Everything You Need to Know About American Airlines' 777-300ER Retrofit Plans
Since becoming the first US airline to launch the aircraft type in 2012, the Boeing 777-300ER has been American Airlines' flagship aircraft. As the only long-haul aircraft in the fleet still with a first class product, this "77W" aircraft is used on American Airlines' most prestigious routes — including Los Angeles to London; Dallas to Hong Kong and New York to Sao Paulo.
AA is still working through the premium economy retrofit of its 777-200s and A330-200s, but now it's time for the 777-300ER to go under the knife. The first to fly to Everett, WA (PAE) for the makeover is N721AN — which was flown in on December 3.
What’s the new seating arrangement on the 777-300ER?
Like on the 777-200, the 777-300ER is going to be arranged 2-4-2 in premium economy. There's going to be four rows in the middle column and just three rows at the windows.
Thankfully, American Airlines isn't cutting business or first class seats in order to fit in the premium economy section. There will still be eight first class seats and 52 business class seats.
When is the premium economy class of service launching on the 777-300ER?
Over the weekend, American Airlines started selling premium economy on the 777-300ER effective June 26. This was switched Monday to a launch date of July 10.
As aircraft are retrofit over the next few months, you can expect to see these premium economy seats flying around before then. But, until July 10, these seats will be sold as Main Cabin Extra seating without the extra soft product benefits (catering, amenities, priority boarding) that come with the full premium economy product.
Which 777-300ER routes will have premium economy seating?
Without announcement, American Airlines is selling premium economy on the following 777-300ER routes beginning July 10, 2018:
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to São Paulo (GRU)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Hong Kong (HKG)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to London (LHR)
- New York's JFK to São Paulo (GRU)
- New York's JFK to London (LHR)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Hong Kong (HKG)
- Los Angeles (LAX) to London (LHR)
- Miami (MIA) to Buenos Aires (EZE)
- Miami (MIA) to São Paulo (GRU)
- Miami (MIA) to London (LHR)
Will there be any changes to business or first class on the 777-300ER?
From the information we have so far, it doesn't look like it. It seems that American Airlines is just pulling out the Main Cabin Extra mini-cabin and replacing it with premium economy seating. There are no changes loaded to the seat map for first or business class. And, it's unlikely that AA will mess with its best business class product.
It's noteworthy that American Airlines is retaining a first class cabin on the 777-300ER, as this would have been the perfect time for the airline to retire long-haul first class if it was planning to do so.
Can AA premium economy be booked with miles?
Frustratingly, the answer is still no. American Airlines will have 63 aircraft with premium economy by the end of 2017. However, travelers still have no way of booking premium economy with miles or using miles to upgrade. When I asked about this at the AA Media Day in September, Don Casey (AA Senior Vice President of Revenue Management) said that he expects that this will be added "sometime in 2018."
Does this mean that my systemwide upgrade will only upgrade me from economy to premium economy?
So far, no. AA systemwide upgrades will upgrade passengers from either economy or premium economy to business class. Some American Airlines flyers see this as an inevitable devaluation: systemwide upgrades only upgrading from economy to premium economy.
However, I hold out a glimmer of hope. In my discussions with American Airlines, the airline continues to treat premium economy as part of the economy cabin — similar to how Main Cabin Extra is part of the economy cabin. Despite premium economy having a unique class of service booking code, premium economy persists as part of the economy cabin.
I don't understand it either, but there's something in AA's system that's holding back the airline from being able to reclassify premium economy as its own cabin. This is part of what's holding up booking and upgrading to premium economy with miles. Hopefully the airline is able to make the award booking change without devaluing systemwide upgrades.
H/T: View From The Wing
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.