American Airlines » Business

American Airlines was the first of the major US carriers to revamp its business cabins, beginning in 2006. It offers inclined flatbeds in its premium cabin, which is configured 2-2-2.

However, a second revamp in late 2012 will see it offer a fully-flat product, initially on new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Business cabins on 10 Boeing 777-300ERs will be fitted with a fully-flat bed, all with aisle access. These cabins will appear first on routes from New York to London and Sao Paulo. The London route is one on which American Airlines and British Airways have a joint venture and American Airlines is making the changes so that it can match what BA offers onboard more closely.

The new cabin will have state of the art entertainment systems with up to 120 films, more than 150 TV programmes and more than 350 audio choices. Each seat will have a 110V power point and USB port. For more information, see the page on the 777-300ER.

On the smaller Boeing 777-200ER, entertainment is via a laptop-style TV screen which can be removed from the seat in front.

On aircraft other than Boeing 777-200s, business and first class passengers are given 10-inch Samsung tablet computers on which to watch films and TV. These also feature on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft from Heathrow to Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Chicago and Raleigh/Durham. They will also be found on connecting services using Boeing 767-200s and on domestic Boeing 757 aircraft.

All of the Boeing 777-200ERs and up to half the 767-300ER fleet will be fitted with the new flat bed seating and product throughout 2014. Note that the 767s will continue with the tablet computers and will not offer onboard wif-fi.

From BusinessTraveller.com

New AA business class seating to debut  (12/09/2007)

American starts revamp of 777 premium cabins (02/05/2007) 

New American Airlines business class seat  (16/03/2006)

American unveils new business class (19/07/2006)