Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

American Airlines Is Dropping First Class Cabins on International Flights

by Daniel McCarthy  October 21, 2022
American Airlines Is Dropping First Class Cabins on International Flights

American Airlines is dropping first class. Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com

American Airlines will soon no longer offer first class on international flights.

The carrier this week said that it was opting to expand its business class section on its aircraft, retrofitting its aircraft to replace first class with an expanded business class on long-haul international service.

According to Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja, who spoke during the company’s third-quarter earnings call, American is making the move because of changes in consumer demand.

“Yes, the first class will not exist on the 777 or for that matter, at American Airlines for the simple reason that our customers aren’t buying it,” Raja said.

“The quality of the business class has improved so much. And frankly, by removing it, we can go provide more business class seats, which is what our customers most want or most willing to pay for.”

According to Raja, American’s customers have shifted from business travelers to “blended demand” travelers, or those who are traveling for both work and leisure at the same time (United mentioned a similar trend in its earnings call earlier this week). Those blended demand travelers are willing to pay up from main cabins to business class, which is where the heightened demand for business, and the desire to increase its capacity onboard, is coming from.

In fact, American’s contracted corporation business is only 80% recovered from 2019 levels. Still, the airline has reported its highest-ever revenues for the second quarter in a row, and Raja said that is “on the strength of this blended demand that’s there and unmanaged business-related demand,” which produces higher yields for American.

Raja added that the airline does expect business travel to recover fully “as more countries open up” and visa “inefficiencies” get sorted out.

American was essentially the last U.S. airline that was offering a separate first-class cabin from its business-class offerings. Delta Air Line had rolled first class into business class in the 1990s and United Airlines stopped selling first-class flights in June 2019.

It’s worth noting that American’s business class offerings are still high-touch experiences, which include a Flagship Suite unveiled in September. That suite, which will feature on the carrier’s new  Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A321XLRs from 2024, is highlighted by a lie-flat bed and privacy door

  
  
Related Articles
American Airlines Expands Preorder Meal Window, Launches New European Menu
Amid Rumors, JetBlue CEO Says Airline Not Interested in Merging with United
JetBlue and United Link Loyalty Programs in New ‘Blue Sky’ Partnership
American Airlines Launches First Touchless ID Lanes
United Airlines Unveils New Polaris Studio Suites for 787-9s
Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terrible May Continues
American Airlines Wants to Hold Your Connecting Flight
American Airlines’ Newest Premium Suites Are Now on Sale
United Airlines Cuts 35 Daily Flights From Newark Liberty Over FAA Challenges
American Airlines Adds More Warm-Weather Routes From Chicago O’Hare

MOST VIEWED

  1. Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels 40+ Cruises on Two Ships
  2. U.S. Issues Worldwide Travel Warning for All Americans Traveling Abroad
  3. Travel Leaders Network President John Lovell to Depart for Cruise Role
  4. Hilton Rewards Reservations Canceled Amid Transition of Playa Hotels to Hyatt
  5. Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Coming in 2026, 2027, and Beyond
  6. Ask-an-Advisor: How Do I Know When It’s Time to Fire a Client?


  1. U.S. and International Airlines Halt Dubai, Mideast Flights Due to Iran-Israel Conflict
  2. Overtourism Backlash Heats Up in Europe as Summer Season Kicks Off
  3. New Greece Cruise Passenger Tax Coming this July
  4. What Does Success Look Like for a Travel Advisor?
  5. Two Wins and Two Losses for Travel in the New U.S. Budget Bill
  6. New U.S. Travel Bans Would Hinder Tourism, Industry Leaders Say
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)

Top tour operators talk their best-selling products for 2025.

U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes
U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes

On Friday, March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma in Myanmar, with tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and China.

Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises
Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises

Your clients can get free air on select 2025 and 2026 cruise and land journeys.

U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning
U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning

The U.S. State Department has told Americans to “reconsider” travel to Jamaica since July 2024.

What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises
What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises

With its first-ever Arabian Gulf season wrapped up, here’s everything your clients need to know about Celestyal’s offering in the region.

Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO
Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO

The new CEO currently serves as the organization’s CMO.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
Advertiser's Voice
The Collette Premium Experience
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences