American Airlines has a first-class opportunity for you if you want to travel to Italy in style this summer. The Fort Worth-based aircraft announced plans over the weekend to upgrade its 304-seat Boeing 777-300ER route from New York to Rome during the busiest summertime, as first reported in Cirium routines and later confirmed by a ship spokesperson. American plans to fly twice daily between June 5 and October 25 from John F. Kennedy International Airport ( JFK) and Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO ). Most of those frequencies will now be operated by the Boeing 777- 300ER, as you can see below: From June 5 to July 18: Specifically Boeing 777- 300ERFrom July 19 to Oct. 25: One normal Boeing 777- 300ER, one regular Boeing 777- 200ERWant more airline- certain news? Sign up for TPG’s completely fortnightly Aviation email. American’s largest aircraft, the 777- 300ER, is special because it is the carrier’s just wide- body plane with a initial- class cabin. It features eight primary- group pods, 52 company- class lay- flats, 28 premium economy recliners and 216 economy seats — 28 of which are in an additional- legroom configuration. Nick GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY ( The ship intends to refit the Boeing 777-300ER fleet by adding a new business-class suite to the first and business-class cabins. Travelers can still enjoy the first-class product for a few more months because these retrofits are n’t supposed to begin until after the summer. However, the smaller Boeing 777- 200ER seats 31 fewer passengers, with a smaller 37- chair company- class room, 24- chair premium economy cabin and 212- seat economy cabin. As a result, this upgauge represents a significant increase in premium capacity to Italy, which is likely to appeal to well-off leisure travelers planning a summer trip to Rome ( and beyond ). In the summer, this route may also have more saver-level awards and upgrades available. Although the first-class product from ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUYAmerican may not garner many awards, it is undoubtedly one of the best commercial routes from New York to Rome this summer. At the pointy end of this jet, there are only eight first-class pods arranged in a 1- 2- 1 layout, and the seats are unique because they can be converted into desk mode to aid in your work concentration. There’s not much privacy in this cabin, but the beds are the best you’ll find on a U. S. carrier. ( Those looking for the fanciest way to travel to Italy should check out Emirates’ fifth-freight flight, which takes place between New York and Milan and is operated by the double-decker Airbus A380. ) ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY The airline’s likely biggest news is that its new nonstop flight from Philadelphia will take off on June 5 and will have a new outstation in Naples. American’s Italy routes this summer. On June 5, the airline will resume operations from Chicago to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), and it will also extend the season’s travel time between Philadelphia and Venice and Charlotte to Rome. Furthermore, the carrier has upgraded its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport ( DFW)- to- Rome route to year- round service. In the summer, it’ll start with a second daily frequency, May 5 through September 3. All in all, American plans a 15 % capacity increase in June 2024 compared to June 2019. According to Cirium schedules, this number increases by 30 % when compared to June 2023. So, if you’re planning to visit Italy this summer, American will likely have an option for you. Related reading:
