It’s been just over six months since American Airlines presented its best business class product to date with the launch of its new Flagship Suites, an attractive seat that the airline hopes will make it more competitive against its two main rivals.
For the first time, this sleek new product will become a fixture at the airline’s most premium hub.
Next week, American will unveil its new Airbus A321XLR at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with nonstop transcontinental service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The plane features 20 of American’s new business class suites, which feature sliding privacy doors and updated onboard technology, not to mention a cabin that looks much fresher than most of the planes the Fort Worth-based airline flies today.
For New York travelers, and those traveling through American’s JFK Terminal 8 hub, there’s more where all this came from.
The Early Days of Flagship Suites: Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas
American debuted its new Flagship Suites and next-generation cabin in June, when it christened its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the most premium heavyweight to date.
The accompanying flagship was the favorite trade-in of TPG staff this summer, especially those who managed to get a Member Redemption with Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Points.
Review: Is American Airlines’ new business class Flagship Suite Preferred worth buying?
In the months since, American has primarily used its Boeing 787-9P Dreamliner on long-haul flights from its hubs at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and, most recently, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
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It has served London from all three airports and will fly some of the airline’s routes from Dallas to Australia and New Zealand this winter.
JFK next in line
So far, however, JFK has (mostly) been left out as the airline has rolled out its product suite. That’s about to change in a big way.
Related: American Airlines Teases ‘Constant Stream’ of ‘Exciting’ Lounge News
The Airbus A321XLR ready to take off
To start, there is the arrival of the aforementioned A321XLR. The aircraft, which also features a true premium economy cabin, is scheduled to take over major transcontinental routes currently served by American’s Airbus A321T, which the carrier is phasing out (See you later, Flagship First on flights to the West Coast.)
The first XLR flight between JFK and LAX It is scheduled for December 18and the operator has dozens of additional XLRs on order in the coming years.
But New York travelers will see many more suites much sooner.
The Boeing 787-9P will also arrive at JFK airport
Speaking last week at an industry conference, American’s top network planner said the airline will likely bring its all-suite 787-9P Dreamliner to JFK on a more regular basis this spring, once its seasonal South Pacific routes end.
It would likely see the plane take a flight to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), said Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network planning, while speaking at the Dec. 3 Skift Aviation Forum.
“DFW will see a journey taken,” Znotins said. “And then we’ll probably take a trip from JFK, too.”
To date, American has taken delivery of a total of 10 of its premium Dreamliners. 11 are expected before the end of the year, a spokesperson confirmed.
Boeing 777-300ER modernizations planned
American also plans to soon add the product (and updated cabin appearance) as part of a complete refresh of its Boeing 777-300ERs, the airline’s largest aircraft and a staple on its busiest international routes from JFK.
Beyond that, American plans to make its new flagship much more ubiquitous across its international fleet.
The airline confirmed in October that will also update its smaller 777-200ER — the twin-aisle airplane flies more than any other.
Side note
We should note that the 787-9P is in the midst of a brief December cameo of sorts at JFK, where it flies a daily route to LHR for a couple of weeks before the holidays.
So if you fly JFK-LHR in the next few weeks, you might be in for a surprise.
You can spot the plane by checking the airline’s website and looking for the code “78P” which indicates the new plane.
In a nutshell
American’s upgrade of its long-haul fleet comes as the airline is trying to close a revenue gap with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, which have seen stronger financial results in recent years due, in part, to their broader range of high-end seats that travelers have been increasingly willing to pay for.
“I think if we had more [premium] “We would be more profitable today,” said American Chief Financial Officer Devon May. said last week.
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