American Airlines Debuts Its Retrofitted 777-300ER with Flagship Suites
We joined a special preview flight to experience the product.
Photo: Courtesy of American Airlines
As part of a recent slate of customer enhancements, American Airlines has launched its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, a premium-cabin–focused aircraft planned to serve the airline’s long-haul routes to destinations such as London, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and Sydney. The new design removes the airline’s American Flagship First, a true first-class product, in favor of a major expansion of business class.
“The Boeing 777-300ER interior has been completely overhauled from tip to tail, and it now features American’s premium Flagship experience,” Nat Pieper, American’s chief commercial officer, said in a media briefing before a special preview flight. “The plane features more business and premium economy seats than any other U.S. carrier offers today.”
The aircraft now carries 70 Flagship Suites—including eight Flagship Preferred Suites in the bulkhead rows with extra space and additional premium amenities—and 44 Premium Economy Seats. (By comparison, American’s Boeing 777-200 aircraft has just 37 Flagship Business seats and 24 Premium Economy seats.)
American’s Flagship Suite product was first unveiled last year on Boeing 787-9P and the Airbus A321XLR, and it will roll out across the airline’s 20 777-300ERs through 2027. The design features handsome brown leather headrests and heather gray upholstery, with pale wood-veneer accents throughout. Seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, with middle seats featuring a privacy partition that can be fully retracted for passengers flying together.
In-seat storage is well thought out, from a trinket tray in the side table to a pop-up armrest with a cubby-style space underneath, best used when the seat is in the lie-flat position. My favorite storage detail is a simple yet practical one: a drink tray that flips down from the side wall. I’m always looking for extra surface space on flights to keep things organized, and this tray gets the job done right.
Technology-wise, the Flagship Suite seats include Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones, Bluetooth connectivity to the in-flight entertainment system, a wireless charging pad, both USB-A and USB-C ports, and a universal AC outlet. I found the tech layout intuitive and easy to access—I didn’t have to contort my body to plug in all my cords. Free satellite-based WiFi is available to all AAdvantage members, and on our flight, it worked immediately upon boarding and remained connected throughout the flight.
Further amenities range from a Nest mattress pad, duvet, and Cool Touch pillow, with Nest pajamas available on ultra-long-haul flights. Amenity kits currently come in three styles honoring American’s 100th anniversary this year, pulled from the carrier’s different design eras. They’re filled with Joanna Vargas toiletries, including under-eye patches, which are a nice touch.
I was also impressed by the extra space in the lavatories. Don’t expect too much, but I felt that there was plenty of room to change into pajamas without bumping into a wet surface.
While some frequent flyers will lament the loss of Flagship First—American was the only U.S. airline with a true first-class product on long-haul flights—the new Flagship Suite offers an elevated experience with ample space, privacy, and updated interfaces throughout.
Service on American Airlines’ retrofitted 777-300ER began on Sept. 2 with a flight from JFK to Buenos Aires.
