A recent flight I booked with American Airlines made me wonder if splurging for Boeing 737-800 American Airlines First Class is going to be worth it or not. As I travel quite often, I’m always weighing the perks of premium cabins against the cost, mainly on domestic routes where first class can feel like a mixed bag.

Serving across the US with its first-class seats, Boeing 737 first class is popular for a reason, and I got to experience it firsthand. So that’s what this post is all about – I’ll dive into the details about this aircraft’s seats, service, food, and so much more – to help you get a little more clarity on whether you should spend that money on the upgrade or not.

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 First Class Seats

When I first stepped into the Boeing 737-800 American Airlines First Class flight, I noticed the seats first. There were only 16 seats in this class in a 2-2 layout that felt quite intimate as compared to the packed seats in the economy section.

Boeing 737-800 American Airlines Seat Map

American Airlines has two layouts for Boeing 737 first class:

Layout 1 (Most Common)

Recliner First layout is from Rows 3 to 6.

Others include:

• Standard Main Cabin Extra (Rows 7-9, 14-15)
• Standard Main Cabin (Rows 10-13, 16-30)

Layout 2

Recliner First layout is from Rows 1 to 4.

Others include:

• Standard Main Cabin Extra (Rows 8-10)
• Standard Main Cabin (Rows 11-15, 18-33)
• Standard Main Cabin Extra (Rows 16-17)

Seat Comfort and Space

Let’s discuss the comfort and space you’ll get in first class seats on AA:

• Legroom: The American Airlines First Class seats have a 37-inch pitch, which gives extra space to stretch your legs for over 2 hours.
• Seat Width: As for the seats, they’re 21 inches wide and feel more spacious than economy ones, popular for being cramped and not providing you the comfort of space.
• Recline: Recliner-style seats are in this class that tilt to some 20 degrees, but they’re not lie-flat.

Storage and Amenities

These amenities on Boeing 737-800 AA first class made my flight smoother:

• Power Outlets: The aircraft features a USB-A port and 110V outlet that kept my devices charged, and was much needed to get some work done mid-flight.
• Tray Table: Another major amenity was the tray table, quite sturdy that slid out from the armrest and was big enough for my Surface Pro, though it wobbled a bit on the flight.
• Device Holder: There aren’t any seatback screens, but the Boeing 737-800 seat map displays a tablet or phone holder to stream, but this varies by aircraft refurbishment. Not all 737-800s have this feature.

Verdict about seats: The AA 737-800 First Class isn’t anything extraordinary, but yes, they’re a clear step up from standard economy, mainly for taller passengers who like some extra space.

How’s the Service in American 737-800 First Class?

What type of service you’ll receive on your flight can make or break your flight, right? How the crew treats the passengers on the flight was something I was concerned about too.

Here’s what you can expect:

Pre-Departure Experience

• Priority Boarding: If you belong to “Group 1,” you’ll board the flight early, giving you enough time to put away your bags and get settled in your seat.
• Welcome Drink: Water or orange juice is offered before takeoff, which is a nice touch. Though I’ve seen crews skip this on shorter flights.

In-Flight Attention

• Crew Interaction: The staff on the flight was friendly, checking on the passengers regularly.
• Personalized Service: On short flights, the crew takes their time to chat with you for personalized assistance, which you will not find on busier routes.

Verdict about service: It felt really consistent, as I read in the AA 737-800 First Class review before flight booking.

Food and Drinks on AA Boeing 737-800 First Class

Food is a major draw for Boeing 737-800 First Class American Airlines, and naturally, I was eager to taste what they had in store. The menu depends on the flight length. This is all that I got:

Meal Options

• On Short Flights: My flight was just 2 hours long, on which I got a snack basket containing chips, cookies, and fruit.
• On Longer Flights: For flights that are over 900 miles, hot meals are provided like pasta, grilled chicken, and more, on real plates with metal cutlery.

Drink Selection

• Alcohol: The flight had complimentary wine, beer, and spirits for the guests.
• Non-Alcoholic: As for the non-alcoholic drinks, you can take coffee, tea, and sodas. They’re served in glassware, which might feel fancier than plastic cups.

Pre-Order Your Meals

When you’re on a long-duration flight, you can pre-select your meal via the AA app. This ensures you get your preferred meal for an enjoyable flight experience.

Verdict on meals: The American 737 First Class dining wasn’t anything Michelin-star quality, but it definitely beat economy’s buy-on-board options.

Entertainment on Boeing 737-800 AA First Class

In-flight entertainment really elevates the in-flight experience, but sadly, Boeing 737-800 American Airlines First Class takes a minimal approach when it comes to this. Here’s how everything went.

Streaming Setup

• No Screens: Unfortunately, there aren’t screens on the back of the seat, proving to be a cost-saving move by this airline.
• Streaming Service: That said, you could stream movies, TV shows, and watch live TV on your phone or laptop for free via the onboard portal, but full internet access requires a paid plan.

Practicality

• Device Holder: I fit my iPhone on the seat back holder and watched a movie, but if you’ve larger tablets, you might struggle.
• Wi-Fi Reliability: As for the Wi-Fi connection on 738- Boeing 737, it was fast with no buffering while streaming. But connection quality may vary by route/traffic.

Verdict on entertainment: I enjoyed watching a movie on my phone with a fast connection, but if you forget to bring your device or headphones, you’ll be out of luck. This only works if you plan ahead.

How Does the Cost Compare to the Benefits?

Deciding on an American Airlines First Class upgrade comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. Though there are great American Airlines low fare deals, perfect for those who wish to travel First Class without overspending. I crunched the numbers to see if the flight justifies the price.

Upgrade Costs

• Cash Upgrades: The route I traveled on, the upgrading cost was $100-$200 for one-way, depending on the fare class.
• Miles: You can use 15,000-25,000 AAdvantage miles, but it’s better for longer flights.

Value Breakdown

• Comfort: American 737 first class gives you extra leg space to stretch and wider seats for a comfort like you’ve never experienced before.
• Perks: Plus, you get priority when boarding, free drinks, and good quality food.
• Time Savings: Faster check-in and baggage claim shave off at least 20 minutes at the airport.

Verdict on flight cost: If you wish to go on a shorter route, the upgrade is not worth it unless it’s a cheap deal. But for flights over 2 hours, the First Class upgrade is definitely worth the upgrade if comfort and time-saving matter to you.

Conclusion

After flying on Boeing 737-800 American Airlines First Class, I’d say the upgrade was worth the money. Well, it also depends on your priorities. The seats were comfortable with enough legroom to relax, and the solid service by the crew really made it more enjoyable. Food and drinks were top quality, mainly on the longer flight. That said, the lack of a seatback screen was a letdown, and you’ll be disappointed if you don’t bring your device. For flights under 2 hours, I’d say stick with economy. Over that, the extra space and perks made Boeing 737-800 First Class a smart splurge for comfort. If you need to speak to a travel specialist for assistance or booking AA Flights with Avios, call (888) 655-2474 today!