Since delivering the first Boeing 787 in January 2015, American Airlines has added nearly one Dreamliner per month to its fleet. is plannedAdds eight more to its fleet in 2018-2019BeforeDelivery of a new order for 47 aircraft started.. In total, American Airlines will have 89 Dreamliners (42 on the smaller 787-8 and 47 on the larger 787-9).
While the economy experience is basically the same between the 787-8 and the 787-9, there are some notable differences that make that last digit important for premium cabins. If you've booked or are planning to book a 787-9, which is generally considered better for business class passengers, you might be curious about what to expect. So let's take a look inside one of these American Airlines Boeing 787-9s.
For reference, the aircraft was loaded for a flight to Seoul, South Korea (ICN).
main store
While some passengers I know prefer business class seats on the 787-8, the Zodiac's "Concept D" seats are generally unpopular for cramped and unstable seats, ranking seventh.TPG Ranking of the Best American Airlines Premium Seats. However, the 787-9 has excellent B/E Aerospace Super Diamond seats installed in the business class cabin (which ranked second in the same ranking). And while you'll find the same seats on select 777-200s, I prefer the window seats on the 787-9 thanks to the large, electronically adjustable Dreamliner windows.
Business Class on the 787-9 consists of a large cabin arranged in eight rows of 1-2-1 seats in an inverted herringbone pattern. There are no middle seats in row 8, which means the plane has 30 business class seats.
The runner's side armrest can be adjusted up and down. This sturdy looking armrest can be opened to create storage space. In addition to this storage space, there are two compartments on the other side of the seat. The stock is lockable and designed for storage during taxi, takeoff and landing. Technically, the forward compartment should not be used for storage during critical phases of flight.
As all the seats face forward and the seats are strategically designed, these seats offer a good sense of privacy. However, when walking through the cabin, it's easy to miss these seats.
There are some downsides to this excellent hard product. First, American Airlines refrained from installing the optional privacy screen between the middle seats. This must have been a very expensive option as I see no reason not to allow passengers to do so. Furthermore,my wife katiaI'm not a fan of the tray table's storage position on these seats, as it bumps into it when sleeping on its side.
To learn more about the in-flight experience, read the full review of this cabin on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU).
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Economia Premium
to delivery ofAmerican Airlines' first 787-9 marked the debut of premium economy classon the world's largest airline. As of March 11, the airline has 69 aircraft with the new product, including all 15 787-9s, all 15 Airbus A330-200s, 35 of its 777-200s and now four of its 777-300ERs. Seats on all these planes are pretty much the same.
The 787-9 has 21 seats installed in a 2-3-2 arrangement.
Some passengers prefer bulkhead seats as they have fold-down footrests and plenty of legroom. The downside is that the in-flight entertainment for these seats is in the retractable arms and must be stowed away for taxi, take off and landing.
Seats without dividers have footrests instead of legrests. I think the backrest of all premium economy seats is sufficient for a comfortable sleep.
There is a pocket on the back of the seat for publications such as airline magazines and the security card. There is also a coat/bag hook. Underneath, there is a back mesh pocket. While you can place a tablet on the seatback, I found that none of the storage spaces are large enough to accommodate even a small laptop.
While they certainly offer more space than the economy one, these aren't the most spacious seats. The distance between them is 38 inches and your workspace is visibly reduced when the passenger leans back in front of you.
Premium economy seats come with 11.5-inch in-flight entertainment screens. Although bright and clear from the seat, these shades are designed to disappear when viewed from an angle, providing a little privacy and reducing cabin light pollution.
While these aren't the best premium economy seats you'll find in the sky, the airline is trying to make up for that with a solid, luxurious product. On international flights, each seat is equipped with a simple but elegant amenity kit.Casper brand almofada and Casper brand manta. Casper slippers are also provided on flights to Asia.
Stay tuned for a complete look at American Airlines premium economy class on an international flight. Here it isMy chance to fly this product for the first timewhen it was introduced to domestic routes in October 2016.
additional master cabin
The main cabin extra isAmerican Airlines Designation for Extra Legroom Seats in the Economy Cabin. In addition to bulkhead and exit seats, most economy cabins on internationally configured AA aircraft have a sectional seat with extra legroom. These seats are free on American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum Elite. AA Gold Elite receive a 50% discount off the standard fare until check-in, at which time they can also select these seats for free.
On the 787-9, American Airlines has 36 additional seats in the main cabin: 12 in the bulkhead, 6 in the exit rows and 18 standard seats in a 3-3-3 configuration. Bulkhead seats offer plenty of knee room but limit your ability to stretch your legs. The first economy line (line 12) has cradle supports in the window and center section.
The emergency exit window seats on some aircraft may have restricted legroom due to the protruding slide. With the 787-9, this is not an issue. However, there isn't much of a view from these seats either.
On each bulkhead seat and emergency exit seats, the in-flight entertainment screens are on retractable arms and must be stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing.
The standard main cabin additional seats are installed 35 inches apart, but are identical to the standard economy seats. There are also no additional service items. However, American Airlines plans to do so.add complimentary beer, wine and spirits to these seatsComing soon on all routes.
cabine principal
The AA 787-9 has 200 standard economy seats in the main cabin. These seats are installed 31 inches apart. As is now the de facto standard on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the economy cabin is arranged in a 3-3-3 seat arrangement. (Only oneFew airlines opted for Boeing's recommended 2-4-2 seating). This arrangement requires a fairly narrow 17-inch seat.
Fortunately, there's plenty of room at the top. So you don't have to worry about checking your hand luggage at the gate.
Unlike other planes that American Airlines flies internationally, AA installs bright, content-rich inflight entertainment screens on its 787-9. A universal power plug is also fitted to each seat.
Unlike some aircraft, which are narrower at the rear and therefore have fewer seats installed, the 787-9 has 3-3-3 seats across the space. If you get stuck in the back seat, the good news is that even the last row seats in Economy recline fully.
And when you recline to sleep, these seats have an underrated feature: adjustable headrests. The headrest has adjustable tabs to keep your head in place while you sleep.
Overall impression
American Airlines' 787-9 is one of the best options in the airline's international fleet. Economy seats are a little narrow, but no worse than the width.AA improved 777 of 10 widths. And with electric screens and in-flight entertainment, the 787 is a better option than the 757 and 767 operated internationally by the AA.
The premium economy segment offers a solid improvement over economy class, offering additional legroom, seat width, and lightweight items that can justify the ~$200 premium each way for some passengers.
Up front, this is one of my favorite business class cabins in the fleet. The cabin is large but not huge, and is separated from Premium Economy by a galley, giving it a more upscale feel. Combined with one of the best business class seats in the AA fleet, this plane is worth considering if possible.
This article has been updated to reflect that.American Airlines orders 47 new Dreamliner aircraft.