American Airlines Introduces Largest Aircraft to Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Starting this fall, American Airlines will deploy its largest aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER, from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). The 304-seat plane will service one of three daily flights from CLT to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) beginning on November 5. This marks the first time the 777-300ER will operate regularly from CLT.

The decision to use the Boeing 777-300ER comes as part of American Airlines’ adjustments to its winter wide-body aircraft schedule, announced over the weekend. The news, first reported by Ishrion Aviation, noted that while the 777-300ER has previously been dispatched to Charlotte for last-minute equipment changes, this will be its first scheduled deployment.

**Flight Schedule and Future Plans**

The specific flights affected are:
– AA730: Departing CLT at 6:10 p.m., arriving at LHR at 7 a.m. the following day.
– AA735: Departing LHR at 10:05 a.m., arriving at CLT at 2:25 p.m.

However, it is uncertain how long passengers will enjoy this service, as the airline’s winter international schedule extends only until the end of March. Decisions regarding the summer 2025 and winter 2025 schedules have yet to be made.

**Flagship Service on the Boeing 777-300ER**

Passengers can expect premium amenities aboard the Boeing 777-300ER. American Airlines’ “Flagship First” class offers exclusive services for international flights between the U.S. and destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. Key features include:
– 60 lie-flat seats, including 8 in “Premium First” and 52 in “Premium Business” class.
– “Premium First” seats are 21.5 inches wide, compared to 16.2 to 17.1 inches in the main cabin.
– Access to an arrivals lounge at Heathrow, featuring shower suites, valet ironing, buffet meals, and a coffee and champagne bar.
– Private check-in with expedited security lines at select airports (excluding Charlotte).

These luxurious services come at a steep price. A round-trip Premium First ticket from Charlotte to London departing November 5 costs $6,586, while a Basic Economy ticket is priced at $718.

**American Airlines’ Presence at Charlotte Douglas International Airport**

American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, operates its second-largest hub at CLT, handling 89% of the airport’s commercial passenger traffic. Last year, over 45 million passengers traveled through Charlotte Douglas.

Despite competition from airlines like Frontier, American continues to expand its destinations from Charlotte. Starting December, American will offer flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and increase daily service to Antigua as part of its winter schedule expansion.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport consistently ranks among the world’s busiest, bolstered by American Airlines’ extensive operations and ongoing route expansions.