American Airlines is in the process of retrofitting their domestic fleet to cram in more seats with less padding and less space between rows. Less space and less padding is a feature not just of coach, but first class too. The planes have smaller lavatories, but larger overhead bins. The airline is removing seat back televisions from aircraft that have those.
This is known as the ‘Oasis’ interior, which matches how new Boeing 737 MAX planes have been delivered. However an update to Project Oasis is Project Kodiak which fixes some of the dumbest mistakes in first class such as bolting the seats to the floor of the aircraft in a way that eliminates most underseat storage.
While other airlines minimize their spending to conserve cash during the pandemic, American has been accelerating their capital spending to convert planes more quickly to this new standard. This is the wrong product at the wrong time: exactly the moment where there are fewer customers (so planes with more seats are less needed) and customers value space between them most (so reducing space between customers makes no sense).
American is nearly done. They have now sent 200 Boeing 737-800s in for densification. That’s two-thirds of the 737-800 fleet. But it’s far more of the active fleet.
With the Boeing 737 MAX returning to service they’ve been parking the 75 oldest (“block 1”) 737-800s which were delivered 20 years ago. As a result, there are only 29 Boeing 737-800s left to be converted. That should be done by April.
Next up: the Airbus A321 fleet. They’ll eventually have a standardized fleet, but naturally standardized to one less capable:
[O]ur 200th 737-800 went in for the oasis mod! Of which about 120 are Kodiak’d. Leaving only 29 more 737-800 “Advanced” to be completed.
All of the “vintage” Block 1 Boeing 737NG, delivered from 1999 to 2001, have been put into storage. Except for N907AN ship 3AG which has the Kodiak mod and is the prototype for that set of 737s. Depending on demand for air travel in 2021, some those 75 aircraft could be retired or Kodiak’d.
N308RD is the prototype for the Kodiak configuration on the 737-MAX 8. Once certified the rest of the 737 MAX aircraft will get Kodiak. 1/30 completed
By April, the 29 738As should be completed and American will move on to the Airbus A321s. They have stated we will prioritize the A321L originally before moving on to the A321S doing up to 15 aircraft at a time. Currently 26 of 121 A321L have received or are in the process of receiving the new configuration. N161UW became the first A321 to receive Kodiak.
American is removing the ETOPS certification on all 18 A321H aircraft, eliminating the sub fleet. Currently 5 have been stripped of their ETOPS status during their heavy checks with at least 4 receiving the oasis mod. And still only one A321S has gotten the oasis mod making the total 5 of 81 A321H/S retrofitted.
And lastly, 1 of 28 A321NX have the Kodiak configuration with N400AN being the prototype.
At least the updates will finally give legacy US Airways planes seat power. When America West management, now in charge at American, took over US Airways they actually removed power from the US Airways seats that had it.
Maybe AA is doing us all a favor in the long run. There is now no reason to fly them with all the seats available nationwide. No company will now acquire their crappy domestic product and hopefully the debt holders will force them to liquidate their inventory so the better run carriers with lower cost structures take their market share. We all win- except the bond holders.
I suggest the “inject ’em, stack ’em, ship ’em” method.
Administer anesthetics, stripped nude for security, no meals, movies, complaints. Put us on shelves, fit more into a smaller plane.
We are treated like baggage anyway, why not fly that way?
I do not do air travel unless absolutely necessary, and know many others who do the same.
The advantage of competition focusing on the relevance of the customer experience as evidenced by DL and UA simply leaves AA’s failed strategy in the dust. With such a hyper negative experience flying AA domestic, why would anybody even contemplate flying AA overseas?
On that note, where is the Board evidencing their long neglected fiduciary duty over needless expenses and declining revenues? What do they think they know contrary to the experts in finance and marketing?
@ Gary — Next stop: bankruptcy court. Parker is an evil genius.
Looked at through industry glasses, AA’s negligent Board and failed corporate management provided a sadly similar approach to the market.
This is simply the end result of Amtrak operating as a government SOE with no guardrails established by the business environment, let alone the Congress. Unfortunately, Amtrak’s dysfunctional Board and entrenched corporate management are sadly too comfortable operating without competition or oversight.
As a result, how many opportunities have been ignored and lost by Amtrak, a transportation provider operating without fear of competitors?
To what extent will AA take this lesson to heart?
Awful!
Can anyone tell me how all these passengers will escape a burning plane? Wasn’t the FAA supposed to update evacuation requirements (aka remove seats) on aircraft using actual passenger tests rather than computer modeling? I rarely fly AA these days. Took one flight and the attendant gave me an apron to wear into the bathroom in the Max saying that when you wash your hands, the sink is so small that it will douse you with water. She was right.
So now AA’s planes will be only slightly less dense then Delta
AA seems to buy the idea that less is more, that *less* pitch and IFE will be overlooked by passengers who have choices and result in *more* revenue and profits for Parker and his henchmen. It’s an interesting gambit that, as everyone here seems to agree, is unlikely to succeed.
I trust Parker has made enough money and will still get paid from AA’s coffers for at least a few more years before this ship slips under the water. He won’t go down with the ship, I’m sure, as he’ll have his golden lifeboat ready to launch.
Thereis plentyof capacity so Im investing my travel dollars where I can stretch my legs, avoid a DVT and get treated like a valued passenger. Unless you a Platinum upgraded to first class, your going to have a miserable AA flight.
It’s just stupid Parker making his idiot moves at the worst possible timing.
I just hope AA go bankrupt.
Just flew on one was awful!
Will not fly again. Your face and knees are against the seat in front of you. Longest 4-hour flight ever!
You would think in the present environment airlines would return to the conditions where they provided comfort and service to encourage customers to fly!
AA operates from some of the largest markets in the country. Some people fail to realize that. Jfk, lga, Philly, Miami, Dallas, Phoenix lax. These are all their hubs. Not too mention AA has one of the largest regional in the USA.
Probably the most stupid and dumbest mistakes not only this time but at anytime at all. AA have the highest fairs among the competitors, worst services, highest baggage fees, and now cramping customers. I seldom fly AA anyways.
Two recent experiences flying out if Charlotte really exemplify the different approaches taken by two airlines.
3 weeks ago I flew AA to Chicago. The plane was half empty, the attendants unhelpful and uncaring, no explanations supplied as to why we were delayed and the seats narrow and uncomfortable.
Last week I flew Delta to Minneapolis. Smaller plane (CRJ900), but caring staff who were informative and helpful when we suffered major snow delays. Comfortable seats and only one seat sold per two in the row.
Unfortunately these experiences are not new so I will only use AA when no one else flys that route. It is sad to see what was once a powerhouse of the American airline industry drop to the position of scrabbling for every dollar. If the lates changes are designed to attract more customers I fail to see how it’s going to be successful. People will only take being treated like sheep or goats for so long, then they will rebel. AA deserves to loose it’s customer base for the way they treat customers, especially when they are competing for customers.
@Kervin cool story. So what?
These are people not cattle. Not parcels. People need breathing room. The fact that they are the primary carrier for those airports is sometimes the only reason they get repeat customers. Want a non stop flight from your AA-Hub Airport to the other coast? Gotta go with American cause they’re the only one running non-stop between those two cities.
It’s gross, and the more shitty cost cutting you try to do, the bigger a hole you dig cause you lose customers, so you lose more revenue than you’d gain from these cost cutting actions, and you spiral downwards.
Really wish airlines would understand that they’re making people extremely uncomfortable with these measures, so instead of progressing forward the ability to travel at speed, they slow things down because now they’ll not want to fly anymore.
How do you remove ETOPS certification? WHY would you remove ETOPS certification?? Is it because of increased weight?
Well, I try to avoid AA as much as possible and thankfully, I’ve been successful for a very long time. This just seals the deal for me. I don’t, won’t fly AA except a life n death emergency. Let’s hope n pray I’m never, ever that desperate!!??
Making the flites MORE COMFORTABLE will bring more customers. Simple marketing not understood by Parker and friends. As a million miles and customer service pro AA better wake up!!!
Total garbage. Parker and his MBA morons deliberately are trying to figure ways to make their customers as uncomfortable as possible. I am seriously surprised that they have not yet removed the lavatories. We will never EVER EVER fly American again. Thank God there is competition. Parker is an absolute imbecile. He must think he’s running Greyhound Bus Lines.
Sorry Gents, but I think that you’re being a bit to critical.
I do a lot of traveling and most of it is on American in coach cabin.
I don’t find the seats uncomfortable nor do I have a problem with the legroom and I’m 6 foot 1. Once underway, I put my backpack behind my feet which allows me to stretch my legs under the seat in front of me. If I want more legroom I can always upgrade to main cabin extra for 30 bucks more.
Who needs seatback video when you can use your phone or iPad? Benefits are you can start watching a movie via wifi almost immediately and aren’t interupted by PA’s and I can use earbuds! And with power at every seat your battery won’t go dead.
More overhead bin space because suitcases go in sideways.
Lavatory is narrow and you all are right, using the faucet is a splash hazard but if AA would lower the outflow pressure problem solved.
My 2 cents.
Haven’t flown AA in decades. Even before the densification, legroom for tall folks was bad, cushioning and seat pan depth terrible.
The coffee? The cheapo snacks? The grime? Really?
Fly on AA, as far as you can. Just fly without me or my staff.
Prices will be less, I expect competition will come from low cost carriers (LCC ). Buisness travel is gone since COVID-19 and I never see it returning that it was. That mess leasure travel is king, and that kind of travel is all about cost.
[redacted -gl] AA. I’m 6’2″ and I will no longer even consider American as an option. I’m flying to Europe next summer….on Delta/KLM. Corporate greed is ruining domestic routes. How can packing more people on a 737 be safe?
You never know…American’s strategy may work if the change their pricing model and or if the demand pinned up by covid is significant. For one leg nonstop trips it may be tolerable. For the most part, i have given up on first class because the cost benefits are not there; i do premium and bring a Subway sandwich. AA may pare the legroom in in coach and increase premiums and with variable seat spacing AA can analyze demand and adjust seating accordingly. With additional seating, the may be able to adopt a printing model similar to Spirit. The who gets screwed is the little guy.
That looks so tight my legs are getting cramps just by looking
I’m not fat, and seats aren’t any smaller than on United, so not much to hate.
I don’t see much value in seatback screens, so but much loss there.
Thinner seats give you more legroom, so in down for that. I also like power outlets on AA that United lacks.
However, unlike United
American is making it’s final turn into low cost, we don’t care about customer service apathy. Ever, since Parker took over legacy AA he has had done nothing except destroy a once good airline. The America West/U.S. Air management team has brought in poor ideas and divided work forces. His take it or shove it attitude now trickles down to the employees on the front lines. They could not careless because their management doesn’t care. The board of directors are entirely to blame. Parker is just riding the unicorn until the bankruptcy norms are sounded once again. American is now the Chrysler of the airline industry.
When is the Board of Directors going to fire Parker and his US Airways management? They have ruined AA once a first class airline. It is shameful. As an employee for AA for 36 yrs I’am embarrassed to ask you not fly American Airlines. Let the ship sink.
wrong again Gary the oasis project was well underway before the pandemic hit so your point is moot the money for that was already allocated
Stop whining. If you only read about aviation economics, there’s a good reason behind this kind of strategy. Yeah, it’s not pleasant but when the old AA pledged (in the early 2000s) to retrofit the cabin with a 32″ pitch or so for everyone in the back that didn’t prove to bring any real profit to the company either. I don’t understand the hate towards American.
@Tim – what’s wrong? It was accelerated during the pandemic, when continuing to make capital expenditures for a company with over $40b in debt is questionable at best
My wife and I were flying (prepandemic) home on American to BWI from Cancun, with a connection in Charlotte. American canceled our seats for our connection while in route. American employees told us their “computer algorythm” predicted we would miss our connection, so our seats were automatically given to others (probably employees flying non-rev). American left us stranded – it was late at night – and offered us 1000 frequent flyer miles. The big problem was American’s “computer algorythm” was dead wrong. We were at the gate with our boarding passes almost an hour before departure – for the flight home they would not let us on. The employees at American could not have been less helpful or less sympathetic – they just did not care. We will never fly American again and they deserve to go out of business for the way they treat customers. Truly shameful. It’s all about the profit.
I guess American Airlines is trying to get people to fly smaller carriers for domestic routes, and European carriers for international flights…I sure as hell won’t fly them anymore. I already dumped United and Delta for similar hair brained ideas that reduce passenger comfort. Nope. I don’t need a cattle prod to herd me on board so I can take my stable!
Spirit, Allegiant and Frontier make money this way, so does Jetblue up and down the east coast in their high capacity config planes. AA will, too. Especially after they order a bunch of planes and declare bankruptcy again.
Corporate welfare is part of the playbook and Doug knows all the rules. Are we surprised?
Don’t like it? Pay more elsewhere. Your average family of three or four will go the cheapest route and fly AA and have money left over for more fun at their destination. AA is smart.
just got off an updated 321 dated 2019 New York to Phoenix. I found it just roomy enough. Out of all the flights I’ve taken my sciatica started acting up. And no more power plugs ?!! WTF!
Absolutely stupid makes no sense for the customer.
I had a family emergency and took a round flight Detroit-Mexico City. The whole experience took 4 AA airplanes. The seating was really cramped, I am just 5.8 ft, bought preferred seating and frankly it was still uncomfortable for flights that were 2-2:30 hrs long.
The airline strategy is in opposite direction where consumers like me are willing to spend their dollars. Unless AA is going to become the largest discounted airline to compete with Spirit or others where they charge you separately even for small carry-on bags.
I had avoided AA since the late 90’s due to customer experience this time was an emergency but frequently use DL. The difference is huge and DL is still behind others I have used in Asia and Latin America.
Results will tell us more how this strategy works for AA and how others take recalibrate tactics to attract disappointed or confused AA’s customers. Where there’s confusion there is opportunity.
Ray, you weren’t on an updated A321, they all have two outlets, you were on a refreshed (aka new seat covers) A321 I believe. AA has been very specific, that all the updated planes have XL or Space bins, two outlets per seat (USB and conventual) and a device holder (which I love). Also the A321 have 20 first class seats, not 16 and 40 plus MCE seats, not 18.
I have flown the Oasis/Kodiak 737-800; A321 L and A321 Neo across the country several times. The pitch and seats are as good as DL and the under seat space is better since you don’t have those annoying IFE boxes. Also, i prefer my own devise since I can use Blue Tooth wireless headphone which you can’t with the DL IFE (and never will be able to, a reason Gen X and Millennials like AA better). AA also have First Class food service on the way back. I think DL’s edge is gone and AA and even UA (not a Kirby fan) have caught up and in some cases passed them during COVID-19. Operationally, AA has flown well over the holiday, DL has not.
Face the facts, things are turning in the air.
American’s Oasis project is an abomination! The airline’s current management is totally oblivious to passenger desires especially during the current pandemic! Customers will turn to other airlines who have better amenities. The leadership is continuing to steer the company to another bankruptcy with such outrageous policies. Even as an AAdvantage program member, I have refused to fly on American since Doug Parker became CEO. He and other top team members should have been retired by the company’s board of directors years ago! What a fiasco!
Parker is a loser and should be removed but with a idiotic board in place, that’s not going to happen. The entire America West/US Air management team is truly awful and have ruined AA. Loser Doug Parker reminds me so much of loser Frank Lorenzo who managed to destroy two airlines. Although I have AA lifetime elite status I will definitely be trying out the competition in 2021. Sucks to see AA destroyed by Parker.
AA SUCKS now!! Thx USAIR and your miserable idiot mgmt!!! Thx to these wanna be managers AA most like the next pan am, eastern or TWA!! Fire this idiot and bring the real AA BACK NOT THIS USAIR SHIT!!
AMEN !!!!
Amusingly enough this makes the AS entry into oneworld and the B6 codeshare/partnership that much more appealing. You can keep EP and oneworld benefits and rarely step on AA product.
I’ve seen park benches with more padding. I’ll avoid AA from here on out.
Supply and demand people quit whining. If no one flies the planes due to the seats there will be changes. On the other hand if traffic picks up and the flights are packed AA makes more money.
That is what capitalism is all about. You don’t have to fly them but many will. IMHO Gary has been way to emotional about this for the past several years. Frankly, most Americans wouldn’t mind the seats if they weren’t so fat! Look at yourself in the mirror and ask is it really the airline seat or the extra 20-50 pounds you are carrying! Get in shape and all things in life will be better!
AC, you might want to realize that not all of us are fat and overweight. Some of us were in the Army and jumped out of planes for 22 years…I.E me!
Also, AA will not enjoy the benefits of capitalism if they don’t have a product people will buy. This is why you’ll find me on foreign carriers as much as possible – even if it’s the first leg of an international flight that lays over in ORD from SFO, and that’s where I disembark. It’s not whining it’s all about getting what you pay for, and if you’re going to save a few bucks for discomfort then I would question how well you’re remunerated in your life’s efforts….apparently I am not alone in that line of thinking.
In Reply to Mark David Miller about ETOPS. It is not about weight savings but the cost of maintenance savings. ETOPS certified airplanes have specific maintenance requirements that would require 2 certified mechanics that were performing engine maintenance to each perform tasks on only one engine. One mechanic could not for instance change filters on both engines. There are also parts that are certified for ETOPS so that you could only put that specific part number on an ETOPS airplane. There may be 2, 3 or more parts that perform the same function in the supply system but only one is ETOPS certified. Also there are additional records keeping requirements for ETOPS aircraft. I am not that familiar with the AA fleet but the A321H aircraft could not be used to fly to Hawaii for example. They are probably going to be retired anyway. aby the way around the maintenance hangar ETOPS means “Engines Turn Or Passengers Swim”.
@ sunviking82, don’t generalize. As a millennial, I hate AA. The main reason being the lack of seat back IFE, on top of the horrible seats and lackluster employees.
Why would I want to travel with my iPad Pro, and risk losing it or breaking it, when I can fly Delta and have tv, movies, and a map (no map on AA).
Additionally, I use my Bose QC 35s and AirPod Pros wirelessly on Delta. I bought a Bluetooth transmitter that connects to the headphone port on the Delta IFE and it works perfectly.
Just wait till American sends the non-ETOPS A321s to CUN and they have to hug the coastline for an extra hour each way, burning fuel and causing flight delays and misconnects