American's new Flagship Suite will appear on its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787 aircraft.
American Airlines
American Airlines has unveiled its brand-new Flagship Suite coming to its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787 aircraft.
The jets, which will be delivered starting in 2024, will also feature an upgraded premium economy product.
The Flagship Suite and new premium economy recliner will also be retrofitted onto American's Boeing 777-300ER fleet.
American Airlines is the latest carrier to introduce an all-new business class product.An American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Nicolas Economou/Getty Image
On Wednesday, the carrier unveiled its Flagship Suite — a premium cabin coming to its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.American's new Flagship Suite will appear on its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787 aircraft.
The modern jets, which will also be fitted with a reimagined interior, will be delivered to American in 2024 to power its growing international network.The entry to the Flagship Suites will have an illuminated panel of American's logo.
"The arrival of new long-haul aircraft and the customized seat design of the Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a truly private premium experience on our long-haul fleet," American's VP of customer experience, Julie Rath, said in a statement.An American 787 parked at the gate.
The carrier will also introduce an improved premium economy cabin in a move it said was a response to strong customer demand. American was the first US airline to introduce long-haul premium seats in 2016, it says.American says it was the first US airline to introduce its current premium economy seating.
The news comes as American continues to expand its overseas routes thanks to its strategic alliances with JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines, allowing domestic customers to feed into American's international routes from the northwest and northeast.American Airlines and JetBlue Airways airliners parked at the gate.
Fortunately for American, Boeing has recently restarted deliveries of its 787 airliner after months of quality-control issues relating to gaps in the fuselage.American's first 787 since the FAA paused deliveries.
Deliveries of the 787 were officially paused by the Federal Aviation Administration in March 2021 due to the problems. The strict response came after two back-to-back fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019.Boeing 787s at Boeing's Washington assembly line in June 2022.
American was vocal about the negative impact the delayed Boeing 787 deliveries had on its operation.American's first 787 since the FAA paused deliveries.
American Airlines
American's VP of network planning, Brian Znontins, told Insider in December that he was "disappointed" in Boeing, and that without the planes, the carrier was unable to operate its full summer 2022 schedule.Boeing 787 on the assembly line.
But the FAA gave Boeing the green light to continue 787 Dreamliner deliveries in August, with American being the first customer to receive a 787 in 15 months.American's first 787 since the FAA paused deliveries.
To complement its Dreamliners, American is also introducing the A321XLR aircraft that will be an international workhorse on "niche," long-haul routes, according to the airline. Currently, the carrier has 50 on order.Airbus A321XLR will become an international workhorse, the airline says.
"The A321XLR will open up markets that we wouldn't be able to serve otherwise – new cities and niche destinations that will really work well with our network," American head of international network planning, Henning Greiser, told Routes Online in February.Airspace interior on Airbus' A321XLR.
With deliveries back on track, American customers will soon enjoy the carrier's upgraded premium cabins. Here's what they'll look like...An American Boeing 787 in the air to Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Italy in July.
Massimo Insabato/Getty Images
American's new Boeing 787s and its A321XLRs will be premium-heavy. Specifically, the Dreamliners will feature 51 Flagship Suites in a 1x2x1 configuration, which is 21 more than its current 787 fleet...The interior of a reimagined American Airlines 787.
American Airlines
…and 32 premium economy seats in a 2x3x2 layout, which is 11 more than its current Dreamliners.Premium economy seats in a reimagined American Airlines Dreamliner.
...and 12 premium economy seats in a 2x2 layout.American's new Airbus A321XLR's also will have an upgraded premium economy experience, the airline said.
American Airlines
American's Boeing 777-300ER jets also will be retrofitted with the new interior layouts, including 70 Flagship Suites and 44 premium economy seats.American Airlines 777-300ER.
American's new premium economy cabin will offer more privacy and space to customers. Specifically, the large recliner will feature headrest wings, double the storage space, and larger in-flight entertainment screens.
The loungers will still come with the regular bells and whistles of premium economy, including power ports, tabletop space, an adjustable headrest, and a footrest.
