As the American Airlines Boeing 787 fleet continues to stretch its legs, it was only a matter of time before the Boeing 787 starts to replace some of the Boeing 767-300ER services.
Step forward Chicago to Manchester (a route used by myself when I want to avoid London), which to be switched over to 787 operation for the summer
American Airlines Boeing 787 – Image, American Airlines
Sadly, for myself – the switch-over to Boeing 787 operation will be for the peak summer period between 2nd June 2016 to 5th October 2016 (based on Chicago departure dates, add one day for Manchester UK departures)
The planned timetable looks like this:
AA054 DEPART ORD 21:55 ARRIVE MAN 11:25+1 AA055 DEPART MAN 13:15 ARRIVE ORD 15:20 Operates with a Boeing 787 between 2nd June and 5th October 2016 from Chicago Operates with a Boeing 787 between 3rd June and 6th October 2016 from Manchester Other times operates with a Boeing 767-300ER Data: AirlineRoute
Checking the booking engines, the changes have been made, and booking is open:
And to confirm this is a summer-only operation, on the 7th October from Manchester, it’s back to 767-300ERs:
American Airlines configure their 787s in
- 28 Business Class Seats in 1-2-1 formation
- 57 Main Cabin Extra in 3-3-3 formation
- 141 Main Cabin in 3-3-3 formation
Lets compare that with the current 767 operation:
Business Main Cabin Extra Main Cabin 767-300ER OLD 30 21 167 767-300ER NEW 28 18 163 787-8 28 57 141
It is a boost in capacity – mainly in Main Cabin Extra at the expense of Main cabin seats.
For some customers, they’ll welcome the new plane with open arms – it having WiFi, USB charging, mains power, at seat IFE (as opposed to the overhead screens on a 767-300ER).
However, once the Main Cabin/Main Cabin Extra passengers are aboard – they may think again, with seat width is a tight 17″ or so (although compared to the 767s, they’re not that bad, configured with 17.2 seat width seats… they always seemed wider to me…).
Still, for those used to slightly careworn planes across the pond between Chicago and Manchester – these will be welcome relief.
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shh! recently found some biz class AAwards for summer travel… new 787 and avoid BA/LHR… I’ve hit the jackpot. granted, i actually want to see manchester.
I like Manchester as a city… Well – it’s nicer than London, more places to visit, a vibrant culture and it’s a friendly place.
Plus it proves my point there are other destinations in the United Kingdom that LONDON!
As for reward space… You’ve nabbed it for yourself… It can’t be un-nabbed!
I spent time renting a flat in Manchester and really enjoyed not just the city, but how easy it was to take a train to Liverpool or York or Chesterfield for the day.
That’s the thing – Manchester is in a REALLY good location – it’s ideal for reaching points East and West in a short time – and even points north (Lake District and Scotland) and south (even olde Birmingham).
It’s an ideal place to explore the United Kingdom.
I was excited to see this awhile back when they announced it as I’ve got and MCI-ORD-MAN-LHR-VIE award ticket booked for August. Then they dropped the time change on this route also so I have a 35 minute connection in MAN. Now I’m waiting out the March 22nd D-day so that awards open back up so I can reschedule this flight. It gets worse in the details since I have a family member that’s booked STL-ORD-MAN then on BA MAN-LHR-VIE with a separate ticket.
I guess I’m venting a little.
I noticed the time change too – this is a right royal **** up even by AA standards.
Good luck sorting it out!
Apparently this is not the case, as I have booked a flight on AA54 that was advertised as a 787 at the time of the booking. However, unannounced to passengers on this flight, #AmericanAirlines has since changed equipment back to the 767-300ER dinosaurs. Quite a difference in product offerings from a new 787 with IFE, to a 20 year old 767 without IFE. Worse yet, on the 787 they advertised 55 MCE seats, that has been cut to 18 MCE seats on the 767, all jammed next to the toilet and the galley. No announcement, no email, no text message letting passengers know of this operational change. I found out when I went online to check something on my itinerary. Not pleased in the least, when there are other options like the A330 from PHL. Too late now though, they have my money! #AmericanAirlines keeps wiping my complaints on their facebook page