As a frequent visitor and longtime Aadvantage elite member, I have been following the American Airlines Advanced Dream Program since its leak in 2022. Even so, when TPG’s Zach Griff and I boarded the New American Airlines last Thursday on Thursday on New American Airlines 787-9p, I’m going to play one thing on a media preview at Dallas Fort Worth near Dallas Fort Worth, and it’s one thing for me, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing, one thing,
You may have read about the new flagship suite cabin on this new Premium Dreamliner (if not, read Zach’s first browsing of American’s new 787-9p aircraft and back to this story). But while the commercially top-notch suites are really beautiful and have a serious upgrade to what the U.S. currently offers on its long-haul planes, I found surprising elements in each cabin. This is what surprised me the most.
Flagship suite lounge chair options
One aspect you may miss about flagship suites – especially if you don’t read seat materials or learn on products before flying – is the option of reclining chairs, which gives you another way to sit upright in your seat. Unlike the course-free business-grade seats for Finns that most travelers like or hate, once you place your seat in the seat, you can use the Chaise Lounge option on the US 787-9p flagship kit.
Once the seat is completely flat, you may find out where your head will be if you lie down. You can use this seat belt in Chaise Lounge mode, which includes a housing that sits on a headrest with a seat back. Alternatively, flip the headrest toward the shell and use it as a waist support.
I tried two recliner options in the flagship suite, but it wasn’t particularly comfortable. So while I hope most travelers won’t realize that recliners are an option, I also believe that even those who know it won’t use it for a long time. That being said, in my book, more choices and options to stay comfortable are positive, so I applaud Americans for trying different things.
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Advanced Economical Seat Design
I’m particularly interested in seeing Premium Economy Class on the new 787-9p in the US, as this is actually the mileage I’d probably fly the most on this type of aircraft. Many senior economic seats have leg rests or footstools, but not both. So I was surprised to see this plane, including in bulkhead seats. Footstools are customizable so you can set them up based on your height and the desired knee bend.
These premium economy seats feature a standard 38-inch pitch that increases to 43.25 inches when tilted. Of course, another of this substantial inclination is that when you tilt the passengers in front, your space will be greatly reduced. The reduction in space makes it difficult to stand out from the window seat. I certainly can’t get out if I don’t ask the aisle seat passenger to get up. So while I don’t usually like bulkhead seats, you might find my place because then I don’t have to worry about the passengers lying in front of me.
I was also surprised by the storage choices for each premium economic seat. There is even a wireless phone charging pad in a clear compartment before every premium economy seat. Additionally, the elongated slots on the sides of each seat should be installed with a laptop or tablet (if they are thin).
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Related: Your Final Guide to Aadvantage in American Airlines
Severely lack of additional seats in the main cabin
But perhaps what surprised me the most when visiting American Airlines 787-9p was the extreme lack of extra seats in the main cabin.
As a member of the Aadvantage Platinum Pro Elite, I can choose the main cabin extra seat when booking a economy ticket. However, since there are only 18 extra seats in the main cabin, I hope these seats will fill up quickly. Plus, the extra seats for all the main cabins are bulkhead seats, which I don’t like because it means the tray table and in-flight entertainment screen are on the armrests.
To place these 18 main cabin extra seats on perspective, here are how many seats you can find on other American airline widebody aircraft:
- 777-200: 66 additional seats in the main compartment, including 18 bulkhead seats
- 777-300 (level three): 24 main cabin additional seats including 18 bulkhead seats
- 777-300 (level 4): 28 main cabin additional seats including 16 bulkhead seats
- 787-8: 48 main cabin additional seats including 18 bulkhead seats
- 787-9: 36 main cabin additional seats including 18 bulkhead seats
Especially considering the number of extra seats in the main cabin on other widebody aircraft in the U.S., I find this surprising – as a member with Aadvantage Elite status, American Airlines has not decided to put at least one row or two extra seats in the main cabin on its premium 787-9.
Related: American Aadvantage Miles and Loyalty Points: What’s the Difference?
Minicabin Economic Seats are a hybrid bag
Between the premium economy seat and the large economy seat, there is a small two-to-three row economic zone with 9 additional seats in the main cabin (indicated by brown headrests) and 12 economic seats. The bulkheads but no curtains separate the 21 seats from the premium economy.
What I found this microbenz particularly interesting is that it contains the best and worst economic seats you can choose from. For example, line 21 is more than an inch more than all the other non-clutty seats in economy class in D, E and H. These three seats have a pitch of 32 1/2 inches, while each other economy seat has 31 inches. So if other passengers have chosen all the main cabin extra windows and aisle seats, then 21d or 21h will be the economic seat I chose.
On the other hand, the seats A, B, C, L, H and K in row 22 are one inch narrower than all other economic seats. This drop in width is likely due to the need for the U.S. to expand the aisle before the four toilets separate from the primary economy class. Unless you are less than average, I highly recommend avoiding these seats as the width drop is noticeable.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Economy-grade Flyer
Bottom line
The new American Airlines 787-9p looks great, including the first business-grade seat in the U.S. with door-to-door business. But while many travelers want to fly in business class, most of us will fly in the advanced economy or economy. After all, especially if you are redeeming U.S. mileage to fly, prices are usually reasonable in the economy and premium economy, but high in Business Class.
When there is room, you can redeem US mileage for business class upgrades. This may be how I will eventually fly with the new flagship kit product. Before that, I will choose one of the bulkhead premium economy seats, limited main cabin extra windows or aisle seats, or one of the few standard economy seats with more pitch.
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