American Airlines Axes International First Class on 777-300ER

American Airlines has begun phasing out its international First Class service on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline's first retrofitted plane, N718AN, returned to Dallas Fort Worth after a lengthy overhaul in Hong Kong.

The retrofit aims to enhance comfort with seats identical to those installed on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, plus privacy doors and larger screens. The new 330-seat layout features 70 Flagship Suites, 44 Premium Economy seats, and 216 Economy seats.

American Airlines plans to continue sending its 777-300ERs to Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering for retrofitting. The strategy will remove the eight Flagship First seats to make way for an expanded Business Class and Premium Economy cabin.

The airline's decision follows studies on capacity and revenue, allowing it to add seats across two premium cabins for a broader range of fares based on route demand, seasonality, and operating costs. The retrofit commitment extends beyond just the customer experience, with American Airlines aiming to create a more harmonious experience and close the gap with U.S. competitors.