American Airlines Launches Retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER With 144 Premium Seats

According to CNBC, American Airlines launched its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER on Wednesday as it expands its push into premium travel on its largest planes. The wide-body aircraft, used on long-haul international routes including London, Tokyo and Sydney, now has 144 premium seats, including 70 lie-flat seats with sliding doors in its Flagship Suite section at the front of the plane. American said in 2022 that it planned to eliminate international first class on many aircraft in favor of a larger premium cabin, and it began flying the suites last year after supplier delays. The lie-flat seats can bring in close to $10,000 on some long-haul international routes, compared with $2,000 or less for a seat in the back. The plane also includes 44 Premium Economy seats, 30 Main Cabin Extra seats and 186 regular Main Cabin seats. American said its entire fleet of 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be retrofitted by next year, and it plans a similar but smaller layout on its Airbus A321XLRs.