SGF

We're thinking of taking AA to LHR and read that they are putting in more seats on their 777's. Does anyone know how many seats will be in each row now and what the new seat pitch is suppose to be? We were thinking of using this airline because of the "more leg room" but if they are going to take that away maybe we'll check into the other airlines too and compare price a little more.

Any comments on this airline overall?

rkkwan

Each row has been 2-5-2, and will always be that way. With "More Room Throughout Coach", there's 33-35" pitch in economy. After they add the rows, it'll be about 32" on their 777. Which is about average, as most airlines have 31" or 32" pitch.

AA has lots of frequency into LHR, and their 777 has individual screens on each seatback. So, even without the extra legroom, it's still competitive. But I wouldn't pay extra to fly them because of room, definitely. I'd think the majority of planes may have been retrofitted already.

SGF

Thanks for clarifying things. We aren't going to fly AA based on "the more leg room" theory but only because their price is cheaper and their times for us work out better. However, I didn't want to sacrifice comfort if they were going to change the pitch more than other airlines.
I also heard the width of their seats are a little wider is this true and will that remain the same or are they changing that also?

rkkwan

Their seats have never been wider, and will not be changed. Economy seat widths are pretty standard these days. On 777s with standard 9-abreast seating, it's almost always around 18". The difference in width reported by various airlines is more due to how they measure it.

As I said, even after AA add the seats back, they're still better than average.

wally34949

Don't forget to bring those $5 bills so you can buy yourself a drink--unless you change to Virgin or British Airways--then they are free.

traveller333

I have not flown AA for quite awhile but in the past I've been more than happy to pay a reasonable amount more for AA's extra leg room in coach. Are all the AA planes being retrofitted removing the extra leg room or just the 777's?

I'm curious as to the reasoning behind AA's decision to retrofit, obviously they realized there would be a lower passenger capacity on a full flight BEFORE they decided to retrofit in the first place.

wally34949

The budget airlines are making the money--it's that simple. Southwest and Jet Blue have been very profitable. American's are concerned about price--not a few extra inches. The fact that American once had a few extra inches never shows up on a price search engine. Either does the fact that American now makes one pay $5 for a drink when they cross the Atlantic.