American Airlines took delivery of their first Boeing 787-9, the stretched variation of Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Tuesday. The Boeing 787-9 took off from Charleston, SC as American Airlines AAL9702, bound for Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Tuesday evening. The aircraft will spend the next few weeks in Dallas while maintenance crews prepare the aircraft for entry into service.
This isn’t American’s first Dreamliner. In 2015, American Airlines took delivery of its first 787-8, the smallest variation of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Today American operates 17 Boeing 787-8 with three aircraft still on order. The 787-8 is configured with 28 business class seats, 57 main cabin extra seats, and 141 main cabins seats with 226 seats in total.
Though not American’s first Dreamliner, the 787-9 is the newest. The 787-9, features 285 seats in total with 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, 27 main cabin extra seats, and 207 main cabin seats. Additionally, the 787-9 is the first aircraft to feature American’s premium economy product.
About N820AL
| Tail Number | N820AL |
| Delivery Flight | Charleston, SC to Dallas-Forth Worth, TX AA9207 |
| First Flight | Dallas to Los Angeles AA2401 |
| Configuration | 30 Business/21 Premium Econ/207 Main Cabin |
| Number of 787-9s to be Delivered | 21 |
The aircraft bears the registration N820AL and features American’s latest livery. N820AL is the first aircraft in American’s entire fleet to feature Premium Economy. 21 of the 285 total seats are Premium Economy seats. Passengers seated in Premium Economy will have access to benefits and amenities on the ground as well as in flight. Premium Economy passengers will receive Priority Access, extra legroom, wider seats, amenity kits, upgraded meals, and noise canceling headphones. Premium Economy will be available for elite customers and sold to all other customers as Main Cabin Extra until its official debut in 2017.
When Can You Fly It?
The aircraft will depart Dallas-Forth Worth (DFW) on October 6th at 7:20am and arrives in Los Angeles (LAX) at 8:40am. The first flight will be flown as AA2401.
As mentioned above, the aircraft will spend a few weeks at DFW for maintenance and airline modifications. However, the aircraft will be completing test flights until its debut on October 6th. Cities that could possibly see the 787-9 completing test flights include; London, Chicago, Phoenix, El Paso, St. Louis, Roswell, and New York.
The First Images
American has released the first pictures of the aircraft on the ground in Dallas.
In addition to the first aircraft to feature Premium Economy, the 787-9 features American’s new business class product. The new business class product was designed and manufactured by B/E Aerospace. All Boeing 787s in American’s fleet were intended to be fitted with American Airlines’ custom designed Zodiac seat, however, American dropped Zodiac Seats after the seat manufacturing could not fulfill demand.
All seats feature individual in-flight entertainment and power outlets. The aircraft is also equipped with international wi-fi service and liveTV. Additionally, business class passengers will have access to a walk-up snack bar during their flight.
Overall
American just took delivery of their first 787-9 so unfortunately, only three pictures are available to the public. Still, these three pictures feature three of the most important features; the aircraft, new business class product, and first look at premium economy.
The aircraft will make its first few revenue flights within the United States, mainly between Dallas and Los Angeles. In November, the 787-9 will make its international debut with flights to Madrid, Spain.
What is your favourite feature of American’s new Dreamliner?
