American Airlines is one of the big three international US-based carriers and offers long-haul flights to destinations around the world. It is in the process of rolling out its new refreshed premium economy seats on its new 787-9 Dreamliners, offering a rewarding experience for people flying American who are used to economy. Premium economy is variously seen as a poor man’s business class, an upgraded economy class, and a more fiscally responsible fare that is also acceptably comfortable.

The benefits of flying premium economy on American are broadly similar to those of other US carriers like Delta and United. Passengers can expect more personal space, better meals and kits, more baggage, and priority service. The refreshed premium seats don’t improve the service, but they do offer more features and a more comfortable flight. Here is what to know about American Airlines’ refreshed premium economy seats.

American Airlines’ New Dreamliner Premium Economy Seats

The older premium economy seats were introduced in 2016 and were criticized for being gray and utilitarian. The new seats focus on privacy, aesthetics, and modern technology. American Airlines is now rolling out its new cabin interiors with Flagship Suites and refreshed premium economy seats. These are now available on its new Boeing 787-9P aircraft. These aircraft (code 789P) have been configured with 51 business class seats, 32 premium economy seats, and 161 economy seats. American operates one other Boeing 787-9 configuration (code 789) with Super Diamond seats.

The first 789P Dreamliner entered service with American in mid-2025. At the time, American reported the aircraft’s inaugural flight was a domestic one flying from Chicago to Los Angeles. Customers on the first premium 787-9 flight also received a gift bag with commemorative items, including a flight tag specifically designed for the debut. The seats are also available on American A321XLR aircraft and are being retrofitted into its 777-300ER aircraft.

The older Dreamliners are configured to be more economy class-heavy with 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 234 economy class seats. American Airlines says of its premium class, « A Premium Economy ticket includes special amenities with seats behind Flagship, Business or First. Premium Economy is available on select international and domestic flights on these aircraft: 777-300s, 787-8s flying internationally and to Alaska 787-9s, and 777-200s.« 

Notable Features Of New AA Premium Seats

One notable feature is that across the aviation industry, the premium economy seats have a leg rest or a footrest, but not both. However, these American Airlines premium economy seats do have both. The seats have a standard 38-inch row pitch that extends to 43.25 inches when reclined, or is reduced if the seat in front reclines. That limits space to the point that someone with the window seat will feel obliged to ask the person with the aisle seat to get up when getting out of the seat and moving about the aircraft.

The seats offer modern features like a wireless cellphone charging pad located ahead of the premium economy seat. American Airlines says premium economy passengers enjoy a redesigned seat with new headrest wings « that give customers additional privacy and new calf and footrests that offer enhanced comfort. » There is a slot to the side of each seat that accommodates a laptop.

Other features of these premium economy seats include a new trim and finish, water bottle storage, and USB-C and AC power outlets. The touchscreen is enlarged from 10-11 inches to a 13.3-inch 4K QLED touchscreen, and the seats also have Bluetooth Audio connectivity. The new entertainment system is faster and has a dark mode to reduce eye strain on night flights. Another improvement is the cradle recline, designed to better mimic a more natural « Z-position » for sleep and to be more comfortable on the lower back.

The Premium Economy Experience With AA

American Airlines premium economy passengers can expect perks from check-in to baggage collection. On the ground, they can enjoy priority privileges through check-in, security, and boarding. After landing, their bags are placed on the carousel before economy class passengers. American also supplies premium bedding, including an Ostrichpillow lumbar pillow and a crepe-weave blanket.

On the airplane, they are greeted with a premium kit that American says comes with « sustainably sourced travel essentials and rotating skincare products from diverse beauty brands like Joanna Vargas and Relevant. » These kits are only available on international routes and on some select domestic transcontinental routes, like between Los Angeles and New York.

Compared with economy class seats, the seats are wider and overall more comfortable. Premium inflight dining comes with a full drink service and chef-inspired meals, although this varies by route. AAdvantage status members can enjoy more benefits like extra bag allowances, lounge access, and other perks.

Which Routes Count As « International »

In the aviation industry’s cabin configurations and inflight services, « international » is often used as shorthand for long-haul routes with aircraft configured with a premium-heavy configuration, while « domestic » is shorthand for higher-density routes with fewer services and premium seats. In the real world of American Airlines, « domestic » and « international » have little to do with crossing international borders. All long-haul international routes (e.g., to New Zealand or Chile) are counted as « international » for aircraft configuration purposes.

So too are select domestic routes such as those from New York to Los Angeles, New York to San Francisco, or Hawaii to Dallas and Chicago. Delta Air Lines also treats longer-haul domestic routes to Alaska in this class, but not American Airlines. Additionally, most short-haul international routes, like almost all flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America, use aircraft with the domestic configuration. Southern South American destinations (e.g., Chile and Argentina) are typically treated as « international » for premium economy and cabin configuration purposes.

Another factor is that premium economy is almost always restricted to widebody aircraft, but not always. American Airlines has two Airbus A321XLRs in service (with another 48 on order). Those two A321XLRs are used on New York to LAX and SFO routes, and are configured with premium economy seats. American even has A321T Transcom aircraft on these routes with first class, although this is being phased out.

Premium Economy Is Priced High By US Carriers

Compared with other international carriers, US carriers, like American Airlines, tend to price their premium economy seats high relative to economy class. On routes like that from New York-JFK to London, premium economy may be priced 2x to 3x the price of economy, which is much higher than the equivalent seats on European carriers flying to the US. European carriers typically mark the fare up by 50% to 100% (1.5x to 2x) compared with economy.

One of the main reasons US-based carriers do this is to safeguard highly profitable business class seats. The fear is that if the premium economy seats were too cheap, then passengers would be tempted to downgrade from business to premium economy. This would be a loss for the airline as it seeks to convince economy class passengers to upgrade from economy, not business class passengers to downgrade.

By contrast, Asian carriers (like Cathay and Singapore Airlines) typically price premium economy at 1.5x to 1.8x the price of economy as they treat the fare as a volume product to fill the aircraft. Asian carriers focus on the upgraded service to sell premium economy seats, while US carriers typically focus on marketing the upgraded seat.

American Premium Comes At A Premium

For those flying internationally (e.g., on transatlantic routes), US-based carriers are typically reasonably competitive on economy class fares. But as indicated, this changes with premium economy fares. US-based carriers typically sell economy class transatlantic fares in the $600 to $800 range, broadly in line with European carriers. However, premium economy fares are typically priced in the $1,800 to over $3,000 range compared with the European $1,200 to $2,400 range.

Business class fares are closer, although US carriers are still, on average, more expensive. The gap is even starker on transpacific routes. Once again, the economy class fares are similar, while premium economy fares are typically $500 to $1,000 more expensive than their Asian counterparts. All this is to say, when flying internationally, it may not be the most cost-effective to stick with American and its premium economy unless loyalty is important.

American Airlines offers a new, refreshed premium economy fare on its new 787-9 Dreamliners, and these seats are comfortable and competitive with other US carriers. The downside is that passengers may pay a premium, compared with many international carriers. This dynamic differs on Mexican, Central American, and South American routes as local carriers like LATAM, Avianca, and Aeromexico focus on high-capacity seating and have limited premium economy seats. This gives US carriers a monopoly on some of these routes and allows them to charge high premium economy fares.