American Airlines to Retrofit 787-8s With Flagship Suites, Expanding 20-Seat Business Cabins
Updated
Updated · View from the Wing · Jul 19
American Airlines to Retrofit 787-8s With Flagship Suites, Expanding 20-Seat Business Cabins
3 articles · Updated · View from the Wing · Jul 19
Summary
American Airlines will retrofit its Boeing 787-8 fleet with Flagship Suites, ending uncertainty over the jets and replacing an older premium layout built around just 20 business-class seats.
The move targets widebody inconsistency and weak premium economics: 787-8s carry two legacy seat types, lag newer 787-9s, and lack enough high-yield seats for routes such as London Heathrow.
American is already standardizing other long-haul aircraft, retrofitting 777-300ERs and 777-200ERs with the same suite product that debuted on new 787-9Ps last year, while dropping first class on 777-300ERs.
The 787-8 overhaul fits CEO Robert Isom's broader push to close a more than $3 billion profit gap with Delta and United by leaning harder into premium cabins and higher-spending travelers.