AFF Review: Flying Long-Haul Economy Class on an Airbus A321

[AFF Editor]

Canonical URL

https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/tap-a321neo-trans-atlantic-economy-review/

I recently took a trans-Atlantic flight on an Airbus A321neo LR in Economy Class. I was a bit unsure about flying in a single-aisle jet on a 7+ hour flight, but this seems to be the way of the future. In the end it wasn't so bad, but there are definitely some downsides of being on a smaller plane.

You can read about my experience and overall thoughts on the pros & cons of flying in a narrow-body jet across the Atlantic Ocean here:

Long-Haul Economy Class on an A321: How Bad Could It Be?

TAP Air Portugal flies its narrow-body Airbus A321neo LR on long-haul trans-Atlantic routes including Lisbon-Montreal. We review the Economy Class experience.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Beano]

Thanks for a good review. You make a relevant point about more aisle access on larger aircraft but travelling with Mrs Beano, who is a definite window flyer, I am left with the middle seat in a three seat row. But if you are in a three seat row in a larger aircraft it is no different to a single aisle plane. The issue of turbulence is another good point and you would certainly feel it less on a larger plane. Overhead locker space is always an issue and recently on an A380 it was restricted as everyone seemed to have hand luggage. Also at the front of an A380 in Y, the overhead lockers are smaller near the pointy end. There are many examples of long travel in small plane, e.g 3 hours in an EMB190 or Dash 8, and even 4+ hours in a 737, but it really comes down to the duration of flight. Perhaps some aircraft seats are more intended for sleeping that others; 14 hrs in a 380 seems more comfortable that 3 hrs in a 737!
Good stuff Matt. Keep it up!

 

[aspro2]

Nice review, Matt. I love Portugal but TAP is so so meh. The intra-European experience is almost as joyless as Ryanair et al. At least Lisbon airport is not quite such a dive as it used to be.