American Airlines has launched its new premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring the debut of its business class Flagship Suite alongside upgraded premium economy and economy cabins.

The US carrier announced its?long-haul premium refurbishment plans in September 2022, with an original launch date in 2024, which was later pushed back due to aircraft delivery delays.

American is initially flying the new aircraft on its Chicago O¡¯Hare-London Heathrow route and will then launch it on its Philadelphia-Heathrow route on 6 August followed by its Philadelphia-Zurich service on 3 September. For the winter season, the aircraft will operate on flights from Dallas Fort Worth to Brisbane in Australia, starting on 26 October.

The Flagship Suite cabin features 51 lie-flat suites at the front of the aircraft, which include privacy doors, expanded personal storage space, wireless charging pad, reading light, mirror and a chaise longue seating option.

The cabin also includes eight Flagship Suite Preferred seats, with up to 19 per cent more bed space and 42 per cent more living area.

Flagship Suite passengers receive priority check-in, security, boarding and baggage handling, and access to American's Flagship lounge when travelling on international long-haul flights.

The Dreamliner¡¯s 32 premium economy seats feature privacy headrest wings, adjustable calf and footrests, wireless charging pad and water bottle storage. There are 161 seats in economy, including 18 Main Cabin Extra seats ¨C all seats include power outlets and 4K QLED monitors.

American said that all seats on the aircraft provide Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C and AC power.

The carrier currently has received two of these premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft. It has 30 more aircraft on order, with eight expected to be delivered in 2025.

American Airlines has also just launched several new routes to Europe as part of its summer schedule: Miami-Rome Fiumicino, Dallas Fort Worth-Venice and Charlotte-Athens. Other new routes which started earlier this summer include Chicago O¡¯Hare-Naples, Philadelphia-Edinburgh and Philadelphia-Milan.

The carrier previously launched a service from Chicago O¡¯Hare to Madrid in March 2025.