American Airlines currently has 20 Boeing 777-300ERs in its fleet, which are expected to undergo cabin refurbishments soon. The new configuration will eliminate first class and introduce Flagship Suites for business class, a product also seen on the airline’s new Boeing 787-9s (789P).
The airline’s Boeing 777-200s are also going to see cabin refurbishments, presumably similar to the 777-300ERs.
Let’s take a look at what we can expect with the new configuration, starting off with the seat maps:
Above is the current configuration of American’s 777-300ERs. This one has 8 first, 52 business, 28 premium economy, and 216 economy seats for a total capacity of 304.
Above is the new configuration. Once refurbished, these aircraft will comprise 70 business (Flagship Suites), 44 premium economy, and 216 economy seats for a total capacity of 330.
- As a side note, these seat maps are from Aerolopa, which is a fantastic site for detailed seat maps. Check them out if you’re curious about an upcoming flight (American frustratingly doesn’t have detailed seat maps on its website, so I used theirs here).
Based on the seat maps, the most obvious change is the elimination of first class and the increase in total capacity. Although the 8 first class seats will disappear, the airline has been able to add 18 business and 16 premium economy seats in their place. American was also able to maintain 216 economy class seats.
As American has lacked premium capacity for some time now, these refurbishments with increased business and premium economy capacity will be good and will help the airline compete in a time where premium demand has been high.
That said, there a couple of spots of the new 777-300ER that could pose problems, especially for FAs, that I want to point out:
- The number of lavatories has decreased from 12 to 9. The 216 economy class passengers have just 3 lavatories at the back. There are none between premium economy and economy, and I’m unsure at the moment whether premium economy passengers will be able to access the ones between them and business class.
- Galley space has been reduced significantly. Particularly the galley in the back, whose space has to accommodate the 3 lavatories in the new configuration.
So, for one, I think it’s great that American was able to increase premium capacity and maintain the 216 economy seats just from eliminating the 8 first class seats. But it does come with a cost, and the lavatory and galley situation may be bothersome for both passengers and crews.
The Onboard Product
Product-wise, the newly configured 777-300ERs should be quite similar to American’s new Boeing 787-9s (789P). Its Flagship Suites will feature the Adient Ascent seats, also seen on those new 789Ps:
The 777s will also include the Flagship Suite Preferred seats on the bulkhead, just like the 789Ps. Although the airline eliminated first class, an elevated product over business class will still exist.
We can expect premium economy and economy to be similar, just in a 2-4-2 and 3-4-3 configuration, respectively, for the 777s.
Another plus for passengers with these refurbishments will be the Wi-Fi transition from Panasonic to Viasat. Although American will be introducing free Wi-Fi starting in January 2026, its fleet with Panasonic Wi-Fi will not see the free offering, as those systems do not have sufficient bandwidth to handle the increased usage that comes with free Wi-Fi. The Panasonic fleet is mostly widebody and covers about 10% of the airline’s total fleet.
The -300ER refurbishments will include a transition to Viasat, and passengers will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi onboard.
Bottom Line
The cabin refurbishments of American’s Boeing 777-300ER have been delayed for some time, and it seems like it’ll be several more months until we see one in service.
Either way, these new cabins will be an improvement for the most part. There will be challenges, particularly with the lavatories, but I hope the increase in premium capacity and upgraded Wi-Fi will outweigh those challenges.
Featured image by the author.
(Yep, I’m aware that the featured image is a -200, not a -300ER. I’m currently shocked that I only have a few crappy photos of the AA -300ER, which were from a few years ago. So bear with me here.)
