The new American Airlines 787-9s debuts June 5. That’s when the first plane flies Chicago – Los Angeles and back and then on to London. Come July all three of American’s Chicago – London flights transition to this new aircraft (“789P”).
It features business class suites with doors, including an enhanced bulkhead row, as well as new premium economy seats. The plane is also equipped with ViaSat wifi which is far more functional than the Panasonic installs that have been featured on all of American’s wifis prior to the ‘block 2’ 787-8s which were delivered after the pandemic.
American’s premium entry isn’t quite ready for prime time, though, and if the airline has their way service might not be very premium either. Aviation watchdog JonNYC reports that the business class doors aren’t certified for use yet, and that the airline is still working on FAA approval to operate the plane with just 7 flight attendants rather than the current 8.
The 789p FA staffing (8 vs. minimum of 7) debate (for lack of a better word) goes on. At present, minimum is 8, AA continued to hope to bring minimum down to 7
(I may not be describing this well)Also doors might be deactivated upon entry to service (related)
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) May 10, 2025 at 12:05 PM
My understanding is that American still hopes to have the business class suite doors certified for the plane’s commercial launch on June 5. But if they don’t get FAA approval in time, then the doors will be deactivated and locked open until approval comes. American has been dealing with FAA red tape for these doors since 2022, even though they’re a common feature of long haul aircraft.
Meanwhile I reported on the airline’s plan to get the plane certified for reduced staffing back in December. American says that they plan to operate the plane with 8 flight attendants – but want to be able to operate with 7, for instance if one gets sick this would allow them to avoid cancelling a trip.
Current Boeing 787-9s with more seats operate with 9 flight attendants, which is one more than the legal minimum.
American began reducing onboard staffing before the pandemic. Then in 2020, American Airlines further reduced flight attendant staffing to one above FAA legal minimums on international widebody and transcon flights and to the legal minimum on Boeing 787-8 aircraft.
This would certify the 787-9P at legal minimum providing the airline with greater flexibility (and of course the opportunity to make a permanent change in the future).
Flight attendants lost a grievance over the reduced staffing but didn’t make staffing levels an issue during recent contract negotiations.
They are so cheap. People complain about AA’s flight attendants but yet when their flight attendants ask for more staffing for a better passenger experience the company tries to set them up for failure.
What the airline is saying is that they plan on operating the a/c with 8 flight attendants but if there’s a call out they want to be able to operate it with 7 flight attendants versus cancelling the flight or delaying it while trying to find a reserve. Assuming that is the intention I’d vote for option one rather than have my flight cancelled or delayed by a couple of hours.
During covid American cut the number of Flight attendants as they were not doing full service. Now they are doing full service but did not bring back the flight attendants. I noticed the difference and asked several FA’s. So now they are trying to cut even more of them. If they get approved to go with 7 instead of 8. They will always use 7. They proved that with the covid cuts. They do not care about service times to customers.
Interesting how AA’s crewing strategy plays into it’s endeavors to offer a more ‘premium service’.
Both objectives seem diametrically opposed….
Wonder how much fuel is wasted & costs flying those dead weight locked doors around..
Most of the flight attendants r gossiping and playing games anyway. If they worked for Emeritus they would be fired