American Provides Updates on Additional Refurbishment Efforts

Customers onboard American Airlines Flight 172 from New York (JFK) to Brussels (BRU) last Thursday, were among the first to experience American's newly-reconfigured Boeing 757 international aircraft on a trans-Atlantic flight.

American tells ANN that it is in the process of reconfiguring 18 of its 124 Boeing 757s for use on international routes, and Thursday's JFK-to-Brussels flight is the first to make an international journey with the new configuration. Featuring new seats, new cabin interiors and updated inflight entertainment systems, the reconfiguration - slated for completion by the end of this year - will offer customers a comfortable international travel experience.

"American Airlines fleet of Boeing 757 international aircraft will be well-suited to serve select international routes following the refurbishment initiative," said Lauri Curtis, American's Vice President - Onboard Service.

The 757 Business Class cabin, with a 2-2 seating configuration, features 16 next-generation, angled lie-flat seats with drop-down armrests; the ability to slide forward interlocking tray tables that create one of the largest workspaces in the industry; on-demand audio/video in-seat entertainment systems providing 28 movies, more than 33 hours of television programming, 16 audio channels, 50 audio CDs, 15 interactive games; and new lavatories.

The Economy Class cabin, with 166 seats in a 3-3 configuration, will receive new seats, new lavatories, new LCD monitors that replace CRT monitors, and digital media file servers that will provide better inflight video and audio entertainment quality.

The 757 international fleet will serve select trans-Atlantic and Latin American routes. Routes are subject to change, but may include New York to Barcelona, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Brussels; Boston to Paris Charles de Gaulle; and Miami to Salvador, Brazil, to Recife, Brazil.

Multiple Mods Coming For Several Airframes

Boeing 737

Since April 14, American has incorporated four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft into its fleet - the first of 76 737-800s that will arrive through the first quarter of 2011.

The 737s feature new First Class and Economy Class seats for improved living space and comfort, new "big bins" for overhead storage, and a digital inflight entertainment system which includes 20 drop-down LCD monitors mounted throughout the cabin. Each First Class seat has a 110V AC power port. In Economy Class, there are two ports per three seats to provide all passengers better access to power. Over time, these aircraft will also be equipped with AirCell's Gogo Inflight Internet service.

The new deliveries will be added to American's current fleet of 77 737-800s and are intended to eventually replace American's fleet of approximately 270 MD-80s.

Boeing 777

American recently completed the refurbishment of its fleet of 47 Boeing 777 aircraft, which primarily serve routes between the United States and locations in the United Kingdom, Japan, China, India and Latin America.

Upgrades include the standardization of the First Class cabin with Flagship Suites on all of the 777s. The Business Class cabin now features next-generation, angled lie-flat seats with drop-down arm rests and audio/video on-demand in-seat entertainment systems providing 37 movies, more than 78 hours of television programming, 14 audio channels, 50 audio CDs, and 15 interactive games.

Boeing 767-300

Less than two years ago, American Airlines completed the refurbishment of its fleet of 58 Boeing 767-300s. Customers now enjoy a refreshed next-generation Business Class cabin boasting angled lie-flat seats with drop-down armrests and personal in-flight entertainment players with audio/video on-demand entertainment providing 28 movies, more than 33 hours of television programming, 16 audio channels, 50 audio CDs, and 13 interactive games. With five independent motors, the new seats offer customers previously unimaginable flexibility. In addition, the slide-forward feature and interlocking tray tables provide customers with greater options for work and inflight dining.

American deploys its Boeing 767-300 aircraft for many of its trans-Atlantic services, as well as on select routes within the United States and to Latin America.

Boeing 767-200

By mid-2009, American is scheduled to complete updates to its 767-200 fleet of 15 aircraft, which primarily serve long-haul routes such as New York to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami.

The refurbishment includes the installation of one additional First Class seat on each aircraft, which increases the number of First Class seats to 10. American also is replacing First Class seat covers, armrests and footrests and replacing Business Class seat covers. In addition, the entire aircraft will receive a lighter and brighter look with new carpet and sidewalls. New LCD monitors will replace CRT, and a digital media file server will provide better inflight video and audio entertainment quality. On long-haul flights, personal inflight entertainment players are available in First Class and Business Class with audio/video on-demand entertainment providing 28 movies, more than 33 hours of television programming, 16 audio channels, 50 audio CDs, and 10 interactive games. Additionally, these were the first aircraft in American's fleet equipped with AirCell's Gogo Inflight Internet service, which allow passengers the ability to remain connected while traveling.

Boeing 757 Domestic

Enhancements to American's fleet of 106 Boeing 757 domestic aircraft begins this year and includes the installation of two additional First Class seats, increasing the number of First Class seats to 24 per aircraft. In addition, 89 of the 106 planes will receive new interior sidewalls to match those featured in the other 17 planes.

New seats throughout the aircraft - combined with the new sidewalls - provide a lighter and brighter look. Similar to the 18 aircraft in American's 757 international fleet, these aircraft will sport new LCD monitors to replace CRT monitors and will include a digital media file server for better inflight video and audio entertainment quality.

FMI: www.aa.com