How will AA configure its B777-300ERs?
Published: 28/01/2012 - Filed under: News »
This week American Airlines unveiled images of new seating for its forthcoming B777-300ER aircraft, and there is speculation the carrier may have opted for a ten-across layout in economy.
Renderings of the carrier's new fully-flat business class seat have been released (click here for more information), alongside those of the new economy seats, and the image appears to show a four across layout in the middle of the cabin.
This would suggest a 3-4-3 layout, which would mean AA joining the likes of Etihad, Air France and KLM in offering ten-across economy seating on selected B777 aircraft.
From the image a nine across 3-3-3 layout would appear to be ruled out, although 2-5-2 could still be a possibility, as discussed on aviation forum airliners.net.
AA plans to roster the new aircraft on its key London-New York route, and if it has opted for a ten-across economy layout it would be the first US carrier to do so on transatlantic flights.
It's important to note that the carrier has yet to confirm the move - when Business Traveller contacted AA this week, spokesperson Tim Smith said that "American will have additional details on configuration in each cabin at a later date".
If the speculation is correct, the new denser layout is likely to be unpopular with some readers, although whichever configuration AA has chosen, the carrier has revealed several enhancements of the new seat, including:
- A higher recline pivot which the carrier says provides increased knee room
- An articulated seat bottom, which AA says produces "an innovative cradling motion to better distribute weight while increasing the recline angle of the seatback"
- Nine-inch touchscreen Panasonic Eco TV monitors
AA is scheduled to take delivery of ten B777-300ERs in 2012 and 2013, with the aircraft set to debut on its Sao Paulo route later this year.
For more information visit aa.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
Read more about...
Bookmark with:
COMMENTS »
BGIWorldTraveller - 28/01/2012 18:31
I read somewhere they will have 365 seats total which indicated to me that it will be 3-4-3 in economy...
ADD A COMMENT »
The big picture: BA’s Jubilee jumbo 28/05/2012
British Airways has painted one of its B747 aircraft with an emblem and message as part of its celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee — full story »
Hong Kong Airport takes step closer to third runway 28/05/2012
The Airport Authority of Hong Kong has submitted its project profile for a third runway, the start of a two-year Environmental Impact Assessment — full story »
Travelodge adds two Edinburgh properties 28/05/2012
The budget hotel group has opened hotels on Edinburgh’s Queen Street and Princes Street, the latter being a partnership with high street retailer Topshop — full story »
