Right here’s an thrilling replace, because it appears to be like like American’s new enterprise class product could also be simply weeks from debuting. I wrote about this a while again, however we now have a greater sense of the timeline, together with which routes are anticipated to be first.
American’s delayed Boeing 787s could also be flying quickly
Whereas American already has a fleet of 59 Boeing 787s, the airline hasn’t taken supply of a brand new huge physique plane in almost two years, since Could 2023. The airline has a further 30 787-9s on order — what’s thrilling about these upcoming plane is that they’re speculated to be ultra-premium, that includes simply 244 seats.
In early 2024, the plan was for American to take supply of the primary of those new plane in the summertime of 2024, and for them to enter service as of October 2024 (and that already represented a delayed timeline). Sadly that didn’t really materialize, as a result of Boeing’s points.
In April 2024, American revealed that these planes have been delayed indefinitely, and there was no timeline for once they would enter service. Whereas we’ll see how this evolves, it appears like there is likely to be a optimistic replace. @xJonNYC stories that American is predicted to get its first two new Dreamliners in April 2025, and they need to enter service not too lengthy after being delivered.
One hears AA is starting to take a look at extending the lifespan of the 777-200 fleet. No thought what the brink is however I would think about they’re wanting on the oldest plane moving into for heavy verify to get an estimate for evaluation
Additionally, 11 787s anticipated this 12 months, beginning with two in April
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) March 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Whereas that is in fact topic to vary, it’s urged that the primary route will likely be between Chicago (ORD) and Los Angeles (LAX), as of someplace round June 6, 2025. For what it’s price, the 787-9 is scheduled on the route as of June 5. Then after an preliminary interval of crew familiarization and understanding any kinks, the airplane is predicted to fly from Chicago to London (LHR) as of some date not too lengthy after that.
Pondering ORD-LAX adopted by ORD-LHR at first.
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM
One notices that one of many ORD-LAX flights switches to 789 round June 6 or so, BUT, this isn’t new/uncommon for this path to get a 789 and at this juncture no cause in any way to imagine that that’s the date that this route will get 789P vs simply that frequency going 789.
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) March 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
A minimum of that’s the very best guess that we now have as of now. Let me emphasize that as of now all of those routes nonetheless present the previous 787-9 seat map, so clearly this hasn’t been finalized, or no less than hasn’t been introduced to the general public. That being mentioned, @xJonNYC tends to know what he’s speaking about, and what present considering is at airways.
American is in fact removed from being the one service impacted by Boeing’s ongoing supply delays. Arguably there are even larger implications for Saudi Arabian airline startup Riyadh Air, which has needed to delay its launch as a result of 787 supply delays.
American Flagship Enterprise Suites will lastly roll out
American taking supply of 787s will in fact enable the airline to broaden capability in lengthy haul markets, which is an effective factor, particularly for the reason that deliveries will occur forward of summer season. Nevertheless, arguably what’s rather more thrilling is that these planes will supply improved cabins, and a much less dense format.
For instance, whereas American’s current 787-9s have 30 enterprise class seats, these jets could have 51 enterprise class seats. Not solely that, however these planes will characteristic the service’s all-new passenger expertise, together with the brand new Flagship Enterprise Suites, in addition to the entrance row Flagship Suite Most well-liked product. These seats will likely be primarily based on the Adient Ascent platform, the identical you’ll discover on the 787-9s operated by Qatar Airways and Hawaiian Airways.
American’s 777-300ERs will even be reconfigured with these new cabins, and at that time, worldwide top notch will likely be eradicated. Whereas these planes have been initially speculated to be reconfigured as of early 2025, that challenge has now been delayed till late 2025.
So with the present timeline, it appears like the brand new passenger expertise will first debut on newly delivered 787-9s, after which on reconfigured 777-300ERs.
Backside line
American Airways’ new premium Boeing 787s have been experiencing supply delays, with the timeline for these planes being in limbo. Whereas we’ll see if this sticks, it seems that two 787s may very well be delivered in April 2025, and enter service not lengthy after that. The present considering is that they’ll initially fly out of Chicago (ORD), with home familiarization flights to Los Angeles (LAX), adopted by lengthy haul flights to London (LHR).
I’m hoping this timeline is practical, since it might be nice to lastly see the debut of American’s new Flagship Enterprise Suites. These cabins will even finally be put in on 777-300ERs, although solely as of later this 12 months, greatest case state of affairs.
What do you make of American doubtlessly taking supply of latest 787s quickly?
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