American Airlines Will Fly 2-Class Retrofitted 777-200 To London

Most of the American Airlines 777-200 aircraft that are around at the moment have old cabins and are on the “avoid if at all possible” list for most flyers booking into Business Class. While the much newer 777-300ER aircraft that American Airlines flys have, arguably, the best Business Class seat on offer between the US and Europe, the 777-200 still flys with angled-flat seats that feel like they’ve been around for decades.

American Airlines realised that the disparity between its two biggest long-haul aircraft didn’t make good business sense so they decided to refit some of their younger 777-200 aircraft with new cabins throughout.

Now, for the first time, these retrofitted 777-200 aircraft are to service one of American Airlines’ routes to London.

2-Class 777-200 To Fly Chicago – London Route

During the summer season American Airlines has 4 daily flights between Chicago and London Heathrow and, from 2 June 2016, AA98/91 will be operated by the new 2-class Boeing 777-200 aircraft. AA98/91 is currently served by an old-style 777-200 which will now either be retired or sent for a full cabin overhaul.

The Chicago – London route will see further modernisation when, on 5 July 2016, a 777-300ER will take over from another legacy 777-200 on flights AA46/87.

I have deliberately chosen to use the term “modernisation” and not improvement because, as I will show later, these changes aren’t necessarily good for everyone.

The full planned operating schedule for Chicago – London will now look like this:

AA090 ORD 08:50 – 22:45 LHR (Daily service operated by a Boeing 767)
AA086 ORD 16:45 – 06:35+1 day LHR (Daily service operated by a Boeing 767)
AA046 ORD 19:20 – 09:05+1 day LHR (Daily service operated by a Boeing 777-300ER)
AA098 ORD 22:05 – 12:05+1 day LHR (Daily service operated by a Retrofitted Boeing 777-200ER)

AA099 LHR 07:45 – 10:35 ORD (Daily service operated by a Boeing 767)
AA047 LHR 08:40 – 11:35 ORD (Daily service operated by a Boeing 767)
AA087 LHR 12:25 – 15:10 ORD (Daily service operated by a Boeing 777-300ER)
AA091 LHR 17:00 – 20:00 ORD 772 (Daily service operated by a Retrofitted Boeing 777-200ER)

American Airlines Retrofitted 777-200 Cabins

The First Class cabin has been removed entirely from the 777-200 aircraft and the Business Class cabin has had an entirely new Business Class seat fitted into it.

American Airlines 777-200 Retrofit New Business Class – Image courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines 777-200 Retrofit New Business Class – Image courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines 777-200 Retrofit New Business Class – Image courtesy of American Airlines

The Business Class cabin is a massive improvement on the old style cabin that was once found in these aircraft…..

Old Business Class Seats in American Airlines 777-200 Aircraft

According to American Airlines the Business Class cabin now has:

• Business Suite with seats that become fully lie-flat beds and provide infinite adjustability in the upright position, including a unique z-shaped lounge position for increased comfort
• Direct aisle access at every seat for ease in moving about the cabin
  International Wi-Fi capability keeping you connected anywhere on the globe
• AC power outlets and USB ports at every seat
• Bose® QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® headphones for use in flight
• A walk-up bar stocked with a selection of snacks and refreshments
• Amenity kits filled with inviting and rejuvenating products
• 16-inch touchscreen monitor that offers on-demand entertainment with up to 260 movies, 240 TV shows, 13 radio channels, 375 albums and 20 games, plus international live TV, presented by MasterCard®

When it comes to the Economy Class cabin the news isn’t all good.

Starting with the positives:

The retrofitted 777-200 aircraft now have “Main Cabin Extra” seats as found on the newer 777-300ER. These seats come with around 5″ more seat pitch (leg room) than the regular Economy Class seats and that can make a big difference on long haul flights.

Main Cabin Extra Seating on American Airlines Retrofitted 777-200 Aircraft – courtesy of American Airlines

All the Economy Class seats now come with a much improved entertainment system and with AC power and USB sockets as standard – the cigarette lighter power ports are finally a thing of the past!

New entertainment and power sockets on the retrofitted 777-200 Aircraft – courtesy of American Airlines

But that’s really where the good news ends.

The non-Main Cabin Extra area of the 777-200 aircraft will now have 10-seats across the cabin (historically it was 9) so the seat width is coming down significantly. The older 777-200 aircraft have seats that are 18″ wide while the new, retrofitted 777-200s have seats just 17″ wide. That 1″ can make a lot of difference.

It’s also worth noting that some 777-200s will see 10-across seating across the whole Economy Class cabin (which includes Main Cabin Extra) so, depending on which retrofitted aircraft this route gets, there’s a chance that Main Cabin Extra passengers will feel the squeeze too.

Bottom Line

The loss of First Class should bother too many people – the old seats were showing their age and the soft product is forgettable.

The new Business Class options on the Chicago – London route will suddenly be much improved. Two old 777-200 are bidding the route farewell and a 777-300ER (with an excellent Business Class seat) and a retrofitted 777-200 take their place.

Economy Class passengers now have the option of Main Cabin Extra – so that’s good news – but a lot will also now be facing a 9 hour flight in exceptionally tight seats – and that’s not good at all.

Still, with the recent addition of a 787 Dreamliner on the Chicago – Los Angeles route, a London – Los Angeles trip in Business Class, with a stopover in Chicago, has never looked better.

Featured Image: motox810 via Flickr