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Airline: American Airlines (AA)
Flight Number: AA121
Route: DOH-PHL
Class: Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Registration: N835AN
Delivered: June 2018
Flight Duration: 13 Hours 45 Minutes
Distance: 6,797 Miles
Overall Impression:
We have flown Qatar Airways almost exclusively in and out of Doha, so we were looking forward to see what American Airlines has to offer on this ultra long-haul flight from Doha to Philadelphia. On a recent journey from Doha to the U.S., we flew American Airlines Business Class on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. While AA has long played catch-up to the world’s best international carriers, especially in premium cabins, we were curious to see how their current business class offering stacked up—particularly when compared Qatar Airways. From cabin comfort to catering and service, we took a close look at what AA is doing well and where it still falls short. A bonus highlight of the trip was the time we spent at Qatar Airways’ flagship Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha, which never disappoints.
What I Liked:
The Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha – One of the highlights of this trip was our time at the original Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha’s Hamad International Airport. The space is expansive, with ample comfortable seating spread throughout, creating a relaxed and spacious environment for travelers.
Dining options are impressive, with a buffet offering a variety of hot dishes, freshly made sushi, and an à la carte menu for more personalized service. For passengers with long layovers, the lounge also features quiet zones and shower suites—perfect for unwinding and refreshing before the next leg of the journey.
The Seats – American Airlines’ 787-9 Dreamliners are currently equipped with Super Diamond seats in an all-forward-facing 1-2-1 configuration (without privacy doors). While AA has announced next-gen business class suites with doors, these current seats still feel private and are quite comfortable for dining, lounging, and sleeping. The inclusion of personal air nozzles is a thoughtful touch. I did bump my knee on the pull-out table a few times while asleep, but it was a minor issue in an otherwise solid seat design.
The IFE – In terms of in-flight entertainment, AA’s system is among the better ones in the industry. The interface is intuitive and responsive, making it easy to browse the extensive selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games. The Panasonic 3D moving map stood out as a highlight. While the Wi-Fi was on the pricier side at $30 for the full flight, the overall IFE experience made the long journey far more enjoyable.
What I Didn’t Like:
The Service – The service on this flight was a mixed bag. The flight attendant working our aisle—who was also the purser—was warm, charming, and engaging. She addressed me by name, offered a pre-departure beverage, and proactively offered beverage refills throughout the meal service. However, the other flight attendant assisting her was noticeably less friendly.
About four hours before landing, I felt a bit hungry and pressed the call button to request the mid-flight meal. A male flight attendant arrived at my seat, and when I placed my order, he responded curtly, “The meal is cold already. We’re already preparing for the pre-arrival service.” I didn’t respond, and he added, “It’s going to take 15 minutes,” before walking away. To his credit, he did return shortly with my meal and even addressed me by name—but the whole exchange felt awkward and unnecessarily dismissive.
It was OK, I guess…
The Amenities – Business class passengers on this flight are provided with a basic but functional set of amenities, including an amenity kit, bottled water, slippers, and B&O noise-canceling headphones. A pillow and duvet set are also available for in-flight rest. However, the absence of a mattress pad and pajamas stood out—especially considering this was a nearly 14-hour flight. Given that airlines like Qatar Airways proactively offer both on similar routes, this felt like a missed opportunity for American Airlines to elevate the experience.
The Catering – The catering out of Doha was decent but definitely not on par with top-tier Asian or Middle Eastern carriers. The meal presentation lacked the refinement you’d expect in a premium cabin, though the food itself was mostly passable. The starter tray—featuring a Mediterranean salad and a vegetable spring roll—was just okay. The spring roll, unfortunately, was soggy. I had pre-ordered the Qatari chicken, which was fine, and my companion’s poached salmon was slightly overcooked, though still flavorful. As always, the ice cream sundae for dessert was a standout and a reliable highlight of AA’s meal service.
American also offered a hot mid-flight snack. I went with the steak pie, which was served with some fruit. The pie was forgettable, both in taste and portion size. A snack basket was also available at the galley, where I took a couple of yogurt bars.
For the pre-arrival meal, I chose the egg frittata with chicken sausage, served alongside a breakfast pastry and fresh fruit. Surprisingly, the frittata was quite good—a satisfying and flavorful way to end the flight on a high note.
Bottom Line:
American Airlines’ 787-9 Business Class offers a solid hard product with comfortable, private-feeling seats, a user-friendly IFE system, and a few standout touches like personal air nozzles and responsive entertainment. Catering was hit-or-miss—while the breakfast frittata and signature sundae were surprisingly good, other items like the soggy spring roll and underwhelming steak pie fell flat. Service was inconsistent, ranging from warm and proactive to cold and dismissive. AA’s lack of certain amenities—like pajamas and mattress pads—on a 14-hour flight was noticeable, especially when compared to competitors. Fortunately, the pre-flight experience in Qatar’s Al Mourjan Lounge helped elevate the overall journey with top-tier dining, elegant spaces, and excellent relaxation options.
TravelingFoody.com 