We weren’t planning to review this particular American Airlines 737 First Class flight home from a sunny break in Mexico, but we felt compelled to share the good, the bad, and the frankly confusing. From a chaotic start at Cancun Airport to a cabin experience that left us questioning if this really counts as First Class, this flight was anything but ordinary. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth splurging on this domestic product, keep reading – we’ve got all the details you need.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: AA1185
From/To: Cancun (CUN) to New York (JFK)
Departure time: 12:58
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 3 hours 1 min
Frequent Flyer Points:
Status Points: 40
Aircraft: N302SA
Aircraft type: Boeing 737-Max
Number of classes: 2
Number of seats in flying class: 16
Seat: 2A
Position: left hand side of the aircraft, 2 rows from the front
Airport Experience
Our flight on American Airlines 737 First Class departed from Terminal 3 at Cancun International Airport, a hub bustling with passengers from American, United, and Delta. The terminal’s heavy footfall made navigating it a challenge. Adding to the chaos was the lack of an official American Airlines lounge. Check-in staff offered no helpful alternatives, leaving passengers to discover options on their own.
We found two possibilities for lounge access. First, a BA Oneworld lounge landside – accessible only before passing through security. Miss it, and it’s no longer an option. The second was a Plaza Premium lounge post-security, but entry required either a premium Amex card or a $39 USD fee. This lounge’s capacity of just 80 people meant joining a waitlist, and we endured a frustrating one-hour wait despite using an Amex Platinum. For those planning to visit, our advice is to check back frequently with the host, as their SMS notifications often fail due to overwhelmed local networks.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding followed the usual priority process for First Class passengers, though the service lacked any warmth or personal touch. We found ourselves wondering if the experience would improve once on board. Spoiler: it didn’t.
Seat
The seat in American Airlines 737 First Class felt more like an upgraded short-haul business class seat. It was a wide recliner in a 2-2 configuration, offering ample pitch and width that was perfectly comfortable for flights lasting 2-4 hours. It was a clear step up from the often lacklustre European business class seats, but it didn’t quite measure up to what you’d want for longer journeys.
There was a pocket and device holder fitted to the seat in front. Adjustable air nozzles (a dying feature on modern aircraft) and reading lights were in the panel above.
The tray table folded from the wide centre armrest
What is the best seat on What’s the best seat on American Airlines 737 First Class?
Seats in the first row offer the most legroom but come with the drawback of proximity to the galley and lavatory, which may become a nuisance. For a quieter journey, opt for rows further back in the First Class cabin.
See the seating plan on SeatGuru.
Onboard Experience
Service commenced shortly after takeoff with the efficient distribution of hot towels.
The window blinds remained down throughout, and the cabin lights were dimmed, creating an oddly gloomy atmosphere. With no built-in entertainment screens, the cabin’s ambience felt more like enduring a blackout than enjoying a premium travel experience.
There was one washroom at the front of the cabin for the 16 passengers in the first cabin, stocked with basic paper and hand wash.
Food & Drink
A flight attendant took food and drink orders about 40 minutes after departure. The choices – salmon or eggplant – were unremarkable at best, but I opted for the salmon. Warm nuts and drinks followed about 30 minutes later. I raised my window blind an inch so I could see it.
The meal tray arrived a full hour and 45 minutes into the flight, and the service was robotic at best. My tray was placed silently in front of me, followed shortly by my partner’s tray, delivered with the same lack of interaction. By then, both of our glasses were empty, with no proactive refills offered.
Observing the galley, the crew’s inefficiency was stark. They repeatedly opened and closed cupboards, rearranging items without visible progress. Meanwhile, other airline crews have managed full tray-based service for larger cabins in half the time. Eventually, the aft crew assisted, yet the overall pace only quickened when it was time to collect trays. This task was executed with lightning speed, though still devoid of basic courtesy.
Dessert – either a slice of cake or cheese – wasn’t included on the meal tray but offered separately after trays were cleared. While the cake remained unnamed, we’d love to identify it so let us know in the comments.
In-flight Entertainment
Entertainment on American Airlines 737 First Class relied entirely on personal devices via onboard Wi-Fi. Fortunately, the streaming service worked well, offering a decent selection of films and TV shows, including recent releases. However, the lack of seat-back screens made the absence of cabin ambience even more apparent.
BG1 Verdict
From start to finish, the American Airlines 737 First Class experience fell flat. Ground service was non-existent, and the cabin crew’s disorganised and aloof behaviour turned a subpar product into an outright disappointment. The hard product was fine, but who wants to sit in the dark on a short haul flight during daylight hours? With such a lacklustre service level, this domestic First Class product offers limited value for money, especially for revenue passengers.
BG1 Tip
If flying American Airlines 737 First Class from Cancun, prepare for lounge frustration and consider eating elsewhere beforehand to avoid relying on meals in the terminal or onboard. For better service, consider alternatives like Delta or even an economy fare with an upgraded meal purchase.
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