American Airlines is taking off with a sweeping transformation across its narrowbody fleet: installing state-of-the-art seatback entertainment screens at every seat and significantly expanding its most premium and spacious seating options.
American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said that: “We’re making one of the most significant investments in the onboard experience in our history. 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.”
American is ramping up its inflight experience, 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.
The carrier notes that currently, premium seating is approximately 25% of seats on narrowbody departures and in the coming years, that number will grow to approximately 40%.
American will also be equipping 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.
The next-generation platform offers stunning picture quality, seamless connectivity and will enable new personalized content for a premium customer experience.
American will be rolling out the new displays as quickly as possible, with full fleet installation expected to be complete by early next decade. With high-speed Starlink connectivity and American’s portfolio of premium onboard offerings, the next-generation seatback experience will create a more personalized, connected travel experience.
American said that the integration of seatback screens and the addition of premium seating represent the latest milestones in its ongoing investments to modernize the end-to-end travel experience on the ground and in the air — designed with all customers in mind, from corporate road warriors to once-a-year flyers.
