American Airlines’ new ‘premium’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are jetting across the globe featuring the carrier’s latest Business Class cabins and the offering is the best in the airline’s history, as James Wilkinson discovered on a flight from Brisbane to Dallas Fort Worth recently.

When American Airlines made a big call in late-2022 to dramatically change the carrier’s Flagship Business Class offering to move to a new ‘Suite’ design, complete with sliding doors, it gave the airline to rethink the cabin on every level from the seat through to the entertainment, meals and drinks on offer.

The outcome has been nothing short of exceptional, because American Airlines has well and truly upped the ante on every level and what’s on offer onboard the carrier’s latest ‘premium’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners – which have been taking flight to destinations like Auckland, Brisbane, Chicago, London and Los Angeles – in the Business Class cabin is world class on absolutely every level.

The new business class cabin is headlined by 51 Flagship Suites that feature spacious and comfortable seats that recline to 79-inch-long fully-flat beds, a privacy door, wireless charging pad, Bluetooth connectivity to the 17.3-inch 4K touchscreen TVs, USB-C and AC power, a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge with an adjustable headrest pillow, more personal storage than the previous Business seat and a reading light, mirror and trinket tray.

Also expect Bang and Olufsen noise-cancelling headphones, Brandon Blackwood amenity kits and when it comes to sleep, a duvet blanket and refreshing dual-sided pillow with cool touch fabric on one side and traditional fabric on the other.

One of the biggest differences with this new Flagship offering is the extra amount of privacy the sliding door offers, particularly when working away on your laptop or relaxing, watching a Hollywood blockbuster on the oversized TVs or getting a solid eight hours’ sleep on an overnight flight.

Any new Business Class cabin globally now should feature a sliding door – thankfully it is now becoming a reality on many of the world’s leading airlines – and once inside your Suite, you can well and truly get inside your own work or relaxation zone.

Try not to sleep the whole flight though, because American’s elevated drinks and food service is the best we have ever seen from the airline.

It starts with a glass of the always impressive Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée when you hop on board and the drinks list continues to impress during the flight with top quality wines from across the globe – expect wines like the Paul Mas Réserve Chardonnay from Pays d’Oc in France, the Alta Luna Sauvignon Blanc from Dolomiti in Italy, the Petit Caro Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza in Argentina and the Black Stallion Pinot Noir from California’s Santa Lucia Highlands – alongside leading spirits, liqueurs and beers.

The offering is most definitely the best on the wine front we have seen from American Airlines and knowing how much emphasis the carrier has put into improving the onboard wine selection, the list is very impressive and commendable.

The wines also match very well with the onboard menu, which again American has done a fantastic job in elevating.

Expect a small plate to start, such as watermelon and pomegranate with feta, then a salad and a selection of mains like lamb shoulder, duck and pea ragout, ocean trout or a Tandoori chickpea casserole.

I’d recommend pre-ordering your meal up to 24 hours before the flight and there are also exclusive dishes available.

When it comes to dessert, there’s one to go for and that’s American’s legendary sundae with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, butterscotch, chopped macadamia nuts, a seasonal berry topping and whipped cream.

It’s best matched with another standout on the new wine menu, the Quinta da Pacheca Tawny Porto from Douro Valley in Portugal.

Other dessert options also include a gourmet cheese plate or another sweet option, like a torta caprese with Chantilly cream and drunken strawberries.

During the flight, the new Flagship business offering has some impressive mid-flights snacks headlined by a steak and sauteed onion sandwich or a mezze plate.

Before landing, breakfast is also served and that starts with a smoothie and then you can choose from an American breakfast or a continental breakfast.

The experience adds-up to the best American Airlines business class experience I’ve had in over 40 years of flying on the carrier and it’s impressive how far the carrier has gone with the new product.

It has shown the airline is well and truly listening to the customer and that’s what American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden confirmed on the ‘premium’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s debut flight in mid-2025.

“Everything you see on board was designed with you in mind: from the design details to Bluetooth connectivity to state-of-the-art entertainment, your comfort is our priority,” she said.

Well done Heather and American Airlines for producing a product that is world class and one I can’t wait to experience again on another global flight. Hopefully it’s not on a short journey, because it’s an incredibly enjoyable inflight experience that you don’t want to end soon.