The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved American Airlines to operate its premium-heavy Boeing 787 Dreamliners with fewer cabin crew members, the FAA confirmed the news to Aerospace Global News (AGN).

Earlier in 2024, the airline requested permission to staff its premium seat-heavy 787-9Ps with seven cabin crew members instead of the usual eight. Simple Flying has asked the FAA for comment.

Industry Concerns Over Crew Cuts

N840AN American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Once the news reached the public eye, American Airlines received criticism for its intention to lower the minimum flight attendant staffing requirement. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents 28,000 inflight crew members at American, slammed American’s plan to reduce the minimum flight attendant staffing requirement on the 787-9Ps.

Back in December 2024, the flight attendant union said that this was “unacceptable erosion of Flight Attendant staffing.” They said that it “is unrealistic and unsafe to expect that seven Flight Attendants can adequately serve and ensure safety under the new configuration of the 787-9P, especially with an increase to 51 private Business Class Suites.”

AGN obtained a memo from the APFA concerning the decision. In it, the union cautioned that this change would, for the first time, place a single flight attendant at the 4L/4R doors, making them solely responsible for managing two widebody exits during an emergency evacuation. American Airlines said that reducing the minimum staffing requirement would give the airline more flexibility should operational disruptions occur. The carrier told Simple Flying in December 2024:

“As we do today, we will work to replace the flight attendant to maintain all nine positions, but adjusting the minimum requirement would provide additional flexibility to avoid lengthy delays and canceling flights — particularly long-haul international flights that have an outsized impact on our customers.”

American Airlines’ Customized Boeing 787-9Ps

American Airlines Flagship Suite Preferred seat on Boeing 787-9 and 777-300

Photo: American Airlines

American Airlines’ customized Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, designated as 787-9Ps, feature premium-heavy cabin configuration, with 51 Flagship business class suites, 32 redesigned premium economy seats, and 161 economy class seats. The new premium-heavy widebodies are meant to provide a more spacious and luxurious long-haul experience.

The airline received its first of two Boeing 787-9Ps in late April 2025. American Airlines expects to receive eight more of these aircraft this year. The inaugural American Airlines Boeing 787-9P flight took off from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on June 5, 2025.

The 51 Flagship Suite seats offer more personal storage space, a wireless charging pad, USB-C and AC power and a chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow. The carrier has also redesigned its premium economy product. The new premium economy seats feature new headrest wings that give customers additional privacy and new calf and footrests that offer more comfort.

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Luxury Comfort: Inside American Airlines’ New Premium Boeing 787-9

The airline has introduced brand new business class suites and revamped the premium economy and main cabin.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner Fleet

N840AN American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (3) Cropped

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

American Airlines has a total of 63 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet, including 37 Boeing 787-8s and 26 Boeing 787-9 widebodies. According to ch-aviation data, the Dallas/Fort Worth-based airline currently has 26 787-9s on order.

The carrier has recently been experiencing delays in Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries. In January 2025, American Airlines was forced to suspend three European routes and reduce flight frequencies during the summer travel season. The carrier stated at the time that, as a result of ongoing Boeing 787 delivery delays, “American is adjusting service on certain routes in summer 2025 to ensure we are able to re-accommodate customers on affected flights.”

In June 2025, American Airlines suspended six transatlantic routes for the upcoming winter season. However, this time the airline confirmed to Simple Flying that these adjustments are not based on previously reported Boeing 787 delivery delays, but rather on lower demand for these kinds of routes in winter.



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