It’s been simply over six months since American Airways debuted its nicest business-class product up to now with the launch of its all-new Flagship Suites — an alluring seat the airline hopes will make it extra aggressive with its two prime rivals.
For the primary time, the flowery, new product is ready to turn into a fixture on the airline’s most premium hub.
Subsequent week, American will debut its brand-new Airbus A321XLR at New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) with nonstop transcontinental service to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX).
The aircraft options 20 of American’s new business-class suites, which include sliding privateness doorways and up to date onboard tech — to not point out a cabin that simply seems to be lots more energizing than a lot of the planes the Fort Price-based service flies as we speak.
For New York flyers — and those that journey by way of American’s JFK Terminal 8 hub — there’s extra the place that got here from.
The early Flagship Suites days: Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas
American first unveiled its new Flagship Suites and next-generation cabin again in June, when it christened its most premium-heavy Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner up to now.
The enclosed Flagship product was a favourite redemption for TPG staffers this summer time — particularly those that managed to attain a companion redemption with Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards factors.
Evaluation: Is it price shopping for as much as American Airways’ new business-class Flagship Suite Most well-liked?
Within the months since, American has primarily run its Boeing 787-9P Dreamliner on long-haul flights out of its hubs at Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) and Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL) — and, extra just lately, Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport (DFW).
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It has served London from all three airports, and this winter, it is flying a few of the service’s routes from Dallas to Australia and New Zealand.
JFK subsequent in line
Up to now, although, JFK has (largely) been neglected because the service has deployed its suite product. That’s about to alter in a giant means.
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Airbus A321XLRs clear for takeoff
For starters, there’s the arrival of the aforementioned A321XLR. The plane — which additionally encompasses a bona fide premium financial system cabin — is slated to take over prime transcontinental routes at the moment served by American’s Airbus A321T that the service is phasing out (so lengthy, Flagship First on flights to the West Coast).
The primary XLR flight between JFK and LAX is ready for Dec. 18, and the service has dozens of further XLRs on order for the approaching years.
However New York vacationers will see much more suites far ahead of that.
Boeing 787-9P coming to JFK, too
Talking final week at an business convention, American’s prime community planner mentioned the service will doubtless carry its 787-9P Dreamliner that includes the suites to JFK on a extra common foundation this spring — as soon as its seasonal South Pacific routes wind down.
You’d doubtless see the plane take over one flight to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice chairman of community planning, mentioned whereas talking on the Dec. 3 Skift Aviation Discussion board.
“DFW will see a visit go,” Znotins mentioned. “After which we’ll in all probability have a visit from JFK as effectively.”
Thus far, American has acquired a complete of 10 of its premium-heavy Dreamliners. It’s anticipating 11 earlier than the yr wraps up, a spokesperson confirmed.
Boeing 777-300ER retrofits deliberate
American additionally plans to quickly add the product (and up to date cabin look) as a part of a complete refresh to its Boeing 777-300ERs, the service’s largest plane and a staple on its busiest worldwide routes from JFK.
Past that, American plans to make its new Flagship product way more ubiquitous throughout its worldwide fleet.
The airline confirmed in October that it’ll additionally refresh its smaller 777-200ERs — the twin-aisle aircraft it flies greater than every other.
Facet notice
We should always notice, the 787-9P is definitely within the midst of a short December cameo of types at JFK, the place it’s flying a every day path to LHR over a few weeks earlier than the vacations.
So, should you’re flying JFK-LHR within the subsequent few weeks, you is likely to be in for a shock.
You may spot the plane by checking the airline’s web site and searching for the “78P” code that signifies the brand new aircraft.
Backside line
American’s refresh of its long-haul fleet comes because the service is on a push to shut a income hole with Delta Air Strains and United Airways, which have turned in stronger monetary outcomes lately due, partially, to their wider array of high-end seats that vacationers have been more and more prepared to pay up for.
“I feel if we had extra [premium] as we speak, we might be extra worthwhile as we speak,” American’s chief monetary officer, Devon Could, mentioned final week.
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