Fully flat Flagship Suite

Citation

(2000), "Fully flat Flagship Suite", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772eaf.008

Fully flat Flagship Suite

Fully flat Flagship Suite

Keywords American Airlines, Seating

American Airlines recently announced what it considers to be the industry's new standard in international fully flat first-class seats with the unveiling of the innovative Flagship Suite. The airline's signature product is said to herald a new generation of sophistication and luxury in the international premium class cabin. Initially, the new suites will be available on European and South American routes flown with Boeing 777s.

According to American the Flagship Suite transcends previous seat designs with a novel swivel seat, something which it believes no other airline currently offers. The exclusive swivel concept allows passengers travelling together the convenience of turning towards each other for dining or conversation, or to take advantage of the extra space created by two oversized fold-out workstations/dining tables.

"The new Flagship Suite has been created and designed to provide our premium customers with the ultimate in comfort and convenience in terms of work, entertainment and rest environment", said Mike Gunn, American's executive vice president of marketing and planning. "This enhanced first-class product is another example of our efforts to offer the premier level of comfort for our passengers."

The area is also complemented by familiar convenience amenities like a personal reading light, laptop powerport, individual phone with satellite communication, and a modem connection. Another distinct characteristic of the Flagship Suite is its companion dining capability, which allows seating for an additional person within the area of the Suite. Center Flagship Suites offer passengers the convenience of having as many as four colleagues meet and dine together at one time.

Many of the comfort features available in current first-class fully flat seats have been retained, including a privacy divider, six-way adjustable leather headrest, electronic seat controls and advanced lumbar support. A large 8.4-inch personal video monitor with personal video player and multiple movie selections are also available. The seat features another industry exclusive with two drop-down armrests to allow easier access and a more spacious sleeping area. It is 21-inches wide, becoming 30.5-inches wide when both arm rests are dropped, and reclines 180 degrees to a fully flat six-foot-six-inch bed. There's also ample stowage space for carry-on items.

Customers on transatlantic and selected South American routes began seeing the Flagship Suite on the Boeing 777 when the first plane with the 16-seat configuration entered service in August. The program will continue into 2001 as new aircraft are delivered from Boeing and enter American's 777 fleet.

American studied everything from corporate jet interiors to classic luxury rail cars before coming up with recommendations. Simon-Martin-Vegue Winklestein, the San Francisco interior design firm that created the new look for American's refurbished aircraft, also worked on the new first-class cabin's interior styling. Design Acumen in London worked directly with American on the overall conceptual design of the Flagship Suite, while Rumbold of the UK manufactured the product.

Details available from American Airlines. Tel: +1 817 967 1577.