American Airlines will shift its Sydney-Los Angeles flights to a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from November 8, 2017.
The advanced jet replaces the larger Boeing 777-300ER and will see first class dropped from the trans-Pacific route, although business travellers on a budget will appreciate the introduction of American Airlines' new premium economy seating on the Boeing 787.
The leather-clad 'better than economy' seats have 38 inches of pitch, compared to 33-34 inches for what American calls 'Main Cabin Extra' – which is a regular economy seat with extra legroom – and 30-31 inches for the standard economy cabin.
The Boeing 787's 21 premium economy seats are set in three rows of a 2-3-2 configuration, compared to 3-3-3 for standard economy seats...
... and are also wider (19 inches, against 17-18 inches in economy) and include expandable foot, leg and head rests.
Other creature comforts include a simple amenity kit, noise- reducing headphones and what American Airlines terms "enhanced meals" served with complimentary wine, beer, and spirits and "an enhanced pillow and blanket".
Up front in business class are 30 of American's latest fully lie-flat seats, which are based on the same design as those of local rival Virgin Australia – so you've got direct aisle access, plenty of personal space around the seat and when it's time to kip, a fully-flat bed.
The Dreamliner's first flight will be 8 November from Los Angeles, with a return leg from Sydney on 10 November.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 1
Such as shame AA is dropping first class on this route, I flew FC SYD-LA on AA72 three weeks ago and the service as comparable to Qantas and up to par with Qantas. FA were friendly and went above and beyond.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 203
Wow! Lucky you! You must scored a good crew. I've flown First between LAX-SYD-LAX three times in the past four months, alternating between QF and AA on each leg, and have found the AA in-flight service to be woefully lacking compared to QF.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 416
Totally agree with you. I took the service once and told my travel agent never book me on AA long haul again. Granted the seat is fine, no issue there but service, food and wine so poor in my view.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 143
This means a drop in total seat count?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jul 2016
Total posts 105
I think so. It might mean though that they will increase frequencies?? Who knows...
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
I highly doubt that.
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 74
Clearly a down-gauge due to insuffiecient demand. They are running a business and half filled planes are not exactly healthy for profit.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1031
LAX-SYD is going from a 77W (8F/52J/250Y) to a 789 (30J/21W/234Y)
LAX-AKL is going from a 788 (28J/198Y) to a 789 after a 2 month stop.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
This means AA margins operating the 77W on the LAX/SYD sector is not as good as was planned. The 789 will offer better margins I'd imagine. This might be a holding pattern while they work on lobbying the Trump administration to reassess the DOT ruling.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Yeah I imagine those are the reasons for the equipment downgauge.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
And only 30" in Economy. Hardcore DVT territory there...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Feb 2015
Total posts 150
They are doing the same on the AKL-LAX route, switching to 787-9 from 7th Oct.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
Any chance one of the AusBT team could write up a table comparing business and PE seat data for AA vs Qantas?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
They're also stopping AKL for 8 weeks...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2012
Total posts 236
Do you think it might also have to do with the 'wow' factor of a Dreamliner which the 777 lacks? Plus the addition of premium economy which must be popular across the Pacific (I presume - given I haven't flown AUS-US since 2004!)
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1031
Most passengers have no idea what type of aircraft they are on (even when is says what it is on the safety card in front of them and on their booking)
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 74
The "wow" factor of an aircraft type flown by 50 other operators since 2011 including our very own Jetstar?
03 May 2013
Total posts 684
Good riddance, another pax unfriendly 777 gone:)
16 Dec 2013
Total posts 14
Same sector
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
13 Mar 2015
Total posts 79
The partnership QF/AA is on hold and that was a big movement for both airlines... and is not as it was planned. Other one is a couple of AA 773 are going to maintenance and add PE class. Also, there could be a "political" movement with the capacity reduction in order to get the "partnership" approved... just ideas!!
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