Over the summer, we saw American Airlines introduce its long awaited new Boeing 787-9Ps, featuring all-new cabins. This is an exciting development for the airline, as it represents a significantly upgraded passenger experience over what you’ll otherwise find on the carrier’s long haul flights.
Of course one common question is which routes actually feature these new planes. So in this post, I’d like to go over that — which planes have the new cabins, and which routes do they fly?
Basics of American’s new 244-seat Boeing 787-9Ps
Prior to 2025, American already had 59 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet, split between the 787-8 and 787-9. However, American had another 30 787-9s on order, which will be delivered through 2029.
What’s exciting about these planes is that they feature an all-new passenger experience, and are in an ultra premium configuration. The planes are designated as Boeing 787-9Ps (with the “P” standing for “premium”), and they feature just 244 seats.
These planes have a total of 51 business class seats, which are American’s new Flagship Suite business class product, with doors and upgraded tech. I’ve reviewed this new business class, and it’s an awesome experience. Eight of these seats are Flagship Suite Preferred seats, featuring even more space and amenities (it’s essentially a “business class plus” product).
The planes then feature 32 premium economy seats, in a 2-3-2 configuration, and this is also a significant upgrade over the old product. In particular, there’s better tech, with bluetooth audio, additional charging options, and more.
Lastly, the plane features 161 economy seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration, so it’s a more intimate economy cabin than you’ll find on American’s other planes… but economy is still economy, so…
The 787-9Ps also have Viasat Wi-Fi, which represents a very nice upgrade over American’s old connectivity system.
American’s Boeing 787-9P routes & flights
If you want to actually fly an American Boeing 787-9P with these new interiors, what are your best odds of getting on one of these? The good news is that they’re consistently scheduled on certain routes.
As it currently stands, American has eight Boeing 787-9Ps in its fleet, and the planes have the registration codes N842AA, N843AN, N844MC, N845MD, N846AN, N847MF, N848AN, and N849AN.
When you go to book a ticket, you can tell if your flight is scheduled to be operated by this plane if you see it listed as a “787-9P” or “78P,” since that “P” is the designator for this aircraft.
As you’d expect, airlines adjust their schedules seasonally, since demand isn’t consistent throughout the year. With that in mind, here are the routes where you’ll find American’s 787-9Ps, as this will change in the coming months, especially as the airline continues to take delivery of new planes:
- On an ongoing basis, American is flying 787-9Ps on all flights between Chicago (ORD) and London (LHR)
- On an ongoing basis, American is flying 787-9Ps on one daily flight between Philadelphia (PHL) and London (LHR)
- Through October 25, 2025, American is flying 787-9Ps on flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Zurich (ZRH)
- Between October 25, 2025, and March 28, 2026, American will fly its 787-9Ps between Dallas (DFW) and Brisbane (BNE)
- Between October 25, 2025, and January 5, 2026, American will fly its 787-9Ps between Philadelphia (PHL) and London (LHR)
- Between October 26, 2025, and January 5, 2026, American will fly its 787-9Ps between Dallas (DFW) and Buenos Aires (EZE)
- Between October 26, 2025, and January 5, 2026, American will fly its 787-9Ps between Dallas (DFW) and London (LHR); it’ll initially be one daily flight, between increasing to two daily flights as of December 5
- Between January 5 and March 28, 2026, American will fly its 787-9Ps between Dallas (DFW) and Auckland (AKL)
Of course let me emphasize that schedules are always subject to change, and the above is just how things currently stand.
Bottom line
In recent months, we’ve seen American start to take delivery of its brand new Boeing 787-9s, featuring a more premium layout, plus new cabins. These are exciting planes for passengers, as they feature a much improved passenger experience. They’re also great in terms of upgrades and awards, given the number of premium seats.
If you want to fly American’s new 787-9Ps, your best bet is the Chicago to London route. However, there are other routes that have these planes, and this coming winter, we’ll see the 787-9Ps operate some ultra long haul flights to the South Pacific, where passengers will most appreciate the product.
What do you make of American’s new Boeing 787-9Ps, and the routes they’re flying?
