Quantcast

American Airlines plans retirement of flagship first class service

Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
FAA Drone Detection Testing
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
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

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025

The 13th Annual Breast Care International Walk for the Cure took place in Kumasi, Ghana, drawing around 30,000 participants, including survivors, healthcare professionals, students, traditional leaders, and advocates.

Oct 22, 2025

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced the closure of Terminal 5 to allow for a significant redevelopment.

Oct 22, 2025