American Airlines 787 premium review

Navigating the skies in comfort can transform a long journey from a chore into a pleasure. For many travelers, American Airlines' Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers a compelling blend of modern design and enhanced amenities in its premium cabins. But with different configurations and service levels, how do you know which premium experience is right for you?

This comprehensive American Airlines 787 premium review will guide you through the Business Class and Premium Economy offerings on American's Dreamliner fleet, helping you understand what to expect and how to maximize your comfort on your next flight.

Understanding the American Airlines 787 Dreamliner Fleet

American Airlines operates both the Boeing 787-8 and the larger 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which are designed for long-haul flights and boast state-of-the-art interiors. These aircraft are known for their fuel efficiency, larger windows, and a cabin environment designed to reduce jet lag. Crucially, American Airlines is also introducing newer 787-9P (for "premium") jets with significantly upgraded premium cabins, including new Flagship Suite seats.

The configurations typically include:

• Flagship® Business Class: Offering a lie-flat experience.
• Premium Economy: A step up from the Main Cabin with more space and enhanced service.
• Main Cabin Extra: Economy seats with additional legroom.
• Main Cabin: Standard economy seating.

Understanding the specific aircraft type and its configuration for your flight is key, as the premium experience can vary.

American Airlines 787 Business Class: A Deep Dive

American Airlines' Flagship Business Class on the 787 Dreamliner is designed to offer a comfortable and productive environment for long-haul travel.

Seat Configurations and Comfort

The 787 Business Class cabins feature a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for every passenger. However, the type of seat can vary depending on the specific 787 variant:

• Older 787s (787-8 and some 787-9s): These often feature either Safran Concept D or Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats.
  • Safran Concept D Seats: These seats alternate between forward and rear-facing. While they offer a fully flat bed, some passengers have noted a "rocking" sensation if a neighboring passenger moves, as seats can be connected. For optimal comfort, selecting a "solo" seat not paired with another (e.g., seat 5A) can mitigate this issue.
  • Collins Aerospace Super Diamond Seats: Generally well-regarded, these also offer a lie-flat experience and direct aisle access.
• Newer 787-9P Aircraft (Flagship Suite): This is where American Airlines is making a significant investment in premium travel. The new Flagship Suite seats are based on the Adient Ascent platform and feature privacy doors, offering a more secluded and luxurious experience. These new suites are reverse herringbone seats, providing an "all-around swanky cabin". Some 787-9Ps also offer "Flagship Suite Preferred" seats in the first row, which are larger with more bed space and living area, designed to replace the Flagship First experience.

All Business Class seats come with personal on-demand entertainment systems and power outlets. The new 787-9Ps also offer USB-A, USB-C, and AC charging, plus wireless charging.

Amenities and Service

American Airlines aims to provide a consistent soft product in Business Class, even on domestic flights operated by wide-body aircraft. Expect:

• Bedding: Casper bedding, including a comfortable blanket and a thick pillow, is provided.
• Amenity Kits: These typically include a dental kit, eyeshades, socks, earplugs, lip balm, and lotion. The new Flagship Suite Preferred seats on the 787-9P may offer upgraded amenities like a Nest Bedding mattress pad, throw blanket, memory foam lumbar pillow, Nest-branded pajamas, and an exclusive amenity kit with premium skincare products.
• Headphones: American Airlines often provides Bang & Olufsen headphones, which are generally considered high quality.
• Lavatories: Business Class cabins on the 787 often feature larger lavatories.

Service can be inconsistent across US carriers, but a great crew can significantly enhance the experience.

Dining Experience

The meal service in American Airlines Business Class typically includes multiple courses. On longer domestic flights, a full meal with choices like pasta or chicken salad may be offered. For international flights, expect more comprehensive gourmet dining and a premium wine selection. While catering quality can vary, some reviews indicate improvements in food offerings.

American Airlines 787 Premium Economy: Bridging the Gap

For travelers seeking more comfort than Main Cabin without the full cost of Business Class, American Airlines' Premium Economy on the 787 Dreamliner is an appealing option.

Enhanced Seating and Space

Premium Economy cabins on the 787-8 typically have 28 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration across four rows. On the 787-9, older versions had 21 seats, while the new 787-9P increases this to 32 Premium Economy seats.

Key features include:

• Increased Pitch and Width: Seats offer enhanced space with a pitch of 38 inches and a width of approximately 19 inches, a significant upgrade from economy.
• Greater Recline: Premium Economy seats recline more than standard economy seats, often around 7 inches.
• Leg and Foot Rests: Many Premium Economy seats, especially in the bulkhead rows, offer both an extendable leg rest and a footrest, which can greatly improve comfort on long flights. Be aware that on some 787-8 configurations, only the first row might have the extendable leg and footrest feature.
• Privacy Dividers: The updated Premium Economy seats on the 787-9P include thoughtful "privacy dividers" to shield passengers from their neighbors.

Amenities and In-Flight Entertainment

Premium Economy passengers receive a thicker blanket and a lumbar pillow, a noticeable improvement over economy offerings. For international flights, an amenity kit is also provided.

The in-flight entertainment (IFE) system is a notable advantage, with larger 11-inch seatback screens compared to the 8.9-inch screens in Main Cabin. The new 787-9P takes this further with 17.5-inch 4K TV screens in Business Class and 12-inch screens in Premium Economy, all with Bluetooth connectivity.

Dining and Service

In Premium Economy, you can expect an enhanced inflight meal and complimentary alcoholic beverages. While the food is generally a step up from economy, some reviews suggest that meal choices might be limited for passengers in the later rows of the Premium Economy cabin. Service levels, as with any cabin, can vary depending on the crew.

In-Flight Experience: Connectivity and Comfort

Across American Airlines' 787 premium cabins, you'll find modern conveniences that enhance your journey:

• Wi-Fi: The 787 Dreamliner aircraft generally offer Wi-Fi connectivity. Notably, the new 787-9P jets are equipped with satellite-based Viasat Wi-Fi, which will be free for all American Airlines AAdvantage members starting in January.
• Entertainment: Beyond the personal seatback screens, the 787s provide hundreds of movies on-demand and often live TV streaming. The new 787-9P also boasts upgraded tech with USB-A, USB-C, and AC charging ports available in all cabins, plus wireless charging in business and premium economy.
• Overall Ambiance: The Dreamliners are designed with features like larger windows and improved cabin pressurization to contribute to a more comfortable flight experience, potentially reducing the effects of jet lag. The newer 787-9P cabins feature a more elegant and sophisticated design with modern touches, including faux wood-lined doors and updated color schemes.

Choosing Your American Airlines 787 Premium Seat

When booking your American Airlines 787 premium review flight, consider these tips for seat selection:

• Business Class:
  • On older 787s with Safran Concept D seats, try to select seats that are not "paired" with another to avoid the rocking sensation. Window seats at the front and back of each business class cabin (e.g., rows 1, 5, 6, and 7 seats A and L) often offer extra storage space.
  • On the new 787-9P, the Flagship Suite Preferred seats in the first row offer significantly more space if you're looking for the ultimate upgrade.
• Premium Economy:
  • If possible, aim for bulkhead seats (the first row of the cabin) as these often provide the most legroom and are more likely to have both leg and footrests.
  • Be aware that meal choices might be limited for those in the very last rows of Premium Economy.

Conclusion

An American Airlines 787 premium review reveals a compelling offering for travelers seeking enhanced comfort and amenities. Whether you opt for the lie-flat luxury of Business Class or the significantly improved space and service of Premium Economy, the Dreamliner provides a modern and engaging flight experience. The introduction of the new 787-9P with Flagship Suites further elevates American Airlines' premium product, setting a new standard for long-haul comfort.

Have you flown American Airlines' 787 premium cabins? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!