A New Clue in the Case of American’s Enhanced Dreamliner Business Class

Back in 2018, American Airlines put in a huge order for 47 new Dreamliners (22 Boeing 787-8s and 25 Boeing 787-9s), and the first 12 are being delivered this year. Since the news dropped, frequent flyers have been wondering what type of business class seat will be used in the new 787-8 aircraft.

American Airlines’ Super Diamond Seat, Image Source: American Airlines

Rockwell Collins Super Diamond?

Considering AA broke its contract with Zodiac in 2015 after untimely deliveries, many expected the airline to choose the Rockwell Collins Super Diamond seats fitted on the 787-900 and a few 777-200s. The Super Diamond is a popular lie-flat, all aisle seat positioned in a herringbone configuration. The seat is well-known for its comfortable flatbed and 78-inch pitch (on most airlines), but it does lack a privacy divider between the seats. To read all about it, check out FlyerTalk’s thread on “The Best Business Seat” or this  FlyerTalk flight review.

The Points Guy reached out to American and was able to get some answers. The airline responded, “We have chosen a seat for the 787-8s that we’ll receive in 2020. It’s an enhanced version of the Collins Super Diamond seat model that we have on our current 787-9 and some 777-200s.”

Potential Enhancements

Based on AA’s response to The Points Guy, it appears that many of our hunches were correct in that the airline would use the Super Diamond, but what is this “enhanced” version they are talking about?

The Points Guy suggests the biggest change will be improved privacy, possibly following in British Airway’s footsteps by adding a closing door, or maybe a sliding middle-seat divider. FlyerTalk user JohnNYC had the same idea, stating, “Will be Super Diamond with working divider, no other notable enhancements (not to say this one isn’t a big one.)”

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the forums!