American Airlines New Orleans to Dallas (MSY-DFW) Main Cabin Extra: Review
Route: New Orleans (MSY) to Dallas (DFW)
Airplane: American Airlines A321
Cabin: Main Cabin Extra (seat 11A)
Louis Armstrong Airport, A Summary Overview
New Orleans’s Louis Armstrong International Airport is lovely and easy to navigate. They have Clear and TSA Precheck, making security a breeze. Of note, there is a Cafe Du Mondes in the terminal, if that’s your thing. There is also a Priority Pass lounge (The Club). Unfortunately, on the day I was visiting there was a wait and I didn’t get a chance to experience prior to boarding.
The bathroom near gate B15 was immaculate. A bank of toilets with spacious stalls on the right, sinks on the left, with a large floor to ceiling window running the full length overlooking the tarmac. The toilet seats have those odd plastic covers meant to provide a hygienic surface in place of the gossamer wing paper covers available in other bathrooms. The plastic cover doesn’t automatically replace itself, you must waive your hand in front of a motion sensor prior to taking a seat.
Boarding process and gate conditions
My flight boarded on time. I boarded in group 4. The boarding area had a good number of passengers, the space did not feel crowded. This was my most comfortable boarding experience on this trip.. I miss the orderly boarding nature of United flights when I fly American Airlines, but MSY’s B gates made boarding bearable.
American Airlines A321 Main Cabin Extra seat and service
Overhead storage
There's plenty of overhead storage. Of note, the bins immediately above row 11 are occupied by flight crew equipment. I haven’t used that space yet, but the bins are open indicating they can be used.
Seat comfort and legroom
If you’ve read some of my other flight posts from this trip, you’ll already know, so I’ll abbreviate:
there is ample legroom
Seats aren’t overly narrow
Seats are concave with no lumbar support
Flaps of headers fold to cradle your head, albeit lamely
Tray table is in the armrest shared with the middle seat, and it shifts forward and back to prove more or less space
Tray table has a nifty flap to support your phone or beverage, and it’s very sturdy
There is a window over the left shoulder where you can see the wing and space beyond
Food and drink service
There wasn’t enough room for me to feel comfortable with a drink and my new tiny (13in) laptop, so I chose to pass on my free beverage. American Airlines Main Cabin Extra has free access to premium beverages for free..
Bathroom
I didn’t use the bathroom on this flight though it would have been easy. Even from a window seat, there is so much room in row 11 you can get past your rowmates without touching them or contorting oneself.
Conclusion
The passengers were somewhat grumpy but managed to contain themselves. A lady in the row behind me asked one of her rowmates to move their bag in the overhead farther back to accommodate hers. Awkward silence ensued and she relinquished when another passenger informed her he also had to move his bag farther back, so she did.
More thoughts on the crew and service
The flight crew was some of the finest I encountered: happy and super helpful. This was a full flight, and several bags for passengers at the front had to be placed farther back. One flight crew member actively worked to have fellow passengers find and bring those bags forward as we were deboarding.. After a stressful morning of delays for passengers (due to the ice-storm in Dallas) she managed to make people smile and laugh. Excellent service!
