American will replace its oldest long-haul planes with spiffy new seats

American Airways will carry its swankiest new business-class suites to its oldest long-haul planes.

The Fort Price-based provider on Thursday introduced plans to present its Boeing 777-200ERs a “nose-to-tail” cabin face-lift.

That features outfitting its workhorse long-haul planes with the airline’s fancy new Flagship Suites — the spiffy lie-flat product that debuted this previous summer season with sliding privateness doorways.

The transfer will signify a substantial improve for a airplane that American flies on extra long-haul routes than some other plane.

American’s new Flagship Suites

American launched its new Flagship Suites on its latest Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in June to a lot fanfare. The seats proved to be among the most coveted mileage redemptions this summer season on flights from the U.S. to Europe.

That new Flagship product can even seem on its soon-to-launch Airbus A321XLR plane — which was anticipated to start service earlier than the top of 2025.

And, American beforehand introduced plans to replace 20 of its newer and bigger Boeing 777-300ERs with the brand new business-class seats and fresh-look inside.

Learn extra: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard evaluation: For individuals who fly American Airways 4 instances a yr

What in regards to the Boeing 777-200ER?

However questions have swirled about the way forward for its decades-old 777-200ERs —a wide-body airplane it has extra of (47) than some other twin-aisle jet, and a staple of its transatlantic service.

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On Thursday, the corporate confirmed they’re going to get a full retrofit, full with the highest-end business-class product the corporate presents — together with brand-new seatback leisure gadgets.

These planes will see a 25% improve in lie-flat and premium financial system seats, executives mentioned on American’s third-quarter earnings name.

The 777-200s at present sport 37 lie-flat business-class pods, together with 24 premium financial system recliners.

Backside line

As these cabin upgrades are accomplished, they need to considerably improve the onboard expertise for vacationers on lots of its extremely traveled worldwide routes.

It is the newest step by American to catch as much as prime rivals Delta Air Strains and United Airways, whose heavy complement of premium seating choices have helped propel these carriers to the business’s highest earnings in recent times.

“We’re fascinated by offering a service for our prospects and assembly demand,” Steve Johnson, American’s vice chair and chief technique officer, mentioned on a convention name Thursday.

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