American Airlines brings 787-9P to more international destinations

Passengers rejoice. American Airlines is bringing its new premium-heavy Boeing 787-9 twinjets — with 51 new Flagship Suite lie-flat seats in business class and a 32-seat Premium Economy section — to new long-haul routes. The aircraft type is internally designated by American as 787-9P with the P standing for “Premium”.

After an initial domestic preview flight last month, the 244-seat 787-9P made its international debut on service from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR) and was slated to ply the route throughout the summer. Now American says the 787-9P will be available “on all future” ORD-LHR flights through this winter and beyond.

Additionally, daily service from the carrier’s Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) hub to Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE); Auckland, New Zealand (AKL); and Brisbane, Australia (BNE) will be upgraded to the 787-9P this winter, starting on 25 October with the US major’s seasonal service to Brisbane.

DFW-BNE and DFW-AKL are two of American’s longest routes so it’s fitting to employ the 787-9P on these long-distance flights. Each Flagship Suite in business class boasts direct aisle access, doored privacy and a unique chaise lounge feature that lets passengers sit against the seat shell in different positions. Eight of these suites are front-row, biz-plus products that offer extra space. And Premium Economy aboard the 787-9P ups the ante for this travel class.

Overhead view of a Flagship Suite seat on the 787-9P. The door to this window suite is closed.

Flagship Suite business class is configured 1-2-1. Image: Chris Sloan

American this winter will also press the 787-9P into service on flights from both DFW and Philadelphia (PHL) to LHR. Through the December holiday season, “all flights between PHL and LHR” will see the enhancement, assures the oneworld alliance member.

Customers can verify their route will operate with the newly designed Boeing 787-9 aircraft by looking for the “78P” designator on American Airlines’ web site when purchasing their flight.

“In addition to giving customers more premium seat offerings in key markets, we are also expanding this product to some of our longest routes, giving travelers an elevated experience when traveling to exciting destinations,” says American senior vice president of network and schedule planning Brian Znotins in a statement.

Over the next two years, 30 787-9P Dreamliners will roll out of the factory. American also plans to retrofit its Boeing 777-300ERs, and new Airbus A321XLR twinjets will arrive with a version of the new interior.