The United States Department of Transportation (DOT)

has approved American Airlines’ new Flaghship Suite business class seats after the Department found they were compliant with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).

Boeing 777 and 787-9 suites

The DOT greenlit American Airlines’

request for an equivalent alternative determination (EAD) regarding the movable aisle armrest requirements outlined in the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). This determination will apply to the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft, as well as the new Flagship Suite business class seats.

According to the Department, the approval is limited to the airline’s business class seats on the two Boeing aircraft types. The company must also obtain the DOT’s approval for any seat configuration and/or dimension changes on its 777-300ER or the 787-9s.

American Airlines Boeing 787-9 departing LAX shutterstock_1593423805

Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock

Furthermore, the DOT stipulated that American Airlines has to provide specialized training to its employees and contractors who will be transferring passengers with limited mobility to/from their seats and provide annual refresher training. The airline will also have to retain three years of individuals’ training records, demonstrating that all employees required to have training underwent the courses.

Lastly, American Airlines will have to outline any complaints regarding passenger transfers to/from seats in the Flagship suites to the DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) within 30 days after each calendar quarter for three years.

Related

FAA Grants American Airlines Exemption To Install Up To 70 Mini Suites On Boeing 777-300ERs

The granted exemption followed the FAA’s approval of American Airlines’ Flagship Suite seats on its Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

A321XLR mini-suites

While Airbus has continued to progress with the certification of the A321XLR,

including getting the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval for the CFM International LEAP-1A-powered A321XLRs, as well as the two regulators’ certification of the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine sub-types that would power the A321XLRs, the European plane maker has yet to receive an exemption for mini-suites on the aircraft.

In January 2024, the plane maker applied for separate exemptions for the A321neo

Airbus Cabin Flex (ACF) and A321XLR aircraft to enable its operators in the US to install mini-suites with doors that are not compliant with specific parts of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

American Airlines Airbus A321XLR flagship suite

Photo: American Airlines

The manufacturer did not specify which airline would install these suites on the A321XLR, but the filing detailed that a US operator will welcome 155 passengers onboard its aircraft of the type. The cabin would be split into three classes: business (20 passengers), premium economy (12), and economy (123).

When American Airlines unveiled its Flaghship suites in September 2022, the airline said that its A321XLRs, which at the time had a scheduled delivery date of sometime in 2024, would have 20 business, 12 premium economy, and 123 economy class seats.

Nevertheless, while Airbus applied for an exemption in January 2024, the FAA has yet to responded to the request.

Robert Isom, the chief executive officer (CEO) of American Airlines, detailed during the company’s Q4 2024 earnings call on January 23 that it would introduce the Flagship suite on its new A321XLR and 787-9 aircraft “later this year.” Isom added that the airline will see the benefits of the Flagship suites starting in 2025.

Related

Airbus Seeks FAA Exemption To Allow A321XLR Business Class Suite Doors

Airbus stated that the proposed mini-suites would not be detrimental to an evacuation and would benefit the flying public.

Flagship suites

Still, in September 2022, American Airlines highlighted that the new Flagship Suites would be coming on all new A321XLR and 787-9 deliveries and would be retrofitted on 777-300ERs. As a result, premium seating in its long-haul fleet would grow more than 45% by 2026.

“Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a private premium experience with a privacy door, a chaise lounge seating option, and more personal storage space. Customers will enjoy tailored luxury in their private retreat in the sky in American’s premium cabin.”

At the time, American Airlines said that it would begin retrofitting its 777-300ERs

in late 2024, with the new interiors featuring more premium seats compared to the existing 777-300ER configuration.

Related

American Airlines Reveals Stunning New Premium Seats For Airbus A321XLR & Boeing 787-9

The seats will be in service on the airline’s long-haul fleet from 2024.

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