First Class. It is the dream flight experience. A bucket list item for any frequent traveler. At a time when international carriers from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia redefine the First Class experience, legacy carriers from the United States largely abandon the First Class concept entirely. However, one carrier in the United States continues investing in a true First Class experience on both International and domestic flights: American Airlines.
The American Airlines Domestic Flagship First Experience
American Airlines is the only airline which offers a true First Class option on domestic flights within the United States. The First Class experience does not limit itself to the flight alone, but extends to all aspects of travel.
Check-In and Security
American Airlines has an exclusive, curbside Check-In area solely for Flagship First passengers. The handful of Check-In counters and private area ensure all Flagship First passengers enjoy a personalized experience. After Check-In, Flagship First passengers head directly to security for an expedited security process.
Lounge
The American Airlines Flagship First Lounge is the “gold standard” for domestic lounges; on par with the best international lounges. The Flagship First Lounge extends multiple shower suites, personalized service, a specialty cocktail bar, and a premium wine table. However, the most unique aspect of the Flagship First Lounge is the Flagship First Dining. Flagship First Dining offers passengers a sit-down luxury-style restaurant experience. The chef-inspired meals pair with a choice of champagne, signature wines, craft beers, and hand-crafted cocktails. As an additional benefit, the lounge locations are strategically near the Flagship First flight boarding areas.
** Due to COVID restrictions, some Flagship First lounges remain closed. The American Airlines website has the most up to date information.
In The Air
All domestic Flagship First seats are lie-flat. Each seat is 21 inches wide, 64 inches in pitch, and 78 inches long in the lie flat position. For the in-flight meals, American Airlines partners with award winning chefs to create one-of-a-kind dishes. The flights also offer personal in-flight entertainment, USB ports and power outlets, and WiFi is available for purchase.
American Airlines truly “rolls out the red carpet” for Flagship First passengers from the check-in to the baggage claim and everything in-between.
Domestic Flagship First Routes
While multiple domestic routes offer a “First Class” ticket option, only select routes provide the Flagship First cabin. Further, only two aircraft, the A321 Transcontinental (A321T) and 777-300 (77W), in the American Airlines fleet have the Flagship First cabin.
A321T Flagship First Routes
New York City (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX)
New York City (JFK) to San Francisco (SFO)
New York City (JFK) to Orange County (SNA)
Boston (BOS) to Los Angeles (LAX)
77W Flagship First Routes
Dallas (DFW) to Honolulu (HNL) **
Dallas (DFW) to Los Angeles (LAX) **
Dallas (DFW) to Miami (MIA) **
Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Miami (MIA) to New York City (JFK) **
** These routes no longer offer Flagship First in 2022.
Due to route rationalization, American Airlines now only offers Flagship First on five routes. However, as air travel returns, so may Flagship First on the discontinued routes. The Flagship First seats come in two configurations, depending on the aircraft. On the A321T, the seats are in a 1-1 formation across five rows, with every seat offering window and direct aisle access. Conversely, the 77W configuration is a 1-2-1 across two rows, with every seat offering direct aisle, but not window, access.
The Best Flagship First Domestic Routes
There is a significant range in both cost and point redemption across the five domestic Flagship First routes. However, affordable options for both cost and point redemption exist.
Best Point Redemption: Boston (BOS) – Los Angeles (LAX).
At 90,000 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip Flagship First experience, the Boston to Los Angeles route is a steal. In comparison, the three New York City to California routes average 200,000 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip Flagship First flight.
Least Expensive: Miami (MIA) – Los Angeles (LAX)
A true First Class experience for $2,500 round-trip is a great way to fly across the United States. With that said, the Miami to Los Angeles route narrowly beat the Boston to Los Angeles route ($2,600 round-trip). However, the Miami to Los Angeles route is significantly less expensive than the New York City to California routes, which average a cost of $4,800. This is no surprise. The JFK – LAX route is the most trafficked domestic route in the United States.
Most Valuable: Boston (BOS) – Los Angeles (LAX)
With a value score of 2.07 (cost of points vs cost of ticket), the Boston to Los Angeles route offers tremendous value. This route barely beat the New York City (JFK) to Orange County (SNA) route, which has a value score of 2.00. However, all five domestic Flagship First routes offer a positive value for point redemption.
Best Overall: Boston (BOS) – Los Angeles (LAX)
The Boston to Los Angeles route wins for Fewest Points and Most Valuable, but is a great option beyond the math. American Airlines utilizes the A321T aircraft on the Boston – Los Angeles route. This means a 1-1 configuration, with window and direct aisles access for every Flagship First passenger. In addition, the Los Angeles airport offers the full gamut of Flagship First experiences, from the exclusive Check-In counter to the Flagship First Dining.
Final Thoughts
The American Airlines Flagship First experience is truly a one-of-a-kind domestic flight. Despite the sticker shock of the paid fare, in excess of $5,000 at times, there are multiple, reasonable options with points and miles. In fact, the sign up bonus, plus a little spend, on multiple credit cards earn enough points for a round-trip ticket. A few examples include the Citi Premier (80,000 point sign up bonus, limited-time transferability), Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red (one of the best sign up bonuses at 60,000 miles), and Citi Business / AAdvantage Platinum (65,000 mile sign up bonus). However, both the cash and miles price of the most popular routes (New York City to California) are almost double other options. With that said, flying American Airlines Flagship First is a true bucket-list travel experience.