International First Class Flights Soon Axed by American Airlines
American Airlines, a major U.S.-based airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is planning on eliminating first class tickets on international flights.
In an investor call, Vasu Raja, chief commercial officer for American Airlines, said, "First class will not exist on the 777, or for that matter at American Airlines, for the simple reason that our customers aren't buying it."
American Airlines to Offer Flagship Business Suites Instead
The airline unveiled a new "Flagship Suite" option for business class back in September 2022, with plans to increase available premium seating on long-haul flights by 45% by 2026.
Business Insider reviewed the upcoming suite and said the premium economy cabin is more spacious. They noted the large recliner with headrest wings, doubled storage space, and larger screens for in-flight entertainment.
A spokesperson for American airlines also told Business Insider that the airline will continue to offer first class on domestic flights.
In the announcement for the Flagship Suite, American's Vice President of Customer Experience Julie Rath said, "We are enhancing the customer experience across their entire journey with American. The arrival of a new long-haul aircraft and the customized seat design of the Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a truly private premium experience on our long-haul fleet."
Benefits of Removing First Class Seating
Prior to the pandemic, half of the demand for first class seating on international flights came from larger corporations. Nowadays, around 40-50% of that blends leisure and work.
Removing first class seating allows more room for business class seats. Seating which, Raja added, "is what our customers most want or are most willing to pay for."
The airline itself has seen a boom in sales since coming back from the pandemic. The American Airlines Group clock more than 500,000 flights in Q3 2022. That increased revenue by 13% as compared to 2019.
