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American Airlines deploys high-premium Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on select international routes

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American Airlines deploys high-premium Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on select international routes
Policy

American Airlines has introduced a new high-premium configuration for its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. The airline currently operates 134 widebody aircraft, with half being Boeing 787s in both -8 and -9 variants. Of the 30 Boeing 787-9s in service, eight are configured with just 244 seats, compared to the standard 285-seat layout.

These eight aircraft, referred to as "787-9P" models—the "P" denoting "premium"—were delivered between April and August 2025. American Airlines plans to add more of these low-capacity jets through 2029. The new cabins feature updated technology and a higher proportion of premium seating than previous configurations. According to American Airlines, this move is intended as a response to United Airlines' use of its own premium-heavy aircraft on certain routes.

The seating arrangement for the new configuration includes 51 Flagship Business suites based on the Adient Ascent platform, each equipped with privacy doors and arranged in a reverse herringbone layout. This is an increase of 30 business-class seats over the original design. There are also 32 premium economy seats and only 143 main cabin seats, making it one of the most premium-focused layouts in American's fleet outside of its Boeing 777-300ER.

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In terms of proportions, about 21% of all seats on these planes are dedicated to Flagship Business class. When including other premium products like Flagship First (where available), this matches the highest share of premium seating among American’s long-haul fleet types.

For international operations from November through February, schedule data shows that these aircraft will serve eight international routes from four hubs. Dallas/Fort Worth will be the primary base for departures, accounting for more than half of flights using this model. Destinations include Brisbane (starting October 25), London Heathrow (with two daily flights during part of the winter season), Buenos Aires (until January), Paris Charles de Gaulle (late December through early January), and Auckland starting in January.

Other U.S. hubs such as Chicago O'Hare, Philadelphia, and New York JFK will also see service with these jets on select flights primarily to London Heathrow—a route known for high demand among premium travelers.

Domestically, usage will be limited but focused on hub-to-hub connections between Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O'Hare at the end of November into early December; Philadelphia-Dallas in early November; and JFK-Dallas mid-December.

American Airlines’ decision reflects an industry trend toward offering more premium seating on key long-haul routes where demand supports higher fares from business travelers and other passengers seeking upgraded experiences.

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