American Airlines 777 redesign features 144 premium seats
American Airlines has launched its first redesigned 777-300ER, with 70 lie-flat suites as it expands premium seating on international flights.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
American Airlines has launched its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, configured with 144 premium seats for the carrier’s major long-haul international network. The American Airlines 777 premium seats plan is part of its effort to attract more higher-spending travelers as it competes with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, CNBC reported.
The redesigned wide-body aircraft has 70 lie-flat Flagship Suite seats with sliding doors, 44 Premium Economy seats and 30 Main Cabin Extra seats. It also has 186 standard Main Cabin seats, bringing the stated total configuration to 330 seats, according to CNBC.
What seats are on American’s redesigned Boeing 777-300ER?
American’s stated count of 144 premium seats includes all three upgraded categories: Flagship Suite, Premium Economy and Main Cabin Extra. Flagship Suite is the airline’s lie-flat product at the front of the aircraft; Premium Economy offers more space and features privacy headrest wings plus adjustable calf and footrests, while Main Cabin Extra provides added legroom.
- 70 Flagship Suite lie-flat seats with sliding doors
- 44 Premium Economy seats
- 30 Main Cabin Extra seats
- 186 Main Cabin seats
American uses the 777-300ER on prominent international routes, including flights to London, Tokyo and Sydney, CNBC reported. The airline did not identify specific flights or aircraft that would receive the revamped cabin in the material reviewed.
When will American finish the 777-300ER retrofit?
American said it expects to retrofit its entire fleet of 20 Boeing 777-300ERs by next year. That timetable is an airline projection, and the launch marks the first aircraft in that program.
The work follows a shift announced in 2022, when American said it would remove international first class from many aircraft and replace it with a larger single premium cabin at the front. CNBC reported that the carrier began operating its suite product last year after supplier delays.
How does the redesign fit American’s wider premium plan?
CNBC described the new suites as a key part of American’s strategy to catch up with Delta and United in the market for higher-spending passengers. The airline is also seeking to build its loyalty program, improve on-time performance and expand its network, the outlet reported.
The 777-300ER program is separate from upgrades planned or underway across other aircraft. American said premium-configured Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A321XLRs, together with retrofits to its 777-300ER and 777-200ER fleets, are expected to increase its international lie-flat-seat capacity by more than 50% by the end of the decade.
American is also retrofitting Airbus A319 and A320 narrow-body aircraft. The airline says those updates include additional premium seating, power at every seat, larger overhead bins and refreshed cabin finishes. Those domestic and short-haul changes are distinct from the newly launched 777-300ER cabin.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.