Over the summer, we saw American Airlines introduce its long awaited new Boeing 787-9Ps, featuring all-new cabins. This is an exciting development for the airline, as it represents a significantly upgraded passenger experience over what you’ll otherwise find on the carrier’s long haul flights.
Of course one common question is which routes actually feature these new planes. So in this post, I’d like to go over that — which planes have the new cabins, and which routes do they fly? With the switch having just happened from the IATA summer to winter schedule, there are also some updates to which routes have this aircraft.
In this post:
Basics of American’s new 244-seat Boeing 787-9Ps
Prior to 2025, American already had 59 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet, split between the 787-8 and 787-9. However, American had another 30 787-9s on order, which will be delivered through 2029.
What’s exciting about these planes is that they feature an all-new passenger experience, and are in an ultra premium configuration. The planes are designated as Boeing 787-9Ps (with the “P” standing for “premium”), and they feature just 244 seats.
These planes have a total of 51 business class seats, which are American’s new Flagship Suite business class product, with doors and upgraded tech. I’ve reviewed this new business class, and it’s an awesome experience. Eight of these seats are Flagship Suite Preferred seats, featuring even more space and amenities (it’s essentially a “business class plus” product).

The planes then feature 32 premium economy seats, in a 2-3-2 configuration, and this is also a significant upgrade over the old product. In particular, there’s better tech, with bluetooth audio, additional charging options, and more.

Lastly, the plane features 161 economy seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration, so it’s a more intimate economy cabin than you’ll find on American’s other planes… but economy is still economy, so that’s the least exciting part of this aircraft. For that matter, one major downside of economy is that this configuration only has 18 extra legroom seats, the smallest of those cabins you’ll find on any wide body American plane.

The 787-9Ps also have Viasat Wi-Fi, which represents a very nice upgrade over American’s old connectivity system.
American’s Boeing 787-9P routes & flights
If you want to actually fly an American Boeing 787-9P with these new interiors, what are your best odds of getting on one of these? The good news is that they’re consistently scheduled on certain routes.
As it currently stands, American has eight Boeing 787-9Ps in its fleet, and the planes have the registration codes N842AA, N843AN, N844MC, N845MD, N846AN, N847MF, N848AN, and N849AN.
When you go to book a ticket, you can tell if your flight is scheduled to be operated by this plane if you see it listed as a “787-9P” or “78P,” since that “P” is the designator for this aircraft.

As you’d expect, airlines adjust their schedules seasonally, since demand isn’t consistent throughout the year. With that in mind, here are the routes where you’ll find American’s 787-9Ps over the winter season (of course the number of routes will be expanded over time, as American takes delivery of more aircraft):
- On an ongoing basis, American is flying 787-9Ps on all flights between Chicago (ORD) and London (LHR)
- On an ongoing basis, American is flying 787-9Ps on one daily flight between Philadelphia (PHL) and London (LHR)
- Through March 28, 2026, American is flying 787-9Ps on all flights between Dallas (DFW) and Brisbane (BNE)
- Through January 5, 2026, American is flying 787-9Ps on one daily flight between Dallas (DFW) and Buenos Aires (EZE)
- Through January 5, 2026, American is flying 787-9Ps between Dallas (DFW) and London (LHR); it’s initially one daily flight, but increasing to two daily flights as of December 5
- Between December 3 and December 17, 2025, American is flying 787-9s on one daily flight between New York (JFK) and London (LHR)
- Between January 5 and March 28, 2026, American will fly 787-9Ps on all flights between Dallas (DFW) and Auckland (AKL)
Of course let me emphasize that schedules are always subject to change, and the above is just how things currently stand.

Bottom line
In recent months, we’ve seen American start to take delivery of its brand new Boeing 787-9s, featuring a more premium layout, plus new cabins. These are exciting planes for passengers, as they feature a much improved passenger experience. They’re also great in terms of upgrades and awards, given the number of premium seats.
If you want to fly American’s new 787-9Ps, your best bet is flying to or from London. However, thanks to the winter schedule now kicking in, we’re also seeing the plane flying some ultra long haul routes to the South Pacific, where passengers will most appreciate the product.
What do you make of American’s new Boeing 787-9Ps, and the routes they’re flying?
Just flew it roundtrip ORD to LHR and the seats were a vast improvement. Unfortunately, the meal service in business class was the worst I've had on the return flight from LHR on any international flight. I'm a 7 year EXP. AA has so much potential, but it is like sewing a new piece of cloth on an old piece of clothing and trying to call it new and improved.
AA needs to really look at its soft product a lot more. As a side note, BA is much worse.
am I the only one who finds the colors ugly?
Had no idea about the brief run from JFK-LHR this December. Was considering flying outta PHL to experience the 789 Flagship Suite and the new Flagship lounge there. Either way, glad this is getting around, and hope they get more soon. AA gets a lot of ‘feedback’ from folks, but, at least they’re trying to improve; and, unlike some competitors, no more 757 or 767. Hmm.
Can you do this for Delta please?
Oh, like, here are the good DeltaOne widebody aircraft (a359, 764, a339), and here are all the bad (sorry, Tim, ‘less good’) ones (763, a333, a333, 757). Yeah, basically that.
@Gordon...agreed. I've flown PHL-ZRH twice recently and both on 78Ps
Not sure if it was a one off but I flew the 78P ZRH-PHL recently.
@Ben,
“Between December 3 and December 17, 2025, American is flying 787-9s on one daily flight between New York (JFK) and London (LHR)”
Is it a -9 or -9P?
Flight AA104 departing JFK 9:50PM is being flown on the 787-9P
Flight AA104 departing JFK 9:50PM for the dates you mentioned, is currently scheduled to be flown on the B787-9P
18 MCE seats. Less than the 24 on Oasis 737s. What a joke.
MCE is the ‘hill you will die on,’ and I respect that. For me, it remains to get an EU261 style air passenger rights legislation in the USA. I think we both may be disappointed, but it’s still worth trying.
AA’s direct competitors (DL, UA, B6) seem to have no problem offering plenty of extra legroom seats. If the trade off with AA is now “best domestic loyalty program but worst on board experience” then… my word, that’s been the trade off all along!
My point is if you want to say you are becoming more premium, you actually need to become more premium. Yes new J seats are part of that but not the...
AA’s direct competitors (DL, UA, B6) seem to have no problem offering plenty of extra legroom seats. If the trade off with AA is now “best domestic loyalty program but worst on board experience” then… my word, that’s been the trade off all along!
My point is if you want to say you are becoming more premium, you actually need to become more premium. Yes new J seats are part of that but not the only part.
Perception of value matters. We are all looking for outsized value for our loyalty plays. When upgrades are scarce at best, MCE is the best tangible benefit other than the value of the miles themselves. Nice to fly with the family up front in MCE seating across the pond on relatively short flights and not pay $100/seat both ways, no? I know they want me to buy PE seats but the value proposition there makes no sense to me.
So not dying on the hill but we sure have plenty of options from NYC. Plenty of those options have extra legroom economy. Not sure the acronym below will catch on, but ok! Legheads maybe?
As for US261… uh… sign me up but disappointment abounds.
So many MCEDS, MCE Derangement Syndrome lately.
This series of articles on aircraft, cabins, and routes is great. Thanks.
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