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American Airlines Begins Retrofitting Boeing 777-300ER Fleet to Replace First Class with Flagship Suites

American Airlines has begun reconfiguring its fleet of 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to replace the existing first class cabin with a larger premium section. The first aircraft, registration N718AN, entered service on September 2, 2026, featuring a new Flagship Suite section with 70 lie-flat seats, each equipped with a door.

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This new configuration increases the premium seat count to 144, which includes 44 Premium Economy seats and 30 Main Cabin Extra spots. By eliminating first class, the airline is increasing the efficiency of the cabin layout. The 777-300ER is a priority for the carrier's most premium routes, such as those to London, Tokyo, and Sydney. The administration announced that all 20 of the 777-300ERs will be retrofitted by the end of 2027. While the first class cabin will no longer be sold as a new product on these planes starting November 19, 2026, it will still exist on the aircraft until the retrofits are complete. The airline aims to close the gap with competitors by targeting higher-spend travelers and improving margins through the new premium cabins.

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