American Airways economic system overview from Los Angeles to London

Quick take: A mixed experience with smooth check-in and boarding and decent seat comfort, but there’s room for improvement in food quality and onboard amenities.

Pros:

• Prices start at just 30,000 American AAdvantage miles each way
• A well-organized ground experience in Los Angeles
• Comfortable extra legroom seat options for elites

Cons:

• Insufficient meal portions and disappointing pre-arrival breakfast
• Inflight Wi-Fi did not work
• Inaudible inflight entertainment audio with the provided earbuds

There’s been a lot of talk about American Airlines’ premium products recently with three snazzy new lounges at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and next year, new premium economy and business-class seats.

But if business or first class is out of reach, either money- or miles-wise, you might be wondering what the experience is like in American Airlines economy.

When I came across a one-way peak summer flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) for just 33,000 American miles, it was the perfect opportunity to find out how American Airlines economy is on a long-haul flight and whether it’s worth it. Here’s how the experience went.

American now uses dynamic pricing for award redemptions, so award rates can fluctuate widely, as do one-way prices versus round-trips. Over the next several months, here is how tickets are pricing out on this route for these various fare types.

My one-way economy-class ticket would have been $1,143 had I purchased it using cash. By redeeming 33,000 AAdvantage miles plus $5.60 for it, I got about 3.4 cents per mile, roughly double TPG’s 1.77-cent valuation of AAdvantage miles. I paid for the taxes and fees on my ticket using the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for the peace of mind of Chase’s built-in travel protections.

As an AAdvantage Executive Platinum elite, I could select a Main Cabin Extra exit-row seat when booking for no extra charge, so I took advantage of that opportunity for a little more legroom (though I wouldn’t receive any extra amenities from the other economy passengers).

Related: Best uses of American Airlines miles

Checking into and boarding economy on American Airlines

Twenty-four hours before my flight, I checked in on the American Airlines mobile app, which allows you to scan your passport using your phone’s camera. You can also pay for checked luggage on the app if you need to. Customers checking luggage can print their bag tags at the self-service kiosks and then drop their bags onto the belt themselves.

My flight operated late on a Saturday afternoon. When I arrived 3 hours before the flight, the economy check-in line was shorter than the line for elite passengers and those flying in premium cabins, and it only took me 10 minutes to get through security.

American operates most flights out of Terminal 4 at LAX, but my flight left from Tom Bradley International Terminal. Regardless, all American Airlines passengers must check in at Terminal 4 or 5. After going through security, it was a 10-minute walk to the international terminal since it is connected airside to Terminals 4 and 5, so you don’t have to pass through security again.

Economy tickets on American Airlines don’t come with lounge access, but if you have Oneworld Sapphire (AAdvantage Platinum) status or above, you can access both the Oneworld business-class lounge at Tom Bradley and American Airlines’ Flagship lounge in Terminal 4 when traveling on a qualifying same-day international flight marketed and operated by American Airlines, no matter the class of service.

Oneworld Emerald (AAdvantage Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum) members can access the excellent Qantas first class lounge at Tom Bradley when flying long-haul international American Airlines flights, no matter the class of service.

American Airlines has nine boarding groups. Economy-class passengers board in groups 5 to 9, though I was able to board with Group 1 along with first-class passengers and active military thanks to my elite status. Boarding began on time at 5:21 p.m., 45 minutes before departure and was orderly, taking around 30 minutes to complete.

Related: Which airline credit cards offer the best priority boarding perks?

For my flight, I selected 31L, an exit-row window seat. Although SeatGuru warned me that the proximity to the lavatory might be bothersome, the extra legroom was a tradeoff I was happy to take for more space. I also had to stow all my bags in the overhead since there was no seatback in front of me where I could put them. Additionally, this seat only has one other seat next to it, and the ample floor space allowed me to step forward and use the restroom without disturbing my neighbor.

Seats have four-way headrests with curling wings to cradle your head. The seat cushioning was supportive, and in the reclined position with the headrest extended and curled, I slept for six hours.

Each passenger had their own AC power outlet located in the preceding seatback and a USB port embedded into the entertainment screen. The AC plugs in the exit row were located under and between the seats and the USB ports were located in the entertainment screens.

The tables were large enough for a meal tray but wouldn’t be suitable for full-size laptops, especially if the person in front of you had their seat reclined. My exit-row table, which folded out from the armrest, wasn’t flat and didn’t rest properly on the opposite armrest, causing the meal tray to constantly slide off.

Additionally, there wasn’t a cupholder. The tray table in the unmovable armrest slightly reduced the seat width, too, though that didn’t feel bothersome

Two lavatories for economy passengers on American’s Boeing 777-300ER were located partway through the economy cabin (near my seat), with another two in the rear galley.

They were kept clean throughout the flight, but for 244 premium-economy and economy passengers, there should be more facilities, as evidenced by the lines that formed at multiple points throughout the flight.

The restrooms had tissues, paper towels and paper cups, but no other special features or products.

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

American Airlines economy class amenities

Amenities for economy passengers on American Airlines are scant, but at least there are a few to mention.

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KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

A polyester-covered pillow and thin blanket were waiting at each seat. The flight attendants distributed complimentary earbuds. It was difficult to hear the entertainment system in flight, even with the loudest volume setting, so plan to bring your own headphones, which you can connect directly to the entertainment screen.

I plugged (no Bluetooth audio) my Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 into the fold-out screen at my seat and was pleased to see recent movie hits like “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “Marlowe” and “Triangle of Sadness” offered.

I tried to connect to the plane’s Wi-Fi but could not even get to the pricing page. The crew didn’t acknowledge the faulty internet, but in my experience, American’s long-haul inflight Wi-Fi is unreliable. The airline is in the process of upgrading its internet, thankfully. But if you hope to get work done on your long-haul flight, bring things you can do offline just to be safe.

No other amenities, like earplugs or dental kits were offered.

Related: A beginner’s guide to American Airlines economy seats

How was the food in American Airlines economy class?

About 50 minutes after takeoff, the crew came by to offer passengers a choice of “chicken or pasta.” No menus or descriptions were proffered. The entire meal was served on a single tray and included a small salad with olive oil, cheese and crackers, a rock-hard white bread roll, butter, a brownie bar and a small bottle of water.

The chicken with barbeque sauce, bell pepper and rice was slightly sweet but mostly bland, and the portion size was minuscule.

Since I couldn’t get my tray table flat, I skipped the drink service, but my seatmate ordered a cup of complimentary wine. Economy passengers on international long-haul flights can order beer, wine and spirits for free.

The meal service ended around an hour and 40 minutes after takeoff. Although I slept between the meals, American offers midflight snacks. Around an hour and 20 minutes before landing, the crew turned on the lights and served a light breakfast of Chobani yogurt, granola and a bite-size fig bar. It felt meager for a 10-hour flight, and unlike dinner, there was no choice in meals.

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KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

My few interactions with the crew were all positive. They were upbeat and I appreciated that they served the pre-arrival meal close to landing to let passengers maximize their rest.

Related: Four cabins, one flight: Putting American Airlines’ Boeing 777-300 from New York to Miami to the test