Finally: American receives first Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will sport new Flagship Business suites
American Airlines is one step closer to debuting its nicest business-class seats yet.
This week, the Fort Worth-based carrier took delivery of two brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that will boast its new Flagship Suite Preferred seats — an all-new premium concept that’s been years in the making.
With sliding privacy doors, a chaise lounge option and an overall reimagined take on business class, American’s new Dreamliners will usher in a new era of sorts for the carrier’s premium offerings — and should prove to be one of the most enticing options yet for travelers hoping to redeem AAdvantage miles on American-operated flights.
American’s two new 787s touched down over the course of roughly three hours Tuesday evening at the carrier’s Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base — one from Charleston, South Carolina, and another from Paine Field outside Seattle.
They’ll enter service soon, though American isn’t offering an exact date just yet.
A highly anticipated debut
These Dreamliners have been much anticipated, ever since American first unveiled the business-class suites — and an overall cabin refresh to boot — in renderings shared nearly three years ago.
Delays at Boeing in recent years pushed back the delivery of these new jets and, in the process, the debut of the new premium concept. But now, customers should see them in service very soon.
American's new 787-9Ps
On top of an all-new type of business-class seat, American’s new 787-9s will offer more of the seats — these aircraft, with a new premium-heavy configuration, are known around the airline’s headquarters as the 787-9Ps.
For comparison, the 787-9s American is currently flying offer 30 business-class pods and 21 premium economy recliners.
The new jets will sport 51 business-class suites, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and with universal direct aisle access.
These jets will also have 32 all-new premium economy recliners.
American’s premium economy recliners — along with all the seats on its new planes — will sport all-new custom designs, along with branding and a new aesthetic you'll see throughout the cabin.
“These deliveries, along with the planned refresh of existing seats, are expected to grow American’s lie-flat and premium economy seating by approximately 50% by the end of the decade,” CEO Robert Isom told analysts last week on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.
Exactly where will they fly?
American hasn’t announced the first set of routes for its first 787-9Ps. But the carrier’s top network planner, Brian Znotins, told me last fall that American’s flights from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) seemed a likely bet.
Flagship Business coming to other planes, too
These Dreamliners (and future 787-9 deliveries) aren’t the only jets that will see the new business-class concept.
American is planning to retrofit its Boeing 777-300ERs with the new seats, too — a change that will spell the end for its Flagship First cabin.
Also getting the Flagship Business suites: its long-haul-capable Airbus A321XLRs, which will also boast a true premium economy cabin. Those jets will debut on premium transcontinental routes, replacing jets currently flying with American’s four-cabin A321T configuration.
Eventually, the XLRs should also appear on transatlantic (and other international) routes. However, Isom suggested last week that the XLRs may not enter service until late 2025.
Related reading:
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- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
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- American Airlines basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
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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
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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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- $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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked 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
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.