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Fall 2016: AA’s Premium Economy
Ryan Boyd February 05, 2016
American Airlines Group president Scott Kirby is set to introduce premium economy fares in addition to basic economy seating in the second half of 2016. AA’s website claims that the airline will debut the fares on international flights in fall 2016, around the time that the airline will receive its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
On its website, AA says of the new seating option: “Enjoy spacious seating with extra leg room, wider seats, enhanced dining, personal on-demand entertainment, amenities such as eye shades and more.”
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[Photo: American Airlines]
I love this move. Finally the PE cabins are coming to the Americas (ok, discounting AC here) at a large scale. This will improve upgrade fairness (better chances PE->Biz if you pay more) and Y->PE if you want to fly cheap instead of giving away all upgrades to those who book deep discount Y 330 days out. I will be able to fly AA again as I am no big fan of BA's products.
So much for buying coach and upgrading to business with the slashed-in-half SWUs the EXPs got. Glad I got off the train when I did.
They're not planning this cabin for the international version of the 757 (the 75L), from what I've heard, only for the newer dual-aisle longhaul international aircraft (and thus also not counting the ones that will be retired in the next few coming years, such as the 763). This Premium Economy section is going to be a separate cabin, sort of like BA has with World Traveler Plus, not MCE which is just rows with more-legroom seats in the main coach cabin.
Of course this will lead to no more Coach to Business SW Upgrades
You know what they say, you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear!!!