Some airlines like Air France have recently doubled their top-class cabin products, taking slightly different approaches by investing more heavily in business class. In the business category, we have also been quietly racing each other for the past few years, installing more comfortable Lee Flatbeds, replacing polyester sheet fabrics with a blend of high quality leather and wool, and offering everything from caviar services to premium wine. Now American Airlines is stepping into the ring with a new suite design that completely abandons its old first class cabin and reimagining business class as more refined and private than its predecessors.
The carrier recently unveiled its much-anticipated flagship suite, and was scheduled to officially debut on June 5th with a flight of American Airlines’ new Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to London’s Heathrow International Airport (LHR). It marks the beginning of American Airlines’ transition from first class to higher business class products. Going forward, the new planes will not have top-class seats, and the existing planes offering their cabins will ultimately be remodeled to have improved business class seats, which are almost hybrids of the two fare classes.
Americans first shared details about the new design in October 2022. This announced that top-class seats on international flights will be cancelled and replaced with more business class seats.
“First class doesn’t exist. To American Airlines simply because the customer hasn’t bought it,” said Vasu Raja, America’s chief commercial officer, when the announcement was first made.
He said, “The quality of business class seats has improved dramatically, and frankly, by removing (first class), we can provide more business class seats.
The newly reimagined flagship suite seats, which replace the top-class seats, were initially expected to be in the air by 2024. However, supplier delays hit the start date this year.
Now they are finally ready for Showtime. Here’s what you need to know about American Airlines’ new flagship suites (and where you can find them):
Seat design and amenities
The new business class cabin will have 51 pods arranged in a one-to-two layout. You can expand retractable privacy sorting between two center sheets. It is worth mentioning that all seats are away from the aisle, so anyone traveling with can leave the center dividers open.
Each pod is equipped with fully closed privacy doors, a 79-inch long bed, a 17.5-inch 4K TV, multiple storage spaces, individual read lights, and sheets that convert into separate trays for cocktails and dining.
Bulkhead seats will be sold as a suite that is preferred on the flagship, with extra rooms (19% more bed space and 42% of living area space per airline) and more storage areas. In contrast to the tan doors and white interiors in the rest of the cabin, they are even more painted with blue faux wood doors and dark gray interiors.
The entire plane offers Bluetooth connectivity and universal AC outlets, as well as USB-A and USB-C outlets for each seat. Flagship Business Class cabin passengers have wireless charging pads. The new plane will also be equipped with satellite-based ViaSat Wi-Fi, which will be available across the aircraft, and is expected to be free for all AADVantage members in early 2026.
When the flyer with flagship sweet sheets is ready to sleep, you will be given a duvet, a pillow on one side (one side with cool touch fabric, the other with traditional fabric), and slippers from the nest bedding brand. Flagship Priority Suite Sheet also acquires nest bedding mattress pads, pajamas and throw blankets. Both receive Amenity Kits to use in flight from Joanna Vargas and Bang & Olufsen’s noise-canceling headphones.
The airline has not yet shared news about what customers can expect from the food service on these flights.
The premium economy and economy shine even on new planes.
The Premium Economy Cabin includes 35 seats arranged in two or two layouts. The reclining seats feature a winged headrest with a bit of privacy, a 13-inch 4K TV, a universal AC outlet, a USB-C, a USB-A outlet, and a phone-sized wireless charging pad (located on the shelf under the TV). The economy cabin holds 143 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. Seats include an 11.5-inch 4K TV, Universal AC outlet, and USB-C and USB-A ports.
Future routes
In addition to Chicago-London flights, the new flagship suite will appear on other routes such as:
- From August 6th, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to LHR to LHR
- PHL to Zurich Switzerland’s Zurich Airport (ZRH) from September 3rd
- Dallas, Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Australia on October 26th
The flagship suite is installed on all newly delivered Boeing 787-9s and new Airbus A321XLRS, and will be renovated to the existing 777-300ers, with full fleet rollout expected by 2027. Overhaul and you’ll find 70 new flagship business suites.
