Back in April I wrote about American putting international widebodies on some Hawaii routes.
Earlier today I noted that some of those planes are being retrofitted with premium economy. This is now noted on American’s premium economy web page.
American Airlines shared some details of their new premium economy service to Hawaii. Premium economy won’t just be a better seat (similar to domestic first class, with a foot bar or foot rest) but will include meal service as well as free cocktails, beer and wine plus pillow and blanket.
Routes that will receive Boeing 777-200 service with premium economy:
- Dallas – Honolulu
- Dallas – Maui
- Dallas – Kona (effective June 7, 2018)
- Los Angeles – Honolulu (only December 15, 2017 – January 7, 2018)
There are still no awards or upgrades for premium economy. Elites receive upgrades to first class (i.e. fully flat business class) whether booked in economy or premium economy.
I’m still most keen though on the fully flat seat for Dallas – Hawaii flights. It’s long enough to be worthwhile, and Eastbound these are redeye flights.
Boeing 777-200 Concept D Seat Business Class
Since you didn’t mention it I checked…and looks like PE is selling for $100 more than coach LAX-HNL (ow).
AA still saying EXPs will get day of upgrades for free?
I’m on a 767 retrofitted, fully flat First flight to Maui in October; wonder if they’ll change the equipment on the flight.
I’d be curious to know the meal/drink difference between premium-economy and first-class on these routes. My guess is that it’s the same food but plated differently.
Does this mean it’s more likely for the 772’s to have the Zodiac biz configuration? Flying DFW-OGG and HNL-DFW in late December, was hoping for B/E Aerospace!
In June, we booked two first/business award flights for March 2018 with a DFW-HNL segment hoping AA would keep the 772 in service for that leg. We’re still keeping our fingers crossed they won’t change out the aircraft for the old angled “lie flat” after reading several reviews about AA switching aircraft out at the last minute on that route. Your post gives us a bit more confidence – thanks, Gary. In the ‘good old days” we flew 1st non-stop CLT to HNL with USAirways for 70k miles round trip and were grateful for the angled seats. At double that cost today (and having experienced the 772 across the pond)- we’d be really disappointed if they switch this one out!
@Amy
The old angled flat seats are gone. The last 22 planes are currently in HKG having these seats replaced with lie flats.
…last 2 planes…
Soooo glad to see the angled seats going away. There ought to be a bonus EQM dividend for anyone who has paid money to fly in one of those seats overnight. Torture. Honestly think the premium economy sleep quality is better.
@AG – it will be both. The only 772 with premium economy so far has the zodiac concept d seats in business, but a 772 with super diamond business seats apparently flew up for retrofit yesterday.
“Elites receive upgrades to first class (i.e. fully flat business class) whether booked in economy or premium economy.”
I don’t follow that comment. Can you please explain what is meant by it? Does it mean that pe is not an upgrade? That any economy goes to f and that pe is not a stop on the upgrade path?
I took the HNL-DFW AA 777-200 recently. I am Ex-Plat and i got bumped from Economy to Premium Economy 2 hours before the flight. Just as i settled into my seat, i got a notification that i’ve been bumped to First. My earlier trip, DFW-HNL was also an upgrade. I love the first class product in AA. The HNL flight experience & service is very similar to the levels on the DFW-HKG business class seats.