American Airlines Revamps Oldest Long-Haul Fleet with Luxurious New Suites
American Airlines is set to significantly enhance the travel experience on its older long-haul aircraft by retrofitting its Boeing 777-200ER fleet with the airline’s premium Flagship Suites. This extensive cabin overhaul aims to bring the carrier’s most luxurious business-class product to a significant portion of its international routes.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines will install its new Flagship Suites on its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
- The retrofit includes a "nose-to-tail" cabin face-lift with new lie-flat seats and updated entertainment systems.
- This upgrade will increase the number of lie-flat and premium economy seats by 25% on these planes.
Flagship Suites Come to the 777-200ER
American Airlines has announced a comprehensive cabin renovation for its Boeing 777-200ER fleet, which constitutes the largest group of wide-body jets in its inventory. These planes, a workhorse for many of the airline’s long-haul international routes, will now feature the airline’s highly acclaimed Flagship Suites. These suites, which debuted earlier this year on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, are characterized by lie-flat capabilities and sliding privacy doors, offering a significant upgrade in comfort and privacy for business-class passengers.
Cabin Enhancements and Capacity Increase
The "nose-to-tail" cabin face-lift will not only include the new Flagship Suites but also brand-new seatback entertainment devices. Executives revealed that the retrofit will result in a 25% increase in both lie-flat and premium economy seats on these aircraft. Currently, the 777-200ERs are equipped with 37 lie-flat business-class pods and 24 premium economy recliners. This expansion aims to better meet customer demand and compete more effectively with rivals like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, who have heavily invested in premium seating.
Strategic Fleet Modernization
This move is part of American Airlines’ broader strategy to modernize its fleet and elevate its premium offerings. The Flagship Suites are also slated for installation on the upcoming Airbus A321XLR aircraft and are already being introduced on 20 of the airline’s newer Boeing 777-300ERs. By extending these premium amenities to its older, yet still vital, 777-200ERs, American Airlines is ensuring a more consistent and luxurious onboard experience across its extensive long-haul network.
