Quantcast

American Airlines plans retirement of flagship first class service

American Airlines plans retirement of flagship first class service
Research
Webp lk1q2v4amkahy6gduonct8i4vs1m
Erica Silverstein Managing editor | The Points Guy

American Airlines is preparing to retire its Flagship First class, the last international first-class product offered by a U.S. carrier. This change will see the end of a service that has been available since the early 2010s. The airline's Airbus A321T planes, which previously featured first-class cabins, have already been retrofitted into more standard configurations.

For now, passengers can still experience Flagship First on American's Airbus A321T and Boeing 777-300ER jets. These aircraft also offer Flagship Business class, with notable differences between the two cabins.

American Airlines is transitioning away from first-class cabins in favor of enhanced business class offerings across its fleet. "We are enhancing the customer experience across their entire journey with American," said Julie Rath, Vice President of Customer Experience at American Airlines. The overhaul is driven by customer demand for a more premium experience.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be reconfigured to include 70 Flagship Suite business-class seats and 44 premium economy seats. The timeline for retiring first-class cabins has been delayed beyond the original target of late 2024.

Newly delivered Boeing 787-9s will feature a new business-class cabin, and eventually, three-class 777-300ERs will be updated with these new designs. Despite delays in production, these changes are expected to provide a more private premium experience on long-haul flights.

The transcontinental A321Ts will be replaced by Airbus A321XLRs featuring a new business-class cabin but no true first class. These changes align with American's strategy to enhance its premium offerings without maintaining traditional first-class services.

Currently, travelers can still book Flagship First on select routes including New York to Rome and Los Angeles to Sydney among others. However, the future of this service remains uncertain as American continues its fleet modernization efforts.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Southwest Airlines is commemorating its 54th anniversary with a promotional campaign offering significant discounts on flights.

Jun 8, 2025

Ontario, California, marked a significant milestone by welcoming its second long-haul passenger route from STARLUX Airlines, connecting to Taipei.

Jun 8, 2025

Alaska Airlines is set to enhance its inflight dining experience by expanding its fresh food offerings.

Jun 8, 2025

Spirit Airlines is considering postponing or canceling some of its Airbus orders due to the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and the European Union.

Jun 8, 2025

Delta Air Lines flight 2089 experienced a delay of one hour and 35 minutes on June 1st, as reported by FlightAware.

Jun 8, 2025

As of 2025, the world's only remaining Boeing 747-100 continues to fly under the operation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.

Jun 8, 2025