American Airlines on Wednesday launched its first retrofitted premium-configured Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, outfitted with 70 of its updated business-class Flagship Suite seats and 44 Premium Economy seats. The airplane's 114 premium seats are the most on any U.S. carrier aircraft, according to American.
The Flagship Suite cabin is in a one-two-one configuration and includes updated elements from Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft introduced last year, according to American. Eight of the 70 seats are Flagship Suite Preferred seats, with up to 19 percent more bed space and 42 percent more area compared with the regular suites.
Each lie-flat seat has a privacy door, and center suites have sliding privacy walls as well. Increased personal storage space includes a "trinket tray" and an amenity cabinet with a door that lights when opened, headphone storage and an adjustable vanity mirror. There's also a chaise lounge seating position.
In addition, the seats come with Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging pads, water bottle storage, universal USB-C and AC power outlets, individual USB-A outlets, a reading light, a sconce light and bedding that includes a mattress pad. The Flagship Suite dining meal includes a small plate, a salad, a choice of four main dishes and three desserts.
The Premium cabin on the retrofitted aircraft Source: American Airlines
The Premium Economy seats are in a two-four-two configuration and have privacy headrest wings, wireless charging pad, adjustable calf and footrests, Bluetooth connectivity, water bottle storage and USB-C and AC power.
Flagship Suite Preferred, Flagship Suite and Premium Economy seats each have distinct amenity kits featuring Joanna Vargas products.
There also are 30 Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom and 186 main cabin seats, for a total of 330 seats. For comparison, the non-retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER configuration includes eight Flagship First, 52 Flagship Business, 28 Premium Economy, 28 Main Cabin Extra and 188 main cabin seats, for a total of 304 seats.
The first newly retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER will launch Sept. 2 on flights between New York-JFK and Buenos Aires, and after about a week the aircraft will move to the New York JFK-London Heathrow route for the rest of the month, according to an American spokesperson. The aircraft model also flies on other long-haul routes including routes to Tokyo, Sao Paulo and Sydney.
Completion of a second retrofitted aircraft is expected before the end of the year. American is in the process of retrofitting the rest of its Boeing 777-300ER fleet, which totals 20 aircraft, and is "aiming to have them completed by the end of 2027," according to American SVP of customer experience design and strategy Rhonda Crawford.
As American continues to introduce more of the retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Flagship First no longer will be available for purchase on those planes for travel beginning Nov. 19, according to the airline. Further, with more Airbus A321XLR aircraft entering the fleet, Flagship First also no longer will be available for purchase on transcontinental routes for travel beginning March 28, 2027.
American provided BTN with travel on a charter flight on the new aircraft before it entered commercial service.