There’s a little “hidden secret” on some American Airlines flight where you can purchase a Main Cabin (economy) ticket, but select a Business Class seat. Let’s take a look.
American needs to constantly re-position aircraft throughout their network, sometimes including a domestic hub to domestic hub flight. While these 3 class planes don’t normally operate that route, it provides an opportunity for some interesting seating. Even though the planes have 3 cabins onboard — First, Business and Main Cabin, they are only sold as 2-class domestic flights with a First and Main Cabin.
You’re essentially looking for a 777 aircraft flying a hub to hub route, that isn’t a transcontinental flight (so, no Los Angeles to Miami, for example). Think Dallas to Miami, which is the most common scenario where this occurs.
For Dallas to Miami, you’d be booking flights AA27 and AA280. For the return, you’d book either AA61 or AA969.
Let’s take a look at AA61 below, the 9am Miami to Dallas departure. This again is on a 777 aircraft with 3 physical cabins on board, but only 2 for sale. You’ll see the price for a one-way ticket in Main Cabin is $301, and a one-way ticket in First is $697.
When I book an economy ticket and the seat map opens, not only does it display the usual economy seats in a 2x5x2 layout, but it also opens up the Business Class ahead which is in a 2x3x2 layout, with angled flat seats. This flight is only sold as 2 classes of service, so the middle Business Class section gets lumped in with economy class.
You’re booking an economy ticket, but getting a Business Class seat. It’s very worthwhile to note that even though you are getting a Business Class seat, you are NOT getting any Business Class service – no meals, no pre-departure drinks, etc. You’ll get economy service.
Occasionally, you’ll see this same scenario play out on other routes – again usually hub to hub – but the most consistent operation I’ve seen it fly on is Dallas to Miami and back.
Did you know you could book an economy class ticket but sit in business class?
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
Most of the time they are blocked as preferred seats so only elites can select, which is even better imo.
Why show a 767 seat when discussing 777 routes? I know they are very similar, but you should be accurate.
That a good tip. Thanks for the post. I don’t often see this AC as an option the the flights I am on but the next time I do I will remember this.
What an awesome tip, I always wondered if this was possible without being annoying to the crew, sometime what you just need is a good comfortable seat to travel, the service not that necessary