A shocking American Airways retro jet is about to hit the skies within the subsequent few weeks.
American Airways is on the point of have a good time a monumental milestone. Because the service approaches its one hundredth anniversary on 15 April 2026, it’s marking the event with a completely beautiful retro livery that takes followers straight again to the golden age of flight. Painted on a Boeing 777-300ER (reg. N735AT), the brand new design is a modern-day tribute to one among American’s most legendary plane—the Douglas DC-3—which helped form the airline’s early success practically 9 a long time in the past.
The 777, named “Flagship DFW,” honors the airline’s Dallas/Fort Value house base and revives a naming custom that started with the unique DC-3s, which proudly bore the names of the cities they served.
The American Airways Retro Jet is a Blast from the Previous with a Trendy Twist
At first look, the 777’s retro design stops avgeeks of their tracks. The plane gleams in American’s iconic “Silver Eagle” base coat, a hue now seen throughout greater than 1,600 plane within the fleet. Operating alongside either side is the unmistakable orange lightning bolt motif, a design aspect that first streaked throughout American’s DC-3s again within the Nineteen Thirties.
Towards the aft fuselage sits a roundel that includes the basic “AA” emblem and eagle, symbolizing how American connects the world whereas paying homage to the previous. It’s the proper marriage of classic magnificence and trendy craftsmanship.
“American has thoughtfully chosen a design that evokes our wealthy historical past whereas waiting for our subsequent 100 years,” mentioned Ron DeFeo, American’s Chief Communications Officer. “Portray the unique Flagship design on our Flagship plane is a strong option to honor that legacy whereas embracing the long run.”
From DC-3 to 777: A Century of Flagship Innovation
Greater than only a nostalgic repaint, the attractive new livery is a visible reminder of how far American has come. Again within the Nineteen Thirties, the airline helped pioneer the Douglas DC-3, working immediately with Douglas Plane to create an airliner that will without end change industrial aviation. By 1936, American launched passenger service with the DC-3, ushering in an period of coast-to-coast consolation.
Almost 90 years later, American’s “Flagship” title nonetheless stands for premium service. What started as a advertising and marketing time period for its transcontinental DC-3 flights now extends to its Flagship Lounges, Flagship Enterprise Class, and the upcoming Flagship Suite expertise, which is able to debut throughout its long-haul fleet.
Retro on the Exterior, Trendy Luxe on the Inside
Whereas the skin celebrates the previous, the within of “Flagship DFW” is all in regards to the future. Beginning subsequent yr, American’s 777-300ERs will start rolling out with a totally refreshed inside. The plane will characteristic 70 Flagship Suite seats, every outfitted with privateness doorways, wi-fi charging pads, and a chaise lounge seating possibility that permits passengers to stretch out in fashion.
The Premium Financial system cabin additionally receives an improve and can grow to be the primary within the US to characteristic wi-fi charging, in addition to enhanced headrest wings, calf rests, and footrests. Even the Important Cabin is getting some love, with 4K QLED seatback screens (additionally a primary within the US), USB-C, and AC energy for each passenger.
The inside modifications are becoming in a yr that American will have a good time its first century. In a way, the service is reimagining what the subsequent 100 years of journey will appear to be.
A Century of Flight, A Legacy of Firsts
At present, American Airways operates a fleet of 1,000 mainline plane, with a formidable 301 orders for brand new Airbus and Boeing jets, and a futuristic eye on the Growth Overture supersonic program, for which it holds 20 agency orders and 40 choices. Add in its American Eagle community, which is operated by Envoy Air, PSA Airways, Piedmont Airways, and companions SkyWest and Republic Airways, and it’s simple to see why American flies to extra locations and carries extra passengers than every other airline on Earth.
Based in 1926 by way of the merger of greater than 80 small carriers, American grew from flying mail and DC-3s to working a world fleet of 777s and Dreamliners. The airline has been behind a few of aviation’s most iconic improvements, together with the event of the DC-3 and DC-10, in addition to pioneering premium transcontinental service.
The Race to 100
American isn’t the one US service marking a century. Delta Air Strains can also be celebrating its one hundredth birthday, having unveiled two centennial-themed jets earlier this yr: an A350-900 and an A321neo. Nonetheless, whereas Delta’s designs are modern and trendy, American has opted for coronary heart and heritage, tapping into nostalgia that resonates deeply with avgeeks, historians, frequent flyers, and designers.
It’s a becoming transfer for an airline that already celebrates its historical past by way of a fleet of particular liveries honoring its predecessors. Few carriers do heritage in addition to American.
And that’s what makes this 777 so particular. It’s greater than a brand new paint job. It’s a flying tribute to a century of aviation milestones, innovation, and the passengers who helped make all of it doable.
As “Flagship DFW” prepares to take to the skies, American Airways is displaying the world that one of the best ways to honor the previous is to maintain wanting ahead.
And hey…similar to we requested just lately with JSX’s stunning new retro jet, please ship us photos of the American retro jet if you happen to occur to see it out within the wild! We’d like to see it by way of your lens!
