American Airlines plans to nearly triple the number of Boeing 787-9s equipped with its new premium-focused cabin, with another 19 aircraft expected to join the fleet over the coming years.
The U.S. carrier currently has 33 787-9s, including ten in the new configuration. The remaining 23 aircraft use American's previous 787-9 interior.
Once all 19 aircraft are delivered, the airline would have 29 787-9 Premium aircraft and 52 787-9s overall, assuming no changes to the existing fleet.
American highlighted the new aircraft in its third-quarter financial results on Thursday. According to the airline, the 787-9 Premium recorded the highest passenger satisfaction score of any aircraft in its fleet during the summer.
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The result comes as American places greater emphasis on higher-yield cabins. Premium products now generate roughly half of its ticket revenue despite accounting for approximately 30% of available seats. Premium revenue increased 22.9% year over year during the third quarter, while premium unit revenue rose 18.5%.
More premium seats, fewer passengers
The two versions of American's 787-9 have substantially different cabin layouts. The original configuration accommodates 285 passengers, with 30 Business Class seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 234 seats in the main cabin.
The 787-9 Premium has only 244 seats but substantially increases capacity at the front of the aircraft. It features 51 Flagship Suite Business Class seats, including eight Flagship Suite Preferred seats, 32 Premium Economy seats and 161 seats in the main cabin.
The new layout therefore dedicates 83 seats to Business and Premium Economy, compared with 51 on the older 787-9s.
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American introduced the 787-9 Premium into commercial service in June 2025. The aircraft also introduced the carrier's Flagship Suite Preferred product, which provides additional space and privacy in selected Business Class seats.
The airline had received eight aircraft with the new cabin by late August 2025, when one became American's 1,000th mainline aircraft. Another two have since joined the fleet, taking the current total to ten.
Two different 787-9 fleets
American has not announced plans to rebuild its 23 older 787-9s with the 244-seat Premium interior. The arrival of the remaining aircraft would therefore leave the carrier operating two distinct configurations of the same Boeing model.
The airline is pursuing a similar premium strategy elsewhere in its long-haul fleet. Its Airbus A321XLRs also feature Flagship Suite seats, while the carrier has been expanding premium seating and lounge facilities as part of a wider effort to increase revenue from higher-value customers.
American's latest financial results provide an early indication of how passengers are responding to the strategy. Managed corporate revenue increased 27.6% in the third quarter, its sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.
