First Look: American Airlines Debuts New Dreamliner with Suite-Style Seats

American Airlines is enhancing its premium travel offerings with the introduction of its latest long-haul aircraft: a premium-focused Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Service will launch on June 5 for flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to both Los Angeles (LAX) and London Heathrow (LHR).

The first two out of 30 aircraft in this new configuration have already arrived as part of a larger initiative to provide more privacy, improved technology, and a refreshed appearance to American’s international fleet.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

This new Dreamliner layout reduces the seat count from 285 to 244, allowing for additional Flagship Suites and Premium Economy seats, while also upgrading the Main Cabin with sleeker finishes and improved entertainment options. This marks the most comprehensive cabin redesign American has executed on a widebody aircraft since 2013.

A Preview of The Suite Life

At the heart of the transformation is the new Flagship Suite. A total of fifty-one suites are spread across two business class cabins: a large forward cabin with eleven rows and a smaller aft cabin with four rows. Each suite is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

Every suite features a lie-flat bed, sliding privacy doors, and a chaise lounge that reclines. Storage options include a footwell cubby large enough to stow a laptop, a trinket tray, a fold-down drink table, and a large pivoting dining table finished in a white faux-marble surface. This elegant faux-marble treatment extends to side tables and storage tops throughout the suite, providing a cohesive and polished look.

Lighting sconces resembling upscale residential fixtures, along with recessed lights in the suite’s compartments, create a calming atmosphere and make it easier to access items in the dark. Each seat is equipped with a crisp 17-inch high-resolution 4K touchscreen display paired with Bluetooth audio, which functions well, and a remote control that is especially handy when reclining or lying down.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

The new graphic user interface is noticeably faster and more modern, although the thick bezels surrounding the screens give the otherwise refined product a bulkier appearance. There are multiple power options available, including USB-A, USB-C, and AC outlets.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

Amenities include a duvet, a Cool Touch dual-sided pillow, Nest Bedding slippers, and Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones, which are now available gate-to-gate. The amenity kit features spa-like touches, including Joanna Vargas face mist and hydrating skincare products. While the suites offer high privacy, some may feel narrow around the footwell when the door is closed. Window seats angle outward, while center suites face each other with a deployable privacy divider.

A Step Above Business, But Not Quite First Class

The first row of the business cabin features eight Flagship Suite Preferred seats, which American states offer 19 percent more bed length and 42 percent more living space compared to standard suites.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

The darker-toned walls, doors, and surfaces create a striking contrast with the brighter tan color palette used throughout the rest of the cabin. This design choice gives a dramatic, modern appearance that some passengers may find chic, while others may prefer the warmer ambiance of the standard suites.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

Preferred suites also include the same sleek faux-marble styling on surfaces alongside a larger pivoting dining table and side consoles. However, the darker tones provide these suites with a distinctive identity within the business cabin.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

Passengers in Flagship Preferred seats enjoy additional soft amenities, such as pajamas, a chenille memory foam lumbar pillow, slippers, and an upgraded amenity kit. It’s important to note, though, that these seats are not situated in a dedicated cabin and do not have an exclusive crew. Additionally, the catering services are the same as those for standard Flagship seats.

The proximity of these seats to lavatories and galley areas may slightly impact the overall tranquility of the experience.

Privacy Wings Are The Thing

American Airlines has expanded its Premium Economy seating from 21 to 32 seats, arranged in a 2-3-2 layout. These seats resemble domestic first-class recliners in design but incorporate long-haul comfort features such as articulating leg rests, footbars, and privacy headrest wings.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

Each seat offers 38 inches of pitch and nearly 19 inches of width. Additionally, passengers can enjoy a 13.3-inch 4K screen that provides crisp visuals and supports both Bluetooth and traditional wired headphones. The entertainment system can be navigated using a touchscreen or a separate handheld remote.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

Every seat is equipped with power outlets and wireless charging options, accessible via a pocket or strap. Comfort items include a crepe-weave blanket, an Ostrich pillow with lumbar support, and noise-reducing headphones.

Tech Improvements in a Tight Layout

The Main Cabin now seats 161 passengers and maintains a 3-3-3 seating configuration, although it is smaller than its predecessor. Standard seats offer 31 inches of pitch and 17 inches of width. New seat cushions have been introduced to enhance comfort.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

The Main Cabin Extra section now has a total of 18 seats, featuring a pitch of 34 inches, reduced from 35 inches in the previous model. This seating is located in the first row of each Main Cabin section, with a cozy 2.5-row mini-cabin situated just behind Premium Economy.

All Main Cabin seats are equipped with 12-inch 4K screens that support Bluetooth audio, provide full individual seat power, and utilize a sleek and fast interface found throughout the aircraft.

A notable upgrade for all cabins is the new high-speed satellite Wi-Fi powered by Viasat, which will offer complimentary access for AAdvantage members starting in January 2026. This service is currently exclusive to the new 787-9 fleet.

Shared Spaces: Smart and Stylish—Mostly

American Airlines has installed a redesigned walk-up refreshment area between the two business cabins, replacing the former galley screen. This vertical display is designed to serve as a mid-flight snack bar, offering grab-and-go items, although it was not stocked during the media preview.

Photo: Courtesy of American Airlines

In contrast, the lavatories seem to represent a step backward. While faux skylight panels attempt to enhance the design, the bland flooring and surfaces fall short of the high standards set in other areas of the cabin.

Where It’s Flying and What’s Next

In addition to the initial flights to London and Los Angeles, the new 787-9 is scheduled to operate from Philadelphia to London Heathrow and Zurich, as well as from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Brisbane and Auckland later this year.

A total of eight new Dreamliners are expected to be delivered by the end of the year, which will help accelerate American’s global premium refresh.

Photo: American Airlines, Boeing 787-9. Courtesy of Hieu Nguyen / Unsplash

Regarding the long-haul fleet, the Flagship Suite product will replace the current Flagship First Class over the next two years. Installation is confirmed for the Boeing 777-300ERs and the upcoming Airbus A321XLRs, which will replace the current fleet used on Flagship Transcontinental routes. Decisions on retrofit plans for the 777-200s, 787-8s, and current-generation 787-9s are still under evaluation.

Final Approach

With the introduction of the new Dreamliner, American Airlines is clearly enhancing its offerings in the long-haul premium market. The aircraft features the privacy of Flagship Suites, improved entertainment systems, and upgraded amenities, making it feel like a significant advancement. American is also upgrading its food and beverage program; however, reducing the number of flight attendants has raised concerns about the overall service quality.

Photo: Courtesy of Chris Sloan

We will be on board the inaugural flight on June 5 between Chicago and Los Angeles, experiencing both Flagship Suites and Premium Economy. Stay tuned for our full Tried and Tested review coming soon.