What is the difference between main cabin and economy on American Airlines?

Basic economy fares are cheaper than main cabin. However, you lose out on flexibility for flight changes and/or cancellations, seat selection options and the ability to earn miles at a high rate.



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Basic economy fares are cheaper than main cabin. However, you lose out on flexibility for flight changes and/or cancellations, seat selection options and the ability to earn miles at a high rate. Love them or hate them, basic economy fares are here to stay.

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Main cabin isn't always the cheapest way to fly on American Airlines — as you may be able to save by booking a basic economy ticket. However, it might be worth paying a little more to get the flexibility to change or cancel your flight, select your seat and avoid being in the last boarding group.

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Fly in style
  • First. The highest level of service on flights across the U.S. First.
  • Business. The highest level of service on shorter-distance international flights. Business.
  • Premium Economy. More space and amenities on select long-distance international, Hawaii and Alaska flights. Premium Economy.


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With most airlines, there's no difference between the actual seats in the main cabin versus basic economy. But the policies outside of your seats — like how much luggage you can bring and how easy (and cheaply) you can change your flights — can be significantly different.

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In addition to other benefits mentioned above, passengers with Main Cabin Extra seats enjoy early boarding in Preferred Group 5 and come with the benefit of bringing one personal item and one bag for free.

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Meal and complimentary beverages, including beer, wine and spirits after takeoff. Mid-flight snacks.

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American Airlines seats can generally be selected during booking or after booking your flight. However, you'll need to avoid basic economy fares to get free seat selection. And you'll only get free preferred or extra-legroom seat selection if you have elite status or use miles to pay the fee.

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Upgrade with AAdvantage miles For domestic flights within the 48 contiguous states, an upgrade from discount economy to premium economy will cost 15,000 AAdvantage miles plus $75. On long international flights, that same discount-to-premium economy upgrade could cost you 25,000 miles plus $350.

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American Airlines upgrades with miles Depending on the fare class, you might have to pay for an upgrade in both miles and cash. For example, if you bought a discount economy ticket on a domestic flight, you'll pay 15,000 miles plus $75 to upgrade to the next class of service.

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Of these, Economy Plus provides the most luxuries, with extra legroom and a generally better seat location. Standard economy allows carry-on bags and complimentary seat selection, while basic economy, as the cheapest of the bunch, carries the most restrictions.

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Check your flights itinerary and it'll either specify what, if any meals are served, or it will say food for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks are still free on airlines. If it is that important, make sure to have snacks handy.

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Exit rows, aisle or window seats, and anywhere close to the front are typically considered the best seats on a plane. On a short business trip, you might want an aisle seat near the front of the plane so you can debark as quickly as possible on arrival.

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American Airlines main cabin is your typical airline economy experience, which includes:
  • Seats with modest legroom.
  • No charge for a seat selection.
  • Ability to carry on a full-size bag plus a personal item.
  • Complimentary drinks and snacks.


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Located in prime areas of the main cabin, Main Cabin Extra seats receive 3 to 6 inches of additional legroom. These seats are in the bulkhead, the first few rows of the plane, or in exit rows. In addition to extra legroom, Main Cabin Extra customers receive free alcoholic beverages.

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Even if you're flying in the main cabin, those with elite status can board with their relevant, earlier boarding zone. SkyPriority boarding includes Platinum and Gold Medallion members as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus flyers. Silver Medallion and SkyTeam Elite members board in the Main Cabin 1 group.

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You can buy Main Cabin Extra through Reservations, select travel agencies and airport self-service kiosks. If you have a credit card stored in your AAdvantage® profile, you can also buy on our mobile app.

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