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American just unveiled new business class seats for its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787 aircraft: Meet the stunning Flagship Suitehttps://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/american-just-unveiled-new-business-class-seats-for-its-future-airbus-a321xlr-and-boeing-787-aircraft-meet-the-stunning-flagship-suite/slidelist/94360624.cms2022-09-22T02:37:58+05:30

American just unveiled new business class seats for its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787 aircraft: Meet the stunning Flagship Suite

Taylor RainsSep 22, 2022, 02:37 IST

American Airlines is the latest carrier to introduce an all-new business class product.

On Wednesday, the carrier unveiled its Flagship Suite — a premium cabin coming to its future Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The modern jets, which will also be fitted with a reimagined interior, will be delivered to American in 2024 to power its growing international network.

"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," American's VP of customer experience, Julie Rath, said in a statement.

The carrier will also introduce an improved premium economy cabin in a move it said was a response to strong customer demand. American was the first US airline to introduce long-haul premium seats in 2016, it says.

The news comes as American continues to expand its overseas routes thanks to its strategic alliances with JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines, allowing domestic customers to feed into American's international routes from the northwest and northeast.

Fortunately for American, Boeing has recently restarted deliveries of its 787 airliner after months of quality-control issues relating to gaps in the fuselage.

Deliveries of the 787 were officially paused by the Federal Aviation Administration in March 2021 due to the problems. The strict response came after two back-to-back fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019.

American was vocal about the negative impact the delayed Boeing 787 deliveries had on its operation.

American's VP of network planning, Brian Znontins, told Insider in December that he was "disappointed" in Boeing, and that without the planes, the carrier was unable to operate its full summer 2022 schedule.

But the FAA gave Boeing the green light to continue 787 Dreamliner deliveries in August, with American being the first customer to receive a 787 in 15 months.

To complement its Dreamliners, American is also introducing the A321XLR aircraft that will be an international workhorse on "niche," long-haul routes, according to the airline. Currently, the carrier has 50 on order.

"The A321XLR will open up markets that we wouldn't be able to serve otherwise – new cities and niche destinations that will really work well with our network," American head of international network planning, Henning Greiser, told Routes Online in February.

"Through our hubs, we'll be able to create many one-stop connections that don't exist today," he said.

With deliveries back on track, American customers will soon enjoy the carrier's upgraded premium cabins. Here's what they'll look like...

American's new Boeing 787s and its A321XLRs will be premium-heavy. Specifically, the Dreamliners will feature 51 Flagship Suites in a 1x2x1 configuration, which is 21 more than its current 787 fleet...

…and 32 premium economy seats in a 2x3x2 layout, which is 11 more than its current Dreamliners.

Meanwhile, the A321XLRs will have 20 suites in a 1x1 configuration...

...and 12 premium economy seats in a 2x2 layout.

American's Boeing 777-300ER jets also will be retrofitted with the new interior layouts, including 70 Flagship Suites and 44 premium economy seats.

The carrier hopes the new Flagship Suite will be the height of luxury for customers, with upgraded amenities, including a large seat-back screen…

…power ports, a reading light, and a touchscreen remote…

…a lie-flat bed that can convert into a chaise lounge position…

…a sliding door between the two middle seats…

…increased storage and personal space, and a privacy door to cocoon the suite and create a "retreat in the sky"…

…plenty of tabletop space…

…and the option to share the suite with other passengers to dine, lounge, or talk, according to the carrier.

American's new premium economy cabin will offer more privacy and space to customers. Specifically, the large recliner will feature headrest wings, double the storage space, and larger in-flight entertainment screens.

The loungers will still come with the regular bells and whistles of premium economy, including power ports, tabletop space, an adjustable headrest, and a footrest.

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