American Airlines has new business class suites with doors and a greatly-improved premium economy on its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft. They’ve been planning to retrofit their 20 Boeing 777-300ERs, removing first class and adding more of these new suites and a new premium economy as well, and are now planning to eventually reconfigure – rather than retire – their Boeing 777-200s.
The new interior reconfiguration is Project Olympus and is much-delayed. Boeing 777-300ERs are getting a lot more seats – and a lot more premium seats – 84 to 114 total premium seats, without losing any coach seats.
Current configuration:
- 8 first class
- 52 business class
24 premium economy
- 216 coach
New configuration:
- 70 business class
- 44 premium economy
- 216 coach
New American Airlines Premium Economy
That’s an increase of 30 seats, all in business and premium economy, and all they’re giving up is 8 first class seats. Aviation watchdog JonNYC shared the final layout of the reconfigured premium-heavy Boeing 777-300ER.
updated image:
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) April 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Aviation watchdog JonNYC reports that the first Boeing 777-300ER that will get the cabin retrofit has finally been sent to Hong Kong to get this work done. American announced the project in September 2022 saying it was supposed to start “in late 2024.” However, I understand much of the delay has been driven by supplier issues.
This AA 77W, N718AN, www.flightaware.com/live/flight/… heading to HKG, will, I believe, be the one that gets the new seats
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) December 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Here’s the current business class on the Boeing 777-300ER:
This is the new business class. It is much nicer – even giving up a bit of space dedicated to each seat.
Sadly, this reconfiguration means the end of Flagship First Class at American Airlines. They offer a class above business on their Airbus A321T aircraft which fly premium cross-country routes (and which will be replaced by new Airbus A321XLRs, converting the Ts to standard domestic configuration) and on 777-300ERs which fly to places like London Heathrow and Sydney.
Since it’s an ‘Olympus’ seat, why not send it to Athens? Make Zeus proud.
Serious question …
Since AA has been so late to the party, is this a since we are at or nearing peak premium travel?
@Ralph — Delta’s ancient 763 and United’s domestic 772 (2-4-2 rear-facing) would like a word.
@Ralph – no slack in AA’s schedule. Managements stupid decision to retire the 757 & A330 during covid along with 787 delays meant that all available wide bodies have been in use and couldn’t be pulled for a month long refurb. For this winter their is finally some slack and 787 delivers are assisting in relief too.