American Airlines are reportedly planning to phase out its first-class seating cabin as part of its plans to focus on business class.
In the official statement released by the airline on Thursday, it was also revealed that the quality of the business class has upgraded.
“Yes, the first class will not exist on the [Boeing 777] or for that matter at American Airlines, for the simple reason that our customers aren’t buying it,” Vasu Raja, American’s chief commercial officer said, informing investors of the move during a third-quarter-earnings call on Thursday.
“The quality of the business class seat has improved so much, and frankly by removing it, we can go provide more business class seats, which is what our customers most want and are most willing to pay for.”
In addition, Raja also claimed that American Airlines has been selling premium seats to its customers and passengers who are traveling for leisure rather than to corporations for business travel.
In the announcement released by the airline last month, they unveiled its new “Flagship Suite” option where privacy doors and lie-flat controls are included on Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft deliveries beginning in 2024.
According to American, “it planned to renovate its Boeing 777 aircraft to include the new offering, which will replace the carrier’s existing exclusive Flagship First cabin.”
“We are enhancing the customer experience across their entire journey with American,” Julie Rath, American’s vice president of customer experience, said in a statement last September.
“The arrival of 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,” Rath added.
Moreover, the airline also added that it would add more premium economy seats to its long-haul aircraft.
In the report released by The Hill, “Flagship First customers have been offered access to certain premium lounges, and it remains unclear how the new plans will impact those spaces. American introduced its premium economy cabin, which includes wider seats and more amenities than a regular economy seat, in 2016.”
“United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are among competitors that have followed suit with similar new offerings between economy and business cabins,” the report added.
On Thursday, the American Airlines made an announcement, claiming that it earned $483 million in the third quarter, as revenue during a hectic summer travel season prior to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
