Riding in comfort is important when taking a flight. Upgrading your seat on American Airlines can provide more legroom, better amenities, and an overall improved experience. This guide will explain the different ways to upgrade seats on American Airlines flights and provide tips for getting the best seats for your trip.

Upgrading Seats on American Airlines

American Airlines offers several options for seat upgrades depending on your fare class, elite status, and the type of aircraft. Here are the main ways to American Airlines Seat Upgrade flights:

Use Miles to Upgrade: American Advantage members can use miles to upgrade to the next class of service, like from economy to business class. The number of miles needed depends on the fare class.
Bid for Upgrades: Advantage members can bid miles to upgrade seats on the day of departure. Bids are processed in order of the number of miles offered.
Buy Upgrades: Seat upgrades can be purchased during booking or at check-in if available. Prices vary based on the route and cabin.
Use Systemwide Upgrades: Elite Advantage members receive systemwide upgrade certificates that can be used to upgrade to the next class on any American Airlines flight.
Complimentary Upgrades: Elite status members are periodically given free upgrades to the next cabin when available. The upgrade window opens 5 days before departure.

Tips for Getting the Best Seats

Here are some tips to help get the best seat upgrades on American Airlines:

Book early. Upgrades are easier to get when booking far in advance since there are more seats available. Last-minute upgrades are very limited.
Be flexible. Being flexible with your dates and flight times increases your chances of getting an upgrade. Flights at less popular times tend to have more availability.
Check seat maps. Consult the airplane seating charts when booking to see which cabins have open preferred seats, or check later to snag opened upgrades.
Use miles. Having lots of eligible miles in your account gives you the best shot at winning bids for upgrades. Miles cannot be transferred to others for upgrades.
Aim for side seats. When upgrading to business class, try to get seats on the sides that have direct aisle access. Center seats require climbing over others.

Utilize status: Elite status members get priority on complimentary upgrades and other upgrade perks like mileage boosts.
Travel lightly; don’t get bumped from a secured upgrade due to weight restrictions. Try to travel light or proactively pay fees for heavy bags.
Call to upgrade: As a last resort, you can always call American Airlines directly to request upgrades if they are not available online.

Best Seats on American Airlines Planes

The best seats for upgrades on American Airlines will depend on the specific plane type. Here are some of the top seats in each cabin on the most common aircraft:

Boeing 737

First Class: Seats 1A and 1F provide the most legroom
Business Class: Seats 3D and 3F are beside each other without a middle seat
Economy Plus: Exit rows like 12D, 12F or bulkhead rows give extra legroom

Airbus A319

First Class: Row 1 on either side offers space with no seat in front
Main Cabin Extra: Exit rows 14D and 14F have ample legroom

Boeing 777

Business Class: Middle seats in odd rows, like 5L, avoid climbing over others
Premium Economy: Bulkheads 17DEF have movable armrests
Economy: Exit rows 35DEF have the most legroom

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Business Class: Choose center seats in odd rows, like 7L
Premium Economy: Bulkheads in row 16 and 17 have extra space
Main Cabin: Exit row Seats: 30DEF have extended legroom

By understanding the options to upgrade and picking the best seats for your aircraft, you can truly relax and enjoy your American Airlines flight. Just be sure to act fast, because the best seats go quickly!

Conclusion

Upgrading your seat on an American Airlines flight can take some planning, but it is worth the effort to improve your in-flight experience. By booking early, leveraging your elite status, being flexible with your travel, and understanding the best seats on each aircraft, you can successfully get a seat upgrade. Flying in comfort makes all the difference in arriving well rested and ready for anything.

How to Upgrade Your Seat on American Airlines?