American Airlines has unveiled a major overhaul of its largest widebody jet, adding new Flagship Business suites across its fleet of 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, according to Business Insider. The airline said the plane now has the most premium seats of any aircraft in the United States, with 144 upgraded seats in total: 70 Flagship Business suites, 44 premium economy seats and 30 Main Cabin Extra seats with additional legroom.
The Boeing 777-300ER is the third American Airlines aircraft type to receive the updated Flagship Suite, following its debut on new Boeing 787-9 jets in June 2025 and its rollout on the Airbus A321XLR in December 2025. Passengers first experienced the redesigned Flagship interior on a flight from New York's JFK Airport to Buenos Aires on Wednesday, the outlet reported. Compared with the previous version, the cabin adds sliding doors in business class, more storage space, greater personal space and an updated entertainment system.
First class discontinued
Perhaps the most notable change is what the new Boeing 777-300ER no longer has: Flagship First, the last standalone first-class cabin among American carriers. Because of weak demand and passengers' preference for a higher-quality business class, the airline will stop selling the separate cabin from November 19.
American Airlines, like the aviation industry more broadly, continues to bet on premium travel, with passengers willing to pay more for extra comfort. Earlier this year United Airlines introduced a new Elevated interior for its Boeing 787s with 99 business and premium economy seats. Delta has also announced new cabins for its upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, expected in 2027, in which premium seating will take up half the cabin.
Business class is highly profitable for airlines and accounts for a significant share of ticket revenue, which matters as some consumers cut spending and conflict in the Middle East pushes up jet fuel prices. During American Airlines' July earnings report, chief commercial officer Nat Pieper said wealthy customers drive much of that revenue. Nearly 60% of the airline's revenue comes from households earning $150,000 or more a year, he said, adding that this demand is likely to hold even amid economic instability.
A cabin dating back to 2013
The previous Boeing 777-300ER business-class cabin debuted in 2013 with 52 seats and was considered a major step forward at the time. Unlike the unpopular 2x2x2 and 2x3x2 layouts American Airlines used on other widebody Boeings, that configuration let window passengers reach the aisle without climbing over neighbors, and no one was forced to sit in a middle seat. The old cabin also featured better seatback screens, a more private sleeping setup, and a self-serve snack and drinks bar offering beverages, fruit, chips and cookies. That snack bar will remain in the new business class.
The new Flagship Business retains the 1x2x1 seating layout, Business Insider reported. Each window seat is angled toward the window, while two center seats face each other with a privacy divider between them. Every passenger has direct aisle access. The new seats, arranged across 19 rows, are made by Elevate Aircraft Seating, formerly known as Adient Aerospace, and are the same seats used on American's Boeing 787s. The old configuration had 52 seats, 18 fewer than the new cabin's 70.
Sliding doors added
One of the most requested upgrades among premium passengers is the sliding door. The old business class had no doors, relying instead on a large curved partition for privacy. The new doors are fully certified and no longer need to be locked open at all times, as was initially required on the Airbus A321XLR before the Federal Aviation Administration approved their use.
To fit 70 business-class seats into the cabin, American Airlines slightly reduced the pitch between rows. According to SeatMaps, legroom in the previous business class was 43 inches, compared with 42 inches now, a difference of just one inch that the airline considers minor. An American Airlines spokesperson said that when upgrading any aircraft, the carrier uses the available space to offer customers a range of products to choose from.
More storage and bigger screens
Both cabin versions include storage niches and compartments, but the new one has more, including a dedicated drink surface, shelves and a laptop slot. Both old and new seats have USB-A ports and AC outlets, but passengers now also get wireless charging and USB-C. Business-class screens have grown slightly to 17.5 inches with 4K resolution and Bluetooth, a significant upgrade from the previous system, along with a remote control, though the screen itself is not touch-enabled. The seats also feature a "do not disturb" mode, adjustable ambient lighting and a large tray table.
Chaise lounge mode retained
American Airlines has kept its patented chaise lounge mode, also available on the Boeing 787, which lets a passenger sit upright against the suite's structure while stretching their legs out on a fully reclined bed, meant to evoke lounging on a beach chair. A second patented seatbelt is provided for safety in that position.
Flagship Preferred replaces first class
The eight former Flagship First suites, which featured a swivel seat that could convert into a small workspace, are now Flagship Preferred: eight enlarged suites with an ottoman that can seat an additional passenger, letting families dine together or colleagues hold meetings. The niche, created by extra space in the cabin's front rows, is also found on the Boeing 787.
Booking Flagship Preferred on the 777 currently carries no extra charge, though American Airlines may begin charging for it in the future, as some rivals already do. United Airlines, for example, charges from $499 extra for its comparable Polaris Studio. After Flagship First becomes unavailable to book in November, it will also stop being sold on certain transcontinental routes by late March 2027, when American Airlines expands its Airbus A321XLR fleet.
Lounge access and other perks
Flagship passengers get priority check-in, boarding, security screening and baggage handling, along with access to Flagship Lounges where available. Onboard, the airline serves chef-designed meals along with premium wines and spirits. Passengers receive an amenity kit, and bedding includes a reversible cooling pillow, a blanket and a mattress pad. AAdvantage loyalty members also get free high-speed Wi-Fi.
Premium economy and economy upgrades
The Boeing 777-300ER also received a new premium economy cabin, with seat count rising from 28 to 44. The seats offer more space and privacy, improved meals, Bluetooth, a dedicated water bottle holder, wireless charging, USB-C and AC outlets, plus adjustable headrests and calf and foot rests. Premium economy is considered a middle ground in price and comfort between business and standard economy, though the 777's width allows eight seats across, meaning two passengers sit in the middle.
Standard economy and extra-legroom seats were also updated with better cushioning, a modern entertainment system and Bluetooth, while keeping the 10-seats-across layout. Economy now totals 216 seats, 186 in Main Cabin and 30 in Main Cabin Extra, bringing the aircraft's total to 330 seats, up from 304 previously.
American Airlines is also expanding its international network to capture demand for long-haul premium travel, where tickets can cost thousands of dollars. The revamped Boeing 777-300ER will fly international routes to London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Sydney.
