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American’s first revamped Boeing 777 with suites set to fly

American Airlines’ biggest plane is about to make its grand re-entry, complete with a major glow-up and the biggest business-class cabin the airline has ever offered.
Beginning Wednesday evening, American’s first newly-retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER will return to service. It will sport the all-new enclosed Flagship Suites that the carrier first debuted last year.
This will mark the first time AA has brought its new, state-of-the-art, business-class product to one of its existing jets.
And it will be a massive front cabin: This 777 sports 70 lie-flat seats, which is 10 more than it had before it went into the shop for a refresh.
Between the business-class and premium economy cabins, the aircraft boasts a whopping 114 premium seats. That’s the most on any plane operated by a U.S. airline.
But the debut of this newly refurbished plane also comes with bittersweet news.
Farewell, Flagship First
Passengers won’t find Flagship First when they climb on board this revamped 777.
American is phasing out the luxe cabin, its most exclusive premium seat — and the last true international-style, first-class product offered by a U.S. airline.
Instead, American filled this 777 with many more business-class seats.
And it will soon do the same on more planes.
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Flagship First phase-out is set
American on Wednesday announced it will stop offering Flagship First will end on all long-haul 777 flights, effective Nov. 19.
Meanwhile, March 28, 2027 will mark the end of Flagship First on transcontinental flights aboard American’s Airbus A321T — the only other aircraft in its fleet that offers the elevated cabin.
As for the 777, this shift will mean significantly more lie-flat seats for AAdvantage members hoping to redeem their miles or Systemwide Upgrades on the carrier’s biggest jet.
But it also marks the end of an era (or at least the beginning of the end of an era) for a first-class cabin that had long been American’s top-tier seat.
Chief commercial officer Nat Pieper on Wednesday called the transition the “next evolution of premium travel” at the airline.
Here’s what evolution will mean for flyers.
Flagship Suites debut on another aircraft
American’s 777-300ER will be the third type of aircraft in its fleet to get outfitted with Flagship Suites.
This new business-class product first rolled out to a lot of buzz last year, sporting sliding privacy doors and a host of new features.
Until now, AA flyers could only experience these suites on a handful of newly delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A321XLRs.
Beginning this week, that next-generation business-class seat — and an overall new-look cabin — will (slowly) start appearing on the 777.
A lot more lie-flat seats, in total
While American’s refitted 777-300ERs won’t have a true first-class cabin, there are a whole lot of high-end seats.
Before its makeover, the jet had 60 lie-flat seats. Now, it has 70.
Before and after: American’s Boeing 777-300ER
Flagship Suite Preferred included
This plane includes eight of American’s new Flagship Suites Preferred, which feature a larger bed and more space.
You’ll find these larger business-class suites in the front and bulkhead rows.
Flagship Suite Preferred: Is it worth buying up for the extra space?
Full cabin makeover
Beyond the front of the plane, American has given its 777 a nose-to-tail makeover, including the new color palette the carrier first unveiled last year. It features lighter blue seats and brown leather accents throughout the cabin.
There are tech upgrades, too: Every seat has Bluetooth-ready screens.
And the premium economy cabin will be far and away the biggest that American has ever offered on one of its jets.
Set for takeoff — with more new-look planes still to come
This is just the first of American’s 20 Boeing 777-300s to receive this newly refurbished cabin.
It will take off Wednesday evening on a flight from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Buenos Aires.
As the airline completes retrofits on additional 777s, they’ll re-enter service on other routes AA serves with the plane, including London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo and Sydney.
Beyond that, the carrier has announced plans to bring its new Flagship Suites and the new-look cabin to its smaller Boeing 777-200ERs — the real workhorse of its long-haul fleet. Its oldest Boeing 787 Dreamliners are also in line for a glow-up.
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Business

Goldman Sachs Warns Oil Could Hit $120 as Shipping Risks Rise

Goldman Sachs says that oil prices may surge up to $120 per barrel if the attacks against shipping in Middle East increase.
Bloomberg TV interviewed Daan Struyven on Monday, the co-head for global commodities at Goldman Sachs.
The price of oil has risen in recent weeks due to renewed hostilities. It soared early Monday morning in Asian trades, reaching its highest level since July.
This weekend, the situation escalated after the U.S. announced that it had hit three Iranian oil tanks in response to the IRGC’s use of ballistic missiles against two U.S. Warships.
After the attack, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared that “proportionate response” was over and that Iran’s future retaliations will be “faster and heavier.”
Iran said that it will announce in the next few days a “new exclusion zone”, which “will start from the U.S. Naval Blockade line, extend towards the Strait of Hormuz and continue from this side into the Persian Gulf.”
Mohsenrezaei said that any ship found to be entering this area in order to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and which is identified, will appear on the sanctions list.
Brent Crude was trading at more than $97 a barrel early on Monday. The U.S. benchmark WTI Crude was also above $92 per barrel.
Struyven, a Goldman analyst who spoke to Bloomberg, said that Goldman believes “significant upside in crude oil prices” but also added that investors would bet more on the rising prices of natural gas and refined products.
Experts say that in gas and fuel markets, the supply shocks were greater than on the crude oil market.
By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com
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Europe’s Gas Prices to Rise for Fourth Straight Weekly

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Labor Day sales are live: Shop expert-approved deals from Amazon, Apple, Hoka, Patagonia and more up to 75% off

Labor Day is the unofficial ending of summer. Whether you are sad to say goodbye or excited for autumn, everyone can agree that finding great deals will make any season more enjoyable. We can help. We have a team of experts who spend hours scouring retailer sales so that you know what to buy now, and what is better to hold off on. We’ve found markdowns up to 75% this Labor Day on homewares, clothing staples, tech gear, and much more from Apple, Kate Spade and Patagonia. We’ve put together a list of all the Labor Day deals you shouldn’t miss.
Labor Day Deals: The Best Labor Day Offers
Hanes Men’s Hoodie (originally $27): A Rare 70% Discount
Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff jacket ($160, originally $229): rare sale on a editor’s pick
Apple AirTag 4 Pack ($80, originally $99): lowest price ever seen
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fry ($150, Was $250): Get $100 off
Dyson V8 Cyclone cordless vacuum cleaner ($300 instead of $400): rare deal
New Labor Day deals
Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunscreen 70 SPF 50 ($5, used to be $13): lowest price in months
Bose QuietComfort headphones ($199, originally $349): rare 45% discount
Levi’s Women’s Ribcage straight Jeans (45 dollars, originally $85): Lowest price for 30 days
How to pick up the best Labor Day deals
We only highlight markdowns that we think will save you real money. Some sales are not good; prices may be inflate to appear larger, or some products will cost less elsewhere. What we would skip on Labor Day
Apple iPhone: Wait — there will be a new iPhone model soon. Prices on the existing model typically drop when it launches.
Black Friday is the best time to buy video games and high-ticket technology.
Winter clothing: The new season collection is now in stores, but wait until November to get the biggest discounts on winter staples such as coats and booties.
Best Labor Day deals: Top picks
Best Labor Day deals: Rare deals
Best Labor Day deals: Style
Our style expert says that retailers are clearing summer stock to make way for the fall and winter. So, you can expect steep discounts over Labor Day on items like sundresses and sandals. I recommend shopping for the current season. Stock up now on lighter (and cheaper) clothes, and then grab the discounted styles of fall when the next round of sales comes around in October. Browse more style deals here.
Best Labor Day deals: Home
Our home expert says that now is the time to buy the outdoor furniture you have been wanting. Keep an eye on deals for pillows and mattresses. Mattress prices are usually at their lowest around Presidents’ Day. However, you may still be able to find some great discounts during this period. If you’re looking for new bedding and towels that are luxurious, I recommend waiting until the “white sales” in January. These items usually have even greater discounts. Click here to see more deals on home products.
Best Labor Day deals: Kitchen
Our kitchen expert says that as the seasons change, deals on kitchen equipment start to appear. Many of these products are useful all year round. Air fryers and cookware are great for summer, but also useful as we move into the fall. Black Friday is when you’ll see the biggest price cuts on larger appliances like refrigerators and ranges. If you can wait until November, then it might be worth buying one. Browse more kitchen deals here.
Best Labor Day deals: Tech
Our tech expert says that if you have been waiting to upgrade your tablet or laptop, it may now be time. The AI industry is creating a huge demand for components and memory chips, so the low prices we experienced in late 2017 and early 2018 are not returning. What’s the exception? Amazon devices. Prime Day is coming up, so I would wait to buy Kindles or Echo devices until they are heavily discounted. Find more deals on tech here.
Live4 Updates
These reviews are the latest versions available at the moment of publication.

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Business

$40 trillion U.S. national debt just got uglier as interest payments rise to $1.25 trillion a year

Doubleline, an investment management company, noted in a recent report that by 2025 the net federal interest payments on the U.S. national debt, now at $40 trillion, will surpass the previous record of 18.4%. The U.S. collects nearly 19% (or $1.25 trillion) of its total tax and revenue to pay interest, which is equivalent to the 2026 Defense Budget.
Increasing interest payments can create a vicious cycle. The government has to borrow more money to pay the interest and is then less able to invest in infrastructure, education or other areas that promote growth.
According to the Kobeissi letter, a global market commentary, interest expenses as a percent of revenues have tripled since 2015. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that interest expense will reach 25% in 2036.
The Kobeissi Letter posted on social media that “the US debt crisis has never been seen before.” These projections are based on the assumption that there will be no recession or major slowdown in this time period.
How the interest rate on debt today is different than in 1991
In 1991, when the U.S. was still recovering from recession and the oil shocks of the Gulf War, it had a booming economy. At the time, the high demand for Treasuries pushed the yields to 8%. This was down from over 10% during previous decades.
Doubleline said that the situation is very different today. Doubleline argued that the government was able to handle an interest rate of 8% when debts were smaller. But this is not true today. The public debt in 1991 was 44% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Today, it is more than 100%. The government still has to spend more because of the lower interest rate, even though the debt is so large.
Analysts wrote: “The federal interest burden is at a new record, but the yield on long bonds has not reached that record.” The yield may seem normal by historical standards but not the government’s reaction to it.
In order to complicate matters, hyperscalers and major tech firms are now turning towards debt markets. AI companies will issue $225 billion of bonds during the first half 2026. This capital spending may worsen national debt, as many of the investments are tax-deductible. It also bucked a trend where private companies borrow less when governments were borrowing more. Tech giants are flocking to bonds with a 10-to-30 year term to raise the long-term funds needed to build out AI. This is straining the U.S. economy and forcing the government to offer higher interest rates to maintain demand.
Ed Yardeni, a Wall Street veteran and economist who has been in the business for over 30 years, wrote a note recently that said: “Capital is not flowing to Treasuries because it’s going into corporate bonds. Treasury yields had to go up to clean out the market.” The AI revolution has a crowding out effect that is causing Treasury yields rise.
Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury secretary, doubled Treasury buybacks for 10-to-30 year bonds from $2 billion up to $4 billion. This move surprised investors, and was a rare example of direct involvement by the Treasury chief. Doubleline analysts said the strategy blurred between managing cash and controlling markets. It also showed how crucial a time it is for the U.S. to manage interest rates on its debt.
Analysts said that “Net interest expenses have already reached a new record as a share of revenues, and the Treasury is continuing to finance large budget deficits on a market where private capital demand is high.” The level of long bonds is therefore more important than what the comparison with historical data suggests.

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Business

US fuel prices hit record high for Labor Day weekend

Filling up your tank to go on a last trip for the summer over Labor Day Weekend is more expensive than ever before in the U.S.
According to AAA, the average cost of gas for regular was $4.14 per gallon before the Labor Day holiday. This is nearly $1 higher than the previous year, and more than double the Labor Day Weekend record price of $3.82 in 2012.
Nicole Collins was planning to travel from Philadelphia to South Carolina in order to see friends. However, she explained that her family had spent the majority of summer at home because it is so costly to drive.
Gas is expensive right now. Collins added, “It doesn’t matter that we have a child, we have to also pay for this.” Collins was speaking outside of a Claymont gas station, Delaware where the price per gallon is $4.199.
The prices have risen since the U.S., Israel and other countries attacked Iran on February 22nd. The flow of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the transportation of crude oil to the world market, has plummeted. Iran refuses to open the Strait.
Tom Seng is a Texas Christian University professor of energy and finance. He said, “Everything pointed to the Iran War” and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Energy Secretary Chris Wright gave few details on the date when drivers could expect to see a reduction in gas prices, but acknowledged that the price is higher than Labor Day 2025.
Wright stated on ABC’s This Week that “yes, the prices are higher, but we will do everything to bring them back down.”
Gas prices are still below the national average of $5.02 per gallon, set by June 2022.
Diesel is another story. It reached a new record Friday of $5.85 per gallon, the national average.
Diesel is used by trucks and other systems for freight delivery. This increased cost of transportation, which can be passed onto consumers at grocery stores or package delivery services, increases the price.
Collins stated that “it doesn’t seem as if there is an end” to the situation.
As the driving season in summer ends, gas prices tend to drop. Refineries then switch over to a winter blend that is cheaper.
Seng added that there were other factors, even outside the unstable situation in the Middle East this year, which make the future price of oil unpredictable. U.S. refining plants are operating at 98% of their capacity. Many in Texas’s unusually hot heat. Prices will be hard to lower if there are any problems or hurricanes knock some systems off line.
It’s not just an issue in the Middle East. Diesel supplies are being squeezed by Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian refineries. Matthew Metzgar is a clinical economist at UNC Charlotte and he said that Chinese refiners also see a decline in output.
Metzgar stated that “there is just less fuel coming out of these refineries.”
Wright, energy secretary Wright, stated that Trump administration is taking steps to increase the production, and the markets are forecasting lower prices for the next few months.
If you take a look at futures, you’ll see that if you buy gasoline in bulk today for November two months in advance, the price is $0.35 less than today. The marketplace believes that gasoline prices will be significantly lower in the future,” said he.
There is not much a motorist can do geopolitically to bring down the price of gas.
Metzgar says that price apps are a good way to save money on trips, particularly long ones. Gas prices along the Interstate could be up to 10 cents per gallon higher than in stations just a few miles away.
___
Mingson Lau, a videojournalist with Associated Press and Gary Fields, a reporter for the Associated Press contributed.

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Amazon cargo plane crashes after overshooting Miami airport runway; at least 5 killed

Officials said that at least five people died and five were injured Sunday when an Amazon cargo aircraft overran the runway and hit several cars. Emergency crews were called to the crash scene, which prompted an approximately 3-hour stop on the ground at Miami International Airport.
Officials said that the Prime Air aircraft, operated by North Carolina’s 21 Air, had overrun one of airport runways before coming to rest on a nearby field.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported that the plane struck several vehicles in the area of the 2100 Block of Northwest 42nd Avenue. More than 60 units of the department responded to this crash. Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also said that it responded.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue battles fire after plane crash, rescues victims
Three of the five injured people were transported to local trauma centers in critical conditions. The two other people were evaluated and transported to hospitals in the area. No one has been identified.
MDFR reported that when the crews reached the aircraft, it was ablaze and emitting heavy smoke.
MDFR chief Ray Jadallah stated, “What we discovered was a complex situation.”
MDFR reported that crews used foam as well as specialized firefighting equipment to fight the flames. MDFR reported that crews conducted rescue and search operations for both the co-pilot and pilot inside the cockpit as well as locating patients at the scene.
The officials did not give any further details on the crew’s condition. The officials have stated that it is too soon to determine if those killed on board the plane were also among the passengers.
Officials said that several people had been trapped in their cars and needed to be rescued by MDFR’s technical rescue staff.
Amazon crash site fuel leak confirmed
MDFR reported that a fuel leak was “occurring from the aircraft and is currently being mitigated.” Natalie Milian Orbis, commissioner of the MDFR said that residents and motorists should avoid the area between 67th Ave and 25th Street.
The officials said that there is no threat to the public’s safety.
Amazon reacts to cargo plane accident
Amazon has confirmed that one of their planes is involved in this crash.
We’re working with officials and local authorities to determine exactly what happened. Our absolute priority right now is to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved. Kelly Nantel said that Amazon was doing all it could to help those who were affected.
Nantel stated that the company is “heartbroken” to hear of five deaths in an incident today at Miami International Airport. We extend our deepest sympathy to all the affected families and loved ones.
Nantel said that Amazon “will cooperate fully” with any investigations.
Does Miami International Airport remain under ground stop?
Around 2:30 pm, the Air Traffic Control System Command Center of the Federal Aviation Administration issued the Ground Stop. ET. Greg Chin is the director of communications for Miami-Dade Aviation Department. He says that two runways at the airport have been reopened. After about three hours the ground stop ended, however, as of Sunday evening, an average flight delay was six and a half hours.
FAA confirms that the Boeing 767 300 that left San Juan Puerto Rico was at fault for this crash. According to Flightradar24, the 767 was 32 years old. It had flown for a number of airlines as a passenger aircraft before being converted into a freight plane in 2015.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA both investigate.
Sean Duffy of the U.S. Department of Transportation shared a short statement with X informing travelers of potential delays and cancellations.

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