American Airlines Revives Luxe Travel Comforts
American Airlines seems to be on a quest to reclaim its premium wings. Here’s the latest feather in their cap.
Enhanced Comfort in Business Class on Selected Routes
American recently made an announcement that’s bound to make long-haul flyers smile—pajamas and mattress pads are making a grand return to business class later this summer. And yes, it covers flights to and from destinations like East Asia, the Middle East, India, Australia, and New Zealand. You know, the kinds of flights where lying flat across more time zones than one tends to make sense.
In more specific terms, we’re talking about those lengthy journeys to cities like Auckland, Brisbane, Delhi, Doha, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, and both Tokyo airports (Haneda and Narita, for those keeping score at home).
The add-ons? Well, sleepy travelers will also have access to slippers, dual-sided pillows, and duvets—because one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to sleep preferences at 35,000 feet.
This comfort extravaganza is rolling out alongside American’s new cabin upgrades—think of it as throwing a plush, warm blanket on their big, shiny seat upgrade. And don’t worry, it applies to all flights, regardless of which business class throne you occupy.
Predictable, Yet Positive: American’s Subtle Transformation
In recent months, it seems American Airlines has been on a bit of a self-improvement kick. Frankly, it’s about time. Lagging behind Delta and United in both profits and public opinion, American is now refocusing on customers. Heather Garboden is at the helm as the Chief Customer Officer, steering initiatives aiming to make American more premium and customer-centric.
And yes, we have noticed. Good changes are not as rare as a complimentary upgrade anymore. Just yesterday, we heard about the resurrection of airport standby options for domestic flights. Today, the conversation revolves around jammies and mattress padding on long hauls.
A brief history lesson: American used to offer these snazzy comforts until they hit the pause button last spring, only to rewind a year later. And no, not all airlines jump on the pajama train, but it’s catching on. United doles out bedtime attire on flights exceeding 14 hours, and their business class bedding is the stuff comfort dreams are made of.
Believe it or not, American’s new PJ policy could steal the show on shorter routes like Tokyo to LA, adding a swaggering touch of comfort without requiring a passport stamp each time you nap.
Final Thoughts
From later this summer, American’s business class serenity will include pajamas and mattress pads on flights zipping through East Asia, the Middle East, India, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s a welcome comeback, given they were previously grounded last spring.
Does anyone else get whiplash from American’s indecision on their airline identity? Anyway, the tides seem to be changing for the better.
So, what’s your take on American reintroducing these cozy comforts on those long transcontinental flights?