Time to book your international flight for 2025

If you're thinking about taking an international flight in 2025, time to book it in the next couple of weeks if you can.<br><br>Flights from the US to Europe change from the current-generation wide-body jets (A350, 777, 787, A330, A380) to the next-generation wide-body jets (A350ULR, A350-1000, 777X, 787-10, A321XLR, A330neo) in 2025. The new planes burn 20-40% less fuel and are also more comfortable.<br><br>Airlines will be retiring the planes that burn more fuel and replacing them with the next-generation planes, but will keep running those routes with the old planes until the new planes arrive.<br><br>A route that currently uses an A380 or 777-300ER will often move to an A350 or 787-9 in 2025 and the old jet will be retired. The new generation jets are more comfortable, quieter, and if you have to fly in coach, will have more modern coach seats with power outlets and big screens. In premium cabins, they will often have suites with closing doors and other modern amenities.<br><br>If the route is changing from an A330 or 777-200ER to an A350 or 787, the in-flight experience will stay the same, it will just burn less fuel.<br><br>A route that currently uses a 787-8 or 777-200ER might move to an A321XLR, A330neo, or A350ULR, which are all more fuel-efficient and modern than the planes they replace.<br><br>The 787-8 is probably the best coach international jet in the air today, so planes like the A350ULR and A321XLR will be a step back for coach, but the A321XLR can fly routes that previously needed a wide-body jet. The A321XLR will have modern coach seats and be quieter than the 787, but will also not have as much legroom or big screens. The A321XLR will have more modern premium cabins than the 787, but probably no closing doors in business class.<br><br>A route that currently uses an A320neo or 737 will probably move to an A320neo or a 737 that was previously used on long-haul fights, so the A320neo will not change, but the 737 MAX 10 will have modern coach seats, quieter cabin, and better fuel efficiency (and more legroom than the A321XLR). The MAX 10 premium cabin will not be as nice as the A321XLR premium cabin, and might not have closing doors in business class.<br><br>This is similar to 2017 when the 787 and A350 started getting delivered in large numbers and routes that had 767/777/747 moved to the 787/A350, or 2014 when a lot of routes moved from 767/77E to the 787.<br><br>If you're thinking about flying internationally in 2025, you should probably book now, because a lot of routes will change in 2025 and the flights in 2025 will burn less fuel and be nicer than the flights from previous years.<br><br>Some routes launching in 2025 with the A350ULR or A321XLR will have the new plane for a couple of months in 2024 before moving to the new plane in 2025.<br><br>A few examples of where you might find a new plane in 2025:<br><br>* business class with closing doors on AA/LH/UA flights from the US to Europe. Right now, they mostly have business class with lie-flat beds but no closing doors. In 2025, they will start to get deliveries of planes with suites that have closing doors in business class.<br>* AA flights from MIA to deep South America (EZE, GIG, GRU) moving from the 777-200ER to the A321XLR. The A321XLR has a modern cabin and more capacity.<br>* UA flights from IAD to secondary airports in Europe will move from the 767-300ER to the A321XLR. The A321XLR has a modern cabin and more capacity.<br>* LH flights from the US to FRA/MUC moving from the 747-400 and A340-600 to the A350-900 and A350-1000. The A350 will have more capacity and a more modern cabin.<br>* AF/KL flights from the US to CDG/AMS moving from the A350-900 and 777-200ER to the A350-1000 and A350ULR. The A350ULR will have more capacity and a more modern cabin.<br>* BA flights from the US to LHR moving from the 777-200ER and 747-400 to the A350-1000 and A380neo. The A350 will have more capacity and a more modern cabin.<br>* IB flights from the US to MAD moving from the A330-200 and A350-900 to the A350-1000 and A330neo. The A350-1000 will have more capacity and a more modern cabin.<br><br>Most airlines will not change all of their planes in 2025, so you'll probably want to check the plane on your route before you book.