The carrier is adding First Class cabins (nine seats) to 25 CRJ-700 jets flown by American Eagle from Chicago and Dallas to 13 cities (see table below). That brings more elite-status and mileage award and upgrade availability on those routes. The new seats will be available beginning July 2, but can be booked now.
The seats are 19.5 inches wide, with a pitch of 37 inches. Each includes a four-way adjustable headrest, and an articulated seat bottom (similar to that on the 737) which will allow passengers to recline with less impact on the legroom of the passenger seated behind them. CRJs on order will also come with First Class cabins.
We checked two major routes slated to get the new seats— Chicago-Atlanta and Chicago-Newark—and found that daily First Class inventory will increase by 15 seats (31%) on the former and 20 seats (25%) on the latter.
From Chicago to Atlanta, American currently offers three flights daily, using the MD-80, which carries 16 First Class seats, for a total First Class inventory of 48 seats. In July, when AA switches over to CRJ-700s on the route, it will increase frequency to seven times daily, offering a total of 63 First Class seats. Chicago-Newark will also see an increase in service to eight flights daily, four using the MD-80 and four using the CRJ-700, for an inventory of 100 First Class seats.
If you’re short on miles for an upgrade or award, remember that American allows transfers from both Starwood and Diners Club.
Routes with New First Class Seats on CRJ-700
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