As it attempts to re-establish itself as a premium carrier, American Airlines is adding pajamas and mattress pads to its international business class product.
Pajamas And Mattress Pads Return To American Airlines Business Class
After years of waffling under Vasu Raja, American Airlines is seemingly making a 180º turn under the leadership of Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. I had the pleasure of meeting Garboden, who was on the inaugural flight of AA’s latest 787-9 jet, and I think she’s already making a positive difference in understanding that AA’s high cost structure forces it to compete for premium traffic.
This week we’ve already seen American Airlines restore the ability for all passengers to ask airport gate agents to assist them with standby for an earlier flight and today AA has announced that popular amenities are returning to its Flagship business class product this summer, including pajamas and mattress pads. These will be available on flights to and from:
- Australia – Brisbane (BNE), Sydney (SYD)
- East Asia – Seoul Incheon (ICN), Shanghai (PVG), Tokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT)
- India – Delhi (DEL)
- Middle East – Doha (DOH)
- New Zealand – Auckland (AKL)
AA has not yet indicated an exact start date for these amenities and these will be offered in addition to the slippers, dual-sided pillows, and duvet that are already offered.
American is constantly collecting customer feedback to reinvigorate the travel experience with changes that align with customer needs.
These upgraded amenities will be available on all longhaul flights in business class, not just AA aircraft with the new business class cabin.
A Small But Smart Upgrade
I consider these upgrades low-hanging fruit. They are the sort of easy wins that make passengers happy and help to solidify loyalty. Give passengers a comfortable experience so they can expect a good rest and they will come back. The prime objective of business class on a longhaul flight is still maximzing sleep. AA rightly recognizes that these investments meaningfully improve a flight.
CONCLUSION
When I flew AA from Doha to New York a couple of years ago, I enjoyed both a mattress pad and pajamas…they do make a difference and certainly create a more premium experience. It’s great to see AA contiuing to invest in its business class soft product, even if this is just a “correction” from a foolish cutback made a year ago.
> Read More: American Airlines 777-200 Business Class Doha – New York Review
On a completely different note, did you see the news re the AFKL ‘trial’ of basic fares? I definitely think it’s worth discussing.
I will do so tomorrow or Friday.
Isn’t it more accurate to say they are bringing them back to select routes instead of adding them?
Hopefully they clean the sh#tstains off them when you are done freak.
Again, the ass is for exit only but you creeps think it’s another hole to stick your d#cks in. Definitely not normal and you can’t defend it.
Are you ok?
Save it for the cross-burning, Adolf.
How hard were you m@sturbsting when you typed that out, kween?
He was w@nking to AI porn of Marjorie Taylor Green and Paul Bannon getting it on.
Say Matthew, have there been any updates on the new premium-heavy routes? I’m flying to Zurich in November and both the details and the seat map show the same old configuration. Isn’t PHL-ZRH supposed to be inaugurated before then?
I think AA is still unsure. Were you finally able to use your SWUs?
Yes, on the same trip. I check every week or two to see if the equipment swap has occurred lest I lose my seat of choice. First world problems.
Who the F changes on a plane and needs slippers and pajamas on a flight?
No wonder why most Americans hate the rich.
Truly an issue for the 0.0001%
The 0.0001% generally fly on their own airplanes, some of which cost many tens of millions of dollars. And Americans don’t hate the rich, they idolise them. The United States is the most money-obsessed nation on the planet, and elected as their president a billionaire who has a gold toilet. He also has his own airplane. A big one.
“A big one”, like the BBC your wife loves as does Aaron.
That comeback was as weak as piss, Dave.
You mean you change in the lounge instead? I am not really a fan of pyjamas but definitely don’t want to be sleeping in slim fit jeans or whatever trousers I’m wearing in the airport, so I try to change to a pair of shorts. Unless I am flying a carrier that’s super strict on carry-on weight, I also take pair of Havaianas as they’re useful for long flights, lounge showers etc. Such a routine can work for long flights in any class of service, it doesn’t really matter whether a flat seat is being used.
The people that use pajamas on a plane are both mentally and physically soft.
Matthew: why do you still allow a certain individual to spew so much bile? I know you need clicks but come on it is beyond civil.
+1. And it’s completely off topic.
+2. My kids read this blog and I really don’t need the squabble polluting their minds. Matthew do your kids read this trash talk too?
You give your kids access to the net they are going to read and see far worse.
Horrible argument.
Says the guy from Indy who shoves corn cobs up his a&&.
Come at me and I come back harder. Like the 18 YO’s Aaron buys.
I really do live rent free in your head.
This is good news. 2 years ago on my run to NZ all good. Last November they tell me they just removed the mattress pad and pj’s. So booked again in Feb and I’m happy.
Next job is to improve the wine list. Noble Vines at $9 a bottle is an embarrassment.
Wine drinking homo, why am I not shocked?
People like you are why I piss on the toilet seat in the FC restroom.
Great, now hopefully United can make their pajamas not feel like sleeping on a bundle of hay and stink strongly of formaldehyde.
Since I have DFW-AKL and BNE-DFW scheduled in J this winter, I’m glad to see this, though I’ve never used either when avaliable. I’m rather looking forward to the upgraded 787 on the latter leg, where you can (and I did) snag a bulkhead, extra roomy J suite at no extra charge (that will incur an extra fee in the future).