American upgrades its First Class service, will charge for window and aisle seats

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is introducing a new suite of premium class amenities. The product additions are designed with the customer’s comfort and convenience in mind and will roll out on select international flights in First and Business Class cabins beginning September 1.

According to the airline, “beginning September 1, customers traveling onboard American’s flights between the U.S. and London Heathrow (LHR) will be among the first to enjoy the new offerings. First Class customers traveling onboard Boeing 777s between the U.S. and Heathrow will receive a quilted bed topper custom-designed to fit American’s popular Flagship Suite, pajamas and slippers as part of the airline’s new turndown service. A lightweight day blanket, new premium duvet and pillow, and an amenity kit featuring a bag with an authentic Eames Office® design pattern and containing Dermalogica® skincare products and other travel necessities complete the new suite of amenities.”

Also beginning September 1, customers traveling in American’s Business Class cabin onboard flights between the U.S. and LHR operated by Boeing 777s, 767-300s and international 757s can enjoy a new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit.

Beginning October 1, the full suite of products, including the turndown service, will roll out in American’s First Class cabins onboard all international flights served by Boeing 777s.

Also on October 1, American’s Business Class cabins onboard all international flights operated by Boeing 777s and 767-300s, in addition to select flights to and from Europe operated by Boeing 757s, will begin offering the new premium duvet and pillow, slippers, and amenity kit.

In addition to rolling out this array of amenities and investing in its fleet, American is taking steps to outfit its aircraft with a cutting – edge inflight entertainment experience. Earlier this month, American became the first North American airline to launch Entertainment on Demand, an inflight streaming video product, onboard its fleet of 767-200s. Beginning later this year the airline will replace its personal entertainment devices (PEDs) with Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices in First and Business Class cabins on select 767-300, 767-200 and 757 flights.

American Airlines has also expanded and renamed its Express Seats offering, now called Preferred Seats. The expanded seat choice is now available to all American Airlines customers 24 hours prior to departure through all of American’s direct booking channels including AA.com, AA.com Mobile, self-service check-in machines, American’s phone reservations, and via travel agencies with a direct connect link to American’s fares and schedules.

Preferred Seats provide customers the option to select and reserve more desirable seats, with prices beginning at $4 per segment and varying based on length of flight and time of day.

Preferred Seats are now complimentary for Elite and full-fare customers and their companion traveler(s) on the same reservation, including:

AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, Platinum®, and Gold® members;
Full-fare customers, AAirPass and oneworld® elite customers.

Elite and full-fare customers will also continue to have exclusive access to certain more desirable seats, including toward the front of the plane, available 331 days in advance. These seats are now called Preferred Plus Seats.

Preferred Seats are also complimentary for active duty military personnel and their family members traveling on the same reservation.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Please click on the photo for additional information on the 777.