Trip Report: American Airlines (B737-800) Main Cabin Extra PHX-IND

The Details

Flight: AA780
Aircraft: B737-800
Class: Main Cabin Extra
Seat: 8F
Route: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)-Indianapolis (IND)
Distance: 1,526miles
Duration: 2hrs 56min
Departure: 5:01PM
Arrival: 11:14PM

The Preflight

After landing at 3:45PM from San Diego, I had 45 minutes until boarding was scheduled to begin on my final flight home. Our B737-800, registration N923AN, was over 21 years old. Delivered to American Airlines before the turn of the century in November 1999, she was one of the oldest B737s in the AA fleet.

Boarding began on time at 4:27PM for a 5:03PM departure.

The Flight

American Airlines is in the progress of retrofitting their entire B737 fleet to including 16 First, 24 Main Cabin Extra, and 132 Main Cabin seats as part of their Oasis/Kodiak fleet renewal. Our B737-800 today had been retrofitted with the Kodiak modification which included Collins Meridian economy seats arranged in a 3-3 configuration. Main Cabin Extra was located in the first two rows of economy (8 and 9) as well as the two emergency exit rows (16 and 17).

I was seated in row 8, the bulkhead economy row. Since the cabin divider only extended down halfway from the ceiling, there was ample legroom. Pitch was 33 inches. Along the fuselage was a literature pocket as well as an additional pocket in the seat back in front.

A large bi-fold tray table was located in the center armrest. There were also a built in cup holder and tablet holder.

Each seat also had built-in USB ports and 110V outlets.

Upon boarding, each passenger was given a sanitizing wipe.

We pushed back on time at 5:03PM then taxied for 15 minutes to runway 25R.

We got stunning views of the Sonoran Desert as dusk during our climb out of the PHX area.

Service began 30 minutes after takeoff with a beverage and snack service. Due to COVID-19, alcohol was not offered in the Main Cabin. A small pack of pretzels was also passed out.