Last night I got a great tip that American would be operating a flight using their new Dreamliner trim – the 787-9. The airplane is scheduled to make its public debut on November 4th with flights from Dallas-Forth Worth to Sao Paolo and Madrid.
However, as part of mandatory ETOPS certification (Extended Operations) from the FAA, American will be operating the 787-9 on Flight 50 from DFW-LHR and Flight 51 from LHR-DFW on October 4 and 5, respectively. You can read more about ETOPS here.
The aircraft swap has already been loaded into AA’s reservation system and is available for booking RIGHT NOW!
As of right now I’m seeing no Business SAAver award availability, but I am seeing Economy SAAver availability at 30,000 miles each way. Not bad!
If you have elite status with American you’ll be able to book one of the remaining 15 premium economy seats in rows 9-11.
What are the differences?
The differences between the 787-9 and 787-8 don’t mean much for you. The airplane is longer and stronger than the 787-8, but these differences are mainly important for the pilots. First Officer Troy is a United 787-8/9 pilot and offered a small tidbit below about a difference between the two airplanes – flaps!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIUCJURDJAS/?taken-by=troybflying
(Hat tip to @xJonNYC)
I believe that AA’s 787-9 will be flying between DFW-LAX/ORD in early October, before it begins international ops. I might be wrong but I’m nearly certain the inaugural 787-9 flight is on a Tuesday from DFW to LAX. -Max
As far as I know (and what’s been reported) the inaugural 789 flight is between DFW-LAX on 10/6.
No such thing as a small detail when you’re absolutely right! Thanks for reading 🙂