AA launched new service from Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague using 787-8s. Here's how business class compares with AA's new premium Dreamliners.
It's not often that you can fly from the U.S. to Europe in business class for just 55,000 points, but sometimes, deals are out there — especially if you use American Airlines AAdvantage miles or Atmos Rewards points.
I found a great award using Atmos Rewards Points on American Airlines' newly resumed nonstop flight from Philadelphia to Prague. As mentioned, I paid just 55,000 points (and $5.60 in taxes and fees).
I'll get into some detail on how to find these kinds of deals, but first, let's talk a bit more about this flight.
I wanted the chance to check American's European service and compare the business-class products on the older 787-8s (like the one I flew to Prague) and the new premium-heavy 787-9P planes I've flown to London.
American Airlines relaunched its Prague service in May of this year. It had previously served the route for a few years, in 2018 and 2019, before abandoning it during the coronavirus pandemic.
AA now operates the route seasonally during the busy summer period, from May to October, between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG). The airline has already said the route will return for summer 2027.
Another good sign for the route: AA is adding more European destinations from Philadelphia next summer, including Vienna and Porto, Portugal. American Airlines calls Prague part of "the airline's Central European network."
I kicked off my journey with a few days in Philadelphia before heading to the airport.
A post shared by Clint Page Henderson (@clintpage1)
American Airlines' Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia opened in May of last year, after years of delays. It is a lovely space to spend a few hours before your flight, though it can get crowded at times. I could access it because I was flying long-haul business class.
A great American Airlines agent named Thomas Doersam, who has been with AA for 38 years, gave me a quick tour of the Flagship and the adjacent Admirals Club.
The Flagship lounge (American's fifth) is near Gate A15, where AA's long-haul flights depart. Eligible passengers flying long-haul business class can use the Flagship Lounge, which includes those in business class on these flights.
Others have access to the Admiral's Club just across the way.
It has been lovely to see American Airlines invest so much in its lounge product. In fact, a sixth Flagship lounge was announced for Charlotte, along with a massive new Admiral's Club that will clock in at more than 40,000 square feet.
I had seat 1L on this 11-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with the ship number N806AA. This is a legacy interior that will eventually be phased out.
TPG reported that these planes will receive new Flagship business-class suites and a full cabin refresh, though AA didn't say when that would start.
I was on the smallest Dreamliner variant, and the business-class cabin had just 20 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. All the seats had aisle access.
These lie-flat seats were 21 inches wide and featured American's version of the Safran Concept D seat (formerly known as Zodiac).
I found them to be fairly comfortable, if a bit narrow, during the overnight journey.
Some flyers complain about these seats since some are rear-facing. The seats are attached to each other, and some people say they feel it when the person seated next to them moves. (Some flyers even refer to them as "rocking chairs.") It never bothered me on my previous trips in these seats, and it didn't this time either, even though I was in the first row.
There were also 28 premium economy seats on this plane — a comfortable and potentially more affordable option.
There were also 186 economy seats, including 48 Main Cabin Extra seats.
Inflight entertainment was provided by a 15-inch screen that could pop out with the push of a button. There were plenty of shows and movies to choose from.
Still, these screens are showing their age, especially now that more innovative 4K screens are rolling out across many fleets (including American's).
Inflight Wi-Fi was provided by Panasonic and cost $35 for the full flight. It was just OK, and I was glad I wasn't relying on it for important work. American Airlines will begin rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi in 2027, but in the meantime, representatives say there are plans to improve Wi-Fi speeds on its 787s, too. I expect the overall tech picture to improve dramatically over the next few years.
The airlines have had some pretty major connection problems recently.
Remember, these seats are a decade old and show a bit of wear and tear. Still, it's a comfortable cabin, and because there are so few business-class seats, it does feel a bit special.
My seat had plenty of other bells and whistles that I won't go into too much detail here, but I appreciated the overhead air vents and some of the nooks and crannies for storing items.
I also loved American's newer bedding. The zipper bag held a large blanket and pillow; mattress pads were also available at each seat. While it may not look as fancy as United's Saks bedding, I found it super comfortable.
Amenity kits were made in honor of the World Cup, featuring a clear design filled with standard amenities.
You can read more details about the hard product on these planes in the reviews linked above, but I think, in general, I'm a bigger fan than most when it comes to the seats on these Dreamliners.
As I mentioned, I don't mind the older 787s, but there's no question: American's new 787Ps are a fresher product.
TPG's Eric Rosen and I reviewed the new product last year, and we were both pretty impressed. AA unveiled its all-new Flagship Suite business class in May, and Eric and I were eager to experience the new planes and try out the Flagship Suite Preferred and Flagship Suite business-class seats. He took a flight from London to Chicago, and I was flying from Chicago to London.
Unlike the 787-8s, which have just 20 business-class seats, the new 787Ps have a whopping 51 Flagship Suites.
It will be interesting to see whether AA expands the business-class and premium-class cabins during the retrofit of these planes.
You can really see the differences in the photos below.
Aside from the size of the business-class cabin, the biggest difference is the sliding doors on the 787Ps.
There are eight Flagship Suite Preferred seats on the 787Ps — an upgraded version of the new suites with additional space.
Finally, the new 787Ps have updated designs, more storage, a lounger mode on the seat controls, wireless charging and dramatically better 17.3-inch IFE screens with both Bluetooth and touchscreen capability.
While I love the new planes, I wouldn't choose a more expensive redemption just to fly them.