American Airlines is installing next-generation Business Class seats on its entire fleet of 47 Boeing 777 aircraft, while adding its luxurious Flagship Suite seats to the First Class cabins of 777s that do not currently feature the popular product. “American Airlines has steadily invested in aircraft refurbishments to make travel more comfortable and convenient, and to give our customers what they value and appreciate,” said Lauri Curtis, American’s Vice President-Onboard Service.

“The 777 installation of the next-generation Business Class and Flagship Suite seats is the latest in our series of product and service enhancements to meet customer needs. Each of these products has extensive amenities that enhance the overall travel experience for our premium customers, and each has been very well received by passengers.”

American introduced its next-generation Business Class product in Summer 2006 on its fleet of Boeing 767-300 aircraft, and passenger surveys show higher ratings from customers traveling on aircraft equipped with next generation features. Delivering on its promise and mission to provide premium customers greater comfort, flexibility, convenience and privacy, American has now launched the next generation Business Class product on the 777 aircraft.

The first Boeing 777 to receive the new Business Class cabin enhancements began flying in American’s network earlier this month. The remainder of the fleet installation is scheduled to begin this fall. Flagship Suites are scheduled to be in all 777 First Class cabins the by end of 2007.

NEXT GENERATION BUSINESS CLASS

Next-generation Business Class customers traveling on American’s 777 aircraft can look forward to experiencing innovative enhancements in seating, a broad selection of entertainment options, and an improved cabin design on their flights, including:

Innovative Seat Features

Ergonomically-Advanced Seating. A new highly-adjustable seat with five independent motors allows customers to customize the setting to their personal preference. Passengers can individually adjust any component of the seat, including the seat bottom, seat back and leg-rest extension.

Lie-Flat Comfort. The next generation Business Class seat lies flat to extend to a length of 76 inches, creating a comfortable and spacious sleeping area. The seat also features a fixed privacy divider, providing another level of personal space for each traveler.

Unique Move Forward Seats. Unmatched in the airline industry, American’s next generation Business Class seat has the ability to move forward 10 inches while in the upright position, allowing passengers to offset their seat from fellow passengers for added privacy and comfort.

Interlocking Tray Tables. An innovative tray table design offers two separate tables—one drops down from the seat back and a second lifts from the center console. The tables can be used separately or locked together to create one large work or dining surface.

More Entertainment Options

Entertainment on Demand. American’s next generation Business Class features in-seat personal entertainment with a 10.6-inch, touch-screen tilting monitor. Customers also receive Bose(R) QuietComfort(R) 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling(R) headphones to enhance their entertainment experience. Business Class customers have a choice of up to 35 feature movies, 18 hours of pre-loaded television, 50 music CDs, 15 games and 14 American branded audio channels. The on-demand feature allows passengers using the in-seat entertainment system to select the program they want to view or hear and then pause, fast-forward and rewind at their convenience. In-flight entertainment language options vary by market and include English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and Hindi.

Improved Cabin Design

Convenient Power Ports. Power ports are located in the center console between passengers for easy accessibility—an advantage over some other airlines that put power ports on the floor or under the seat.

Abundant Lighting. A light mounted in the seat-back illuminates the work table, providing a well-lit space for reading or working, while an overhead light gives more generalized illumination.

American’s next-generation Business Class cabin on the Boeing 777 features 37 seats in a 2-3-2 seating configuration—an increase of two seats from the previous Business Class cabin configuration. The additional seats will help meet strong customer demand for American’s Business Class product, as well as help preserve AAdvantage(R) members’ ability to upgrade into the Business Class cabin.

FLAGSHIP SUITE INSTALLATION

While adding the next-generation Business Class to its fleet of 777s, American also is installing Flagship Suite seats in the First Class cabins of 20 aircraft that do not currently offer them. When complete at the end of this year, all of American’s 777s will have the Flagship Suite, considered one of the most comfortable First Class seats in the industry.

Each Flagship Suite transforms into a fully flat six-foot, six-inch bed with two drop-down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space. Each suite also features privacy dividers, power ports, leather headrests, two large tray tables, individual satellite phones, audio and video entertainment on demand, and swivel seats—an industry first that allows for face-to-face meetings or dining.

American will offer 16 Flagship Suite seats in First Class on its Boeing 777s, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

American’s 777 aircraft fly long-haul service between the United States and destinations in the United Kingdom, Germany, Latin America, Japan, China and India, as well as on select routes within the United States. Currently, 777s are flown on approximately 20 routes.

Installation of the next generation Business Class and First Class Flagship Suites is being performed by employees of American’s Maintenance and Engineering Department at the airline’s Alliance maintenance base in Fort Worth.

American is a founding member of the global oneworld(R) Alliance.
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