When Economy is Better than First Class

Yes, it is true. Economy class can be better than First Class.

I really love American’s new interior on their 737. You’ll find leather seats throughout both cabins, as well as inflight entertainment at each seat. Specifically, you’ll find terrific legroom in row 8 of Main Cabin Extra, the bulkhead seats behind First Class.

Here, the seats essentially have unlimited legroom. For even a tall person, you can stretch out fully. In front of you, you’ll find the bulkhead wall with your IFE screen, but it is so far away, it almost feels like it isn’t there. Even better, there’s no seats in front of you to recline back, which makes this row a prime spot for elite members who can select spots in advance.

On a flight from Chicago to San Fransisco, I was in seat 8C, the aisle on the left hand side. With a fairly full plane, I was lucky to have no one sitting next to me in the middle seat. My window-mate and I took advantage, extending out the tray table in the middle to relish in the space.

Sure, I didn’t get a meal like those in First, but I sure had more legroom than them. I’m not sure I’d be saying the same thing had a person been sitting in the middle seat, but if you’re able to get an empty middle seat, and able to snag this bulkhead row with essentially unlimited legroom, you’ve got it made, and I think this combo is even better than sitting in the forward cabin.