American Airlines Business Class Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | Dallas to Madrid

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Airline: American Airlines (AA)
Flight Number: AA36
Route: DFW-MAD
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Registration: N876AL
Delivered: August 2022
Flight Duration: 8 Hours 20 Minutes
Distance: 4,960 Miles

Overall Impression:

Our flight on one of American’s newest 787-8 Dreamliner, equipped with the updated Collins Super Diamond Business Class seats, was a stroke of luck. The seats reminded me of British Airways’ Club Suite, but without the sliding door. Throughout the flight, I found the seat to be comfortable for both lounging and sleeping. The in-flight service was excellent. The crew addressed us by name and was friendly, eager to please, and attentive. Before takeoff, we were offered pre-departure beverages and refills. However, the catering out of Dallas was somewhat of a mixed bag. Although my beef filet was cooked to perfection and delicious, my companion’s salmon was tough and overcooked. The business class amenities were standard, but I would have appreciated additional toiletries in the lavatories. Overall, I enjoyed a comfortable flight thanks to the seats and attentive service.

What I Liked:

The Seats – The updated Collins Aerospace Super Diamond Seats on this flight are easily one of my favorite business class seats. They are incredibly comfortable for sitting, lounging, and sleeping, and all the seat controls and storage spaces are within easy reach. I had previously experienced issues with other versions of these seats, where my knees would hit the pull-out table in bed mode, but this updated version has resolved that issue. The seat provided excellent comfort and support for laying down and sleeping throughout the flight. I was also delighted to find that personal air nozzles were available, which allowed me to remain cool and comfortable throughout the journey.

The Service – The onboard service was one of the highlights of the flight, thanks to the exceptional DFW-based crew. The two business class flight attendants we interacted with were proactive, charming, and provided professional and efficient service throughout the journey. Their friendly yet professional demeanor created a pleasant atmosphere, ensuring that we felt comfortable and well-cared for during the flight. The pre-departure beverage and hot towel service were noteworthy touches that added to the overall experience. We were thoroughly impressed with the level of service provided by the crew on this flight, which made our journey even more enjoyable.

The Flagship Lounge at DFW – The Flagship Lounge at DFW was a great experience for us. Located in Terminal D, the lounge was spacious and provided comfortable seating throughout. The lounge offered an extensive buffet spread and an impressive selection of food and beverage options. We also appreciated the added bonus of shower suites, which allowed us to freshen up before our flight.

What I didn’t Like:

Expensive WiFi – Just a heads up, the in-flight WiFi on AA flights is pretty expensive now. It used to be $20 for the whole flight, but now it’s almost double at $35. So, if you need to stay connected during your trip, keep in mind that it will cost you more than before.

It was OK…I guess:

The Catering – The catering on our AA flight from DFW was satisfactory overall. The starter tray, which consisted of seasonal greens and sundried tomato tartar, was fresh and light, but lacked any standout flavors. The peppercorn crusted beef filet that I ordered was excellent and cooked to perfection, but unfortunately, the bourbon-glazed salmon dish my companion ordered was overcooked and tough. Dessert options were better, with the traditional fudge ice cream sundae being a highlight, while the gooey butter cake was a bit lackluster. For breakfast, we both opted for the Traditional American Breakfast with scrambled eggs and Canadian bacon. The eggs were well-prepared, but the Canadian bacon slices were rubbery and hard. As a consolation, the crew was kind enough to setup a walk-up snack bar in the front galley mid-flight, which was a thoughtful touch.

The IFE – AA’s new 787-8 Dreamliners are fitted with the standard IFE system. There were plenty of movies, TV shows, music, and games on offer to keep you occupied during the flight, but the IFE remote was a bit cumbersome to use.

The Amenities – AA’s business class amenities are pretty standard. They provide passengers with a Shinola-branded pouch amenity kit, Bang and Olufsen noise-canceling headphones, a full-sized pillow and duvet set, and bottled water. However, it’s worth noting that they do not offer pajamas or mattress pads on this route.

Bottom Line:

Overall, our experience flying American Airlines’ business class on their new 787-8 Dreamliner was pleasant, thanks to the comfortable seats and excellent onboard service provided by the DFW-based crew. However, the catering was hit-or-miss, and the expensive in-flight WiFi and somewhat cumbersome IFE remote were minor drawbacks. The Flagship Lounge at DFW Terminal D was a nice touch, offering ample seating and a variety of food and beverage options. While AA’s business class amenities are good, the lack of pajamas and mattress pads may disappoint some passengers. Nevertheless, we would consider flying AA business class again for the overall comfortable experience.