Fort Worth-based American Airlines is expanding its premium offerings by installing new Flagship business-class suites on its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The upgraded cabins will feature sliding privacy doors and represent a significant upgrade for business-class travelers.
The new suites will be part of a larger cabin refresh for the 787-8s, which will also see the introduction of a sleeker new-look interior and brighter blue seats in economy class. This move marks a continuation of American's efforts to enhance its onboard experience across its fleet.
The Flagship Suites, which first debuted on American's 787-9 planes last year, offer a state-of-the-art premium product that is highly sought after by frequent flyers. The suites will be available on 11 of American's 787-9s, as well as on its brand-new Airbus A321XLRs.
However, the rollout of the Flagship Suites is expected to be extensive, with American planning to debut the product on its largest plane, the Boeing 777-300ER, later this year. In addition, 20 of the airline's 777-300ERs and 47 of its 777-200ERs are slated for retrofitting with the new cabin and Flagship product in the coming years.
The expansion of the Flagship Suites comes as American Airlines and its competitors engage in a luxury amenities arms race, with each carrier vying to offer the most premium and desirable travel experience. United Airlines, for example, recently unveiled its next-generation Polaris business-class product, while Delta Air Lines is also plotting a new-look version of its Delta One cabin.
With the upgrade of the 787-8s, American Airlines is likely to configure the planes with fewer business-class suites than its larger 787-9 variant. However, the airline may choose to make its front cabin bigger than what those planes have right now, offering travelers an even more luxurious experience.
