The passenger experience onboard American Airlines’ flights is about to get a major upgrade.
The Texas-based carrier just announced a sweeping overhaul to its narrowbody fleet, including the addition of seatback screens to every seat on the aircraft.
The refreshed planes will also get new perks like significantly expanded premium seating options and access to free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi.
Passengers can expect to see the upgrades roll out in phases across the carrier’s single-aisle jets like its Airbus A319 and A320 planes, as well as its Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
"We’re making one of the most significant investments in the onboard experience in our history,” said Heather Garboden, American’s chief customer officer. “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.”
The Return of Seatback Screens
The airline will add seatback screens to every seat on its new Airbus and Boeing planes that will be delivered starting in 2028, plus retrofitted narrowbody aircraft.
Previously, American had been phasing out entertainment screens on its smaller planes, saving the seatback amenity for about 140 widebody planes that operate long-haul routes.
In addition to giving customers access to TV shows and movies throughout their flight, the screens will be “among the largest displays offered on narrowbody aircraft in North America,” according to American.
They will also have 4K technology, USB-C charging ports, and Bluetooth connectivity that allows passengers to connect their own wireless headphones.
The screens are expected to be installed across the majority of the narrowbody fleet by the early 2030s.
Significantly Expanded Premium Seating
The airline plans to nearly double the number of premium seats across its narrowbody planes.
“Today, premium seating is approximately 25% of seats on narrowbody departures and in the coming years, that number will grow to approximately 40%,” an airline release stated.
Existing aircraft will be retrofitted with additional premium seats and new planes will roll off the production line with expanded premium configurations.
American will retrofit its Airbus A319 and A320 planes to have an extra row of first-class seats. Its upcoming deliveries of Boeing 737 Max 10 planes will feature 24 first-class seats and its new A321neo planes will be reconfigured to have more first-class seats as well.
The majority of the narrowbody planes will also see expanded rows of Main Cabin Extra seats, which come with extra legroom, earlier boarding, dedicated overhead bin space, and a free drink.
The narrowbody improvements come as American has been undergoing a major premium push throughout 2026 to offer enhanced premium products onboard its aircraft, in its lounges and airport spaces, and across customer service channels.
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