American Airlines’ first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER is returning to its Dallas Fort Worth hub today, as part of its larger Project Olympus updates for its largest jets.
The aircraft is N718AN. It returns with new Flagship Suites up front, improved Wi-Fi, and updated amenities and technology throughout the cabin. The 777 departed Hong Kong shortly after 3pm local time, and will arrive in Dallas at around 4:45pm this afternoon.
The aircraft is expected to undergo some testing before beginning passenger service either later this month or in early September.
American has a total of 20 Boeing 777-300ERs, all of which are in line to receive retrofits and new interiors. According to aviation insider JonNYC, the airline plans to have four more in the works this winter.
Inside the 777-300ER Retrofits
American’s retrofitted 777-300ERs will include 70 Flagship Suites, 44 Premium Economy, and 216 Main Cabin seats. Here’s a look at the seat map:
The biggest change with the cabin refresh is the elimination of first class and the increase in premium capacity. Although eight first class seats will disappear, American was able to add 18 business and 16 premium economy seats in their place, while maintaining 216 economy class seats.
A couple of things to note as well:
- 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 it is unclear yet 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.
With these retrofits, the 777-300ERs will be swapping its older and less reliable Panasonic Wi-Fi to Viasat. In addition to faster connectivity, Wi-Fi will also be free. American currently offers free Wi-Fi on all aircraft except for its jets equipped with the Panasonic systems; these updates will eliminate that.
The 70 Flagship Suites will feature the Elevate Ascent product, the same seats seen on the airline’s Boeing 787-9P aircraft. Premium Economy will include 44 seats and will feature the MiQ 2.0 seat by Collins Aerospace.
Like the new 787s, Flagship Suite Preferred seats are located at the front of each business class cabin, offering more space and elevated amenities.
Aside from these Boeing 777-300ERs, the airline plans to retrofit its Boeing 777-200ER and Boeing 787-8 aircraft with similar interiors in the near future.
Featured image by American Airlines.
