Latest news with #FlagshipSuite
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
I tried out American Airlines' new Dreamliner cabin — here's why it's a game-changer
Being only four weeks old, it's got that new plane smell. And the inviting interior scent belongs to a cabin that heralds a new era for American Airlines (AA). Just how positive this era will be is something I'm discovering. I'm on board one of the carrier's brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at London's Heathrow Airport, the plane having just flown in from Chicago O'Hare Airport. On AA's scheduling, it would have been denoted as a 787P, the "P" standing for premium. This tells passengers it's a Dreamliner with a fully upgraded cabin, from front to back, with a new business-class seat called the Flagship Suite, a new premium economy and a refreshed economy offering. The new cabin launched in June on the Heathrow-Chicago route, but 787Ps will enter service soon from Philadelphia to Heathrow and Zurich, and from Dallas-Fort Worth to Brisbane and Auckland. The new cabin will be available on all newly delivered 787-9 aircraft, as well as new Airbus A321XLR aircraft and retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs. By 2030, American will be flying 70 of them. I'm being shown the new flying experience by the carrier's Vice President of International Operations, José A. Freig. He points out the elegant American Airlines logo on the dark-grey partition at the front that greets fliers as they board, and we pause at the set of eight Flagship Suite Preferred seats at the front. These are supersized versions of the regular lie-flat Flagship Suites (that will eventually be sold for a supplementary fee) and come with 19 percent more bed space and 42 percent more "living area" than the business-class seats further back. They also sport a darker finish, with black marbling, brushed aluminum and darker brown upholstery apparently earning them the nickname of 'Darth Vader' seats. Jose says they're already highly sought-after slices of mid-air real estate for frequent fliers. I can see why. They have the air of a first-class berth and the moodier hues are alluring. As for the cabin as a whole, Jose says that customer feedback declares it a "game-changer". Jose lets me loose to explore on my own before the flight crew arrive for the return leg, and based on my 15-minute investigation, during which I'm able to sit in each seat type and press a few buttons, I'd be inclined to agree that this cabin is transformational. In the business-class cabin, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, the number one reason is that all the seats feature privacy doors. While the normal Flagship Business seat has a satisfying cocooning effect, the sliding door takes the cosiness factor up a level. I also love the chic cream, gray and light brown color scheme and the easy-to-reach seat controls. Aviation geeks will note that the Flagship Suite is based on the Adient Ascent design, which is also the seat platform for United Airlines' new Polaris Elevate business-class seat that I examined at a launch event in New York earlier this year. You'll also find it on the 787-9 Dreamliners flown by Qatar Airways and Hawaiian Airlines. So American Airlines isn't reinventing the wheel here, but has sensibly married a top-tier seat with a very good aircraft. Meanwhile, the premium economy seats — which have a pitch of 38 inches and a width of 19-19.5 inches depending on location — have thoughtful "privacy dividers" that help shield passengers from their neighbors and double the amount of in-seat storage. There are cabin-wide improvements, too, with entertainment screen sizes significantly bigger no matter which ticket you've bought. The screens in the 787P are 12 percent larger in Flagship Suite, 21 percent larger in premium economy and 29 percent larger in the main cabin, where seats have a pitch of 31 inches and a width of 16.5-17.6 inches. Charging options are also more ubiquitous. The older Dreamliners have AC and USB-A power points, but the 787P boasts these in all cabins along with USB-C and wireless charging in business and premium economy and USB-C ports in economy. There's now Bluetooth connectivity throughout, too. I tell Jose that this cabin feels more elegant and sophisticated than its predecessor. This has been achieved not just by the introduction of privacy doors and a new color scheme, but by a reduction in the number of seats in the aircraft overall, from 285 on the older 787-9 to 244 on the 787P. Seat pitch and width remain largely unchanged, but the cabin is intensely premium, with 32 premium economy seats versus 21 on the regular 787-9 - that's a 52 percent increase – and 70 percent more business-class seats, which are up from 30 to 51. Jose tells me after my Terminal 3 walkabout that the cabin gives American Airlines "a leg-up on its transatlantic competitors". The new cabin certainly puts the carrier in a strong position and I can't wait to try it while airborne. Watch this space — and for that magic letter "P" on your next American Airlines booking.
Travel Weekly
03-07-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
American reveals winter deployment for new 787s with Flagship Suites
American Airlines has announced winter deployments for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which feature its upgraded business class product called Flagship Suite. American began taking delivery of the 787s in May and expects to have 30 in service by 2029. The aircraft is currently flying from Chicago O'Hare to London Heathrow and will continue that route. American will also use it between Philadelphia and London between early August and Jan. 5, extending the announced service lasting until late October. American will also serve London with the aircraft from its Dallas home base; it plans a daily flight from Oct. 26 to Jan. 5, and two daily between Dec. 3. and Jan. 5. Previously announced service with the 787s is also on sale for the winter season on flights from Dallas to Brisbane, Australia, and Dallas to Auckland, New Zealand. Finally, the aircraft will be placed on flights from Dallas to Buenos Aires. Flagship Suites feature a sliding privacy door, a unique chaise lounge seating option, a wireless charging pad and more personal storage space than other American business class configurations. The sliding privacy doors have had to remain open since American flew the first of its new 787s on June 5. But flyers will be able to begin using the doors this weekend, after they received certification from the FAA. American also introduced a new premium economy seat on its reconfigured 787s.
Newsweek
05-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
The Future of American Airlines Travel Starts Today
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. More than 200 customers made the trip from Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) today aboard American Airlines' new Boeing 787-9. The plane's takeoff marked the start of a new chapter in the company's aviation history. The flight coincided with the launch of American's new international and domestic summer travel routes. "We're excited that you are part of the beginning of this plane's journey," American's Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said in a note to passengers on Flight 2012. "Everything you see on board today was designed with you in mind: from the design details to Bluetooth connectivity to state-of-the-art entertainment, your comfort is our priority." The plane seats 244 passengers. It features American's redesigned Main Cabin and reimagined Premium Economy cabins, which are designed to deliver a more premium experience to passengers. Flagship Suite seat onboard an American Airlines plane. Flagship Suite seat onboard an American Airlines plane. American Airlines In the Main Cabin, there are 4K monitors with Bluetooth connectivity and USB Type-C and AC power ports at every one of the 161 seats. Premium Economy's 32 passengers get that plus a privacy headrest with wings, adjustable calf and footrests, wireless charging and water bottle storage. Fifty-one Flagship Suite seats are available on the plane. They offer personal storage space, a wireless charging pad, privacy door, chaise lounge feature, reading light mirror and trinket tray. Booking one of these seats also gets you additional perks like Priority check-in, security, boarding and baggage handling. International flyers also get access to American's Flagship lounge and a multi-course meal, pillow and duvet blanket. Flagship Suite Preferred seats build on the Flagship Suite offers with 19 percent more bed space and 42 percent more living area. There are just eight of those seats available. Brandon Blackwood for American Airlines amenity kit. Brandon Blackwood for American Airlines amenity kit. American Airlines Brandon Blackwood amenity kits will be available through early September for passengers in several fare classes. Flagship First and Flagship Suite Preferred customers receive a compact travel version of Blackwood's trademark Portmore handbag, made of denim and with a wraparound zip closure. Flagship Business and Flagship Suite seats fliers get a black pouch with red accents along the zipper and Blackwood's signature checkered pattern on the interior. Premium Economy passengers receive a blue and white checkered pattern kit. American's upgraded offerings debut at a time when the industry's luxury and premium offerings are receiving upgrades across the board. From added onboard amenities like a large snack area to finer linens and better food and beverage options, domestic and international airlines are finding new ways to appeal to customers.
Condé Nast Traveler
02-06-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
American Airlines' New Business Class Suites Start Flying This Week—Here's What to Expect
American Airlines has officially unveiled a brand-new aircraft complete with its new Flagship business class seats fitted with privacy doors. On June 5, the first flight on board the new plane will take off from Chicago to Los Angeles, followed by another from Chicago to London Heathrow later that day. This Boeing 787-9P Dreamliner is the first of 30 planes coming to the airline's fleet—a notable step-up in American's effort to compete for top-paying premium customers against primary rivals Delta and United. Heather Garboden, American's chief customer officer, says, 'every aspect of our new 787-9P is designed to feel premium in nature.' (In fact, the 'P' in the aircraft name stands for premium.) At a recent showcase in Dallas, American unveiled a first look at the new premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft, including the highly anticipated Flagship Suite business class seats, plus redesigned Premium Economy and Main Cabin seats. Here's what to expect on board the new planes and where they will be flying. Business class The business class cabin of this aircraft showcases a new 'Flagship Suite' for American, a seat unlike anything the airline has ever offered before. With 51 seats, the cabin appears packed, but the attention to design detail is high. Each seat is fully cocooned behind side walls and a sturdy door that slides closed for maximum privacy (a first for American). There is one seat by the window on either side of the plane and a pair of seats in the center (with a slide-out divider that can separate you from your seatmate). The 21-inch-wide, 79-inch-long seats recline fully flat and can alternate positions (upright to reclining lounge chair to bedtime) at the touch of a button. In a first for any US carrier, the seat has been designed so that passengers can recline into flat-bed mode and then slide their body up to the headrest to sit up against the suite wall. This gives you twice as much legroom and feels as if you are sitting in a chaise lounge. American had to undergo special certification to offer this capability and even patented a second seatbelt specifically for this function. Then there are the smaller details, like special compartments to store water bottles, eyeglasses, and other items like jewelry, all illuminated by sconce lighting. Even the lavatories feature playful, cosmetic touches such as cloud photography wallpaper on one side. For charging up your devices, there are both wireless and USB-C connectivity options—no need to jostle over outlet space here. High-definition TV screens measure 17.5 inches wide and come with an impressive amount of entertainment content. Struggle to fall asleep on red-eye flights? Nest-branded bedding and slippers await at each suite, and with the ability to slide the suite door closed, less commotion in the aisle can help improve in-flight sleep quality. For those who run hot, the pillow and duvet have a cool-touch fabric on one side.
New York Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Things are about to get a lot 'suite'er for passengers aboard some international American Airlines flights. This summer, the airline is debuting its Flagship Suite seats aboard its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Advertisement The 51 Flagship Suite seats at the front of the aircraft will feature 'privacy doors, more personal storage space with a wireless charging pad and a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow,' American said in a press release. 'Every aspect of our new 787-9 is designed to feel premium in nature,' Heather Garboden, American's Chief Customer Officer, said in a statement. 'Whether flying for business or pleasure, having the opportunity to explore other parts of the world should be an exciting and memorable experience that begins the moment you book your flight, long before you reach your final destination.' 4 This summer, American Airlines is debuting its Flagship Suite seats aboard its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Markus Mainka – 4 The 51 Flagship Suite seats at the front of the aircraft will feature 'privacy doors, more personal storage space with a wireless charging pad and a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow.' American Airlines Advertisement Starting Monday, customers can purchase tickets for the inaugural flight taking place on June 5 from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) as Flight 2012. The flight will return to ORD before resuming to London Heathrow (LHR) as Flight 98, the airline's inaugural international Flagship Suite service flight. 'Later this summer, American will also operate the new 787-9 from Philadelphia (PHL) to LHR and Zurich (ZRH). Flagship Suite service will go down under this fall with service from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Brisbane, Australia (BNE),' American Airlines said. The two new Boeing 787-9 planes arrived in Dallas-Fort Worth last week and are just a couple of the 30 new aircraft expected to join the airline's 'fleet family between now and 2029.' 4 Flagship Suite customers receive priority check-in, security, boarding, baggage handling and access to American's Flagship lounge, which offers free 'regionally inspired dishes and signature cocktails.' American Airlines Advertisement 4 The two new Boeing 787-9 planes arrived in Dallas-Fort Worth last week and are just a couple of the 30 new aircraft expected to join the airline's 'fleet family between now and 2029.' American Airlines Flagship Suite customers receive priority check-in, security, boarding, baggage handling and access to American's Flagship lounge, which offers free 'regionally inspired dishes and signature cocktails.' Once onboard, those passengers will be offered 'a multicourse meal curated to pair with award-winning wines, premium amenity kits containing an array of luxury skincare items and a comfy duvet blanket accompanied with a refreshing dual-sided pillow with cool touch fabric on one side and traditional fabric on the other.' Eventually, Flagship Suite seats will be available on newly delivered Airbus A321XLR aircraft and American's retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, the airline said.
