March 13, 2026 — American Airlines and United Airlines are rolling out premium-heavy configurations on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners throughout 2026 as part of US Airlines Upgrading Widebody Cabins on Boeing Aircraft in 2026, featuring Flagship Suites and Polaris business class seats with sliding privacy doors, larger screens and wireless charging. American is also retrofitting its fleet of 20 Boeing 777-300ERs to match this premium standard amid strong demand for high-end long-haul travel.[1][2]
The upgrades position the carriers to compete with international rivals and Delta Air Lines by prioritizing profitable premium seats over economy capacity.[1]
American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Flagship Suites
American Airlines plans 30 new Boeing 787-9 deliveries with 51 Flagship Suite seats in a 1-2-1 layout, including eight front-row Flagship Suite Preferred seats with extra space and chaise lounges, plus 32 premium economy seats. Features include 13-inch 4K screens, complimentary Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members and Bluetooth connectivity across cabins. The first premium 787-9 flew from Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles in 2025, with more entering service in 2026 on routes including Europe.[4][1]
“Everything you see on board today was designed with you in mind: from the design details to Bluetooth connectivity to state-of-the-art entertainment, your comfort is our priority,” American Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said in a note to passengers.[4]
United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Polaris Suites
United Airlines expects 20 Boeing 787-9s in 2026 with a 222-seat layout: 64 Polaris seats including eight Polaris Studio suites (25% larger with 27-inch 4K OLED screens), 35 premium economy seats and a self-serve snack bar in business class. Economy features 13-inch screens and Starlink Wi-Fi. The first aircraft debuted on domestic flights in March 2026 ahead of long-haul service to London and Singapore.[2][1]
United CEO Scott Kirby stated the strategy bets on more premium seats on larger jets to compete for high-paying corporate travelers.[1]
American Airlines 777-300ER Retrofits
Under Project Olympus, American sent its first Boeing 777-300ER (N718AN) to Hong Kong in December 2025 for retrofit, eliminating eight Flagship First seats to add 10 Flagship Suites (total 18, with doors) and 16 premium economy seats (total 44), increasing capacity to 330 seats. The program continues into 2026 for all 20 aircraft.[3]
US Airlines Upgrading Widebody Cabins on Boeing Aircraft in 2026 reflects a broader premiumization trend, with configurations sacrificing economy seats for higher-revenue premium options. For more aviation updates, see Aeronautics Online sitemap.
