T RIED AND TE ST E D FL IGHT
American Airlines B777-300ER premium economy
HEATHROW–DALLAS/FORT WORTH
top lounges in airports where it has yet to refurbish them. Once refurbished, they are renamed Flagship lounges.
BO A RDING Boarding took place at Gate 31 with priority to first and business class passengers followed by those in premium economy, main cabin extra and then economy seating. This was well organised and efficiently done.
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THE SE A T The premium economy cabin on this B777-300ER is separated from business class by four washrooms, two for business class passengers and two for premium economy and economy passengers. The configuration is 2-4-2 (AC–DEGH–JL)
with three rows at the sides (16-18) and four rows in the centre (16-19), making a total of 28 seats. Each has power, both from a traditional socket (EU, US or UK) and a USB point, though it can be tricky to find and access – it is under the armrest. The comfortable, dark-grey leather
seats have a pitch of 38 inches and are noticeably more spacious than those behind in economy. By choosing premium
Being able to work was important, and this seat meant I had the space and power supplies to do so
C HEC K - IN I arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 3 at 0700 for my departure on AA51 at 0915, a flight of some nine hours and 45 minutes. Check-in at the airport is either in Zone B for premium passengers or Zone E some distance away for all others.
THE LOU NGE Premium economy passengers do not get the use of either of
DE CEMB E R 2 0 18
American’s two lounges at Terminal 3. For those with status either with the airline’s loyalty programme (AAdvantage) or in Oneworld, the options are the Admirals Club or the International First Class Lounge, both accessed through the same entrance (in the same area as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse). The International First Class Lounge is what American calls its
economy, you also avoid the new 3-4-3 seating (ten-across) in economy, which may be reason enough to pay the extra. No matter how much airlines try to
convince us that new economy seats offer enhanced levels of comfort over the previous cabins (a 3-3-3 configuration), space is tight, which makes it difficult to work or sleep. For a long day flight like this, being able to work was important, and this seat in premium economy meant I had the space and the power supplies to do so.
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
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