Downgrade Equipment Swap
Oct 22, 2025 | 4:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 63
Downgrade Equipment Swap
I am curious as to how this works.
Wife and I are flying to London in 3 weeks on supposedly a 787-9p in J
american needs 9 when they only have 8 so I’m guessing there is a chance for a swap to a -9 with less J seats etc.
If we get downgraded can we wait until J opens up even if next day?
Not wanting to fly premium economy from Dallas to London.
Wife and I are flying to London in 3 weeks on supposedly a 787-9p in J
american needs 9 when they only have 8 so I’m guessing there is a chance for a swap to a -9 with less J seats etc.
If we get downgraded can we wait until J opens up even if next day?
Not wanting to fly premium economy from Dallas to London.
Oct 22, 2025 | 4:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: United States
Programs: AA EP, BA Gold
Posts: 138
they should rebook you on a different flight in business if you're in a downgrading situation. hopefully a new 78P gets delivered soon. based on the inventory on a few flights i'm looking at this winter they could be loading a schedule change for LHR flights soon (lots of stuff is zeroed out)
Oct 22, 2025 | 4:20 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,158
Yes, you would not be forced to take the same flight in a lower cabin. In most cases like this it would be up to the pax on whether they want to get there sooner (in a downgraded cabin) or take a longer routing or wait until the next day to go in their ticketed cabin.
Oct 22, 2025 | 4:36 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 63
they should rebook you on a different flight in business if you're in a downgrading situation. hopefully a new 78P gets delivered soon. based on the inventory on a few flights i'm looking at this winter they could be loading a schedule change for LHR flights soon (lots of stuff is zeroed out)
also would expertflyer or something give me an idea?
Oct 22, 2025 | 5:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT PPro/Emerald 4mm, *A GLD, Delta Silver, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,772
there is no evidence that waiting until the next day would get them a seat in their original cabin. In the past few years when a J seat cancelled most people I talked to were offered something 2-3 days later.
Oct 22, 2025 | 5:25 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 63
Im guessing in the next few weeks there will be lots of downgrades from J to PE and PE to regular economy with many upset people.
I have a feeling AA knows what’s going on in the background to keep selling seats/ not schedule change at the moment
Oct 22, 2025 | 6:11 pm
#7
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Flying from DFW to LHR in November, it really shouldn't be any problem to get rebooked on something in business the next day (if not that same evening) in the rare event a downgrade did occur.
Oct 22, 2025 | 6:20 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 63
Originally Posted by JJeffrey;[url=tel:37386453
37386453]That is entirely going to depend on the route and season (and how helpful the agents are and how flexible/resourceful the pax are).
Flying from DFW to LHR in November, it really shouldn't be any problem to get rebooked on something in business the next day (if not that same evening) in the rare event a downgrade did occur.
Flying from DFW to LHR in November, it really shouldn't be any problem to get rebooked on something in business the next day (if not that same evening) in the rare event a downgrade did occur.
I wouldn’t mind flying on BA but since they only open 4 J seats I doubt they would stick us on that flight
Oct 22, 2025 | 6:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 9,941
You should be able to be put on BA ( assuming revenue seats available) if they can’t accommodate you on AA metal promptly.
the rules say yes. At LAX facing a 6 hour delay, I asked and was told they only would do it with 24 hour notice because they needed uo
poad good. I was calling BS on that but the AA flight took off that day (BA was the next day, full that day).
the rules say yes. At LAX facing a 6 hour delay, I asked and was told they only would do it with 24 hour notice because they needed uo
poad good. I was calling BS on that but the AA flight took off that day (BA was the next day, full that day).
Oct 22, 2025 | 7:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
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Posts: 868
Oct 23, 2025 | 12:25 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT PPro/Emerald 4mm, *A GLD, Delta Silver, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,772
right, agree, and LHR to DFW does have a lot of J seats, so always possible you would be ok the next day. I just know several people who were in the EU and could not get out in J the next day when travel disruptions were widespread.
Oct 23, 2025 | 2:22 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,784
I am curious as to how this works.
Wife and I are flying to London in 3 weeks on supposedly a 787-9p in J
american needs 9 when they only have 8 so I’m guessing there is a chance for a swap to a -9 with less J seats etc.
If we get downgraded can we wait until J opens up even if next day?
Not wanting to fly premium economy from Dallas to London.
Wife and I are flying to London in 3 weeks on supposedly a 787-9p in J
american needs 9 when they only have 8 so I’m guessing there is a chance for a swap to a -9 with less J seats etc.
If we get downgraded can we wait until J opens up even if next day?
Not wanting to fly premium economy from Dallas to London.
As others have mentioned, recently when I've missed a connection the next flight is usually not an option, but sometimes 2 or 3 days later. It's very frustrating knowing that those flights are going out with upgraded people in F/J and paying passengers can't be accommodated. Really wish AA wouldn't give any upgrades until a few hours before departure.
Oct 23, 2025 | 2:41 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 63
What makes you think youll be downgraded? Award or upgraded flights? Do you have seats that don't exist in the smaller cabin version? My understanding is you can minimize your risk by choosing seats that exist in both configurations? Otherwise not sure that AA gives any priority to paid passengers vs upgraded or award.
As others have mentioned, recently when I've missed a connection the next flight is usually not an option, but sometimes 2 or 3 days later. It's very frustrating knowing that those flights are going out with upgraded people in F/J and paying passengers can't be accommodated. Really wish AA wouldn't give any upgrades until a few hours before departure.
As others have mentioned, recently when I've missed a connection the next flight is usually not an option, but sometimes 2 or 3 days later. It's very frustrating knowing that those flights are going out with upgraded people in F/J and paying passengers can't be accommodated. Really wish AA wouldn't give any upgrades until a few hours before departure.
We are on paid tickets for things so I’m guessing we will be fine and bought quite a while fox
Oct 23, 2025 | 7:47 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 63
Originally Posted by beachfan;[url=tel:37388350
37388350[/url]]Having seats that exist in both
helps a lot. Also checking in online
if possible.
helps a lot. Also checking in online
if possible.