Extra seats — some at a cost and some for free. American Airlines Elite Status Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum,and ConciergeKeymembers on American Airlines can select Main Cabin Extra for free at the time of booking (for themselves and up to 8 companions on the same reservation).
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What is better main cabin extra or preferred?
Preferred seats don't receive any extra legroom, but they are in better locations of the Main Cabin that are closer to the front of the plane, allowing you to access your seat quicker when boarding and exit more quickly when getting off.
What does main cabin extra mean on American?
Main Cabin Extra (MCE) is what American Airlines calls its extra-legroom economy seats. Many of American Airlines' aircraft have a section of MCE seats at the front of the economy cabin while others — such as former US Airways aircraft and regional jets — may only classify bulkhead and exit row seats as MCE.
What is the difference between preferred seating and main cabin?
What is the difference between Main Cabin and Main Cabin preferred seats? Preferred seats are those in the Main Cabin that have more favorable locations, such as closer proximity to the boarding areas for greater ease when boarding or disembarking the plane.
Is Main plus the same as Main cabin Extra?
Free entertainment. Sit back and relax with free movies and TV shows – on screen or your device. *Main Plus tickets include complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra and preferred seats (if available), preferred boarding (Group 5), and 1 more free checked bag (in addition to the Main Cabin allowance).
What do you get in Main cabin Extra?
Giving you and your travelers more reason to fly in Main Cabin Extra with our newly revamped experience. We're serving up complimentary beer, wine and spirits for your travelers to enjoy during their flight. Your travelers have more space on board and fly more comfortably with additional legroom.
Do you get free drinks in main cabin extra?
Alcohol is only served on flights traveling 250 miles or more and beer will cost $8 a glass while wine and spirits will cost $9 for most main cabin passengers. However, if you're flying in Main Cabin Extra, alcoholic beverages will be complimentary as they were pre-pandemic.
How much do preferred seats cost on American Airlines?
A charge of $25 will apply when American's reservations representatives assist with buying a Preferred Seat by phone. This charge does not apply for purchases made via AA.com, AA.com mobile, or with the Self-Service Check-In machines.
What does preferred mean on a plane?
Preferred seating includes United Economy seats that have standard legroom but are closer to the front of the aircraft in the first few rows behind Economy Plus®.
Is American Airlines plus size friendly?
According to American Airlines, if a plus-size customer needs more space outside a single seat to travel, another seat must be purchased. AA states that when the customer calls to book, its reservations team will make sure the passenger gets two adjacent seats at the same rate.
What is preferred boarding on American Airlines?
Boarding group 5 on American Airlines includes Main Cabin Extra passengers (excluding Basic Economy tickets), eligible AAdvantage credit cardmembers, and eligible corporate travelers. Group 5 is also known as preferred boarding.
Do you get a free checked bag with American Airlines?
First checked bag free on domestic itineraries Your first checked bag is free on domestic itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation – that's savings of up to $300 per round trip with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card. Terms apply.
How do you get free drinks on American Airlines?
We offer fresh coffee, tea, juice, water and soft drinks, as well as complimentary snacks on board. AAdvantage Executive Platinum® and ConciergeKey® members also get a complimentary alcoholic drink and food menu item during their flight.
Does main cabin extra cost more?
With the Main Cabin Extra, you will get a little more of everything that you get on the Main Cabin. You will be able to enjoy more space in your flight with the Main Cabin's extra seating which starts at just $20. All of the seats are located in the plane's main cabin itself and is subject to availability.
Do you get a free checked bag with American Airlines?
First checked bag free on domestic itineraries Your first checked bag is free on domestic itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation – that's savings of up to $300 per round trip with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card. Terms apply.
What is a main cabin ticket?
A Main Cabin ticket is more than just a seat – it includes everything you need for an enjoyable flight.
What are the benefits of flying with AAdvantage?
Flying with AAdvantage ® status / one world ® status? Enjoy more benefits like mileage bonuses, priority check-in and boarding, complimentary checked bags, lounge access and more.
How early can you check in at the airport?
You must check in at least 30 minutes before departure and be at the gate 15 minutes before departure or you may lose your seat. We will attempt to assign children under 15 with at least one adult they're traveling with. If you sit in a seat other than the one assigned, you may be asked to move. Preferred seats.
Can you bring 1 personal item on a plane?
You can bring 1 personal item and 1 bag with you on board for free. Check all the restrictions for carry-on and checked bags, including free allowances and charges, before you travel.*
Can you move if you sit in a seat other than the one assigned?
If you sit in a seat other than the one assigned, you may be asked to move. Preferred seats. Preferred seats are on select flights operated by American Airlines and American Eagle and subject to availability. Seats are non-transferable and valid only on the flight purchased.
Can you buy Wi-Fi on a plane?
You can buy Wi-Fi on select aircraft so you never miss a beat while you’re on board.
Do you need to submit separate refund requests for flights?
Keep in mind you need to submit separate refund requests for your flights, seats and other purchases.
How early can you check in for American Airlines?
You must check in at least 30 minutes before departure and be at the gate 15 minutes before departure or you may lose your seat. Main Cabin Extra seats. Main Cabin Extra seats are on select flights operated by American Airlines and American Eagle and subject to availability.
What airlines have one world emerald?
one world ® Sapphire and Emerald members with elite status on Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair or Japan Airlines. All listed members are allowed complimentary access for up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
How early can you check in to the airport?
You must check in at least 30 minutes before departure and be at the gate 15 minutes before departure or you may lose your seat.
Do you need to submit separate refund requests for flights?
Keep in mind you need to submit separate refund requests for your flights, seats and other purchases.
Can you buy Wi-Fi on a plane?
You can buy Wi-Fi on select aircraft so you never miss a beat while you’re on board.
Can you use miles to reserve a cabin?
AAdvantage ® members can now use miles to reserve Main Cabin Extra seats.
What is the difference between main cabin extra and standard cabin extra?
Instead, Main Cabin Extra is the same seat that you’ll find in standard economy but with more legroom. Main Cabin Extra seats have between 33 and 43.5 inches of pitch — depending on the aircraft type — versus the 30 to 33 inches you’ll find in standard economy seats. For example, the front row of economy on the American Airlines A321neo is ...
What is preferred seating on a plane?
The next category of seats are “Preferred” seats — indicated by green on AA seat maps. These seats have no more legroom than standard economy seats (30 to 33 inches of pitch) but are simply located in “preferred” areas of the plane. This could mean seats closer to the front, rows with only two seats or sometimes just random window and aisle seats, as you can see on AA’s Boeing 777-300ER:
Where are MCE seats on American Airlines?
Many of American Airlines’ aircraft have a section of MCE seats at the front of the economy cabin while others — such as former US Airways aircraft and regional jets — may only classify bulkhead and exit row seats as MCE. For example, the former US Airways A330-300 aircraft only have two rows of Main Cabin Extra: the bulkhead rows ...
How many rows are there in the main cabin on an A330?
For example, the former US Airways A330-300 aircraft only have two rows of Main Cabin Extra: the bulkhead rows of row 8 and row 25. Note, Main Cabin Extra seats are shown in orange on American Airlines’ website: Seat map on American Airlines’ A330-300 showing the limited number of Main Cabin Extra seats in orange.
What happens if you don't have elite status on American Airlines?
If you don’t have elite status on American Airlines, the airline actually hides some available seats from you as these seats are reserved only for elite members. Welcome to the crazy world of American Airlines seating. We’ll go through the four main categories of economy seating on American Airlines. Depending on your level of elite status and ...
What airline is 787-9?
Economy on American Airlines 787-9. (Photo by JT Genter/The Points Guy.)
Can you use SeatGuru on American Airlines?
For AA’s other aircraft types, we recommend using SeatGuru. By entering your AA flight number, SeatGuru will pull up the seat map for your flight and show which seats are recommended. Just note that SeatGuru is still catching up with American Airlines’ rapidly-changing fleet. But, it’s still a good free starting point to figure out the best available seat.
What is AA main cabin?
AA Main Cabin is what some other airlines call standard or regular economy. It used to be the most basic American fare. Until they introduced Basic Economy which was more basic than the basic fare. But Basic Economy is still a main cabin fare.
Why did Jon pay extra for the cabin?
Jon paid extra to get a main cabin extra seat, but that didn’t come with a better boarding group: So because he was in the last boarding group there was no space in the overhead bins meaning he had to check his carry on. Dennis is a concierge key member meaning that he probably spends $50k per year with American.
What is the problem with flying basic economy with elite status?
The problem with flying basic economy with Elite status is that you will stop earning the elite qualifying miles EQM and elite qualifying segments EQS that allowed you to become an elite in the first place.
Why do airlines love confused customers?
Airlines love this since confused customers mean increased profits, although I’m sure they’d deny that it’s deliberate.
How much did American want to help Scott?
American wanted to “help” but they wanted $35 to find them a seat together. I don’t think that’s the kind of help Scott had in mind.
How to find out what the deal is with no-frills flights?
Sometimes the best way to find out what the deal is with no-frills flights is to check what travelers are saying on social media.
Does AAdvantage give free checked bags?
If a carry-on bag isn’ t enough for you then most AAdvantage credit cards will score you free checked bags on domestic flights.
What is the main cabin extra seating?
The Main Cabin Extra seating includes extra legroom seats at the front of the plane or in an exit row, complimentary alcohol (when service resumes), and preferred boarding. And by including the additional bag during booking, it can save time and the hassle of paying for this at the airport.
How many types of economy tickets are there?
While each of these fares are not currently sold in every market, American now has six different types of Economy tickets for sale. Regardless of the fare, all tickets include one carry-on bag and a personal item. Basic Economy (no changes, no free checked bags) – Short-haul, Europe, South America.
Do you need a checked bag for Main Plus?
If you want extra legroom seating and you have a checked bag, it will usually be no-brainer to just purchase a “Main Plus” fare and if you need a checked bag anyway, you may want to consider paying a little extra to bundle and get the extra legroom as well.
Is there a free checked bag on American Airlines in 2021?
In February 2021, American announced a few changes to “simplify the shopping experience”. Two free checked bags are now included on all Premium Economy tickets, one free checked bag is now included with all long-haul international Main Cabin tickets, and Basic Economy was expanded to flights to Asia, Oceania, India, and Israel (though it includes one free checked bag in these markets).
Is Main Plus available on all flights?
Currently, I’m only seeing “Main Plus” fares available on domestic U.S. flights and flights between the U.S. and Canada. However, I don’t see it available on every single route—notably, this type of fare doesn’t seem to be available in the most popular domestic market between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). As this new fare is still being tested, it’s possible that we’ll see this type of fare expand in the future to include more international markets as well.
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Is American Airlines bundled with Main Plus?
American Airlines recently introduced a new bundled fare option for economy tickets, which it calls “Main Plus”. The new fare appears to be in a test mode as it is only available in select markets. American has been busy adjusting its economy fare options in the last year by expanding Basic Economy to new international markets, ...