Several months back, we saw American Airlines introduce its long awaited new Boeing 787-9Ps, featuring all-new cabins (not to be confused with the new Airbus A321XLRs, which are also a major development, but serve different missions). 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? The airline has just published its schedule for most of the coming year, so there are some interesting updates about the routes on which you’ll find this aircraft. Let’s cover the details.
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. We’re seeing quite a few delivered in a short timeframe, and then you can expect that deliveries will be slowed down quite a bit.
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 11 Boeing 787-9Ps in its fleet, and the planes have the registration codes N842AA, N843AN, N844MC, N845MD, N846AN, N847MF, N848AN, N849AN, N850AN, N851MK, and N852ML.
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, typically based on the IATA winter and summer schedules.
With that in mind, here are the routes on which you’ll find American’s 787-9Ps over the winter 2025-2026 season, which runs through March 28, 2026 (in situations where the service doesn’t go through the end of the winter season, I’ll note it below):
- American is flying 787-9Ps on all flights between Chicago (ORD) and London (LHR)
- 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 on two daily flights between Dallas (DFW) and London (LHR)
- Starting January 5, 2026, American will fly 787-9Ps on all flights between Dallas (DFW) and Auckland (AKL)
The schedule for American’s 787-9Ps has now also been published for the summer 2026 season, which kicks in as of March 29, 2026. In summer, the planes will be flying to London, London, London, London, and… London. Specifically, American will offer the 787-9P on the following flights, on an ongoing basis throughout the summer season (which goes through October 23, 2026):
- American will fly 787-9Ps on all flights between Chicago (ORD) and London (LHR)
- American will fly 787-9Ps on two daily flights between New York (JFK) and London (LHR)
- American will fly 787-9Ps on two daily flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and London (LHR)
- American will fly 787-9Ps on one daily flight between Dallas (DFW) and London (LHR)
- American will fly 787-9Ps on one daily flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and London (LHR)
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 onboard 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 in the winter season is to fly to London or the South Pacific. Meanwhile for the upcoming summer season, London is the destination you’re going to want to fly to, if you want to get on one of these planes.
What do you make of American’s new Boeing 787-9Ps, and the routes they’re flying?
Interesting how AA prioritized LHR over HND fo 78Ps. I think both get plenty once more arrive.
I have my issues with Delta and United, but American is by far the most boring of the Big US 3. They're basically just a massive domestic airline with a few flights per day to London.