Flying up front in the first few rows of a plane is a luxury most of us don’t get to enjoy very often. In fact, except for Southwest flights or Spirit’s Big Front Seat, the last time I flew domestic first class on a major U.S. airline was with Alaska back in 2019.
So I was more than a little excited when I snagged a seat in First Class on an American Airlines A321 for our flight from Dallas to Orlando. And the kicker? I “splurged” for the upgrade because I found award space for just 15,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles—cheaper than what American was charging for economy on the same flight.
We wanted to get the most out of the experience. Here’s how it went.
Checking In at DFW
We arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth and checked in as usual at the kiosk, printing our own bag tags. The only real difference flying First was the “Priority” tag they placed on our checked bag—more on that later.
Once through security, we headed to the Capital One Lounge, a nice perk thanks to our card benefits. It was more crowded than when I last visited in the morning, but still a welcome escape while waiting out a delay.
Boarding & First Impressions
After taking the Skylink to our terminal, we arrived to hear the usual “this flight is completely full” announcement. Gate agents were encouraging passengers in later boarding groups to check bags, but no worries for us in Row 3, Seats A and C.
After boarding just behind Concierge Key travelers, we settled into our wide seats with plenty of legroom. As expected from American’s A321, there was no in-seat entertainment, even in First.
We were offered pre-departure beverages—sparkling wine and a Diet Dr. Pepper for us.
In-Flight Meal Service
We had pre-ordered our meals, which the flight attendants confirmed shortly after takeoff. I couldn’t help but smile when the FA asked passengers behind us if they wanted “the chicken or the whole grain salad,” only to tell them the chicken was already gone by Row 4.
Before the meal, we were served a small dish of warm mixed nuts, which felt like a nice throwback touch.
My wife chose the sliders with crinkle fries.
I went with the short ribs with mac and cheese.
The mac and cheese was decent, and while the short ribs weren’t exactly fine dining, they were tender and flavorful enough for airplane food. My wife picked at the sliders and declared them “fine.” We both finished the dessert, but that surprise jelly layer at the bottom wasn’t a hit for either of us.
Wi-Fi & In-Flight Comfort
For the rest of the flight, I used the onboard Wi-Fi to get some work done. My wife used T-Mobile’s free in-flight pass on her phone, while I paid $24 for my laptop—not great for a two-hour flight, but covered by my Aviator Red Mastercard’s $25 annual Wi-Fi credit.
Arrival at MCO
We landed in Orlando around 11:30 PM, long after most airport concessions shut down. Our arrival gate was in the Delta area, which meant a ride on the APU and a long walk to baggage claim.
And that “Priority” tag? It meant nothing. Over half the plane received their bags before ours showed up—about 30 minutes after landing.
What It Would’ve Cost in Cash
I checked the pricing for this flight in July and was shocked: American Airlines is charging $735 for First Class on this route.
Meanwhile, Basic Economy starts at $81, and Main Cabin runs about $111.
Final Thoughts
Splurging for a seat in First is always a bit exciting, especially when you’re not paying a fortune for it. But despite the nicer seat and extra elbow room, domestic First on American Airlines is far from a luxurious experience.
The seat is definitely the highlight—wide, spacious, and comfortable enough to open a laptop and get some work done. For a couple of hours in the air, that’s a significant upgrade from the tight confines of coach.
But beyond that? It’s mostly bells and whistles without the sparkle. American’s approach to in-flight entertainment remains strictly BYOE (Bring Your Own Entertainment), even in First Class. You’re on your own to stay entertained.
The meal was fine, and the warm nuts were a nice touch. Service was friendly but not exceptional, and the “priority” luggage tag didn’t actually get our bags out any faster.
Would I pay $735 for this flight in cash? Absolutely not. But for 15,000 Alaska miles, it was a comfortable and convenient way to get home. Just don’t expect it to feel like luxury at 35,000 feet.
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