I have not been paid by any entity in any way (financially, benefits) to write this American Economy Class review. Any airport, airline, lounge, hotel, and loyalty program policies may have changed since then.
Trip: DCA-MIA, MIA-GIG, GIG-SSA, SSA-GRU, GRU-MIA, MIA-DCA
After flying American internationally for the first time in February from Cartagena to Miami, I was now booked on American for a long-haul trip to Brazil. I started off the journey flying down to Miami before heading on to Rio de Janeiro.
Quick Take: American Economy Class Review
| Category | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Seat Comfort | 😐 6/10 |
| Dining & Beverages | 😐 6/10 |
| Service & Crew | ✅ 7/10 |
| Lounge Access | ❓ N/A |
| Value for Points/Cash | ❓ N/A |
American economy class is average at best, but not the worst. Tolerable.
Flight Details
Airline: American Airlines
Flight: AA 897
Route: Washington National (DCA) – Miami (MIA)
Cabin Class: Main Cabin (Economy)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
Seat: 11F
Booking Method: Travel Agency
Cost: $1,307 (round-trip)
Date: March 14, 2025
Flight Time: 2h 15m
Preflight
Washington National Airport is one of the best airports to fly out of, simply because it is pretty easy to get to without much fuss. You can drive from the District over to the airport in about 10-15 minutes, or you can use the Metro. Although I could’ve gone to the American Express Centurion Lounge at DCA, I somehow only managed to arrive right before my flight instead. Got to pass the Capital One Landing for the first time, though. I was surprised to see that it was an open air space that looks like any other bar at the airport.
As we were taxiing out to the runway, we passed by a United B737. In that moment, I wish I had been booked on that flight instead.
American Airlines Economy Seat & Cabin
American Airlines has their economy cabin in the traditional 3-3 configuration. The seat offers 30 inches of pitch in Main Cabin, while Main Cabin Extra can offer between 31-33 inches. These seats offer little padding or comfort, so it wasn’t exactly a thrill flying down to Florida this evening.
Dining & Beverages
Today’s flight offered a snack service, with Biscoff cookies available. I also ordered a cup of coffee and water.
In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity
American, with its infinite wisdom, decided to axe seatback monitors from its narrowbody fleet in 2017, going all in on the free entertainment options, such as TV shows and movies, provided through its Wi-Fi connection.
That’s a choice that hasn’t panned out well for the airline, but it’s one that they’re sticking with. The Wi-Fi connection is powered by Viasat, and thankfully, I was able to connect with my T-Mobile number instead of paying whatever price they were offering.
Of course, on flights like this, there is no better entertainment than the view out the window.
Final Verdict: American Economy Class Review
American Airlines offers a bare-bones service in economy with uncomfortable seating, but it’s generally a fine flight. Somehow, the airline performed worse on my connecting flight from Miami to Rio.
Overall Rating: 6.3/10
What are your thoughts? Have you flown American Airlines Economy Class? Let me know in the comments!
As always, Live Life One Trip at a Time!
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