American Airlines will retrofit its narrow-body fleet with seatback screens at every seat and a larger premium cabin, starting with new Airbus and Boeing deliveries in 2028 before extending the programme across the existing fleet. The Fort Worth-based carrier plans to lift premium seating on narrow-body flights from about 25% to roughly 40% over the coming years, while more than 800 aircraft are expected to receive the new entertainment system.
The move reverses a long-running strategy that removed built-in screens from much of the airline’s single-aisle fleet in favour of passenger-owned devices. New cabins will include 4K displays, Bluetooth audio and USB-C charging, alongside personalised content features and upgraded flight information.
American is pitching the overhaul at higher-yield travellers as it seeks to sharpen its competitive position against rivals with stronger premium offerings. The rollout will begin on newly delivered aircraft and then move into retrofit work, with completion expected in the early 2030s.