What happened
American Airlines put its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER back into service Wednesday evening on JFK to Buenos Aires, the first time Flagship Suites appear on an existing jet rather than a new delivery. Enclosed suites had previously been limited to a handful of new 787-9s and A321XLRs. The retrofit drops the 8 Flagship First seats and takes business class from 52 to 70 lie-flats, 10 more than the old 60.
Front and bulkhead rows hold 8 Flagship Suites Preferred, which have bigger beds. Premium economy brings the premium-seat total to 114, the most on any U.S. airline aircraft. It is the first of 20 777-300s slated for the cabin. Later jets are expected on London and Tokyo, then Sao Paulo and Sydney. Flagship Suites are also planned for 777-200ERs and older 787s.
Flagship First ticket sales stop on long-haul 777s effective Nov. 19 and on A321T transcontinental flights on March 28, 2027. It is the last international first-class cabin at a U.S. airline. AAdvantage members can book the extra lie-flat seats with miles or Systemwide Upgrades. Book remaining Flagship First before the 777 and A321T cutoffs, and track Flagship Suites as the 20-jet retrofit continues.
- Numbers
- 70 seats: lie-flat seats after the 777-300ER retrofit
- 10 seats: additional lie-flat seats versus the pre-retrofit cabin
- 114 seats: combined business-class and premium-economy seats on the retrofitted 777
- 60 seats: lie-flat seats before the retrofit
- 8 seats: Flagship First seats removed in the retrofit
- 52 seats: business-class seats before the retrofit
- 20 aircraft: 777-300s slated for the refurbished cabin
- Where
- JFK, Buenos Aires, London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Sydney
- Takeaway
- Book remaining Flagship First on 777 long-hauls before sales stop in November and on A321T transcons before March 28, 2027, and watch for Flagship Suites as more 777s return to service.