Premium Seating on American's Long-Haul Fleet to Grow 45+% by 2026

(21/09/22)  American Airlines has unveiled the new long-haul cabins that customers can expect to enjoy on Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which are scheduled for first deliveries in 2024.

The aircraft will feature Flagship Suites with privacy door, a chaise lounge seating option and more personal storage space, as well as reimagined interiors.

American launched its long-haul Premium Economy Class seats in 2016, and will be adding even more such seats to its long-haul aircraft. The new custom-designed Premium Economy seat has been designed to create more privacy and doubles the amount of in-seat storage space.

American Airlines' new Flagship Suite Seat

With the introduction of the new interiors on its long-haul aircraft, premium seating on American’s long-haul fleet will grow more than 45 percent by 2026.

American’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft will have 51 Flagship Suite seats and 32 Premium Economy seats, and the airline’s Airbus A321XLR aircraft will feature 20 Flagship Suite seats and 12 Premium Economy seats.

Refreshing Existing Aircraft

American will also retrofit its 20 Boeing 777-300ERs to include Flagship Suite seats starting in late 2024. The aircraft will feature more premium seats than the current design, with 70 Flagship Suite seats and 44 Premium Economy seats.

American will also retrofit its Airbus A321T fleet to align those 16 aircraft with the rest of its A321 fleet. The carrier will continue to offer lie-flat seats on its transcontinental routes departing New York and Boston along with its Northeast Alliance partner, JetBlue Airways.

“We are enhancing the customer experience across their entire journey with American,” said American’s Vice President of Customer Experience, Julie Rath. “The arrival of new long-haul aircraft and the customized seat design of the Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a truly private premium experience on our long-haul fleet.”

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