American Airlines' first Boeing 777-300ER that has been retrofitted with Flagship Suites, touched down after being ferried back from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on Thursday. The plane, according to flight data, arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at around 5:00 PM local time.

The new configuration of the plane will include 70 Flagship Suites, 44 premium economy recliners, and 216 economy seats. The plane waves goodbye to the eight-seat Flagship first cabin, which has been phased out, opting instead for the Flagship Suites, the airline's elevated business-class product.

A Ferry Flight Which Will Change The Way You Fly On The 777-300ER

The delivery flight departed from Hong Kong on August 13. Initially set to depart at 2:40 PM, the plane was marginally delayed and eventually pushed back from the gate at 3:16. The total flight time to DFW is around 14 and a half hours, and it is expected to arrive in the Lone Star State after enduring an 8,123-mile (13,072 km) voyage. The aircraft, which carries registration N718AN, is 13 years old, according to ch-aviation.

American is gradually sending all 20 of its 777-300ERs to Hong Kong for retrofitting through the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, a specialist in maintenance and aircraft retrofitting, as part of the carrier's Project Olympus. The refit will see the carrier eliminate the old first class cabin, and instead install 70 new business class Flagship Suites.

The carrier sent the aircraft to Hong Kong in December, where it underwent an extensive refit with new seats identical to those on the 787-9P subfleet. The aircraft is poised to enter service by the spring.

Where Will The Aircraft Fly First?

It remains unclear where American plans to deploy the retrofitted aircraft first, and as previously reported by Simple Flying, it could be expected to see the plane scheduled on flagship routes from Dallas/Fort Worth to the likes of London Heathrow Airport (LHR). American maintains three daily flights from DFW to LHR. Domestically, another option would be its service to New York-JFK.

For passengers onboard, they will enjoy the refurbishment, which sees a significant upgrade to the passenger experience. Larger entertainment screens in all cabins, privacy wings for premium economy, while business will see privacy doors. Eight Flagship Preferred Suites are also featured in the front row of the cabin, which offer even more space for travelers.

These changes will position the oneworld carrier head-to-head not just with US competitors United and Delta, but also against other legacy carriers. It is no secret that American has trailed United and Delta for a while in terms of the consistency and competitiveness of its premium cabins. This refit will close that gap, with the first 777-300ER now on its way to Dallas and closely watched as it enters commercial service.

What To Expect In Flagship Suites

Onboard, travelers will enjoy the airline's new modern and fully enclosed business class seat, which, onboard the widebody, is configured in a 1-2-1 layout. The airline has already introduced it on the 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR, and compete with other top international business classes onboard other carriers.

The technology includes Bluetooth audio pairing, wireless charging pads, a 17-inch 4K touchscreen seatback entertainment screen, and USB-C or USB-A ports. The fully lie-flat seating is complemented by mood lighting and personal storage compartments. These seats will offer around 19% more bed surface and a 42% larger living area when compared to the previous offering.

American is planning to retrofit all 20 of its 777-300ERs with the new onboard configuration as it looks to replace its old international first-class cabin. Project Olympus, as it is colloquially known, is about the aircraft's cabin interior refresh.