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American Airlines Ends Separate International First Class on Key Jets

The carrier is reconfiguring 777-300ER and A321T cabins to expand business-class and premium-economy capacity as it chases higher-paying travelers.

Overview

  • The first Boeing 777-300ER retrofitted under the program entered commercial service on Wednesday on the New YorkBuenos Aires route.
  • American will stop selling its Flagship First product on 777-300ER flights for travel beginning November 19, 2026, and will remove first-class sales on A321T flights effective March 28, 2027.
  • The 777-300ER reconfiguration increases premium seats to 144 from 116, including 70 Flagship Suite business seats with privacy doors and 44 premium-economy seats, raising premium share to about 44 percent.
  • Flagship First Dining will be converted to a rebranded Flagship Dining and opened to business-class customers starting September 15, 2026.
  • American says the change responds to weak demand for a separate first class, follows a wider airline trend of combining top cabins, and will create more business-class inventory and upgrade opportunities while reducing galley space and altering onboard service patterns.