American Airlines A321 Main Cabin Extra Emergency Exit Row: Review

Route: Palm Springs (PSP) to Dallas (DFW)

Airplane: American Airlines A321

Cabin: Main Cabin Extra (seat 11A)

Overview

January 30 departing PSP 6:00AM arriving at DFW 10:49AM

This flight was part of a larger itinerary, travel from Palm Springs to New Orleans. The nice thing about flying out of Palm Springs early in the morning (especially on Mondays) is the lack of crowds. The airport is fairly vacant. The only downside is the only concession open is the coffee shop. That being said, I love the Palm Springs airport because it’s small, extremely easy to navigate, and cute as can be. The landscaping is lovely and there are great art pieces. My favorites are rams painted with picturesque landscapes. Everything else is closed. There are no airline or credit card lounges at PSP.

Booking

This trip was booked with cash. Total cost round trip was around $650. My OneWorld Ruby status through British Airways Executive Club allowed me to select Main Cabin Extra seats at check-in. Even though I don't speceifically have American Airlines elite status, my Oneworld Ruby status I can select Main Cabin Extra seats even when buying a basic economy ticket. A main cabin seat can cost upwards of $70 on many flights.

Check-in and boarding

My Oneworld Ruby status (British Airways Executive Club Bronze) gave me my first checked bag fee ($30 value).

Of the two terminals at PSP, the older departure terminal is not my favorite. Although, there are gorgeous Chihuli art pieces, colorful and shapely glass sculptures, on display. The reason I don’t prefer this terminal is due to the boarding areas. They are often crowded, narrow, and difficult to maintain a personal space bubble. They’re crowded in a way that everyone clusters and fidgets. At very busy times, the anxiety is palpable.

My flight did board on time, I was in group 4, and the boarding area was crowded.

Palm Springs airport (PSP) boarding area

American Airlines A321 seat and service

This American Airlines A321 featured the Project: Oasis configuration with 20 first class seats and 170 economy seats (35 Main Cabin Extra). My OneWorld Ruby status (British Airways Executive Club Bronze) status allowed me to choose a Main Cabin Extra seat for free at check-in. I was able to select seat 11A in the emergency exit row ($73 value).

Overhead storage

I found overhead space quite easily. An important to note, because I was in emergency exit row 11, the overhead space immediately above my row was occupied by flight crew equipment. The bins were open indicating I probably could have used it. However, I chose not to use it, being unsure what the policy or common courtesy was. Nice note about the American Airlines A321, the overhead bins are very large, and can accommodate a good number of carry-on bags.

Seat comfort and legroom

On this version of the American Airlines A321, row 11 is my favorite row. Compared to other economy seats, the Main Cabin Extra seats have extra legroom. Buckled in, I had to really reach to get my back from the under-seat storage in front of me. I could get up to use the bathroom. The seats aren’t overly narrow, but they’re concave as usual which is unfortunate for a lumbar support lover like me. The seats are narrower than the rest of economy because the tray tables fold out from the armrest. If you have anyone sitting next to you, it does require coordination. The tray table has a little fold out for phone support so you can set your phone up for watching videos.

Food and drink service

There was a single food and drink service on this flight. I had a Bud Light and some Biscoff, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Because I’m British Airways Bronze which translates to Oneworld Ruby (the alliance which BA and AA are both in), I have access to Main Cabin Extra which makes alcohol beverages free. This is a nice perk because I can skip paying for a pre-flight alcohol beverage in the airport and enjoy one at 30,000 feet, an experience that never gets old.

American Airlines A321 legroom - emergency exit row 11 (seat 11A) - Main Cabin Extra

American Airlines A321 legroom - emergency exit row ((seat 11A) - Main Cabin Extra — American Airlines A321 legroom - emergency exit row 11 (seat 11A) - Main Cabin Extra

Bathroom

A normal sized airplane bathroom and it was delightfully clean! I used it just before the descent announcement and it was still fresh as the day it came off the assembly line.