You're standing at the gate, clutching a boarding pass for a ten-hour haul across the Atlantic. To your left, the lucky few are turning left into those lie-flat Flagship Business suites. To your right, the vast expanse of "Main Cabin" awaits, where knee-to-seat contact is a physical certainty. But right in the middle—nestled behind that first curtain—is the sweet spot everyone's eyeing lately: American Airlines premium economy 787.
It’s not business class. Let's be real about that immediately. You aren't getting a bed, and you aren't getting a multi-course tasting menu served on white linen by a flight attendant who knows your name before you sit down. But it also isn't "Economy Plus" or those "Main Cabin Extra" seats that are basically just regular chairs with a bit more legroom for your shins to breathe.
American was actually the first U.S. carrier to roll this out back in 2016. They saw what international carriers like Qantas and British Airways were doing and realized Americans would pay for a "Goldilocks" zone. On the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners, this cabin is its own distinct beast. It's a separate ticket class with different seats, better food, and actual perks that start before you even smell the jet fuel.
The Seat: The Real Reason You're Spending the Money
The hardware is everything. If the seat wasn't better, nobody would pay the $400 to $800 premium over a standard coach fare. On the American Airlines premium economy 787, you’re looking at a 2-3-2 configuration on the smaller 787-8 or a 2-4-2 on the larger 787-9. Compare that to the 3-3-3 "sardine" layout in the back.
You get width. About 19 inches of it. That might not sound like much on paper, but when you aren't fighting your neighbor for the armrest because there's a literal console between you, it feels like a palace. Most of these seats are the Collins Aerospace MiQ model. They're sturdy. They feel mechanical and substantial.
Legroom? You're getting 38 inches of pitch. For the average human, that means your knees aren't touching the seatback even if you've got a laptop out. Speaking of which, the tray tables are sturdier, popping out of the center armrest so you can actually type without the screen bouncing every time the person in front of you sneezes.
But here is the catch. The "recline" factor is a double-edged sword. These seats tilt back further than economy—about 5 to 6 inches. It’s great for sleeping, or at least "airplane sleeping," which we all know is just glorified blinking. However, if the person in front of you goes full tilt, that high-resolution 12-inch screen is suddenly six inches from your nose. It’s a bit claustrophobic.
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The footrests are a hit or miss depending on your height. If you're 5'5", the fold-down footrest is a godsend. If you're 6'2", your legs are likely too long to use it comfortably, and you'll end up just tucking your feet under the seat in front of you like a peasant anyway. It’s one of those things American doesn't mention in the glossy brochures.
The "Soft Product" and Why It's Sometimes Weird
"Soft product" is just industry speak for the stuff you can eat, touch, or watch. In American Airlines premium economy 787 cabins, this is where things get a little inconsistent.
Let's talk food. Honestly, it’s usually the same meal you’d get in Business Class, just served on a single tray instead of in courses. You get real plates. Real silverware. No plastic sporks here. The short rib is a staple and it’s surprisingly hard to mess up at 35,000 feet. But don't expect a miracle. It’s still "airplane food."
You get a "wellness kit." That’s a fancy way of saying a pouch with some socks, an eye mask, and maybe some dental kits or lip balm. Currently, American partners with brands like Shinola and D.S. & Durga. It's a nice touch. It makes the experience feel curated rather than just utilitarian.
Then there’s the pillow and blanket. This is actually a huge win. They provide Casper-branded bedding. The pillow is substantial—not those paper-thin squares that migrate behind your lower back by hour three. The blanket is heavy enough to actually keep you warm when the Dreamliner’s climate control decides to mimic the Arctic Circle.
What Nobody Tells You About the 787 Dreamliner Experience
The plane itself matters. The 787 is made of composite materials, which means Boeing can pump more moisture into the air and keep the cabin pressure lower (simulating about 6,000 feet instead of 8,000). You land feeling less like a dried-out raisin.
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But the windows! The 787 doesn't have plastic shades. It has those electronic dimmers. In premium economy, you have a huge window to yourself, but the flight attendants can "master dim" the entire cabin. If you wanted to stare at the Greenland ice caps at 2 AM but the crew decided it’s "sleep time," your window is turning dark blue whether you like it or not.
The Logistics: Priority Is the Name of the Game
Buying a seat in American Airlines premium economy 787 isn't just about the flight itself. It starts at the airport. You get "Priority" everything.
- Priority Check-in: You stand in the shorter line. This is a lifesaver at hubs like DFW or ORD when the main line looks like a Coachella entrance.
- Priority Security: Depending on the airport, you get access to the faster lane.
- Group 4 Boarding: You’re on the plane right after the elites and business class. You will actually find space for your carry-on. No gate-checking your bag because the bins are full of everyone else's oversized "personal items."
- Checked Bags: You get two free checked bags. If you’re moving overseas or just a heavy packer, the bags alone almost pay for the upgrade.
The Pricing Game: How to Not Get Ripped Off
Usually, you'll see Premium Economy priced at about 2x the cost of a standard coach ticket. If coach is $600, PE might be $1,200. Is it worth $600 more?
Maybe.
If you have AAdvantage miles, the "upgrade" math is tricky. American famously made it harder to use miles to jump from Economy to Premium Economy directly. Usually, you're looking at a cash buy-up. Pro tip: keep an eye on the American Airlines app after you book your coach ticket. They often push "load factor" upgrades. I’ve seen 787-9 flights from London to New York offer a jump to Premium Economy for $175 on the morning of the flight. At that price, you click "buy" before the screen refreshes.
Comparing the 787-8 vs. the 787-9
Not all Dreamliners are created equal.
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The 787-9 is the workhorse. It’s longer and usually features 21 to 28 Premium Economy seats. Because the cabin is larger, the service can sometimes feel a bit more "assembly line."
The 787-8 is the smaller sibling. The PE cabin here is tiny—often just 20 seats. It feels more private. If you can snag a seat on the 787-8, do it. It feels less like a section of a plane and more like a private club.
Avoid the bulkhead (the front row of the section). People love it for the "infinite" legroom, but your TV is on a swinging arm that you have to stow for takeoff and landing. Plus, the tray table in the armrest makes the seat slightly narrower. If you're "hip-heavy," the bulkhead is your enemy.
The Honest Verdict
American Airlines premium economy 787 is the perfect product for the "daytime" flight home from Europe or the long haul to South America where you want to work. It’s also great for people who are too tall for coach but don't have the $5,000 for a lie-flat bed.
It is not a luxury product. It is a high-end utility product.
You're paying for space and a lack of stress. You're paying to not have a stranger's shoulder touching yours for nine hours. You're paying for the ability to get off the plane forty minutes before the people in row 42.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Booking
- Check the Map: Use a tool like AeroLOPA instead of SeatGuru. AeroLOPA shows the actual window alignment so you don't end up in a "window seat" that’s actually just a blank plastic wall.
- The Upgrade Hack: Book Main Cabin first. Check the app every single day. The "In-App Upgrade" offers are often significantly cheaper than the price difference at the initial time of booking.
- Pick the Right Side: If you’re flying East to West, sit on the right side (Starboard) to avoid the direct glare of the sun for 8 hours, even with the dimmed windows.
- Baggage Math: If you are traveling with two heavy suitcases (usually $100+ in fees), subtract that from the upgrade cost. Suddenly, that $300 upgrade is only $200.
- The Food Factor: If you have dietary restrictions, order your "Special Meal" at least 24 hours in advance. Even in Premium Economy, they run out of the "good" chicken dish by the time they hit the last row of the cabin.
If the price difference is under $400 for a flight over 8 hours, take the deal. Your lower back will thank you three days later when you aren't still recovering from a cramped flight.