New American Flagship Business Plus Fares (First Class Perks)

Flagship Business Plus is a new business class fare type that offers a number of perks that are normally only offered to first class passengers.

American Airlines Business Plus basics

Flagship Business Plus fares are new for long haul business class passengers. Flagship Business Plus fares are available.

• Access to Flagship First Check-in, which offers a more personalized check-in experience, and security fast track; this is available at JFK, LAX, LHR, MIA, and ORD
• Access to Flagship First Dining, which offers a sit down dining experience, and is frankly one of the best lounge experiences out there; this is available at DFW, JFK, and MIA
• A third checked bag

The perks that have historically only been offered to those in first class are on American's A321Ts, which fly coast-to-coast, and American's Boeing 777-300ERs. Oneworld Emerald members can get a third checked bag.

The fares are going to be on certain routes. In order to not cannibalize first class demand, American won't sell this fare product on flights operated by the A321T or 757. Booking more expensive fares will help you earn status more quickly.

According to the searches I did, American is charging $400 more for these fares than the regular business class fare. At least that was what I saw on some routes.

The Flagship Business Plus fares were briefly shown on aa.com. Many people thought that American was going to eliminate first class and replace it with a different type of flight.

This wasn't the plan, but rather that American accidentally published a new business class fare product too early.

My take on American Airlines Business Plus fares

This idea makes a lot of sense to me. The Flagship First Check-in and Flagship First Dining are not used as much as they could be. The economics have to make sense in order for American to invest in these features. It almost seemed too good to be true that many have enjoyed the peace and quiet of Flagship first dining.

I don't like the pricing and marketing of this concept.

• Presumably this is primarily targeted at business travelers who can expense any ticket as long as it’s in business class
• At the same time, the third checked bag probably doesn’t matter much to the average business traveler, since most business travelers don’t have multiple checked bags
• $400 is roughly the pricing that I was expecting — it’s higher than what this experience is realistically worth (which makes sense so that Flagship First Dining is flooded with more travelers), but it’s not so expensive that no one will take advantage of this
• When we’re talking about full fare business class, it almost seems weird to have the “regular” business class fare be $8,000, and then have a “Business Plus” fare that’s just marginally more, in my opinion
• How many people are realistically going to buy this per day without it diluting the experience for others? 10? If so, is it worth creating this product confusion for so few upsells?
• Personally I think the more logical approach would be to make this a buy-up option after you book your ticket, or during the booking process (after the initial fare is displayed), where anyone confirmed in business class on an eligible route can pay a certain amount for Flagship Business Plus

Bottom line

The new fares are called Business Plus. Flagship First Check-in, Flagship First Dining, and a third free checked bag are included in these fares. It looks like American is charging $400 more for these flights. It makes sense for American to better monetize Flagship First Dining.

What do you think about the American Flagship Business Plus concept?

The tip of the hat was given to the man.