First Look: Flagship Suite and Redesigned Cabins Debut on American’s B777-300ER

With premium passenger revenue on the rise, American Airlines is looking to capitalize on its highest-margin products. After previously introducing Flagship Suites on its Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft, American has debuted its redesigned Boeing 777-300ERs.

The retrofitted B777-300ER accommodates 330 passengers total and has 114 premium seats, which American claims is the most on any aircraft operated by a U.S. airline. But will the Flagship Suite Preferred seats position American to edge out Delta One Suite and United Polaris Studio or just be comparable? Upgraded Points got an exclusive media look at the first delivered aircraft to judge for ourselves.

More Premium Space Than Ever Before

As part of the Project Olympus retrofit of the B777-300ER, 8 Flagship First suites and 52 Flagship Business seats were replaced with 70 Flagship Suite business seats, including 8 Flagship Suite Preferred seats. There is 1 row of 4 Flagship Suite Preferred seats in the first row of each of the 2 Flagship Suite cabins. The premium economy seat count also increased from 28 to 44.

American expects 20 of the retrofitted B777-300ER aircraft to be completed by 2027. As the rollout continues, Flagship First will no longer be available for purchase on the B777-300ER for travel starting November 19. Flagship First will no longer be available for purchase on A321XLR transcontinental routes for travel starting March 28, 2027. The B777-200ERs and B787-8s will also eventually be retrofitted.

The redesigned B777-300ER features Bluetooth connectivity to inflight entertainment, high-speed Wi-Fi, 4K monitors, and USB-C and AC power across all cabins.

Flagship Suite

Flagship Suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone configuration, with every seat having direct aisle access. The Flagship Suite Preferred seats have up to 19% more bed space and 42% more living area.

‹›

1 of 3

Row 1 of Flagship Suite Preferred.

Seats can function between upright, chaise, and lie-flat modes. The lie-flat bed is nearly 80 inches long and faces a 17-inch screen.

‹›

1 of 3

Flagship Suite seat in upright mode.

The Flagship Suite seats boast more personal storage, a wireless charging pad, a reading light, a mirror, and a trinket tray.

‹›

1 of 9

Mirror and storage.

One of the most anticipated Flagship Suite features? A privacy door.

‹›

1 of 2

Doors as seen from the aisle.

Premium Economy

Premium economy seats feature privacy headrest wings (similar to the airline’s A321XLR), adjustable calf and footrests, and a wireless charging pad.

‹›

1 of 4

Premium economy cabin.

Main Cabin

The Main Cabin also benefits from a complete refresh, with 30 extra legroom seats in Main Cabin Extra.

‹›

1 of 3

Main Cabin.

Bedding and Headphones

Set at the Flagship Suite Preferred seat are a throw blanket and a chenille lumbar pillow with memory foam. These passengers also receive blue Centennial pajamas and grey slippers.

Both the Flagship Suite Preferred and Flagship Business seats include a Nest Bedding mattress pad with a duvet, a Cool Touch dual-sided pillow, and Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones.

‹›

1 of 3

Mattress pad, duvet, and pillow.

Premium economy passengers receive a crepe weave blanket, Ostrichpillow Nimbus pillow, and noise-reducing headphones.

Main Cabin passengers receive a fleece blanket and pillow with pillowcase.

Amenity Kits

Each cabin has an assortment of 3 amenity kit designs — whether you receive the red, grey, or blue kit is random.

The Flagship Suite Preferred and Flagship Business amenity kits include lotion, lip balm, a towelette, and under eye patches from Joanna Vargas skin care. The kit also includes cotton Centennial-branded crew socks and eye mask, earplugs, a bamboo toothbrush, and toothpaste.

The Flagship Suite Preferred kit also includes a Joanna Vargas facial mist and sheet mask, a foldable hair comb, a tissue pack, and mouthwash.

Premium economy passengers receive Joanna Vargas lotion and lip balm, centennial-branded tube socks and eye mask, earplugs, and a wheatstraw foldable toothbrush with toothpaste.

Service

Will a larger premium cabin test flight attendants’ service capabilities? Certainly. The flight attendant I spoke with said the Flagship Suites cabin operates with the same number of team members as before the retrofit and that responsibilities have been shifted to enable faster service. As the inflight team road tests the new cabin and service, feedback will be provided to management if opportunities for improvement arise.

On my flight, options for main dishes included an all-day roast, seared Atlantic salmon, tamarind-glazed chicken, and vegetarian lasagna.

I chose the salmon dish, which was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and cherry tomatoes. I liked that the caper dill cream sauce was served on the side. Accompanying the meal was a miso-marinated sweet potato tower, an arugula salad, and a warm sourdough roll.

‹›

1 of 4

Flagship Suite entree.

The salmon was moist, and the dill sauce popped with strong flavor. I finished the meal with a few bites of a loaded sundae and pineapple upside-down cake.

‹›

1 of 2

Traditional ice cream sundae.

Final Thoughts

Each of the Big 3 U.S. airlines now offers a business class suite with a privacy door, but as each rolls out new cabins, the likelihood that you’ll be able to slide one closed on your next flight varies significantly by aircraft.

American feels strongly that the Flagship Suite will lead the way, and the redesigned Boeing 777-300ER delivers a strong product worth seeking out on your next flight.