American Airlines Group Inc. plans to roll out its new “Flagship Suites” seating arrangement to improve the long-haul travel experience for its high-end and business class travelers following the phase-out of its first-class seating.
The Flagship Suites will debut on the new Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR jets set to be delivered in 2024, according to a statement by the Fort Worth-based Airline.
American Airlines will consolidate its Flagship First class and Flagship Business class cabins into the new premium seating arrangement. The Flagship Suites will include chaise lounge seating options, more personal storage space, and privacy doors that section it off from the airline’s standard lay-flat seats.
“The arrival of new long-haul aircraft and the customized seat design of the Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a truly private premium experience on our long-haul fleet,” Julie Rath, American’s vice president of customer experience, said in the statement. “Our Flagship Suites that we’re delivering are aligned with what the customer expects in the premium cabin.”
American Airlines will have 51 Flagship Suite seats on its new 787-9 aircraft and 32 premium economy seats. Airbus A321XLR aircraft will feature 20 Flagship Suite seats and 12 premium economy seats.
The Airline also said it plans to update its premium economy cabins with added seats for its long-haul fleet.
With the introduction of new interiors on its long-haul aircraft, premium seating on American Airlines’ long-haul fleet will grow more than 45% by 2026, according to the company. The new premium economy seats will feature larger entertainment screens and “headrest wings” to give individuals more privacy from their neighbors.
Other overhauls to existing aircraft include a retrofit on the airline’s fleet of 16 Airbus A321T and 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The Airbus A321T aircraft is being reconfigured to align with the rest of its A321 fleet, according to the company.
Retrofits to the airline’s fleet of Boeing 777-300ER will include 70 Flagship Suite seats and 44 premium economy seats. The 777 is the company’s largest aircraft and is currently configured with eight Flagship First pods, 52 Flagship Business lay-flat seats, 28 premium economy recliners, and 216 economy seats.
American Airlines says it has no plans to reconfigure its 777-200 or 787-8 aircraft, which will maintain the existing business class and premium economy layouts.
