American Airlines American Airlines

MD80

(Version 1)

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Economy
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Comments

There are three slightly different versions of the MD80 plane in American Airlines' fleet. They are often substituted for one another.

Remember FEBO (Front Even Back Odd), as this is AA's way of taking meal orders in premium class based on flight number. For Even flight numbers, meal order is taken from the Front, and for Odd flight numbers, meal order is taken from the Back. Pick your seat accordingly if you want to ensure your meal choice.

Be aware that the seats behind the emergency rows have slightly reduced pitch, as well as being noisier as the engines are mounted in the back of the plane next to the fuselage.

The following is courtesy of the FlyerGuide Wiki:

  • Business (Domestic First). Standard recliner seats with tray tables in the armrests and DC power at every seat. The starboard (right) side is preferred as the seats have a bit more pitch than those on the port side. Port bulkhead seats can feel particularly cramped. Some flyers actually prefer exit row seats (20/21) in Coach, as they provide comparable legroom and only a marginally narrower seat (18" vs. 19"). On Ex-TWA MD-83s the seat design is slightly different in that the seats are boxier, and the center armrest houses little trays for your drinks/hot nuts that are shaped differently than those on American's MD-82s/83s. Some also report that the Ex-TWA aircraft configuration feels more spacious.

  • Coach. The exit row seats (20/21) and 7D are excellent choices because of the extra leg room. The window seats in row 20 do not recline, but some still prefer this row since you are not reclining into someone else's knees and the passenger behind you will usually be a frequent flyer and may be less likely to grab your seatback when standing up. Seats in row 21 have extra legroom and full recline. All coach seats forward of the exit rows actually still have 'More Room Throughout Coach' pitch, while those aft of the exit rows have reduced pitch and are noisy due to the placement of the engines near the tail. Coach seats on this plane (and the 777) are also 18" wide rather than the 17" on the rest of the fleet.

  • Miscellaneous. The overhead bins on the starboard side of the aircraft will accommodate three rollaboard suitcases per bin when stowed 'wheels first'.


  • Tip: Learn about American Airlines' unpublished benefit, called The Challenge - a fast track to elite status and upgrades.

    Legend

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    Place cursor over a seat to view seat-specific comments.

    Cabin # Seats Pitch Width
    First Class 16 38" 19.5"
    Economy Class 120 31-32" 17.5"