Dallas-based American Airlines is ditching first-class seats on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and significantly expanding premium seating as part of a fleet-wide retrofit project. The first rebuilt aircraft will begin commercial service Wednesday on a route from New York to Buenos Aires.
The modified 777-300ER aircraft will feature 144 premium seats, including 70 Flagship Suite business-class seats with privacy doors, 44 Premium Economy seats and 30 Main Cabin Extra seats. The retrofit represents a major shift in American’s long-haul product strategy.
Currently, the 777-300ER aircraft have 52 business-class seats and eight Flagship First seats, American’s top-tier international first-class cabin. American is halting Flagship First as part of the remodeling, with the product no longer sold on 777-300ER flights for travel starting November 19.
The retrofitted aircraft will also offer upgraded in-flight entertainment systems, and members of American’s AAdvantage loyalty program will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi. The reconfigured planes will increase total capacity to 330 passengers from 304.
American’s 777-300ERs serve long-haul markets including London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Sydney. The airline anticipates completing upgrades on all 20 of its 777-300ERs by 2027.
The move reflects a broader industry trend as carriers respond to growing demand for premium leisure and business travel. Competitors including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have also been expanding premium cabin offerings on wide-body aircraft.
American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, operates its largest hub at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The retrofit program represents a significant capital investment in the carrier’s international product as it competes for high-yield passengers on premium long-haul routes.
The decision to eliminate first class entirely from the 777-300ER fleet signals American’s confidence that business-class suites with privacy doors can meet the needs of its most premium customers while generating higher revenue per flight through increased seat density.
