american airlines seat map 787 9

American Airlines Boeing 787-9 aircraft seat map American Airlines

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The Boeing 787-9 family, features a business class that redefines luxury in regional air travel. Catering to 30 passengers, the environment is spacious, with seats that offer ample recline and legroom. The in-flight dining is a culinary journey, and the entertainment options cater to diverse tastes. The crew's meticulous service ensures every need is met with precision.

Premium economy

Travelers aboard the Boeing 787-9 lineup, can experience the perks of premium economy. Designed for 21 passengers, this class offers a touch of luxury with ergonomic seating, a wider entertainment selection, and gourmet meal choices. The crew's attentive service accentuates the elevated experience.

The Boeing 787-9 series, offers an economy class that's optimized for longer regional routes. Catering to 234 passengers, the environment is spacious with ergonomic seating. A wide range of entertainment options is available, and the crew remains attentive to passenger needs, ensuring a satisfactory flight experience.

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The business class on the Boeing 787-9 V.2 by American Airlines is a harmonious blend of luxury and modernity. With 51 seats, passengers can relax in ergonomic pods, indulge in gourmet meals, and stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi. The crew, adept in offering tailored service, ensures a seamless and luxurious journey.

Elevate your flying experience with American Airlines's premium economy on the Boeing 787-9 V.2. Catering to 32 discerning passengers, it offers a harmonious blend of luxury and value, with plush seating, dedicated service, and an enriched dining experience. The attentive crew ensures a journey that's both delightful and memorable.

On the Boeing 787-9 V.2, American Airlines offers an economy class that's designed for the modern traveler. With 161 seats, the cabin is modern and well-appointed, ensuring a pleasant flight experience. The seating is optimized for long-haul comfort, and a diverse range of entertainment options keeps passengers engaged. The crew's commitment ensures a smooth journey for all.

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• American Airlines
• Boeing 787-9 (789)

Seat Map American Airlines Boeing 787-9 (789)

Airplane Boeing 787-9 (789) American Airlines with 4 classes and 285 seats on board. Use airplane seat map to find which ones are more comfortable and which should be avoided.

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The American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is configured 30J 21W 234M and features Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats in Business.

Diagram updated 17 Apr 2024

Flagship Business: Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats configured 1-2-1 in a reverse-herringbone pattern; 15.4" screens Premium Economy: Collins Aerospace MiQ seats configured 2-3-2 with a 38" pitch; 11.5" screens Main Cabin Extra: Safran (formerly Weber) 5751 slimline seats configured 3-3-3 arranged with a 35" pitch; 9" screens. In the seat plan these seats are indicated with orange accents Main Cabin: Safran 5751 slimline seats configured 3-3-3 arranged with a 31" pitch; 9" screens. In the seat plan these seats are indicated with red accents Wifi: Panasonic high speed satellite wifi IFE: Panasonic eX2 AVOD in-flight entertainment system with Live TV

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Boeing 787 9 Seat Map American Airlines

AA 787-9 Seat Specifications

Amenities key.

Boeing 787 9 Seat Map American Airlines: Overview

The Boeing 787 9 plane in the American Airlines fleet is a relatively new aircraft with several features. The AA 787 9 seat map shows 285 seats with top-notch amenities like a personal power port and AVOD (audio video on demand) in every seat.

The 787s are known for having lofty, curving ceilings to add more spaciousness. Onboard the Boeing 787 9 American Airlines uses Panasonic’s Ku-Band WiFi service with a strong connection that is available anywhere. However, the WiFi connection is slow for streaming videos but adequate for sending and receiving essential emails and browsing the web.

The American Airlines Boeing 787 9 seat map design includes a personal video screen, providing passengers with access to hours of entertainment. They can watch about 175 movies and many television series, music, and games. In addition, passengers have access to 5 live channels like CNN, BBC, and Sport24, irrespective of the cabin.

The 787-9 is outfitted with power plugs and USB ports at every seat in every cabin. Also, passengers of the 787 9 are offered one or two meals depending on the distance, with no additional fee for non-alcoholic beverages.

AA 787 9 Seat Map: Best Seats

Passengers who choose the AA 787 9 Business Class have 21 seats to consider. The seats are 21 inches in width and are organized in a 1-2-1 arrangement. They are equipped with enough storage space to ensure the best experience for passengers.

Also, passengers enjoy pods and American Airlines 787 9 Business Class seats that recline into a flatbed. The Passengers in 7DH, 8L, and seat 8A, will not get the best comfort due to the lack of storage and closeness to the lavatory.

Premium Economy

When on a 787 9 American flight, passengers in the Premium Economy Class enjoy 19-inch wide seats with a pitch of 38 inches. They are given extra comfort with the footrests and recline of the seat due to the seat being stretched forward. In this cabin, the lavatory noise may constitute a problem for passengers in the 9th row.

Main Cabin Extra

There are 34 Main Cabin Extra Seats available on the Boeing 787-9 American Airlines, which provides an additional 4 inches of legroom. The seats are available for passengers who would like more legroom. Aside from AAdvantage Platinum and Pro members, booking the main cabin extra requires an additional cost.

In the Cabin Extra, seats 22ABC, 22H, 22D, 22JKL, and 23DEH are not comfortable due to the lavatory. Passengers in other seats crowd the restroom.

The Boeing 787 9 American Main Cabin has an adjustable headrest for support and passenger comfort. The 3-3-3 seating accommodates 234 people. The seats in the 24th row are uncomfortable as they are in front of the galleys and lavatory.

The 39DEH, 37JKL, and 37ABC are not ideal due to their limited recline. Also, seats 38H, 38D, 37H, and 37D are close to the lavatory; therefore, they are often crowded.

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American Airlines Boeing 787-9 (789) Seat Map

• American Airlines Boeing 787 9 Seat Map

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Seatlink's take

The American Airlines Boeing 787-9 features seats in a 2 cabin configuration. Economy has 255 seats; Business class has 30 seats; this is pretty standard for these aircraft. Legroom-wise, the Economy pitch of 0cm " is average, the Business class pitch of 0cm " is average, though of course what that means for you depends on how tall you are!

• Business Class

The economy cabin on American Airlines's 787-9 features 255 seats in a configuration.

The premium economy cabin on American Airlines's 787-9 features seats in a configuration.

The business class cabin on American Airlines's 787-9 features 30 seats in a configuration.

The first class cabin on American Airlines's 787-9 features 0 seats in a configuration.

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• PHL to LHR Flight 1 of 1

Philadelphia, PA to London, United Kingdom PHL to LHR

• Boeing 787-9  
• Travel time: 7h

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Seat map Boeing 787-9 “American Airlines”. Best seats in the plane

American Airlines have 22 aircrafts planes of this type.

Seat map of the Boeing 787-9

Boeing 787-9 is the latest airplane that has supplemented the fleet of American Airlines.

This airplane may transport 285 passengers in three classes: business, premium economy and economy. American Airlines also separates main cabin extra type of seats.

First 8 rows are the seats of business class. There are totally 21 seats here. Close location of the galleys will cause discomfort to passengers of the seats of the 1st row, 7DH, 8A and 8L . Lack of floor storage during take-off and landing is another disadvantage of the seats of the 1st row .

Behind the exit row 21 seats of premium economy class are located. There are 3 rows of seats here that have 2-3-2 configuration. The noise from the galley and lavatory located in front may represent a problem for passengers of the seats of the 9th row . Also these seats have no floor storage during take-off and landing.

Next 3 rows contain seats of main cabin extra type. There are totally 27 seats here. The only disadvantage of the seats of the 12th row is lack of floor storage during take-off and landing.

Behind the seats of the main cabin extra type 75 economy class seats are located. Passengers tend to gather in the area of the seats 22ABC, 22D, 22H, 22JKL and 23DEH in order to visit lavatories causing discomfort to passengers of these seats. Also the seats 23DEH are less reclining than standard.

Behind the lavatories, galley and exit row one row of main cabin extra type is located. These seats have 3-3-3 configuration. Location of the galley and lavatories in front of the seats of the 24th row and lack of floor storage during take-off and landing are the disadvantages of these seats.

The last 15 rows of the airplane contain the seats of economy class. Most of these seats are standard. Lavatory and galleys located nearby are the main disadvantage of the seats 37D, 37H, 38D and 38H . This disadvantage in addition to limited recline makes the seats 37ABC, 37JKL and 39DEH bad seats.

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Flight Review: American Airlines (787-9) Premium Economy From Dallas to Los Angeles

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available – View the current offers here .

TO THE POINT: American Airlines' 787-9 premium economy seats effectively bridge the growing gap between international economy and business-class cabins. The pros: much more legroom, wider seats, larger IFE screens and improved recline. The cons: disappointing footrests for two-thirds of the cabin, tricky tray tables and poorly placed IFE remotes.

On October 6, American Airlines launched its brand new 787-9 Dreamliner between Dallas (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX), the first in its fleet to feature a premium economy cabin . Since AA isn't quite ready to launch premium economy service until early 2017, however, the new premium economy seats are still being sold as part of the regular economy cabin for the time being.

Using Google Flights , I checked out options from Austin (AUS) to Los Angeles (LAX) via Dallas (DFW) , and when the price dropped to just $168 one-way, I went for it. I booked the flight with my Chase Sapphire Reserve since this card would cover me in case there were any delays , and earned 3x Ultimate Rewards points for the travel purchase.

As of right now, the new premium economy seats are coded as Main Cabin Extra economy seats, meaning general flyers are going to have to pay a premium to select them. As an American Airlines Platinum member , however, I was able to select these seats for free during the booking process . Since these seats are part of the economy cabin, you can't expect any extra service on these flights, but you will end up with a superior economy hard product.

On this DFW-LAX route, the majority of the premium economy seats had been full on most dates I was considering. However, on the flight I ended up booking, the three premium economy middle seats remained unoccupied despite the rest of the economy section being almost full.

You may also be able to snag a nicer seat at the last minute. Just before boarding, I checked ExpertFlyer and saw that the seat next to me — 11A, a window seat — was available. If you're stuck in a middle premium economy seat or in the standard main cabin, set up an ExpertFlyer seat alert to find out as soon as there's an open seat you can snag instead.

After pre-boarding, first-class passengers were allowed to enter the plane, followed by Oneworld elites. There was no special boarding procedure for those sitting in the premium economy cabin, as can be expected for now, although it'll be interesting to see if premium economy gets a special boarding zone once the product is sold as a separate cabin.

The only remarkable part of the boarding process was how orderly it was, especially compared to what I've typically experienced on domestic American Airlines flights. Passengers resisted lining up until their group was called, although it became a mad dash to line up once this had happened.

Cabin and Seat

AA's premium economy seats aboard the 787-9 are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration rather than the 3-3-3 layout in standard economy, which allows the new seats to be a bit wider and have a larger armrest.

There's plenty of legroom, too, thanks to 38 inches of pitch. My seatmate ended up being a 6'6" man who inquired at boarding if there were any exit row seats still available. Since there weren't, the gate agent showed mercy and gave him seat 11A — he reported having absolutely no trouble with the legroom.

Those seeking even more legroom can grab a seat in row 9, the bulkhead row in premium economy.

The seats offer quite a bit of storage space as well. In addition to a seat-back pocket, there's a hard-plastic storage slot underneath the IFE screen. This space seems to be best for storing smaller items like boarding passes, passports and magazines, although the slot isn't very deep and it was hard for me to maneuver my cell phone into it.

Each passenger also gets a hard-sided storage compartment. For the pair of seats by the window, it's located under the armrest between the seats. For the three seats in the middle, the storage compartment is between seats D/E for both D and E and between E/H for the H seat. I found this to be a good place to store my phone, wallet and camera. A tablet or very small laptop might fit there, too, but my 14" laptop was a bit too much for it.

I noticed some people having trouble with the premium economy tray tables, which were situated on the opposite armrests of each seat. The trick is you need to first pull the tray table release lever — the tray table then ejects most of the way by itself, but passengers still need to fully extend it before it can be turned and used as a tray table. When you're finished with it, expect to exert a little effort to fit it back into the armrest.

Inside this storage compartment, you'll also find a universal AC power plug and headphone jack. Unfortunately, the power plug was situated in a rather tight spot, so much so that I was unable to plug in my phone's charger and ended up using the IFE screen's USB plug to charge it instead. Note that the easiest way to access the AC power plug and headphone jack is to lift up the armrest . This gives you a clear view of the plugs without having to awkwardly bend over.

The headrests were quite comfortable and could be extended upward a few inches, while the sides could be folded in to provide head or neck support while sleeping.

While the front row of the premium economy cabin has a comfortable combined leg/footrest, the footrest for rows 10-11 (the second and third rows of the premium economy cabin) only have a simple footrest that folds out from the seat in front of it.

I was rather underwhelmed by this footrest, as I have found similar ones in economy on other airlines and was expecting something more substantial. It's also quite misleading since AA states premium economy seats have " extendable foot, leg and head rests " when only one-third of the seats come with that type of leg rest.

The windows installed on this aircraft seemed to be third-generation Dreamliner windows , as they got exceptionally dark. Unlike other 787 Dreamliners I have flown on , these windows go completely black at their darkest setting, making it nearly impossible to see outside, even in daylight.

Before takeoff, the cabin crew tinkered with the settings, eventually settling on pitch-black for premium economy, but only slightly dark for regular economy. The difference was stark. While we were unable to see anything from our windows during takeoff, we could see clearly out of the economy windows when we looked back.

While there's no curtain set up to separate the premium economy seats from the rest of the economy cabin, there are walls and a curtain rod between the two, so it seems that premium economy will eventually be separated into its own three-row mini-cabin once it's officially sold as a separate product.

I had selected seat 11C in the back row of the premium economy cabin. While some of the back row seats have limited recline, that didn't seem to be an issue and I measured that my seat reclined 14°.

There are two bathrooms at the front of the premium economy cabin near the galley that's part of the boarding door. When I asked, the cabin crew were unsure if these bathrooms were for business- and first-class passengers only, like it is on the 787-8, or if they were part of the premium economy cabin. I later discovered that there's only one bathroom in the front of the aircraft for the 32 business-class seats, so it's likely that the two bathrooms are part of the business-class cabin. Hopefully, premium economy will get to share these, too, so the passengers there won't have to walk dozens of rows back through economy just to use the facilities.

Food and Beverage

About 25 minutes after takeoff, the cabin crew passed through for the beverage service. Coffee, juice, tea and soda were served with a Biscoff cookie, while food and premium drinks were also available for sale.

For the sake of this review, I purchased a $4.99 "Continental Breakfast Bag," which was basically a bag containing a pre-packaged bagel, a quite-green banana, a granola bar, cream cheese and jelly. I paid for it with my Chase Sapphire Reserve, which ended up only yielding me 1x Ultimate Reward points — in retrospect, it would've been better for me to use my Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard , which would've also saved me 25% off the in-flight purchase. The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

While it'll be quite different once the AA premium economy product is officially launched, in-flight service on this flight was pretty impressive. Based on my discussions with the crew, it seems many of them are senior members who prefer not to fly internationally.

It also seems the cabin crew might be hand-picked and/or specially trained to brag about the new 787-9 Dreamliner. When my seatmate mentioned the nice premium economy product during the beverage service, the flight attendant was eager to tout the benefits of this new plane. However, she did erroneously state that this is just the "second or third flight" for this plane — I bit my tongue from correcting her.

The in-seat remote is very poorly placed and because of that, the flight attendant call button can be easily and accidentally hit by a passenger's thigh. I noticed this happening a few times during the flight and each time, a flight attendant would come over to check if there was anything needed, only to find the passenger confused by the question.

One would think that this sort of thing would eventually lead to a less-responsive crew. However, when I intentionally pressed the call button later on during the flight, a flight attendant responded promptly, albeit tentatively. Overall, this was one of the best experiences I've ever had with an American Airlines cabin crew.

In-Flight Entertainment

On the 787-9, there are in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens at each seat, which seem to be identical to those on the 787-8 . The screens are bright and crisp from the front but appear frosted or even opaque from the side, giving passengers a bit of privacy for viewing.

At the bottom of the IFE screens, there's a USB and headphone plug. Since the IFE screens are so far from the seat, a headphone plug is located in the between-seat storage well I mentioned earlier.

In premium economy, the screens tilt around 12.5° (based on an iPhone app I used), allowing passengers to clearly see the screen, even if the person in front of them is reclining their seat. For the bulkhead seats, the screens were mounted on arms that extended from the front of the armrest.

The in-flight entertainment system was pretty well-stocked for a flight of any length. There were dozens of movies ranging from new releases to classics, as well as a selection of TV shows, music, audiobooks, live TV — BBC World News, Sport 24, CNBC and CNN — and four magazine options. And all of this was accomplished with no under-seat entertainment box.

Wi-Fi was available on the flight, with pricing more suited for an international trip. Despite the flight taking less than four hours, the pricing options were $12 for two hours, $17 for four hours or $19 for a "Flight Duration Pass."

Overall Impression

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience in American Airlines' new premium economy seat. The pros are definitely more legroom, wider seats and a moderate 14° recline. However, more thought could have gone into the placement of the IFE remote so that passengers don't accidentally hit the flight attendant call button with their legs. The simple footrest offered in rows 10-11 was rather disappointing as well, especially when compared to the legrest/footrest combo found in row 9.

Have you had the chance to try out American Airlines' new premium economy cabin between DFW and LAX? Tell us about your experience, below.

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American airlines' boeing 787 fleet: everything you need to know.

American Airlines takes its Boeing 787 on routes that are up to 7,000 miles long.

• American Airlines operates one of the largest fleets of Dreamliners in the world.
• Its fleet includes 37 787-8s with a total seat capacity of 8,658.
• The top routes of American Airlines' 787-9 include DFW to Tokyo Haneda and PHL to London Heathrow.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was developed after Boeing dropped its Sonic Cruiser project. Since the Boeing 787 launched in 2004, more than a thousand units of this aircraft have been delivered to date. American Airlines, the largest airline in the world in terms of fleet size, operates one of the largest fleets of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

American Airlines is one of the top five identified customers of the Boeing 787. It has more than 6,000 daily flights, taking to the skies of more than 45 nations and 350 destinations. But how large is American Airlines' 787 fleet? Which are its top routes, and when did the airline start operating the type? We’ll dive into all of this and more.

American Airlines Boeing 787 Business Class: What To Expect On Board

A short history of american airlines' boeing 787 fleet.

Around 80% of the fleet of American Airlines is comprised of narrowbody aircraft. The airline flies a mix of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, and is one of the world's biggest operators of the Boeing 787. In both orders and deliveries, it only lags behind United and ANA.

The first delivery of a 787 to American Airlines took place on January 23, 2015. During its inaugural flight, the Dreamliner flew between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). American Airlines first used the widebody on domestic routes to familiarize the crews before taking it on international routes.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner used in the inaugural flight was the second 787 delivered to the airline, not the first. While passengers were boarding the aircraft, they were given a swag bag with an inaugural Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight card. In addition, the passengers also received earbuds and a memorial coin, alongside a mobile phone charger.

American Airlines Boeing 787 fleet: How big is it?

Before even receiving its first Dreamliner, American Airlines ordered 42 of the type, split between the 787-8 and 787-9. It also secured purchase rights to acquire 58 additional aircraft. Boeing was buoyant with the commitment from the airline, as Ray Conner, the CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes at the time, commented:

"We're proud that American Airlines has chosen the 787 to be a key part of its fleet renewal plan … We appreciate American's confidence in the airplane and know the Dreamliner will open exciting new routes for American's customers."

American Airlines currently has a total of 37 Boeing 787-8 in its fleet, with an average age of six years. The 787-8s provide a total seat capacity for the airline of 8,658. For the 787-9, American Airlines has 22 in its current fleet, with an average age of 6.6 years. These give the airline a total seat capacity of 13,590.

Routes served by American Airlines' Boeing 787s

In order to accommodate better aircraft positioning and demand management, American Airlines has deployed 787s on short routes. However, American Airlines also uses the Dreamliner on routes that cover as far as 7,351 miles. Some of the shortest routes operated by the 787 at American Airlines include:

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Philadelphia International Airport - Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Here's Why An American Airlines Boeing 787 Was Spotted Wrapped In Black Plastic

However, some of the top routes operated by American Airlines’ 787s really showcase what the airplane was built for, operating very long haul routes all over the world. The routes where it's deployed most include:

• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - Tokyo Haneda (HND)
• Philadelphia (PHL) - Doha (DOH)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - Incheon (ICN)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) - London Heathrow (LHR)
• Chicago O'Hare (ORD) - London Heathrow (LHR)

According to data from Cirium , some of the longest routes flown by American Airlines with the 787 are:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Auckland Airport (AKL) (a seasonal flight that ended this March)
• DFW to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (SVG) (the longest route in April)
• DFW to Seoul (ICN).
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Hamad International Airport (DOH)

Seating configurations of American Airlines Boeing 787 fleet

Boeing 787-8 has a seating capacity of 220 passengers, while the 787-9 can seat up to 259 passengers in a typical three-class layout. There are four classes of services available on the American Airlines Boeing 787:

• Main Cabin Extra
• Flagship® Business
• Premium Economy

According to AeroLOPA , the Boeing 787-8s operated by American Airlines have 20 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. In premium economy, passengers are seated in a 2-3-2 configuration across four rows. The small cabin accommodates just 28 passengers and sports the Rockwell Collins MiQ seat, with a pitch of 38" and a generous 8" recline.

American also offers a class of seating below premium economy but marginally better than regular economy. Calling this product 'Main Cabin Extra,' the seats occupy the first two rows of economy and the middle bank of three seats (D, E and F) from rows 10 to 21. Offering an additional 3" of pitch over the standard economy seat (34" against 31") and one more inch of recline (4"), these are a nice little extra for longer-legged fliers.

Throughout the economy cabin, American uses the Safran 5751 slimline seat, configured 3-3-3. All passengers have access to a 9" touchscreen IFE display, as well as 110-volt universal AC and 5-volt USB-A sockets.

Have you flown American Airlines' Dreamliner? What did you think of the experience? Let us know in the comments.

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American Airlines Planes and Seat Maps

• Airbus A319 (319)
• Airbus A320 (320)
• Airbus A321 (321) Layout 1
• Airbus A321 (321) Layout 2
• Airbus A321 (32B) Layout 3
• Airbus A321neo ACF
• Airbus A330-200 (332)
• Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8)
• Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 1
• Boeing 737-800 (738) Layout 2
• Boeing 777-200 (777)
• Boeing 777-300ER (77W)
• Boeing 787-8 (788)
• Boeing 787-9 (789)
• Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 1
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• Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 3
• Bombardier CRJ-700 (CR7) Layout 4
• Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9) Layout 1
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• Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9) Layout 3
• Embraer ERJ-140 (ERD)
• Embraer ERJ-145 (ER4)
• Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 1
• Embraer ERJ-175 (E75) Layout 2

Fleet Information and Seat Maps

Widebody jets, economy class, premium economy, business class, first class, narrowbody jets, regional jets.

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

How to Figure Out What Type of Plane You're Flying In

T here are several reasons why it can be useful to know what type of airplane you'll be flying on when you make your flight reservation. You might simply be wondering what the seat configuration will be, or maybe you want to know whether you were scheduled to fly on a Boeing 737 Max aircraft following the recent grounding of Boeing 737-9 Max planes after a harrowing Alaska Airlines flight involving a plug door that blew out earlier this month.

Other reasons it could help to know? Well, many of the smallest turboprop and regional jet aircraft (or even narrow-body and sometimes midsize planes, too) might make you gate-check your TSA-approved carry-on bags due to more limited storage space in the main cabin. So, if there's another aircraft option available, you might want to choose a larger commercial jet that will have bigger overhead bins to store luggage. The same goes for seat layout: Maybe a larger airplane will have more (and possibly better) seating options, whether you want to upgrade , simply have more space, or to be able to sit all together as a family .

Whatever you're reason for wanting to know, here's how to figure out what type of plane you'll be flying in.

How to know what type of airplane you'll be flying on

Nearly every airline in the world lists the type of aircraft that flights will be using during the booking process-you'll typically find airplane information displayed just below the flight details when selecting your flights. Start by doing a search for your origin and destination airports and preferred dates to find out what type of planes fly each route.

Similarly, when you search for a flight using a travel search engine such as Google Flights , the exact airplane model will be listed below each listed flight segment, in smaller type, alongside the airline operating the flight.

Five years ago, travel booking site and app Kayak added an aircraft option to its filters, and the company reported that it saw an uptick in usage of that filter following the Alaska Airlines incident in January 2024. Specifically, users can filter to include or exclude certain aircraft models, including the Boeing 737-8 Max and the Boeing 737-9 Max planes for travelers who are concerned about flying on those models.

You can also find your airplane model using ITA Matrix

If the plane type is still unclear, type in your origin, destination, and date of travel on the ITA Matrix , a flight search engine. Once you find your flight, click on the details arrow to the far right to find out exactly what type of plane you're booked on.

Airlines sometimes have schedule changes, especially for flights booked more than a few months in advance, which could change the time a flight takes off or the type of aircraft used. A day-of change of aircraft (or equipment, in airline lingo) is rare, unless there is a mechanical issue or weather delay that requires substituting a different plane. But it can-and does-happen.

How to figure out the best seats based on the type of airplane

One of the biggest benefits of knowing your aircraft type in advance is that you can use it to pick the best possible seat-including the safest seat on the plane . While aircraft manufacturers typically use the same structure for each specific aircraft model, there are plenty of ways an airline can customize individual models when ordering a new plane. This can include things like engine types, the placement of galleys and lavatories, and the number and configuration of seats. For example, a low-cost airline may be more interested in packing in as many seats as possible while an international carrier may be more focused on including more premium seating . Some airlines even have different models of the same aircraft: Delta has several models of Boeing 767-300ER planes with different cabin configurations.

Try to search for the seat map on your own reservation page first to get an idea of the version of the plane you're on, before heading to a seat map site. Once you know the exact aircraft type, search for it on websites like SeatGuru or SeatMaestro . These websites outline an entire airline's fleet, and for some planes, there may be several configurations. This can help you avoid seats that are close to the bathroom or ones with a misaligned window (when there is no window next to your window seat or an off-center window that you can't look through).

These websites also do a great job of describing the types of seats (lie-flat versus recliner seats in business class, for example) and their relative amenities. Does it have built-in entertainment screens? Will the plane have wireless internet? You can also figure out which seats may have limited recline or no under-seat storage.

Common types of airplanes for U.S. flights

The most common aircraft that U.S. passengers will fly on are those built by four main manufacturers: Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer.

Unlike military aircraft, which are designed for high speeds and ultra-maneuverability in mind, passenger jets are crafted with (at least some) comfort in mind and to take on long-range journeys at slower speeds that are easier on the body.

When it comes to fleets, it varies from one airline to the next. Alaska Airlines exclusively flew with Boeing aircraft until it merged with Virgin America in 2016, which had an all-Airbus fleet. Alaska's subsidiary Horizon Air mainly uses Bombardier planes. Delta had an all-Boeing fleet until it merged with Northwest in 2008 and began placing large orders with Airbus.

How are these types of planes different?

If you're the type of person who likes to get on a plane and zone out for a few hours, then avoid older planes, which are often noisier. The single-aisle McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series flown by Delta will cocoon you in engine noise if you sit in the back of the plane, so make sure to bring headphones .

If you enjoy spotting landmarks from the sky, keep in mind that most Airbus planes are known for having smaller windows than Boeing planes, although the Airbus A350 was built with larger portholes. This makes it easier to see even if you are sitting on the aisle.

New aircraft types like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 are built using lighter composite materials, which allow them to burn less fuel. They're also better for your skin: Used mostly on international flights, these models feature upgraded air ventilation and circulation systems that help hold the cabin pressure to numbers closer to what you might find on the ground. This can make passengers feel less dehydrated and, hopefully, less jet-lagged.

If you're looking for a more spacious cabin, wide-body aircraft with two aisles are obviously larger. Sometimes, they also come with newer entertainment systems and are usually used for long-haul, international flights.

Are some planes better than others?

It depends on what exactly you're looking for-if you want more legroom or extra luggage storage space, a wide-body plane like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner would be a good option. If you must have an entertainment system to stay sane on a long-haul flight, a newer aircraft like an Airbus A220 might fit the bill.

Another thing to keep in mind: If you're traveling to a remote area, it's likely you'll kick off your journey in a large, long-haul aircraft and finish it in a smaller transport aircraft or sometimes even a single-engine plane, depending on the destination. Be prepared to gate-check your larger carry-on luggage just in case.

How can I identify a plane just by looking at it?

If you want to be the type of person who can know the make and model of an airplane with only a cursory glance, here are a few starter tips. The most obvious plane to spot is the massive Airbus A380, which has two complete levels of windows that stretch from nose to tail. The Boeing 747 has a second level , but it only stretches from the cockpit to above the wings, making it look like it has a bubble on the front section of the plane.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, both around the same size, have subtle nuances to help you distinguish them. The ends of the wings of the A350 have curly tips that point upward, while the Dreamliner's wings angle slightly upward and, at the tip, are raked slightly to the back.

The Boeing 777 comes to a pinched, flat end at the very back beneath the tail, while the Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 have conical end points under the tail. All Airbus A330 and A340 planes have winglets , while 777s never do. Some Boeing 767 planes have had them added for better fuel efficiency, too.

And if you truly want to practice your plane spotting , book a room at one of these airport hotels for a view that rivals those of a control tower.

This story was originally published in April 2019 and was updated on January 17, 2024, to include current information.

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business Airlines

Record-setting summer schedule to test American Airlines’ improved reliability

The fort worth-based airline will be expecting over 72 million travelers this summer..

By Alexandra Skores

7:00 AM on May 9, 2024 CDT

For a little over five years, airlines have been plagued by challenges from staffing to a global pandemic and even operation difficulties with delivery delays.

But American Airlines operations chief David Seymour says the Fort Worth-based air carrier has taken in the lessons learned looking ahead to this summer.

In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Seymour highlighted that during the summer season between May 17 and Sept. 3, American is expecting over 72 million travelers. The airline is flying more seats than any other summer, with 10% more departures than last summer. Seymour said the large schedule offers a lot of opportunity for North Texas travelers.

“DFW and North Texas, travelers that should have confidence flying through DFW (Airport),” Seymour said in an interview this week. “... It’s our largest operation and provides so much connectivity for our customers to be able to connect and go in just about anywhere they want.”

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As Dallas-Fort Worth begins another summer of travel, it comes with some industrywide challenges such as aircraft delivery delays, staffing shortages and even a looming Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. Most of the post-pandemic effects on air travel, like taking trips to seek “revenge” for the missed time and restrictions, have come and gone. Now, passengers are looking for experiences.

In its latest quarterly earnings, American reported it “best-ever” first-quarter completion factor, or the percentage of schedule flights that arrived: 98.7%. In 2019, that number was 97.3% for the first-quarter.

In 2019, the Fort Worth-based airline celebrated a milestone of establishing over 9,000 one-stop destinations through DFW Airport, adding 100 flights in the summer of 2019. It began operating mainline flights in terminal B’s gates 5 to 12 and expanded to include 15 new gates at the Terminal E satellite. DFW International Airport serves as a connecting point to many domestic, but also international destinations.

But a lot has changed since then.

A global pandemic shook up the industry and halted travel at the tail end of 2019 and most of 2020. Airlines didn’t see a strong rebound until over a year later. Seymour said the pandemic introduced challenges that airlines still deal with today.

Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association said that American is more prepared this summer than previous summers. He pointed to the pilot contract that American and the union landed last year .

“We just have to make sure that human beings don’t run out of gas,” Tajer said.

Seymour attributes a lot of the change from the pandemic to American’s very full planes. It used to be the case that summer and holidays saw these sorts of numbers. Now, he said, the airline is seeing full loads pretty much every day.

“It is easy to cancel flights, but ultimately our promise is to our customer,” Seymour said. “That’s where the center of our decisions are about the customers. [American] still needs to get customers where they asked to go, where they purchased a ticket, where they wanted to go. Our best bet is to keep those planes operating and get them to the destination.”

Tajer said the union has raised concerns over safety, especially as American heads into the summer. The airline is “flying older airplanes longer and they require higher frequency of maintenance,” he said.

“It’s not the errors of the aircraft,” Tajer said. “It’s the preventative checks on the airplanes that we’re concerned about.”

American has stated previously that safety is a “shared mission” and has a safety program guided by its safety management system, including a multitude of collaborative programs — and regular touchpoints — with the FAA and unions. According to American, its maintenance team has also taken its fleet through reliability checks during the off-season to reduce delays and is focusing on the systems that keep the aircraft cool.

Part of American’s plan for peak travel seasons includes thinking about things that could happen and making plans for how to navigate those obstacles, he said. Some of those tools include tweaking the schedule to ensure reliability. One of those focuses is departure times.

“The root of what we’ve done to run a safe and reliable airline is focusing on planning [and] executing the recovery,” Seymour said. “That’s the hallmark that [American] continues to stress for the team.”

While weather is always a stressor on airlines, American uses a tool called HEAT which helps rethink major disruptions, he said, providing alternatives to passengers. Henry Harteveldt, president and travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group said there’s a nickname for DFW Airport: “Doesn’t Function Wet.”

“When bad weather hits the Metroplex, DFW always seems to have problems operating as it should,” Harteveldt said in an email. “Should consumers have faith in American? Yes, but it shouldn’t be blind faith. But consumers also need to recognize that there are times when American may be capable of operating, but the FAA inhibits the airline from doing so.”

Harteveldt pointed to the shortage of air traffic controllers, but the Federal Aviation Administration is understaffed across the country.

Another part is ensuring American has the correct number of crew members in place, whether that be pilots, flight attendants, grounds crew or any of the other individuals that are needed to orchestrate the operation. Harteveldt said labor tensions with American’s flight attendants “greatly concern” him. Flight attendants at American are still in negotiations, while Southwest’s flight attendants just recently approved a deal .

Another part of the operation includes having the right number of aircraft in place to get travelers off the ground.

Seymour said, and it’s been stressed among other executives at American during quarterly earnings calls, American is not as impacted by Boeing Co.’s delivery delays like its competitors. Take the other North Texas airline, Southwest Airlines , which lowered its expectations for aircraft deliveries from Boeing, where it now it expects 20 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft deliveries in 2024, when it previously anticipated 46. In March, a regulatory filing reported the airline had lowered its expectations to 46 from 79.

American is flying to eight destinations in summer 2024 that the airline had not served in summer 2023, including Albany, N.Y.; Appleton, Wisc.; Manhattan, Kan.; Redmond, Ore.; St. George, Utah; Tulum and Veracruz, Mexico; and Barcelona.

This year, DFW’s top five busiest days to travel will be July 8, July 25, July 29, Aug. 1 and July 7, based on the number of flights flown and the number of seats available, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

When it comes to competition, Seymour said he doesn’t spend a lot of time comparing American to other airlines. He said his focus has been on completion factor, on-time performance and other metrics for improving the airline.

“I don’t spend a lot of time worrying and trying to figure out what my competition is doing,” Seymour said. “I focus on what we can do to always get better.”

Alexandra Skores , Aviation Reporter . Alexandra Skores is the aviation writer for The Dallas Morning News, covering airlines, air travel and the aerospace industry. She's a graduate of the University of Iowa. Alexandra has previously worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Oregon and The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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