In Brief

What’s New with Routes, Aircraft, Seats

Air France: Its first Boeing 787-9 offers 30 lie-flat Business Class seats (configured 1x2x1) and 21 Premium Economy seats (130-degree recline, 40-seat pitch, configured 2x3x2). First scheduled flight is Paris-Cairo; first transatlantic flight is Montreal-Paris, departing May 1. Montreal-Paris fares start at US$2,069, based on two passengers traveling together (ticketing deadline Feb. 8). Award availability looks good through September in Business Class.

American: New route with the Premium Economy seat: to Seoul from Dallas, service starting Feb. 16. The new cabin will be offered on all new B787-9s in rows 9 to 11. Current routes with the B787-9s are between Dallas and Sao Paulo, Madrid, and Paris. Premium Economy is not for sale yet. For now, upgrade fees will be based on AAdvantage member status: Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members free; Gold members pay 50% of the fee (up to $100 one-way on the Seoul-Dallas route) or receive free access within 24 hours of departure. More details here.