We?re hearing that American Airlines is having the problems with its soon-to-arrive Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. In particular, we?re hearing that the problems are with the fancy first-class seats being built in Great Britain.
If so, that would threatened the aircraft?s planned entry into service in American?s schedule, on the Dallas/Fort Worth-Sao Paulo, Brazil, route beginning Dec. 13.
We talked Tuesday to American?s chief commercial officer Virasb Vahidi about American?s plan to launch some new international routes. While we had him on the phone, we also asked if American had solved the problem with the first-class seats, whether American would be able to put the airplane into service as planned.
His reply: ?Well, stay tuned. We?re probably pretty close to making an announcement on the exact entry into service of that aircraft very soon.?
We pointed out that American had already announced that 777-300ER would begin flying the DFW-Sao Paulo route on Dec. 13.
His reply: ?That is our current stance or current position and that?s what?s in the GDS?s or the CRS?s and that?s what the plan is as?of right now. That?s correct.? (GDS=Global distribution systems, CRS=computerized reservations systems.)
We asked whether that start date is in jeopardy.
His reply: ?That is the stake in the ground and plan of record as of right now. If that changes, we?ll let everyone know, including our customers.?
At that point, a public relations person interrupted to say that Virasb had other interviews he needed to do, and that ended the questioning.
When it goes into service, the 777-300ER will be the biggest aircraft that American operates. It has, if we counted right, 310 seats, compared to the 777-200?s 247 seats. The 777-200 currently flies the D/FW-Sao Paulo route, as well as a number of other important international routes.
American has 14 announced orders for the 777-300ER, with two to arrive this year, eight coming in 2013 and four more in 2014.
On Nov. 30, 2011, American announced the details of the 777-300ER?s interior, and made much of the first-class seats:
?Considered one of the most comfortable and popular First Class seats in the industry, the 777-300 will feature an updated and enhanced version of the customer-favorite Flagship Suite seat that transforms into a fully lie flat six-foot, eight-inch bed with drop-down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space.
?Each suite provides aisle access and allows customers to individually adjust any component of the seat for ultimate comfort. All suites will feature privacy dividers, two universal AC power outlets, one USB outlet, two large tray tables, a swivel seat and a host of other comforts, including Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headsets, designed to enhance the travel experience.
?A 17-inch touchscreen monitor will offer an array of entertainment and a touchscreen video handset will serve as a remote that allows customers to easily select programming without touching the monitor and watch additional video programs, such as the moving map, while viewing the 17-inch monitor. The First Class cabin will use updated interior trim and finishes to achieve a comfortable, modern feel throughout the cabin.?
At that time, American said London would be ?a first market? for the airplane. But on May 19, it announced that the D/FW-Sao Paulo route would get the first 777-300ER on Dec. 13, followed by D/FW-London on Jan. 31, New York-London in February, a second D/FW-London flight in March and New York-Sao Paulo in April.
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