American to launch new premium economy service
American Airlines will introduce a premium economy service on international flights for the first time next year, following its oneworld partners British Airways and Qantas in offering a class that sits in between the main cabin and business class.
Its new service will offer wider seats with more legroom than economy, an enhanced meal service, personal on-demand entertainment including noise reducing headphones, priority check in and boarding and amenity kits,
Premium economy seats will be fitted first on American’s new Boeing 787-900, which is expected to enter service in late 2016.
The aircraft will offer three rows of premium economy in 2-3-2 configuration, in addition to its Main Cabin Extra seats, which give passengers up to six inches more leg room than economy.
Premium will also be available on the Airbus A350, which arrives in 2017.
"Our customers tell us they want a class of service between Business Class and Main Cabin, and this feedback provided the genesis for our new Premium Economy service," said Andrew Nocella, American’s chief marketing officer.
"Premium economy is offered today by many premier carriers around the world. We studied those offerings and developed a world-class product with larger seats, more legroom, improved entertainment and upscale headphones and amenity kits, just to name a few features of this new service. As the world’s largest carrier, we are excited to introduce this product for our customers."
American will also add Premium Economy to all Boeing 777-300ERs, 777-200ERs, 787-8s and Airbus A330s over the next three years.
The 777-300ER will feature first class, business class, premium economy, Main Cabin Extra and main cabin seating options for customers. All other retrofitted aircraft will continue to offer economy, business class and Main Cabin Extra seating.
The Boeing 767-300s will not be retrofitted with premium economy as those aircraft are scheduled for retirement in the coming years.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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