‍FORT WORTH — American Airlines (AA) announced the launch of Premium Economy service on the transcontinental route between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) in October.

Premium Economy service will be available on selected flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from October 5, 2025. Tickets will go on sale on July 28, 2025.

“We are excited to provide customers the opportunity to experience our Premium Economy service on our premier domestic route. With the domestic debut of Premium Economy, customers will enjoy a more comfortable seat, enhanced amenities, and elevated dining with hot entree choices when traveling coast-to-coast,” said Heather Garboden, American Airlines’ Chief Customer Officer.

Premium Economy Service

Customers traveling with Premium Economy get access to priority check-in, security, and boarding, as well as complimentary drinks and a hot meal with salad and dessert served on china. Personal amenity kit with premium skincare products and travel essentials can be found on board.

Seats in Premium Economy are wider and offer more legroom. Ostrichpillow lumbar pillow and crepe weave blanket allow passengers to rest comfortably during the flight. Customers can easily charge electronic devices with in-seat power and enjoy in-flight entertainment on a bigger screen with noise-reducing headphones.

American Airlines will begin deploying its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with a premium-heavy configuration on the carrier’s nonstop route between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Auckland Airport (AKL). This new service is set to begin on January 5, 2026. The aircraft serving this route will be a 244-seat jet that features lie-flat seating in business-class Flagship Suites equipped with privacy doors. The jet will also be fitted with new premium economy seats that offer extra leg support and extended reclining capabilities. In addition, the jet will feature refurbished economy-class cabins.

Auckland will become the second destination in Oceania served by the carrier using the premium-heavy aircraft, after Brisbane Airport (BNE). This jet is also being used for limited service to a number of different European and Asian markets, helping the carrier reestablish its footprint in the premium market after years of losing market share to Delta and American. As more Boeing 787-9P (P for premium) models arrive, American will look to continue expanding its network.

An Exciting Opportunity For All Kinds Of Passengers

Photo: kamilpetran | Shutterstock

The first thing American Airlines wants everyone to know about this new aircraft is that it provides a comfortable travel option for everyone involved. From business class to economy, passengers will be sure to have sufficient comfort on this ultra-long-haul journey.

American’s leadership team is undeniably excited about this new service as well. In a statement sent to Simple Flying via email, Jose A. Freig, the airline’s Vice President of International and Inflight Dining Operations, had the following words to share:

“We’re excited to be introducing our new premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the popular Auckland-DFW route in early 2026, providing customers with an even more elevated, premium experience than ever before.”

He would go on to add that the aircraft featured reconfigured seats that offered in-seat Bluetooth connectivity. He also noted that the aircraft’s ability to offer versatile comfort is one of its biggest selling points.

This New Premium Service Brings A Lot To The Table

Photo: American Airlines

American Airlines is going to elevate its trans-Pacific passenger experience by introducing the Boeing 787-9 to service, and the jet will be equipped with brand-new flagship suites. The route launching on January 5 will significantly expand the amount of premium capacity that the airline can offer across the Pacific.

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers in the highest-spending segments of the leisure travel market have been the key catalysts for revenue growth. As a result, airlines like American, alongside principal competitors United and Delta, have been forced to develop even more lavish premium products to cater to travelers looking for an elevated in-flight experience.

This premium-configured aircraft offers 51 lie-flat business-class seats that feature their own privacy doors and are arranged in a reverse-herringbone configuration. This offers passengers superior comfort on ultra-long-haul flights. The jet’s premium economy cabin boasts comfortable accommodations as well, far exceeding what is offered in economy.

Route Specifics & Schedule

Photo: Austin Deppe | Shutterstock

Let’s take a brief look at this new flight’s schedule and operational profile. For starters, this nonstop route will be operated daily, adding everyday connectivity on this ultra-long-haul sector.

In the outbound direction, American Airlines Flight 35 will depart from Dallas/Fort Worth each day at 22:30, touching back down in Auckland two days later at 09:10, due to the time difference and the international date line, according to Aeroroutes.

In the return direction, services are set to operate as American Airlines Flight 34. These flights will depart from Auckland at 13:20 and touch back down in Dallas that same morning at 08:05, demonstrating some of the fascinating scheduling oddities involving flights that cross the International Date Line.

Passengers traveling on transcontinental flights in the United States will have a more luxurious offering available towards the end of the year, following American Airlines’ announcement that it will be introducing premium ecomy service between Los Angeles and New York. These flights will begin in October, with passengers able to enjoy extra comfort without the heftier price tag of domestic first class.

American Airlines’ transcontinental flights between LAX and JFK are already known for being a cut above the rest in terms of the onboard experience for premium passengers, with those shelling out for Flagship Business and First Class enjoying lie-flat comfort. Now, the introduction of premium economy on this route will bridge the gap for more price-conscious passengers seeking a bit of luxury.

American Airlines’ Premium Economy Will Land On The Transcontinental Route This October

It is far from a secret that the transcontinental corridor between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F Kennedy International (JFK) in New York City is just about as lucrative as domestic routes get for US-based airlines. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, a combined 1,844 flights are scheduled between these two airports this July, with American Airlines accounting for 558.

With this in mind, routes such as this, which are also among the longest in the US as well as the most lucrative, offer carriers an ideal chance to generate extra revenue and win over high-value travelers with enhanced premium offerings. As such, AA has announced that, from October, premium economy will be available between LAX and JFK, with Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden stating that:

“We are excited to provide customers the opportunity to experience our Premium Economy service on our premier domestic route. With the domestic debut of Premium Economy, customers will enjoy a more comfortable seat, enhanced amenities, and elevated dining with hot entree choices when traveling coast-to-coast.”

Diving Deeper Into The Details

Photo: American Airlines

Premium economy will specifically be available on select American Airlines flights between Los Angeles International and New York JFK Airport from October 5, with bookings for these services opening next Monday on July 28, via the carrier’s website and app. Even before the flight, such passengers will be able to reap the rewards of benefits such as priority at check-in, security, and when boarding the jet.

Having got on board and settled down in recliner seats such as those pictured above, premium economy passengers will be able to avail of an amenity kit. While transcontinental flights pale in comparison to some of American Airlines’ lengthiest intercontinental long-haul flights in terms of duration, the “premium skincare products and travel essentials” will still come as a relief to cross-country travelers.

In addition to having more space at their disposal, American Airlines’ premium economy passengers will gain further in-seat comfort from the presence of a “crepe weave blanket,” with lumbar pillows also adding to the ergonomic experience. As far as food and drink are concerned, guests can expect “a hot meal with salad and dessert served on chinaware,” with complimentary drinks also available.

How Much More Spacious Is American Airlines’ Premium Economy?

Photo: American Airlines

For many people, one of the main draws of an airline’s premium economy cabin, regardless of the carrier in question, is the added space. This begs the question as to how much more legroom and width you get in American Airlines’ premium economy when comparing the experience to its economy class seats.

On the narrowbody side, present fleet data made available by aeroLOPA shows that American Airlines’ incoming Airbus A321XLR jets will offer 37 inches of pitch in their premium economy cabin. This represents a difference of six inches compared to economy, which will be appreciated on longer flights. As for the carrier’s widebodies, its Boeing 777-200ERs offer 38 inches of premium economy, compared to 31 in economy class or 34 in Main Cabin Extra (economy with more legroom).

They are also wider, at 18.5 inches compared to 17.1. These figures more or less mirror those of the 777-300ER, although that variant of the triple-seven has slightly wider premium economy seats (18.7 inches) and slightly more space in Main Cabin Extra (35 inches). As for the 787, the dimensions also mostly fall within this ballpark, although, on certain variants, premium economy seats are 19 inches wide.

Avianca is continuing the process of introducing business class on more routes within the Americas, reversing a decision that was made back in 2022. While the airline has been progressively restoring business class on routes since 2023, the airline is really supercharging the number of routes that will have this product.

Avianca cut business class on most routes in 2022

For some background, in the past few years, Avianca has nicely transformed its business, by becoming a more efficient airline. As part of this, the airline eliminated business class on flights within the Americas as of October 2022.

Not only did Avianca reconfigure its Airbus A320s to remove business class and add 20% more seats, but the airline also stopped selling business class seats on flights within the Americas that were operated by Boeing 787s. Instead, these premium cabins were just sold as seats with more space, but without additional service.

With this policy change, Avianca only maintained business class on transatlantic flights to Europe. I thought from the beginning that this was the wrong move. The airline started reversing course on this in August 2023, by restoring business class on some routes. The airline has progressively been ramping up business class in more markets since then, and we’re now seeing the latest example of that.

Avianca’s Boeing 787 business class

Avianca restores business class on 80+ routes

Avianca has progressively been restoring business class on routes within the Americas for nearly two years now. As a first step, in August 2023, Avianca restored business class on the following routes within the Americas, when operated by a Boeing 787:

Bogota (BOG) to Buenos Aires (EZE)

Bogota (BOG) to Miami (MIA)

Bogota (BOG) to Sao Paulo (GRU)

San Salvador (SAL) to Miami (MIA)

Then as of July 2024, Avianca restored business class on the following routes (five hours and longer) operated by the Airbus A320:

Business class is offered on flights between Bogota (BOG) and Boston (BOS), Buenos Aires (EZE), Mexico City (MEX), Miami (MIA), Montevideo (MVD), New York (JFK), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Santiago (SCL), Sao Paulo (GRU), Toronto (YYZ), and Washington (IAD)

Then as of December 2024, Avianca restored business class on the following routes routes operated by the Airbus A320:

Business class is offered on flights between Bogota (BOG) and Asuncion (ASU), Buenos Aires (AEP), Chicago (ORD), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Georgetown (GEO), Lima (LIM), Montreal (YUL), Orlando (MCO), and Panama City (PTY)

Business class is offered on flights between Medellin (MDE) and Buenos Aires (EZE), Lima (LIM), New York (JFK), Santiago (SCL), and Sao Paulo (GRU)

Business class is offered on flights between San Salvator (SAL) and Bogota (BOG), Lima (LIM), Los Angeles (LAX), Medellin (MDE), Mexico City (MEX), New York (JFK), Panama City (PTY), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington (IAD)

As the next step, for flights as of September 15, 2025, Avianca is restoring business class on the following routes operated by the Airbus A320:

Business class will be offered on flights between Bogota (BOG) and Aruba (AUA), Cancun (CUN), Caracas (CCS), Curacao (CUR), Cusco (CUZ), Dallas (DFW), Guatemala City (GUA), Guayaquil (GYE), Havana (HAV), La Paz (LPB), Manaus (MAO), Punta Cana (PUJ), Quito (UIO), San Jose (SJO), San Juan (SJU), Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI), Santa Domingo (SDQ), and Tampa (TPA)

Business class will be offered on flights between Medellin (MDE) and Cancun (CUN), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Guayaquil (GYE), Mexico City (MEX), Miami (MIA), Panama City (PTY), Punta Cana (PUJ), Quito (UIO), San Jose (SJO), and San Juan (SJU)

Business class will be offered on flights between San Salvator (SAL) and Boston (BOS), Cancun (CUN), Dallas (DFW), Guatemala City (GUA), Guayaquil (GYE), Houston (IAH), Managua (MGA), Miami (MIA), Ontario (ONT), Quito (UIO), San Jose (SJO), San Pedro Sula (SAP), Tegucigalpa (TGU), and Toronto (YYZ)

With these changes, we’re seeing Avianca essentially restore its business class on a vast majority of international flights. I’m happy to see this, and think it’s a pretty logical move. The reality is that the demand for premium air travel has continued to grow, and I think Avianca was also losing some transatlantic business class traffic to other airlines due to not offering business class on connecting flights.

The airline found a happy middle ground here, it seems. A320s are configured much more efficiently than in the past, but by having a business class product, Avianca can now compete better for premium travelers. Just keep in mind that Avianca’s A320 business class isn’t much to get excited about — it’s better than economy, but not as good as your typical business class product.

Avianca’s Airbus A320 business class product

Bottom line

Avianca is continuing to reintroduce business class on more routes. With the latest change, we’re seeing Avianca restore business class on a vast majority of international flights within the Americas.

The airline first cut business class on all flights within the Americas as of 2022, but started reversing course within a year. We’ve progressively seen more routes with business class added back, and as of September 2025, we’re going to see dozens more routes get a business class cabin.

I think this is a smart change on Avianca’s part. Just manage your expectations when it comes to the quality of the carrier’s business class.

What do you make of Avianca expanding business class to more routes?

American Airlines has today announced that it will start selling premium economy on one of its premium transcon routes. However, perhaps what’s most interesting is what American isn’t directly announcing.

American will fly Boeing 777s between JFK & LAX

Currently, American’s premium transcontinental flights are exclusively operated by special three cabin Airbus A321Ts, featuring first class, business class, and economy. That will soon be changing.

For flights as of October 5, 2025, American will progressively start flying Boeing 777-200ERs on select flights between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). Schedules are expected to be updated by July 28, 2025, to reflect these changes. American’s 777-200ERs are configured with 273 seats, including 37 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 212 economy seats.

American’s Boeing 777 business class

Obviously this aircraft swap has major implications for the passenger experience. These frequencies will feature premium economy rather than first class, and business class will be a much improved experience. Furthermore, overall per-aircraft capacity is increasing massively, given that the A321Ts only feature 102 seats.

American specifically highlights how premium economy passengers will receive priority check-in, security, and boarding. They’ll also receive an amenity kit, and a pillow and blanket. Once inflight, passengers will receive complimentary alcoholic drinks, plus a hot meal.

American’s Boeing 777 premium economy

Here’s how American Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden describes the premium economy angle:

“We are excited to provide customers the opportunity to experience our Premium Economy service on our premier domestic route. With the domestic debut of Premium Economy, customers will enjoy a more comfortable seat, enhanced amenities and elevated dining with hot entree choices when traveling coast-to-coast.”

This is the start of the end of the Airbus A321Ts

Why is American suddenly starting to fly 777s between New York and Los Angeles? Well, we know that American is planning a major strategy shift over the coming months and years:

American plans to reconfigure all of its special A321Ts with the standard “Oasis” product, so these planes will have the same layout as American’s other A321s

Then American plans to eventually start taking delivery of A321XLRs, which will be used in premium transcontinental markets; these planes will feature business class, premium economy, and economy, as American eliminates its “premium” first class

American’s standard A321 domestic first class

So yeah, it sounds like the A321T retrofits are starting, in anticipation of the A321XLRs joining the fleet. And that also lets American start to sell premium economy in this market, since those A321XLRs will also have premium economy. That way when the switchover from 777s to A321XLRs happens, it’ll be pretty seamless.

American’s A321XLR business class

American’s A321XLR premium economy

Both Delta and United also sell premium economy in premium transcontinental markets, so American is following competitors here.

Bottom line

As of October 2025, American will begin flying 777s between JFK and LAX, meaning American will start selling premium economy in the market. This represents a major shift for the airline, which has exclusively flown its A321Ts between the two airports for years.

This will be gradual, but we’re going to see A321Ts reconfigured with a standard domestic layout, in anticipation of upcoming A321XLR deliveries.

What do you make of these updates to American’s service between JFK & LAX?