American Airlines Flagship Business Guide [2024]

The best way to fly American Airlines is by purchasing their Flagship Business product, which is offered on long-haul international and select domestic itineraries. Flagship Business offers many noticeable improvements over AA’s standard First Class product that is flown domestically. Specifically, Flagship Business offers priority airport access, elevated dining, and lie-flat seats.

What planes offer Flagship Business?

American Airlines offers Flagship Business on a variety of planes, but not all of them. Specifically, Flagship Business is available on these types of aircraft:

• Boeing 777-200
• Boeing 777-300
• Boeing 787-8
• Boeing 787-9
• Airbus 321T

What routes offer Flagship Business?

American Airlines sells Flagship Business on long-haul routes between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South America.

Flagship Business is also available on select domestic routes, including:

• Select flights from DFW to Hawaii
• Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK)
• San Fransisco (SFO) and New York (JFK)
• Orange County (SNA) and New York (JFK)
• Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX)
• Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX)

You need to make sure you’re also flying on a widebody or A321T plane for the Flagship Business experience on domestic routes (it is quite rare to be in this cabin domestically, unless you’re flying between key markets).

Other Perks of Flagship Business

• Airport Priority – including priority check-in, security, and boarding. This reduces the time you need to wait throughout the airport.
• Flagship Lounge access – if you’re traveling through Chicago, Dallas Forth Worth, Los Angeles, and Miami, you’re invited to visit AA’s Flagship Lounge where they serve premium meals and cocktails. At London Heathrow, you’re invited to the International First Class Lounge in Terminal 3, and Admirals Club access is provided at all other airports.
• Elevated Onboard Dining – American Airlines partners with the James Beard Foundation to serve multi-course meals on their Flagship Business flights. Typical meals include chicken, sea bass, and short rib. Breakfast is also served in Flagship Business before landing.
• Amenity Kit – usually includes socks, a sleep mask, a dental kit, lotion, earplugs, and a pen. The format and amenities typically change slightly throughout the year.

Is Flagship Business The Same As First or Business Class?

Flagship Business is now American Airline’s top-tier ticket class. They are slowly phasing out their Flagship First cabin, which has been offered on the Boeing 777-300ER for years. This has been a common trend with airlines over the past decade, so, while Flagship Business isn’t First Class in the traditional sense, it is the best way to fly American Airlines and yes, it is a true Business Class product. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines both only offer business-class products as well.

Closing Thoughts

Flagship Business is the best way to fly American Airlines. It offers loads of perks including the Flagship Lounge and lie-flat seating, but that all comes with a price. Tickets often cost over $5,000, but you may be able to get a better deal by booking with AAdvantage miles or using a systemwide upgrade certificate.

Have you flown American Airlines Flagship Business? Add your experience below!