American Airlines announced it would be installing seatback entertainment screens at every seat across its narrowbody fleet and significantly expanding its premium and spacious seating options.

Heather Garboden, chief customer officer, said, “We’re making one of the most significant investments in the onboard experience in our history.”  She added, “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 also significantly 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, according to the announcement, premium seating is approximately 25% of seats on narrowbody departures, and in the coming years, that number will grow to approximately 40%.

As a result, American’s customers will see:

• 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: The carrier is retrofitting the majority of the narrowbody fleet to expand the number of MCE seats, providing even more access to extra legroom, earlier boarding, dedicated overhead bin space and a complimentary beverage.

American will equip its narrowbody fleet with 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.

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