American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would add more premium seats and bring back seatback screens on its narrowbody jets. These changes aim to attract higher-spending travelers as the airline tries to narrow the profitability gap with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Trailing Delta and United
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has ramped up premium upgrades as U.S. airlines compete aggressively for premium revenue.
However, American continues to trail Delta and United in profitability, adding pressure on Isom to close the gap. For 2026, American expects to break even, while Delta and United are both expecting solid profits. Last week, Isom acknowledged the “meaningful gap” between American’s performance and where it is expected to be.
Earlier in 2026, American flight attendants called for a leadership change. Pilots, meanwhile, questioned whether the current management can deliver the improvement.
More Premium Seats in the Coming Years
Premium seating is expected to rise to about 40% of seats on narrowbody jets in the coming years, up from 25% today. Travelers can expect more first-class seats along with main cabin seats with extra legroom. According to the airline’s plan, existing aircraft will be reconfigured, while new jets will be added to the fleet.
In the second quarter, premium travelers accounted for almost half of ticketed revenue while accounting for roughly 30% of the seats.
Return of Seatback Screens
The return of seatback screens marks a reversal of the airline’s previous in-flight entertainment approach. Around a decade ago, American started moving away from screens. The airline anticipated that passengers would watch TV series and movies on their mobile devices.
With advances in technology and high-speed satellite Wi-Fi, passengers can now stay more connected and enjoy a more personalized onboard experience, according to the airline.
Retrofits will start by 2028 and are expected to be completed by the 2030s. Meanwhile, Boeing and Airbus aircraft with seatback screens are expected to join the fleet in 2028.
