American hopes to edge out rival airlines with a brand new Boeing 787-9 cabin. See how its current and future Dreamliners compare.

Taylor RainsMay 30, 2024, 20:14 IST

American is introducing a more premium-heavy cabin on its future Boeing 787-9s, but the existing Dreamliners will maintain their old product.NurPhoto / Getty

American Airlines is rolling out a new premium-heavy cabin on its future Boeing 787 aircraft.
Upgrades include sliding doors in business class and more privacy in premium economy.

After years of poor customer service strategies and dated cabins, American Airlines has been developing new products and technologies to improve its operations — especially as business travel continues to rebound.

Among its most anticipated upgrades is a brand-new three-class cabin coming to its future Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with improvements like sliding doors in the "Flagship Suite" business class and more privacy and storage in premium economy.

The design will also be retrofitted onto existing Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A321Ts, American's transcontinental jet. The airline will eventually replace the latter with the yet-to-be-certified Airbus A321XLR, which will also come equipped with the Flagship Suites.

However, American will leave its existing 787 cabins — which are less premium-heavy — as is.

This means the 787-9 Dreamliners will differ across the fleet, but a buttoned-up soft product will create consistency across the planes and keep the current cabin competitive with mainline rivals like Delta Air Lines.

American has about 60 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet. Another 3 equipped with the new cabin should be delivered this year.

American has both the 787-8 and 787-9, but the -9 sports the upgraded business class with all forward-facing lie-flat seats. Nicolas Economou/Getty Image

All of American's 787-9s, existing and future, have 3 classes: business, premium economy, and regular coach.

Business class on American's 787.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The biggest differences are at the front of the plane in business class, with the Flagship Suite adding sliding doors and a 'preferred' first row.

American's new Flagship Suite on its 787 Dreamliner.American Airlines

American says the 'distinguished front row experience' builds on the Flagship Suite by adding more space and exclusive amenities.

Flagship Suite Preferred has more space and storage.American Airlines

The doors and exclusive first row are absent from the current 787-9s, but the jets still have the expected amenities like televisions and beds.

American's current 787 design is pretty standard.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Plus, the 1x2x1 seating configuration will remain consistent, meaning every passenger will have direct aisle access.

American's 787-9 business class does not have a dreaded middle seat in either its existing or future planes.American Airlines

While the hard product differs considerably, American is introducing consistency in the soft product.

Ameircan's current 787-9 business class, though the pillow is not the current one flying. The new products that started flying in May are on the current 787s and will be on future ones, too.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Business class will get luxury amenity kits, a dual-sided pillow, new international cuisines, and slippers, among other perks.

Those in the Flagship Suite Preferred seat will get pajamas, in addition to the other exclusive amenities.American Airlines

Behind business class is the premium economy cabin, which American introduced in 2016.

Premium economy on an American 787 Dreamliner.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Significant changes include adding a winged headrest for better privacy and a larger seatback screen.

The new premium economy on American's 787-9.American Airlines

However, the new product will carry over the footrest, power ports, and TV remote.

The premium economy seat on a current American 787-9. The amenities here are not the new ones offered as of Memorial Day weekend.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Similar to business, premium economy travelers will get an enhanced soft product with a new amenity kit, a lumbar pillow, and a throw blanket.

The new premium economy amenities.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Stretching to the back of American's 787 planes is the regular economy cabin. The old Dreamliners will have more coach seats.

Onboard American's Boeing 787-9.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The old economy product also has a handheld remote accompanying the seatback screen. A video of the new seats doesn't show a remote.

The seatback screen in American's current 787-9 economy cabin.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Both economy versions, however, will sport new amenities, including a fleece blanket and a pillow.

The blankets come in three different colors for aesthetics.American Airlines

American customers flying on its 787 can expect the old cabin until the new Dreamliners arrive — including on a new route to Australia.

An American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing in Athens, Greece.NurPhoto/Getty Images

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