Among the big three U.S. airlines – American, Delta, and United – AA is widely considered a distant third. But you wouldn't know it by looking at the Dallas-based airline's new Flagship business class suites.
Ever since American started flying its new Boeing 787-9P (P for premium) between Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and London-Heathrow (LHR) last summer, I've had my heart set on checking it out. Two thwarted bookings later, I finally crossed it off my bucket list with a trip to London earlier this year.
So was it worth the wait? Definitely.
While the dining was a bit of a miss, everything else about this flight more than made up for it. The fully enclosed suites were stunning, the amenities were plentiful, the service was stellar (no, seriously!), and the onboard technology is some of the best in the industry. Maybe it's just my rose-colored glasses talking – I have an admittedly, inexplicable soft spot for AA – but this was one of those rare long-haul flights that felt far too short.
Read on for a full breakdown (and lots of photos) of my recent American Airlines business class flight from Chicago to London.
How to Book American Airlines Flagship Suites
American Airlines currently operates a fleet of a dozen (or so) Boeing 787-9P aircraft with these swanky new Flagship business class suites. This summer, you'll find them flying on the following routes:
- All flights between Chicago-O'Hare and London
- Two daily flights between New York (JFK) and London
- Two daily flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and London
- One daily flight between Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and London
- One daily flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and London
Next fall and winter, you'll also find them flying daily from Dallas to Auckland (AKL) and Brisbane (BNE).
Of course, schedules change from time to time, and it's not uncommon for airlines to have to swap in a different aircraft due to mechanical issues. But if you're hoping to catch one of these new birds for your next big trip (and they're worth seeking out), those are your best bets over the coming months.
When it comes time to book, you've got two options: Pay up – at least most of the time (more on that in a bit) – or turn to your stash of points and miles.
Using American's own AAdvantage miles (or Citi ThankYou points, which you can transfer to American) will be the path of least resistance. Since American started dynamically pricing its own award tickets years ago, there's no telling exactly what you'll pay. If you can find awards in the 70,000 to 80,000-mile range, that's about as good as it gets … at least right now.
But every so often, American will drop the price on these business class awards into the 60,000-mile range. And when they do, they typically give partners like Alaska Airlines access, too.
If awards are available through Alaska (which has gotten increasingly rare), this is the absolute best way to book. Just 55,000 Atmos Rewards points are all you need for the nonstop flight from Chicago to London.
With low taxes and fees, that's already a pretty great price to pay for a lie-flat seat across the pond … but it gets even better if you add a connection. Thanks to a little-known booking quirk, you can add a connection from your home airport – even tiny regional ones like my home airport in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (FSD) – and the price drops to just 45,000 points each way.
We don't know why it works like this, but sometimes it's just best not to ask questions and take the deal you're given. This is one of those times.
If you're not already flush with Atmos points, you can transfer them 1:1 from Bilt – sadly, there aren't many other great ways to earn them beyond flying Alaska/Hawaiian or swiping a co-branded credit card.
But as great a deal as that is, I didn't use Atmos Rewards (or AAdvantage miles) to book my flight. Instead, I booked a cash fare, all thanks to Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alert.
For a couple of hours last fall, Alaska Airlines put roundtrip business class flights to London – flying partners like British Airways and American Airlines – on sale for just $1,200 or so. This was likely a mistake fare … and thankfully, they wound up honoring it.
In my case, I ended up flying American Airlines to London and British Airways home (all in business class) for a little over $1,500 out of pocket. Considering roundtrips like this normally cost $6,000 or more, it was a heckuva deal.
At Thrifty Traveler, we don't accept freebies. We use our own points, miles, or cash to pay for every single flight or hotel you see reviewed here – including this one.
Check-In & Lounge Access
To get from my home airport of Sioux Falls (FSD) to Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), I booked a separate positioning flight on American. Since I checked in on the American app for my long-haul flight to London ahead of time, I skipped the standard check-in desk and headed straight for the lounge in Chicago.
If you're flying business class on American (or any of its Oneworld partners) out of Chicago, you'll have access to AA's Flagship Lounge. With about four hours to kill in between my flights, I made myself at home here.
Located in Terminal 3 between concourses H and K, AA's Flagship Lounge is a pretty massive space – so despite the shared access, it never felt overly crowded. As the evening wore on, it started to fill up – but even then, there were plenty of seats avaialble, and the staff readily restocked the buffet so it was never too picked over.
There were plenty of seating options, from couches to dining tables, as well as a workspace, media room, and quiet area. I found a comfortable seat along the window with apron views and had time to relax before my long flight.
The food spread was decent, with plenty of options for people needing to fuel up before their journey. I hadn't eaten much all day, so it was nice to grab a bite before my flight … and as it turned out, I'm glad I did.
For drinks, there's no shortage of options, including a fully stocked (self-serve) bar, plenty of wine and Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée (the same champagne you'll now find poured onboard), soft drinks, water, and coffee. Say what you will about the food, but you won't leave this lounge thirsty!
One fun and unique aspect of AA's Flagship Lounge in Chicago is its build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, complete with bacon, celery, olives, and all the garnishes you'd want.
The lounge also has a big bathroom, so you don't need to worry about a wait, and private shower suites are available upon request. Other highlights include a designated work area, media room with TV, and a quiet space with lounge chairs for weary travelers looking to get some rest. And of course, there's complimentary Wi-Fi throughout and plenty of outlets to charge your devices.
All in all, it's not a fancy Delta One or United Polaris business class lounge with sit-down dining, but it's entirely serviceable and made for a nice spot to relax before the flight.
Boarding
To be certain I was all set before boarding, I made my way over to gate K5 about an hour before departure to verify my passport and get a printed boarding pass. The gate agents were very helpful, and the boarding process seemed quite orderly, despite the relatively full flight.
Boarding began promptly at 7:45 p.m. (right on time), and as one of the first people on the plane, I was greeted warmly by the flight attendants waiting at the door and escorted into the empty business class cabin.
My first impression? Wow! This is a serious step up from the dated (and drab) cabins you'll find on AA's other planes. The photo above might not really do it justice, but the warm earth tones and woodgrain really bring the interior to life.
AA Flagship Business Class Cabin
American's new premium-heavy Boeing 787-9P aircraft feature 51 business class seats, spread across 14 rows, split up into two different cabins. The forward cabin is the largest of the two, with 9 rows of seats arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone configuration. Rows 10-14 comprise a smaller “mini cabin” to the right of the main entry door, with seats laid out the same way.
The bulkhead seats in both cabins – 1 A/L, 2 D/H, 10 D/H/L, and 11 A – offer the most space and are branded as “Flagship Suite Preferred” seats: a sort of “business class plus” product, closer to international first class. In addition to a little more room, AA offers passengers in these seats extra amenities, such as pajamas and additional bedding. The airline eventually plans to charge more for these seats … but for now, they're assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at no extra cost.
I was seated in one of those Flagship Suite Preferred seats (1L) and appreciated the larger footwell and extra amenities. You should definitely try to snag one if at all possible! Use a tool like Expertflyer.com to set an alert for when one of these Preferred Suites opens up!
Having said that, I wouldn't have had a problem “slumming it” a couple of rows back in regular suites, either. Aside from a little extra space, a different color scheme, and a couple of amenities, the rest of the experience is completely identical.
If you're traveling with a companion, sitting in the middle two seats would be your best option. There's also a middle partition that can be raised if you end up sitting next to a stranger.
The only seats I'd try to avoid are the last row of the forward cabin, since you'll be very close to the galley and two lavatories, which could get a little annoying.
Seats next to the windows are a solid option for solo travelers, like myself. I ended up sitting in one of these and loved my choice – and not just because of the “preferred” branding.
There are three lavatories in the business class cabin: One in the front galley (near the cockpit) and two (including a larger, accessible lavatory) in the mid-galley. Aside from some blue-sky “wallpaper” with clouds, they looked exactly as you'd expect. If you plan to change into comfier clothes (or pajamas) before going to sleep, I'd try for the bigger, mid-galley lavatory on the left side of the plane.
During my couple of visits to the lavatory, I never saw an untidy restroom. The crew did an excellent job keeping them clean throughout the flight, and a well-maintained restroom can make a big difference in the overall experience.
AA Flagship Business Class Seat
After flying several different lie-flat business class seats, American's Flagship Suites are near the top of the list – seriously. The combination of comfort, design, size, and technology made for a pretty incredible flight.
I'm no interior designer, but I think AA did a great job designing these seats. The faux marble and woodgrains pair well with the tweed seats and tan leather headrest – and a few pops of American Airlines' signature red trim and upholstery give these seats just enough added flair.
The color scheme of the Flagship Suites Preferred seats is different than the rest of the business class cabin. In these special bulkhead seats, AA differentiated them with black panels and red trim on the outside, as well as a darker motif inside the suite. The “regular” suites have a lighter look with more woodgrain and off-white colors. I think both work well, but I'm primarily basing my opinion on the preferred suite I sat in.
The accent lamp on the side table added a touch of elegance to the seat, and the extra light was genuinely useful when the cabin lights were dimmed.
If there's one area of criticism, it's the size of the seatback entertainment screen. AA went with 17-inch 4k touchscreens throughout the business class cabin – and while that's not tiny, it does look kind of small in the bulkhead seats. By comparison, United's new business class plus seats – dubbed Polaris Studios – come with a massive 27-inch screen, and Delta's next generation Delta One Suites will all be outfitted with 24-inch screens.
To be perfectly clear: This is the definition of a first-world problem and not something that meaningfully impacted the quality of the flight. It may matter to some, but it was hardly an issue for me.
Looking at the seats from the rear, it's easy to tell just how much room there is, with plenty of table space to set your belongings.
The headrest featured beautiful tan leather with AA's logo embossed in the bottom corner. The main section of the seat was made of a more durable gray cloth with subtle red stitching.
Beneath the window was a side table with a grey (faux) woodgrain tabletop and a smaller (elevated) table, perfect for setting a drink on mid-flight without bumping it.
Pressing the side button released a small latch door that opened up a relatively sizable storage compartment. I stored my passport and a few other small items there during the flight.
Opening the small door above the table reveals a storage compartment with the complimentary Bang & Olufsen headphones (surprisingly decent) and a small mirror inside.
Underneath this storage compartment was a wired controller that retracts to operate the in-flight entertainment system without having to reach forward to use the touchscreen. On some aircraft, these seem to have trouble responding, and you're better off just using the screen itself – but given that this was a relatively new plane, that wasn't an issue for me. Here you'll also find both an AC outlet and a USB-C port to stay charged throughout the flight.
Some airlines have started to add wireless charging stations to their business class seats, and American is a part of the club. Unfortunately, it didn't work that well for me. I think the aircraft's vibrations during turbulence kept disrupting the connection. I ended up plugging my phone in to ensure I had a full boost when I landed.
The other controls on the side adjusted the seat, allowing you to recline and convert it into a fully flat bed. Here, you could also adjust the lighting and turn on a “do not disturb” light to let the crew know you're looking to rest.
The aisle armrest could easily be raised for added comfort when sitting, and lowered for a larger sleeping surface when it was time to get some rest. Underneath the main center console were a couple of additional storage compartments for items like the amenity kit and other personal belongings.
There was also a small nook (near the door) for shoes. I love having a place to put my shoes when I change into slippers, but this space was kind of tight, and I definitely don't have the biggest feet. If you have bigger shoes (or boots), you may need to put them under the ottoman at the front of the seat.
Above the armrest is the handle to close the suite door. While I don't typically make much of having a door, they do add a decent amount of privacy when closed. To the right of the door, you'll find the safety card and other in-flight literature – this was also where I stashed my menu between meals.
Having enough legroom wasn't an issue in these bulkhead seats. The footwells have plenty of space and are finished with a nice leather ottoman at the far end and on the side.
The tray table also followed the overall color scheme and patterns, easily extending out from under the TV and unfolding for mealtime.
I thought the seats were extremely comfortable in the extended lie-flat position – among the best beds I've experienced in the sky. My back had plenty of support – but it wasn't too firm – and my arms were never cramped.
One last, key (to me) element of these seats worth highlighting is that every one has its own pair of individual air nozzles. This might seem like a silly detail, but I run warm on planes, and being able to control my own airflow makes a big difference in my overall comfort.
Overall, I loved American's new Flagship business class suites. The combination of comfort, design, and attention to detail made these one of my favorite business class seats I've ever flown.
Amenities
Every business class passenger received a small amenity kit with a variety of moisturizers and lip balm, a dental kit, slippers, socks, and an eye mask. The kit itself was a pretty sleek, leather-ish pouch, designed in collaboration with Raven + Lily, and featured skincare products from New York City-based Joanna Vargas.
Passengers seated in the bulkhead (Flagship Suites Preferred) suites also got pajamas designed by Nest. I ended up wearing the pajama pants and slippers for most of the flight and found both quite comfortable. In fact, I brought the pajama pants home and still wear them around the house to this day – they're really lightweight, so you don't get too hot.
In addition to the pajamas, American has also partnered with Nest for its bedding. Every business class passenger gets a cozy fleece blanket and a nice-sized pillow. Meanwhile, travelers seated in Flagship Suites Preferred seats get an added memory foam mattress topper and a lumbar pillow to go with it.
Overall, I thought the amenities on this flight were pretty solid … especially with the extras you get in the bulkhead seats. Even without the mattress pad and pajamas, I thought the amenity kit was above average (in terms of design and contents) and would have slept just fine with only the blanket and pillow.
Dining & Service
All business class passengers were offered a pre-departure drink as we settled into our seats during boarding. The choices included orange juice, water, or champagne – I went with a glass of bubbly, thank you very much. There was also a bottle of water waiting at every seat upon boarding.
Before takeoff, the flight attendant working my aisle confirmed my pre-ordered meal selection – you can do this online between 30 days and 24 hours prior to departure, and it generally includes a couple of additional choices you won't find on the printed menu.
Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, flight attendants came around offering hot towels. I never really know what to do with these, but it's a nice touch and something that's become pretty standard in business class.
Drink service began about 10 minutes after that. I went with a glass of Petit CARO Cabernet Sauvignon (from Argentina), which paired well with the accompanying nuts, olives, and stuffed peppers. The nuts and olives were a nice salty treat, but the peppers were the real standout here – they were surprisingly (a little) spicy, which was fine by me.
Next up was the starter: a miso-marinated sweet potato tower with wakame salad and wasabi aioli dressing, served alongside a spring salad. While the salad was mostly forgettable (not bad … just what you'd expect), the sweet potato tower was quite good – easily the highlight of the meal for me.
For my entrée, I pre-selected the all-day roast beef with rustic potatoes, peas, turnips, and carrots, served with an apple cider demi sauce. Other main-course options included achiote-seared shrimp, grilled chicken, and lo mein noodles with fried tofu (vegetarian). A selection of bread was also offered, and I went with a pretzel roll.
Overall, the meal was really the only big miss on this flight. The beef was tender enough, but it lacked flavor – saved ever so slightly by the sauce. The vegetables, on the other hand, tasted like they were straight out of a microwaveable bag (they probably were) and were entirely forgettable. And I'm not someone who doesn't like their greens – vegetables are usually one of my favorite parts of the meal, so it's not like I'm just being picky here.
After a lackluster main course, I skipped dessert in favor of additional shuteye. Having said that, I did sneak a peek at my neighbor's ice cream sundae on the way to the lavatory, and it looked quite good. Other dessert options included a gourmet cheese plate and lemon tart.
About an hour before landing, I woke up just in time for breakfast. I kept things light with a fruit bowl – which apparently, I didn't get a picture of … and I'll explain why in a second. To drink, I had a black coffee and orange juice. The other breakfast option was a heartier American breakfast with scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon (pretty un-American, if you ask me), roasted potatoes, and herbed tomatoes.
Breakfast was pretty good – it's hard to screw up fruit – and although I didn't care much for the food (overall), the service was top-notch on this flight. Mason, the flight attendant working my aisle, was truly great – very friendly and proactive to offer assistance at every turn.
One minor mishap? When my breakfast was served, he accidentally dumped my cup of coffee all over my leg. This got my attention pretty quickly as it was quite hot – but thankfully, I hadn't changed out of my complimentary pajama pants yet, so it's not like my outfit was ruined.
He felt awful, apologizing profusely (even offering me another set of pajamas), and it kind of became a running joke the remainder of the flight. On my way off the plane, another flight attendant offered me a cup of coffee for the road and promised not to spill it on me.
So yeah … that's why I forgot to take a picture of my breakfast. But honestly, it kind of added to the experience and helped showcase the whole crew's personalities and how well they recovered from what would otherwise be a huge knock against this flight. I'm not holding any grudges.
In-Flight Entertainment & Wi-Fi
American's in-flight entertainment system offers a ton of recent movies, shows, music, and games that could have kept me busy for hours. The 17-inch 4K screen was crisp – albeit maybe a bit small for the size of this seat – and both the touchscreen and wired controller were very easy to navigate.
One piece of added tech that AA introduced on these new Flagship 787s is something the airline calls “Watch Party.” This allows you to invite fellow travelers to sync up your show simply by entering their seat number.
These new seats also let travelers pair their own Bluetooth headphones with the screen. This is a really nice feature and something that's becoming more common in newer business class cabins … but unfortunately, it didn't work for me. Chalk it up to user error – or maybe I just caught the in-flight entertainment system on a bad day. It wasn't a big enough concern for me to ask for help, since the complimentary Bang & Olufsen headphones worked quite well.
After about 45-minutes of a mediocre rom-com, I turned on the moving map and settled in for some sleep. I often spend the majority of my time on the flight tracker screen, and this flight was no different.
Earlier this year, American Airlines rolled out free Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members across the majority of its fleet. AA's 787-9P aircraft are equipped with the Viasat system and offer decent speeds. It's no Starlink, but it was entirely serviceable for checking social media, emails, and the minimal web browsing I needed to do … and you can't beat the price.
Bottom Line
I thoroughly enjoyed my flight from Chicago to London in American Airlines' new Flagship business class suites. I was extremely impressed with how comfortable (and stylish) the seat was – and AA's tech upgrades are a big step forward.
Even though the food was a bit of a letdown, the top-notch service, entertainment, and overall experience certainly made up for it. I'd argue that American's new business class is one of, if not the single best way to cross the Atlantic right now. I'd jump at the opportunity to do it all over again!
