In September 2022, American Airlines revealed its new business class seats, which will be known as Flagship Suites. Yes, I said ”seats,” which is to say that there are are actually (at least) two types of new business class seats.
Continue reading: New American Airlines Business Class Seats Debuting In 2025
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Wow, no mention of Delta in this article? I’m sure my son will fix that here in the comments section.
I'm sad to see first class go, especially on the A321T. I'm SFO based and fly to JFK a good bit, and always in first on the long 6-7 hour return JFK-SFO. There's no way I'd do that flight in 2-2 business configuration, so I'm glad the A321XLR has 1-1.
I do find AA first to be a lot better than most business class, mostly due to the super wide bed and dine on demand, which other US airlines and most EU airlines don't offer. The bedding is also super comfortable - some of the best airline sleep I've ever had has been on AA 777-300ER in F.
There's definitely a market for it, but I'm sure this will be more profitable for them.
“As of 2025”
“As of early 2025”
“As of some point in 2025”
“After the peak of summer 2025 season”
“Should debut in 2025”
Are you sure about that !!?
Any clues as to whether AA will sell its Premium Economy product on domestic routes? Currently, when AA flies widebodies domestically, the Premium Economy seats are sold as Main Cabin Extra seats.
and the real question is not only when AA's new aircraft will be delivered but when the seats will be certified and the aircraft can fly.
UA expected to get 8 new 787s this year but is hoping for 3 at best. AA's CEO didn't say when AA's new 787s are supposed to be delivered but he did say his frustration with Boeing is high. And the 787 production workers aren't even on strike.
There continue to be certification problems w/ seats - esp. suites.
there actually was but you were so interested in typing your own garbage that you missed it.
What Ben didn't say but which is true is that DL is receiving twice as many new Airbus widebodies that are entering service than AA, UA and HA COMBINED are receiving from Boeing in 2024.
The little drink shelf that flips down on the 787 literature pocket, that looks really cheap. In the one photo it looks almost like a dispenser for toilet seat covers.
That’s it, you’re grounded young man. Don’t make me wash your mouth out with soap.
It's interesting that what American calls a 'premium economy' seat is praised as a 'first class' seat at Delta. It's telling.
The business class cabin on the A321 actually looks amazing and it's even better that every seat will be both a window and isle seat at the same time, giving everyone direct isle access, although I really wonder how I should register that at FlightDiary, where I can choose only one. 😉 Now I really hope that Luddite Airlines won't delay the introduction of these new cabins even more, because I actually would want to try one of these.
I'm also wondering if the ultra premium cabin configuration for the TPAC flight (Dallas-Brisbane) might have something to do with restricting the possible payload while still having opportunities to earn a premium for every square inch of the cabin. It's a very long flight after all, at well over 8300 miles where a 787-9 has a range of just 8700, probably with less demand than Melbourne or Sydney would have.
Yeah, just imagine! Thinking you booked a seat but getting the throne instead!
Delta was (rightfully!) called out for selling premium economy seats as 'first class' in this article, though...
These are seriously impressive changes! Is it known if the soft product will also be receiving an overhaul? Would hate to ride in a comfy new suit with grumpy old FAs and unimpressive meals.
This is also what the likes of Singapore Airlines and JAL characterize as premium economy, so it's nice that they're being more honest about their offering.
I'm on the LAX-JFK route. The current FF seat is actually an old int'l business seat from a decade ago. The XLR's 1-1 business seat shouldn't be terribly different. Regarding fleet replacement, after it had been circulated internally that transcon would be replaced prior to international deployment, Znotins comes out saying international deployment will be first (to back-fill 777s during retrofit in Fall 2025). Full T-Bird replacement in 2026?
To elaborate, while the 777s are in retrofit, AA will deploy 787s to JFK and cover higher volume off-season TATL and XLRs will cover lower volume off-season TATL.
Exactly. Which is why the 777 retrofit will effectively slip a year. And, the T-Bird replacement will slip a year. Which, in a way, is a good thing to some of us. Ha.
AA management is committed to fewer FAs. Period. Pre-COVID onboard service levels have not returned. On international FF, the workload for one FA is excessive and the effect on service is noticeable. On transcon FF, in spite of fewer FAs, I've only experienced great quality service and professionalism. As a result, I have discontinued flying AA internationally but continue to fly AA transcon.
Normally, I'm the guy who brings this up. And, I'd be the first to bring it up. But, in this case, Ben is providing some updates. To me, the subject seems fair game.
Uhh? Knickers in a twist?
The supply chain is a mess for many industries.
Grow up.
(Maybe I missed sarcasm?)
Transcon goes from 10 single seat First Class + 20 2-seat Business class (all lie flat) to 20 single seat Biz + 12 Premium Economy. They rarely upgrade to the lie-flat seats now, so I doubt that will get better. Guessing they will charge a lot more miles for the fewer lie-flat seats.