American Airlines announces first 787 routes

American Airlines revealed Wednesday that its first Boeing 787 international routes will connect Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Beijing, China, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

American, which flew home its first 787 “Dreamliner” on Jan. 23, will put the airline into regular service May 7 with flights between D/FW and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport as it gets familiar with the aircraft.

 

But it will put Boeing 787s on its Beijing route on June 2 and its Buenos Aires route on June 4, both out of Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. American said customers can begin booking the Boeing 787 flights on Saturday, Feb. 14.

“American will deploy the 787 to additional markets in 2015 as it takes delivery of new aircraft,” the carrier said.

American is scheduled to receive three 787s in the first quarter, including the one already delivered, plus three 787s in each of the next three quarters, for a total of 12 in 2015.

In all, it has firm orders for 42 for delivery by the end of 2018, and options for 58 others.

“We look forward to welcoming our international customers onboard the 787 with its modern amenities and comforts beginning this summer,” said Andrew Nocella, American’s chief marketing officer.

“Adding the 787 Dreamliner to our network gives us the opportunity to increase our efficiency on long-haul flights across the globe and potentially open up new markets in our network,” Nocella said. “It’s a big win for customers and just the latest example of how American is going for great.”

American is configuring the airplane for 226 seats – 28 in business class in a 1-2-1 configuration, 48 in the Main Cabin Extra (extra legroom) section in a 3-3-3 configuration and 150 in regular coach section in a 3-3-3 setup.

The only other U.S. carrier flying the Boeing 787, United Airlines, puts 219 seats on its version – 36 in business class, 70 in its extra-legroom economy section and 113 in regular coach.

British Airways, which began flying Boeing 787s last March between London and Austin, has 214 seats on its 787s – 35 in business class, 25 in extra legroom and 154 in regular legroom coach.

The airplane, which utilizes extensive use of composites to lighten its weight, offers up to 20 percent savings on operating costs because of its greater fuel efficiency. That makes it a candidate for long-distance routes that don’t have enough demand to justify larger airplanes, like American’s biggest airplane, the 309-seat Boeing 777-300ER.

American is launching the DFW-Beijing route May 7 with a Boeing 777-200, which has at least 247 seats. The DFW-Buenos Aires route is currently being flown with the 777-200.

(Terry Maxon - The Dallas Morning News)