Earlier this year American Airlines unveiled its new Business Class product known as Flagship Suites. The carrier initially launched the product on flights between Chicago and London last month with plans for additional routes in the fall.
As American continues to take delivery of more Boeing 787-9P’s, it has 30 on order, it is expanding its list of destinations and we have an update on the next round of routes. All of American’s long haul aircraft will eventually be retrofitted with the new seats.
American Announces More Routes With Flagship Suites
In addition to the route between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), American initially announced that it would operate the new planes on flights from Philadelphia to London and Zurich as well as on flights between Dallas-Fort Worth and Brisbane later this fall.
There’s now an update as the carrier has unveiled additional routes and timings for the new aircraft. Specifically, Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) and Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) are the next two destinations that will welcome American’s newest widebody aircraft. Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, said this about the schedule changes:
“At American, we know our customers are counting down the days to their next vacation, and we’re excited to expand our newly debuted Flagship Suite seats to new long-haul destinations. In addition to giving customers more premium seat offerings in key markets, we are also expanding this product to some of our longest routes, giving travelers an elevated experience when traveling to exciting destinations.”
Specifically, American will operate the following routes and frequencies this winter on new, Flagship Suites equipped, aircraft:
| Route | Service Notes |
|---|---|
| ORD-LHR | All flights starting July 5 |
| DFW-AKL | Daily service Jan. 5- March 28 |
| DFW-BNE | Daily service Oct. 25-March 28 |
| DFW-EZE | Daily service Oct. 26- Jan. 5 |
| DFW-LHR | One daily service (AA78 and AA79) Oct. 26-Jan. 5 expanding to two daily services from Dec. 3-Jan. 5 (adding AA20 and AA21) |
| PHL-LHR | Daily service Oct. 25-Jan. 5 |
The big winner here is Dallas-Fort Worth where the carrier will operate up to five daily flights featuring the new product this winter. The additions of the new routes come at the expense of the Philadelphia-Zurich route, which has been removed from the schedule for the winter season. Seats on the upgraded routes are expected to go on sale July 7, 2025.
American’s Boeing 787-9Ps are in a Premium Heavy Configuration
American’s Boeing 787-9P’s are equipped with 51 Flagship Suite Business Class seats and 32 Premium Economy seats which makes this a premium heavy aircraft. The new Flagship Suite features privacy doors, more personal storage space with a wireless charging pad and a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow.
In addition to the new Flagship Suite, each new Premium Economy seat will feature headrest wings to increase privacy among passengers. Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, had this to say about the new cabins:
“Every aspect of our new 787-9 is designed to feel premium in nature. Whether flying for business or pleasure, having the opportunity to explore other parts of the world should be an exciting and memorable experience that begins the moment you book your flight, long before you reach your final destination.”
While the hard product upgrades are only available on select routes, American is enhancing the soft product on all Flagship Business Class routes to East Asia, the Middle East, India, Australia and New Zealand with the introduction of pajamas and mattress pads later this summer.
Summary
American Airlines has announced new routes that it will deploy its premium-heavy Boeing 787-9Ps on this winter. DFW is the big winner here with four routes featuring the carrier’s new Flagship Suites. The Philadelphia-Zurich route won’t return for the winter season.