I’ve flown on every variant of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner across multiple continents and carriers, but few aircraft offer a more interesting mix of comfort and efficiency than the Boeing 787-8 operated by American Airlines. It’s smaller than its 787-9 and 787-10 siblings but offers unique route flexibility and some of the quietest, most fuel-efficient long-haul flying in the American fleet.
Whether you’re flying from Dallas to Madrid or from Miami to Lima, chances are high you’ll be on a 787-8 if you’re booking with American Airlines. As someone who has flown this exact model on several transatlantic and South American legs, I’ll walk you through what to expect: from the layout and cabin design to seat quality, entertainment, and booking strategy.
What Is the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner?
The Boeing 787-8 is part of the Dreamliner family, known for fuel efficiency and modern cabin technology. American Airlines operates 24 Boeing 787-8 aircraft, as of June 2025. These aircraft are primarily used for long-haul international routes but occasionally appear on domestic positioning flights.
- Range: 7,355 nautical miles (13,621 km)
- Cruise speed: Mach 0.85
- Fuel efficiency: About 20% more efficient than a Boeing 767-300
- Passenger capacity (AA configuration): 234 total seats
American was one of the early U.S. adopters of the Dreamliner series, and while the 787-9 gets the spotlight for its range and size, the 787-8 remains a backbone for transatlantic and Latin American services. Its size makes it ideal for markets where a 777 would be too much capacity but narrow-body jets can’t make the distance.
How is the cabin layout of the American Airlines 787-8?
The cabin layout on American’s 787-8 is clean, functional, and recently improved. The current version, retrofitted in 2020–2021, offers four distinct cabin classes:
- Business Class: 20 seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout
- Premium Economy: 28 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration
- Main Cabin Extra: 48 economy seats with extra legroom
- Economy Class: 138 standard seats in a 3-3-3 layout
Here’s a quick breakdown of key seat specs:
- Business Class: 60” pitch, 21” width, lie-flat
- Premium Economy: 38” pitch, 18.5” width, 7” recline
- Main Cabin Extra: 35” pitch, 17.2” width, 5” recline
- Economy: 31” pitch, 17.2” width, 4–5” recline
The 3-3-3 layout in Economy is tight, I won’t sugarcoat it. But the clean air, improved pressure, and large windows help offset the narrower seats. If you value comfort on long-haul flights and can’t upgrade to Business, Premium Economy is a worthwhile investment.
Which Routes Do American Airlines Fly with the 787-8?
American Airlines uses the 787-8 Dreamliner mainly for international long-haul and premium transcontinental routes that don’t require the size of a 787-9 or 777. Based on current route maps and flight data, here are common 787-8 deployments:
Typical Long-Haul Routes:
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Madrid (MAD)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Paris (CDG)
- Miami (MIA) – Lima (LIM)
- Philadelphia (PHL) – Zurich (ZRH)
- Los Angeles (LAX) – São Paulo (GRU)
Seasonal & Secondary Routes:
- Charlotte (CLT) – Rome (FCO)
- Dallas (DFW) – Santiago (SCL)
- Miami (MIA) – Buenos Aires (EZE)
Route planning changes seasonally, but AA generally deploys the 787-8 where efficiency and range are critical, especially on transatlantic and Latin American missions.
Business Class on the 787-8
I’ve flown Business Class on American’s 787-8 multiple times, and while it’s not as modern as the newer 787-9 or 777-300ER cabins, it still offers a solid premium experience.
Highlights:
- Full lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in a reverse herringbone layout.
- 15.4-inch touchscreen IFE system with a good selection of movies, TV shows, and live TV.
- Power outlets and USB ports at each seat.
- Bedding by Casper, including a pillow, duvet, and mattress pad.
- Meals curated seasonally, including multi-course dinner and breakfast service on long-haul flights.
One thing to note: some of the Zodiac seats are slightly angled toward the aisle, and there have been complaints about wobbly privacy dividers and tight footwells in certain seats. I recommend avoiding odd-numbered window seats, which can feel more exposed.
Premium Economy on the 787-8
American’s Premium Economy cabin on the 787-8 is compact but significantly more comfortable than standard Economy.
From my experience, the seats offer:
- 38 inches of pitch, with 2–3–2 layout
- Recline of up to 6 inches
- Adjustable footrests and legrests
- Enhanced meal service, including real glassware and metal cutlery
- Priority boarding and two free checked bags
For overnight flights or anyone wanting a quieter cabin without paying for Business Class, Premium Economy is a strong value, especially on transatlantic routes.
Economy Class (Main Cabin and Main Cabin Extra)
The Economy cabin on the 787-8 is nine-abreast (3–3–3), which is standard on Dreamliners, but it does mean narrower seats, approximately 17 inches wide.
In Main Cabin Extra, you’ll get up to 4 extra inches of legroom, which I find makes a big difference on 8+ hour flights.
Each seat includes:
- Personal seat-back IFE screen
- USB and shared power outlet
- Wi-Fi access (paid)
- Free snacks, water, and soft drinks
- Meals on long-haul international flights
For taller passengers, exit row and bulkhead seats are worth paying for, as standard pitch in Economy is only about 31 inches.
In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity
The 787-8 fleet has been fully updated with seatback entertainment and Wi-Fi connectivity provided by Panasonic or ViaSat (depending on the aircraft). It’s consistent, reliable, and comparable to international competitors.
Entertainment System:
- 17-inch monitor in Business
- 13-inch in Premium Economy
- 10-inch in Economy
- Dozens of movies, HBO shows, live TV, and games
Wi-Fi Plans:
- $10 for 2 hours
- $19 for full-flight access
- Monthly plans for AAdvantage members
Download the American Airlines app before boarding to use entertainment and monitor connection quality.
How does American Airlines 787-8 compare with other airlines?
| Airline | Aircraft Type | Business Class Layout | Seat Features | Notable Strengths | Notable Weaknesses |
| American Airlines | Boeing 787-8 | 1-2-1 (Reverse Herringbone) | Lie-flat, direct aisle access, Super Diamond | Consistency, good IFE, cabin quiet | Narrow economy seats, variable Wi-Fi |
| United Airlines | Boeing 787-8 | 1-2-1 (Polaris Suite) | Lie-flat, enhanced privacy, Saks bedding | Best privacy, superior bedding | Polaris can feel narrow for some |
| Delta Air Lines | Airbus A330-900neo | 1-2-1 (Delta One Suite) | Fully enclosed suites, wide IFE, newer cabin | Newest seats, large screens | Noisier cabin than 787 |
| British Airways | Boeing 787-8 | 2-3-2 (Club World) | Lie-flat, dated layout, limited privacy | Good soft product, solid dining | Outdated seat design, tight middle seats |
Booking Tips: How to Maximize Your 787-8 Flight
To get the most out of your 787-8 experience:
- Book early to grab Premium Economy seats with window access
- Use ExpertFlyer to track seat maps and aircraft changes
- Check seat maps, American sometimes swaps 787-8 with 777-200
- Use miles for Business: Often ~57,500 AAdvantage miles one-way to Europe
- Upgrade with 500-mile stickers or systemwide upgrades (SWUs) if you’re elite
Flying Business or Premium Economy unlocks Flagship Lounge access at hubs like DFW, JFK, and MIA, which is worth showing up early for, especially during evening transatlantic departure waves.
I always recommend booking directly through American’s website. It’s clearer on aircraft type, seat maps, and upgrade options than most third-party platforms.
Is the 787-8 more eco-friendly than other widebodies?
Yes. The Boeing 787-8 is one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in service today. It burns about 20–25% less fuel per passenger than legacy widebodies like the 767 or A330.
- Composite fuselage: Lighter, stronger, more efficient
- CO2 emissions per seat-mile: About 92 grams
- Noise footprint: 60% smaller than comparable aircraft
American Airlines is using this aircraft to replace aging models and reduce their carbon output. It plays a major role in AA’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Pros and Cons of the 787-8 American Airlines
Pros:
- Good range for niche long-haul markets
- Quiet, modern cabin environment
- Lie-flat Business seats on every flight
- Strong Premium Economy product
- Widely available power and entertainment
Cons:
- Zodiac Business seats less private than newer designs
- Narrow 3–3–3 Economy layout
- Wi-Fi speed can vary
- Limited Premium Economy availability on some routes
I’ve noticed Economy seats become uncomfortable beyond 8 hours unless you’re lucky enough to snag Main Cabin Extra. Business is where this plane shines.
Curious what it’s like flying the 787-8 with American Airlines?
Join our forum discussion: American Airlines 787-8 – Seat Picks, Cabin Reviews & Travel Tips
The blog highlights key features of the aircraft, but our community dives into the details best seats in every cabin, in-flight service reviews, and how it compares to other AA aircraft. Get the lowdown from frequent flyers who’ve been there, boarded that.
Is the 787-8 on American Worth Booking?
Absolutely, if you know what to expect. The 787-8 fills a strategic gap in American Airlines’ fleet by offering long-haul capabilities without the oversized footprint of larger aircraft. For passengers, this often means more direct city pairings and access to international destinations from secondary U.S. hubs.
Business Class is solid but not best-in-class compared to AA’s newer cabins. Premium Economy is a sleeper hit for mid-tier comfort. Economy? It’s tight, but manageable, especially if you pay a little extra for Main Cabin Extra.
From the cabin pressure improvements to the low noise levels, the 787-8 Dreamliner platform delivers a better flying experience overall, and American Airlines leverages it well for specific long-haul markets.
If you’re booking a long-haul American flight and see the 787-8 listed as the aircraft, it’s a reliable and comfortable option, just be sure to choose your seat wisely.
FAQs About the 787-8 American Airlines
Is the 787-8 smaller than the 787-9?
Yes. The 787-8 has a shorter fuselage and fewer seats (234 vs ~285), but similar range and cabin tech.
Is the 787-8 quieter or smoother than older planes?
Absolutely. It features reduced engine noise, improved cabin pressurization, and larger windows with electronic dimming.
Does American operate lie-flat seats on the 787-8?
Yes. All Business Class seats are lie-flat with direct aisle access.
Is Wi-Fi available on all 787-8 flights?
Yes. Every 787-8 is equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, though speed may vary by provider.