You Have to Step Into a Stranger's Seat to Let the Crew Pass
The new cabin has tall doors, only two kitchens, and no middle place to stand, so flight attendants walk sideways to serve meals.
UpgradedPoints.com · I Just Flew the New American Airlines Flagship Suites on the A321XLR. Here’s What It’s Like.In American Airlines' newest business cabin, the walkway is so tight that a standing passenger must duck into a neighbor's enclosed seat when crew come through.
The reviewer who rode the first flight for a points travel site writes that high partitions and doors leave less room to move in the aisle than the A321T cabin, American's older transcontinental jet. With kitchens only at the front and back instead of three spread through the older plane, travelers have nowhere in the middle to pause, stretch, or step aside.
The walls also change serving, since crews cannot hold trays as low as usual, and the reviewer overheard attendants talking about walking sideways to serve meals. The premium cabin still holds 20 seats, so the number of seats per bathroom stays the same, with the front bathroom saved for Flagship and the rear for premium economy. The reviewer suggests postponing bathroom trips until after the meal rush so workers have a clear path.
Questions people ask
What is the A321T mentioned in the review?
It is American's older transcontinental jet that the reviewer uses for comparison. The reviewer notes it has three galleys, while the new jet has two.
What is a galley?
It is the small kitchen and work area on a plane where flight attendants prepare and stage meals and drinks. On the older jet the reviewer describes one up front, one for business, and one for the main cabin, while on the new jet there is one up front and one in back.