More Premium Seats, Seatback Screens: American Airlines to Upgrade Narrowbody Fleet

American Airlines has announced a major upgrade of its narrowbody fleet, including installing seatback entertainment screens at every seat and significantly expanding its most premium and spacious seating options.

“We’re making one of the most significant investments in the onboard experience in our history,” said American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. 

“From next-generation seatback entertainment at every seat to substantially more premium seating options, these enhancements will give our customers more ways to relax, stay connected and enjoy their journey.”

AA is increasing the number of premium and Main Cabin Extra seats across its narrowbody fleet by retrofitting existing aircraft and receiving new aircraft deliveries with premium configurations. Today, premium seating represents approximately 25% of seats on narrowbody planes — in the coming years, that number will grow to approximately 40%.

Highlights of the premium upgrade include:

More First Class seats:  American is currently retrofitting its Airbus A319 and A320 fleets to add an additional row of First Class. The airline’s upcoming deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft will have 24 First Class seats and the A321neo fleet will also be reconfigured to feature additional First Class seats.

More Main Cabin Extra: Retrofitting the majority of the narrowbody fleet to expand the number of MCE seats, providing more access to extra legroom, earlier boarding, dedicated overhead bin space and a complimentary beverage.

Refreshed interiors: More storage, redesigned seats and enhanced lighting will have customers flying in comfort and style.

A Screen for Every Seat

American will equip its narrowbody fleet with state-of-the-art seatback screens at every seat on all new Airbus and Boeing aircraft deliveries starting in 2028, as well as on retrofitted aircraft. These new installations will build on the more than 140 long-haul aircraft that feature seatback screens today.

Seatback Screen Features Include:

Industry-leading screen sizes: Among the largest displays offered on narrowbody aircraft in North America.

Expanded content and partnerships: Access to a broad selection of movies, TV, music, games and content.

USB-C fast charging ports: Convenient power at every seat to keep devices charged throughout the journey.

Bluetooth audio connectivity: Seamless pairing with customers’ personal wireless headphones and earbuds at every seat.

American says it will roll out the new displays as quickly as possible, with full fleet installation expected to be complete by early next decade.