Business

American Airlines is changing how some of its planes look — both inside and out

Fort Worth-based American Airlines is celebrating its centennial by refreshing its Boeing 777-300 planes to feature new exteriors and updates to all classes in the cabin.

Sporting silver with a bright orange lightning bolt and a bald eagle, the “Flagship DFW” is in honor of the first-ever air travel experience on the Douglas DC-3 plane.

The DC-3 flew from New York to Chicago in 1936. However, American Airlines took its first ever flight a decade earlier, on April 15, 1926, from St. Louis to Chicago. Instead of carrying passengers, that flight carried U.S. mail.

Here’s what else to know about the new digs.

The new DFW Flagship plane is a Boeing 777-300 updated to honor the DC-3 plane which was the first aircraft to transport American customers in 1936.
The new DFW Flagship plane is a Boeing 777-300 updated to honor the DC-3 plane which was the first aircraft to transport American customers in 1936. Courtesy photo by American Airlines

When can customers fly on the new Flagship DFW plane?

According to an American Airlines press release, the Flagship DFW will start flying in November.

However, all the Boeing 777-300 planes will get interior refreshes by next year to have the Flagship Suites.

These suites debuted on the Boeing 787-9 aircraft over the summer and took their first flight in October. They feature sleep-focused seats and include pillows, duvets, slippers, pajamas and fleece blankets. They also have privacy doors that make it like a personal on-board room.

The Flagship Suite, or first class, has recliner seats with privacy doors on American Airlines Boeing 787-9 and 777-300 planes.
The Flagship Suite, or first class, has recliner seats with privacy doors on American Airlines Boeing 787-9 and 777-300 planes. Courtesy photo by American Airlines

What updates will be on the Flagship DFW?

In addition to the Flagship Suites, the Boeing 777-300 planes will also get upgrades in their Premium Economy and Main Cabin.

  • In Premium Economy there will be new headrests, calf and footrests, as well as wireless charging.
  • The Main Cabin will gain new screens on the back of the seats, USB-C and AC power outlets.

Each Boeing 777-300 will have 70 Flagship Suite options as well as 44 Premium Economy seats.


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Where will the Flagship DFW fly to?

Boeing 777-300 planes specialize in farther, transcontinental destinations, with flights to Australia, Japan the United Kingdom and more.

Customers can book the Flagship Suite online for Boeing 787 planes now. Tickets start around $7,000.

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Ella Gonzales
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.
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