American Airlines shows off planned updates to its fleet of narrowbody planes. (Source: American Airlines)
American Airlines plans to give its entire narrowbody fleet of planes a giant makeover that will result in more room for many of the passengers and more technology for all of them.
Big picture view:
The airline is promising passengers on its new and refreshed planes a more up-to-date experience with larger, 4K displays that will give a more personalized experience through a wider range of partnerships.
The seats will also come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, so passengers can use their own headphones, and fast-charging USB-C outlets. Additionally, American plans to team with satellite internet provider Starlink to bring its service to the airline.
What they're saying:
"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," said American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden.
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More premium seating
American intends to install more First-Class and Main Cabin Extra seats in its renovated planes to offer more room and comfort to those willing to pay for it. While the company broke down the additions, it did not indicate how the changes will affect the number of total seats, nor did it say how many regular economy seats would remain.
American is also adding more First-Class seats as well as additional Main Cabin Extra spots to all planes. The company said that it has already started the changeover with its existing fleet, and new planes will follow the new layout.
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Timeline:
American expects approximately 800 of its narrowbody planes, a class that covers single-aisle planes with up to six seats in a row, to be affected by the plan. Starting in 2028, all new Airbus and Boeing aircraft will come with the new seats and more premium seating, American explained.
While some planes in the current fleet are already undergoing the upgrades, American said it does not expect to have the new features installed in every one of the targeted planes until the early 2030s.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from American Airlines. This story was reported from Orlando.