American Airlines Retrofits Its 100th Widebody Aircraft With Premium Economy
While international airlines have offered premium economy service for years, American Airlines was the first US-based airline to introduce a true Premium Economy product in May 2017. Now, the world's largest airline has surpassed 100 internationally configured aircraft with a Premium Economy cabin.
| Aircraft Type | Retrofit (*Delivered) | In process | Left to retrofit |
|---|---|---|---|
A330-200 | 15 | -- | -- |
B787-9* | 20 | -- | -- |
B777-200 | 45 | 2 | -- |
B777-300ER | 20 | -- | -- |
B787-8 | 1 | -- | 19 |
Total | 101 | 2 | 19 |
The final two Boeing 777-200 left to be retrofit (aircraft registrations N759AN and N795AN) entered the shop at the end of November. With these out of service, all 777-200s operating going forward will have the following configuration:
- 37 Business (1-2-1 arrangement)
- 24 Premium Economy (2-4-2)
- 66 Main Cabin Extra (3-4-3)
- 146 Economy (3-4-3)
Coincidentally, the last AA 777 entered the shop on the same day that United finally unveiled the details of its "Premium Plus" premium economy service, which is set to launch at the end of March 2019. Delta launched its "Premium Select" premium economy product on its Airbus A350 in October 2017 and has started to retrofit the product on its Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
Once these retrofits are complete, this will leave just 19 Boeing 787-8 aircraft left to reconfigure. According to an American Airlines spokesperson, these retrofits will "start early next year" with the "plan to have all of the premium economy retrofits completed mid-2019." This is a bit behind the original schedule to complete the premium economy retrofit process by June 2018:
Once the 777-200s and 787-8s are finished, 122 of AA's fleet of 155 widebody aircraft will have a Premium Economy product. The other 33 aircraft won't be retrofit with Premium Economy:
- 9x Airbus A330-300 -- despite AA's plans to keep these widebody aircraft in its fleet through at least the end of 2020
- 24x Boeing 767-300s. The airline plans to retire six of these in 2019 and 13 in 2020.
For more on American Airlines Premium Economy, check out:
- Worth the Extra Money: American Airlines (777-200) in Premium Economy From London to Miami
- Seat Review: American Airlines (777-200) Premium Economy From Dallas to Miami
- Seat Review: American Airlines (787-9) Premium Economy From Dallas to Los Angeles
- American Airlines' 777-300ER Aircraft Nearly Complete With Premium Economy Refit
- Five Things We've Learned About AA's Premium Economy
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees