What is class Z on American Airlines?

American Airlines has been successfully flying in the skies for many years now and is one of the largest airlines in the United States with vast domestic and international routes coverage. Passengers usually get to choose from several service classes again depending on the flight they are to take with American Airlines: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Main Cabin, which is the economy class.

However, some aircraft of American Airlines have another class of services, hence making it the fifth one.

Main Cabin Extra or Class Z.

Well, now that we know what it is and what it isn’t, let’s take another look at that original question that started this whole discussion: What the hell is Class Z on American Airlines? Here is a comprehensive overview: Here is a comprehensive overview:

Main Cabin Extra is a product that has been developed to allow customers to purchase additional space while seated in the main cabin.

Main Cabin Extra or Class Z, can be referred to as a portion or area of the Main Cabin in American Airlines flights that provides the passengers with additional legroom and space than the standard seat. It is an economy class within an economy class but with better quality than the main economy section.

Main Cabin Extra seats are found at the front of the economy class cabin, just behind the business class areas on aircraft that contain this offering, as well as in the premium economy areas. The Main Cabin Extra section is usually located between the two primary sections and comprises approximately between 3 to 5 rows of seats.

In some flights serviced by American’s regional partners, which have regional small aircraft, Main Cabin Extra could be only a single row or few seats at the front of the coach section.

Main Cabin Extra comes as an extra service for passengers in economy class but at a lower price compared to what it costs to get a business, first, or premium economy class ticket. It provides passengers with additional comfort and more personal space as compared to standard trains without charging much higher fares.

Legroom and Seat Size

The few benefits that come with the Main Cabin Extra seats include some extra legroom and seat pitch. Pitch means the available distance between the rows, which, in other words, describes the area where your legs and your knees will be placed while seated.

Main Cabin Extra seats are also wider than the normal seats, offering legroom of 34–36 inches, depending on the aircraft, compared with 30-32 inches of legroom in regular economy. This gives several extra inches of knee room and on long flights, that can be a large boon to your comfort.

Other differences include the variable thickness of the cushion, which offers seats that are a little wider than the standard economy class seats. The four classes of economy seats offered by American Airlines range in width between 17 and 18 inches. Main Cabin Extra seats are usually on the plus size of that scale.

The extra inches of width per seat really provide more legroom to avoid a confined feel, especially in the case of larger passengers.

Overhead Bin Space

One more advantage which goes with Main Cabin Extra is that passengers will be provided with their own bin space above their seats. American Airlines planes have specific overhead storage in the area above the Main Cabin Extra seats to be used only by passengers in that area.

This ensures that Main Cabin Extra fliers are assured sufficient overhead bin space for storing a roller board bag or other large carry-on piece. It helps to dodge bin space roulette with other economy passengers who are likely to board later or before you.

Main Cabin Extra boarding comes in the later part of Group 5, right after those who have boarded via Business Class as well as Elites, which means there is enough time to secure that reserved space.

Free Alcoholic Drinks

The free alcoholic drinks have for many years been a brand of the premium cabin travelers’ experience. While American Airlines has introduced services where passengers in the regular economy are being charged for alcohol, passengers in the economy+ or Main Cabin Extra are allowed free beer, wine, and spirits on International flights.

Excluding free drinks is logical; however, not offering any free drinks is a powerful message that sets Main Cabin Extra apart from regular coach classes. Another reason is that when tickets can be sold for a couple of hundred dollars, having a couple of beers or a glass of wine included makes the flight look more luxurious.

This perk holds good mostly in long international flights or in transatlantic and transcontinental flights between New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco. It is, however, a good added advantage—or could be likened to having a business-class experience despite shelling out business-class prices!

Upgrade Priority

As mentioned earlier, let’s compare that with the priority when booking a Main Cabin Extra, It does not offer the highest upgrade earmark, but it does offer some improved status in the hierarchy that American Airlines uses to process complementary upgrades.

In general, passengers who bought Main Cabin Extra tickets get priority over others in the Main Cabin and those with basic economy tickets when upgrade opportunities open for the specific fare booking code group of trips a few days before the flight.

Certainly, there will remain certain biases which will still, in the main, benefit the elites and premium-fare-paying travelers. However, Main Cabin Extra means that you get a little lift in comparison to having a normal back-of-bus position. Therefore, if you are fancying a sudden shot at a premium cabin, Class Z should help to raise the odds slightly.

Flights operating in this section are main cabin extra.

This implies that not all aircraft or routes operated by American Airlines have Main Cabin Extra services. As mentioned earlier, it is mainly available on the Airbus A321, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 two-aisle airplanes. Class Z sections are also currently installed in many Boeing 737s.

In terms of the routes Main Cabin Extra is offered most often, one can see that it is most frequently offered on America’s international long-haul flights and transcontinental and high-density business markets. Main Cabin Extra is offered on most flights that are 5 or 6 hours and more in duration.

Therefore, to cut a long story short, if you are willing to go for Main Cabin Extra, always ensure that you look at your specific type of airplane as well as the flight number before you book. If Class Z is an option, it will be very evidently demonstrated on American’s online booking path or in the app. You can sometimes even locate it on the seat maps as well.

The cost of the Main Cabin Extra will vary depending on the airline or flight that you are choosing and the time that you are booking your travel.

If Main Cabin Extra comes with more than the regular economy class, it goes without saying that it attracts more charges. Main Cabin Extra seats at American Airlines cost between $20 and $100 more per flight leg than the standard Main Cabin fare.

Inbound routes and short-haul flights are likely to fall at the lower end of that price scale, varying by $20–$40 per passenger per trip, depending on the route and the season. Transatlantic services can easily go up to $100, and New York to Los Angeles can be even closer to $100, as we have determined.

Certain low-cost economy promotional fares may sometimes make it impossible to purchase the Main Cabin Extra seats due to some specific booking codes. Basic economy tickets are also not allowed to be placed in Class Z seating.

However, in many cases, this product costs little more than regular economy and is best seen in long-haul flying. The additional cost is often justified since the facilities are much more comfortable on average.

Should Main Cabin Extra Be Availed?

In American Airlines, when you are traveling, you have a choice between Main Cabin Economy and Class Z Main Cabin Extra, depending on your preferences.

If what is most important is to keep the cost of the airfare as low as possible, then an ordinary coach may be sufficient. However, the facilities that are offered in the Main Cabin Extra can significantly enhance the flight experience for a small additional cost.

Extra legroom and priority of overhead bin space alone make it very much worth it on a flight, depending on the duration. This is where you get to have a couple of free alcoholic beverages at least, which is the cherry on top.

Extra legroom may not seem like a big deal, but for individuals who are tall or those who require additional space, paying for Main Cabin Extra rather than booking a basic economy ticket is well justified, even given the relatively small increase in cost. Even that extra one or two inches of space where your knees aren’t touching the seat back or the width of the seat can make flying long distances that much more comfortable.

To a large extent, Class Z Main Cabin Extra can be deemed the best of both worlds, providing some of the perks and room, at least, in the premium economy but at fees that are closer to those for standard economy.

Therefore, when planning for a flight booking that includes an economy class on American Airlines, one should consider choosing a Main Cabin Extra if they are offered. The marginal fare difference makes the product offered discernably better than that of the basic Main Cabin, which enhances the overall in-flight experience. It is only imperative to be aware of the aircraft type and particular flights available as well.

Book your American Airlines ticket now and experience comfort and reliability. Call +1 833-902-2090 to speak with our travel experts.