American Airlines Upgrades Boeing 777-300ER: Adding More Business Class Seats, Phasing Out First Class

Overview of the Boeing 777-300ER Upgrade

American Airlines has recently launched an exciting new experience for passengers on its long-haul flights, notably with the introduction of the Flagship Suite business class and the Flagship Suite Preferred in the front rows. This product was initially offered on the new Boeing 787-9 aircraft, but now some of the older planes are also being retrofitted. The first aircraft to undergo this upgrade are the Boeing 777-300ERs.

In December 2025, the first of these aircraft entered the hangar for a complete overhaul. About nine months later, this aircraft was ready for commercial service, and American Airlines announced what passengers can expect onboard. These planes feature the largest business class cabins you will find on any U.S. airline.

New Cabin Configuration

American Airlines currently operates 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and these are the first long-haul planes being refurbished with the new interior. The 777-200ER and 787-8 models are also set to be upgraded in the future. The refurbishment of the 777-300ER is a top priority as these are the airline's premium flights, and they are also where the first class cabin will be eliminated.

The first upgraded Boeing 777-300ER, registered as N718AN, has officially entered service with its new cabin. Experience has shown that the prototype takes the longest to retrofit, but subsequent aircraft will undergo upgrades more quickly. This is great news, as American Airlines has not encountered any certification issues with the new cabins.

New Seat Types

The new Flagship Suite business class cabin of American Airlines features 70 seats, including eight Flagship Suite Preferred seats in the front row of each cabin. The upgraded economy class has also seen improvements, now offering 44 Premium Economy seats and 216 standard economy seats. This represents an increase of 18 business class seats and 16 new economy seats compared to the previous configuration.

Interestingly, despite losing eight first class seats, the airline has managed to optimize the interior space by increasing the number of business and economy seats. This change indicates a slight improvement in overall aircraft performance.

Upgrade Details and Service Schedule

American Airlines plans to complete the upgrades to its entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet by around 2027. Flights will serve destinations such as Buenos Aires, London, São Paulo, Sydney, and Tokyo. The first upgraded aircraft is expected to enter service on September 2, 2026, with flights starting from New York to Buenos Aires and then from Dallas to London.

However, the airline will stop selling first class tickets on the 777-300ERs starting November 19, 2026, meaning many of these aircraft will still have a first class cabin but will be considered part of the business class cabin.

Ticket Prices and Insights for Vietnamese Travelers

For Vietnamese travelers, a round-trip flight from Vietnam to the U.S. typically costs around 20 million VND with connecting flights. American Airlines currently offers flights from Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York.
Don't forget to check visa information when planning your trip. Vietnamese travelers need to obtain a B1/B2 visa to enter the U.S.

Conclusion

American Airlines is in the process of upgrading its Boeing 777-300ER fleet, phasing out first class and introducing entirely new cabins, including a new business class. The airline expects to complete this transition by the end of 2027. However, for some, the absence of first class may not be welcome news. Stay tuned for these changes to ensure you have the best flying experience in the near future.

Article reference and edit from: One Mile at a Time