FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) has sent its first Boeing 777-300ER to Hong Kong (HKG) to begin cabin retrofitting for new business class suites with doors and an expanded premium economy product.
This launch marks the operational start of Project Olympus, the airline’s delayed fleet-wide interior upgrade program.
The retrofit eliminates first class and increases the number of premium seats without reducing coach capacity.
The airline is using this configuration shift to respond to growing demand for premium long-haul travel across key international routes.
American Airlines 777-300ER New Business Suites
American Airlines is converting its 20 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from their current layout of 8 first class, 52 business class, 24 premium economy, and 216 coach seats to a new configuration of 70 business class, 44 premium economy, and 216 coach seats.
The redesign increases premium seats from 84 to 114, reflecting a net gain of 30 seats while removing only the 8 first class seats.
This heavily premium focused model is expected to shift the 777-300ER into the airline’s highest value long-haul cabin profile.
Aviation watchdog JonNYC shared the final premium heavy layout for the reconfigured aircraft and noted that the first 77W undergoing the upgrade is N718AN.
According to View from the Wing, moving ahead with the plan signals a recovery from the supplier-driven delays that began soon after the retrofit program’s September 2022 announcement.
Cabin Features and Passenger Experience
The new business class features suites with sliding doors, a more modern entertainment platform, and substantial privacy upgrades.
The design trades a small amount of personal space per seat in exchange for enclosed cabin comfort and personal storage improvements.
Premium economy seats will receive wider shells, upgraded cushioning, new headrests, and enhanced power and device ports.
Coach retains its existing layout of 216 seats, indicating no reduction in economy seating despite the premium expansion.
Retrofit Schedule and Routes
Project Olympus extends beyond the Boeing 777-300ER. American Airlines now plans to eventually reconfigure, rather than retire, its Boeing 777-200 fleet.
The 777-300ER retrofit effectively signals the end of American’s Flagship First Class. Airlines have historically used the product on Airbus A321T transcontinental flights and on 777-300ER routes such as London Heathrow and Sydney.
Airbus will replace the A321T with A321XLR aircraft configured for standard domestic service, which will also remove first class from that fleet.
Once all 777-300ER upgrades are complete, consequently the new business class suite will become American Airlines’ top international in-flight product, underscoring a comprehensive shift away from ultra luxury first class toward high yield business travel and enhanced premium economy.
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