American Airlines swaps in Boeing 777 (with premium economy) on prime New York-LA route
American Airlines is bringing its wide-body Boeing 777 back to transcontinental flights out of New York.
This fall, the carrier will launch 777-200ER service on one of its most premium routes, between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the airline told TPG Friday.
Among other things, that means you'll be able to book its premium economy cabin on these domestic, cross-country flights.
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Tickets will go on sale July 28, with the JFK-LAX 777 service set to launch Oct. 5.
The 777 returns to JFK for domestic service
For American, it's a bit of an unusual move. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has a very limited schedule of wide-body jets on domestic routes, typically reserving its larger planes for long-haul international (and Hawaii) service.
It currently does not have regularly scheduled transcontinental service on twin-aisle planes out of JFK. That will change in October with the arrival of its three-cabin 777 on the route.
What's behind the shift?
It's a little complicated, but the short answer is that it'll temporarily replace the popular four-cabin Airbus A321T.
Replacing the A321T (for now)
As TPG has reported for years, American is making some big changes to its premium transcontinental service.
The A321T has typically been its go-to plane for those prime cross-country flights, with its premium-heavy configuration featuring Flagship First and its lie-flat business-class pods.
American is phasing out the A321T, though — converting those planes into standard A321 layouts — to make way for its brand-new Airbus A321XLRs, which will feature the carrier's all-new Flagship Suites with sliding privacy doors.
But, there's a dilemma: Airbus is running behind on XLR deliveries, and American hasn't received any of those planes just yet.
However, some of the A321Ts are also due for heavy maintenance and reconfiguration. So, the airline plans to proceed with phasing out the "T" configuration — with or without the XLR — and the 777 will help fill the void on a domestic route that draws significant interest in premium seats.
Read more: American mulls new international routes, more lie-flat domestic seats with new 'XLR' jet
The 777-200 experience
For now, customers will see American's 273-seat 777-200s on some of these transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX. One of the airline's international workhorses, the plane features 37 lie-flat business-class pods up front, with 24 premium economy recliners in the middle of the plane.
Read more: American Airlines premium economy across the Atlantic
The premium economy cabin, in particular, will add a travel option travelers don't currently have on the JFK-LAX route: American's more spacious seats, which come with amenity kits and an elevated dining experience compared to coach.
We should note: Premium economy will also be available on the new XLRs, the first of which the airline does expect to receive by the end of this year.
Related: Love premium economy? You're not alone. United wants more comfy recliner seats for its planes
Bottom line
All things considered, the 777-200 certainly is not the airline's newest jet (and what to do about its cabins is something American is currently pondering).
But it should make for a comfortable ride between the East Coast and the West Coast, nonetheless — and a unique one for an airline that doesn't often fly these big jets on domestic routes.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- American Airlines basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
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